Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Whitebeard's Flag
The Ryugu is a specialized ship for the royal family of the Ryugu Kingdom. Considering the large size of Neptune and his children, the cabin is very spacious. Neptune's chair could even be used as a bed for Adrian.

On their first visit to Fishman Island, they didn't feel like sitting comfortably in the chairs. After a brief chat, they leaned by the window together to enjoy the view.

As they looked at the scenery from the window, there were people observing them from behind.

The four children curiously observed the kind humans their mother mentioned, especially Shirahoshi, who timidly extended her finger as if to touch them, but hesitated.

Queen Otohime introduced the scenic spots on Fishman Island one by one: "Over there is the Coral Hill, there's the Mermaid Bay, and the Mermaid Café is over there... all worth visiting."

While planning their upcoming itinerary, Artoria noticed a conspicuous black flag: "That flag, is it a pirate flag?"

Queen Otohime replied, "Yes, that's the flag of the Great Pirate Whitebeard. Currently, Fishman Island is under Whitebeard's protection."

"A country under the protection of a pirate?" Artoria asked in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Neptune explained the history of Fishman Island to her:

"Since the Great Pirate Era began ten years ago, countless pirates flooded into the New World from the first half of the Grand Line, also known as Paradise. Fishman Island, being a necessary route for the pirates, suffered greatly due to their presence.

Pillaging and kidnapping were rampant, and Fishman Island was even captured by pirates at one point. It wasn't until Whitebeard repelled those pirates and left his flag, claiming Fishman Island as his territory, that the situation eased. Otherwise, the sight you see today might not be as it is now."

So, while Roger may share some blame, there's also another issue, Adrian asked: "Doesn't that sound wrong? When it comes to underwater warfare, who can match the Fishmen? If you just stay outside Fishman Island and destroy their coating, won't the pirate ships sink one by one?"

For Neptune, the King, this was a disgraceful matter. He explained with a heavy tone:

"If it were just one or two ordinary pirate crews, there wouldn't be much to worry about. But that time, it seemed like many pirate crews collaborated, and our forces were limited, with few strong fighters.

Also, the bubble coating isn't that fragile. Even if you want to destroy the coating, you need to make a large enough breach or puncture numerous holes simultaneously. By the time that's done, they'd already counterattacked.

Furthermore, they later found a way to use bubbles for short underwater operations and battles, putting us at an even greater disadvantage. So, Fishman Island went through its darkest period."

The group fell silent temporarily, but Queen Otohime was suddenly in tears.

She held Artoria's hand, tears streaming down her face as she said, "Please don't blame yourself! I can sense the immense regret and pain in your heart. The downfall of the country is not your fault! You've done everything you could, you are the greatest ruler!"

For a moment, everyone was taken aback. Shouldn't Neptune the one who supposed to show deep sorrow about not protecting the country? Did the queen married a wrong guy?

"I'm fine, it's just that hearing similar experiences stirred up some unpleasant memories," Artoria said, reaching out to wipe away Queen Otohime's tears. "Your ability really is like cheating."

Neptune, his children, and ministers were all shocked. This little person was once a ruler? And judging from what Queen Otohime said, a pretty formidable one?

Rui Mengmeng and Sharkler were equally surprised. The Artoria they saw was usually just practicing swordplay and eating, appearing carefree. They hadn't expected her to have such a history.

Of course, Artoria wouldn't go around talking about such matters. Adrian knew some of it, but it wasn't appropriate to share with them.

Seeing Queen Otohime crying like this, Adrian really couldn't fathom the pain and despair Artoria must have experienced back then.

Adrian nudged the bewildered Tom and whispered something in his ear, then pushed him into Artoria's arms.

"What's going on?" Artoria glanced at Adrian, then at Tom, not sure what they were up to.

Tom innocently turned his head to Adrian, then back to Artoria, and started playfully messing with his own head.

Stretching his ears, pulling his cheeks, tying his beard into knots, sticking his tongue out to make faces, twisting both ears into spirals on top of his head..."

Artoria smiled and pinched Tom's head back to its original shape. "Thanks, Tom, and thanks to your unscrupulous owner. I'm fine now."

"How amazing! Are all the cats on the sea so powerful?" A not-so-small head leaned over from the side, and Princess Shirahoshi's eyes widened.

"Only Tom is this capable." Artoria didn't want to impart incorrect knowledge to Shirahoshi. She explained briefly and let go of Tom.

Tom looked at Shirahoshi's massive fish tail and couldn't help but start drooling.

Adrian quickly restrained Tom. No biting allowed, if Tom bit Shirahoshi and she cried, the Kings might just flip Fishman Island. The Kings he could summon were all over five kilometers long.

Shirahoshi timidly hid behind her brothers. She was still a bit shy.

"Oh, right, we've prepared some gifts for you." Adrian pointed to the six boxes brought on board earlier.

"These are wines for King Neptune, some of the more popular ones in taverns..." Adrian glanced at Neptune's size and added a bit apologetically, "But it seems like we didn't prepare enough."

"Hahaha, it's more than enough. I appreciate your kindness!" Neptune laughed heartily, relishing the chance to make friends with humans other than Whitebeard.

"This necklace is for Queen Otohime." Adrian presented a colorful gemstone necklace, a valuable item that used to belong to one of Tom's former owners. Suitable for a lady of high status, none of the tavern patrons had such tastes, making it a perfect gift.

"Thank you!" Queen Otohime accepted it happily. More than the value of the necklace, she cherished Adrian's thoughtfulness.

"And these are for the three princes, hoping you'll become powerful warriors." Adrian conjured a spear and two longswords as if performing magic.

These were exquisite weapons from the palace where Tom had served as a guard. The three princes weren't particularly large yet, so these could serve as toys or collectibles.

"Thank you for the gifts. We'll work hard!" The three princes eagerly held the weapons. With a King as their father, their aspiration was to become strong warriors and protect their sister.

It wasn't sibling attachment but the fact that Shirahoshi was unique. Queen Otohime had explicitly instructed them to be excellent older brothers and strong warriors, to prevent Shirahoshi from suffering any harm or fright.

Finally, Adrian looked at Shirahoshi. Shirahoshi hesitated behind Queen Otohime, torn between curiosity and fear. Only after Queen Otohime encouraged her softly did she step forward.

"So, watch closely, ta-da~" Adrian extended his hand, and a tree over two meters tall appeared in the cabin.

It was Tom's Christmas tree, adorned with various colored lights and candies.

Compared to the previously given items, this was the least valuable, yet it was the most precious to them.

Because there were no trees on Fishman Island, no forests. Many people on the island had never seen a tree in their entire lives. The first lesson Queen Otohime taught her children about the surface world was what trees looked like.

Strangely, even the Straw Hat crew managed to grow an orange tree on their ship, yet Fishman Island, without a single tree, hadn't brought one down. Maybe it wasn't necessary? Or perhaps too much trouble?

Anyway, they didn't need to worry about this tree. Although it was a potted Christmas tree, it came from Tom's household. With proper care, it would last a long time. Adrian even suspected that even if he died, the tree wouldn't. Even if he turned yellow, the tree wouldn't.

"Ah? Is this a tree?" Shirahoshi approached excitedly to observe. "So trees can grow candy..."

Actually, I've always found it unbelievable that Fishman Island could be invaded by pirates. Even characters like Big Mom become helpless in the sea. She sometimes loses her memories and Jack had to lie low at the bottom of the sea waiting for rescue. Why could those pirates easily conquer Fishman Island?

But there's nothing I can do, Fishman Island's background story is what it is. I can only find a way to make it fit.