Robin did not follow Dragon Palace City, but followed Ross's instructions to look for the historical text monument of Fish-Man Island. As for Luo and Lafitte, they did not come either. Ross was the only one in the main hall.
Not long after, a male mermaid wearing a crown walked in.
"Your Highness Neptune."
When he saw the other party walking in, Jinbei immediately saluted him. Although he was the king of Shichibukai and was now the fishman leader of Fishman Island, he was still very respectful to the royal family.
"You're welcome, Jinbei."
Neptune looked at Jinbei with a smile. He didn't have the airs of a king in front of Jinbei, and said, "You haven't been to Ryugu Castle for a long time."
As he spoke, he turned to look at Ross and said, "Thank you, Lord Ross, for saving Otohime. I have already asked people to prepare a banquet. Please be sure to accept my thanks."
"It's easy, no need to worry. How is Princess Otohime?"
Ross asked towards Neptune.
Neptune smiled and said: "It's nothing serious, but she rushed out to find you and was stopped by me. She will come over later."
"Since you are injured, let's rest first. I will stay in Dragon Palace City for a while. By the way, the tea here is very good." Ross smiled lightly.
Jinbei saw that Ross had not done anything since he came to Ryugu Castle. After Neptune appeared, he was very stable and his heart gradually relaxed.
However, he was still worried about Ross staying in Dragon Palace City, so he asked Neptune to stay in Dragon Palace City temporarily. Of course, Neptune readily agreed.
…
A few days later.
In the huge garden of Dragon Palace City, the six-year-old mermaid princess Bai Xiaoxing is sitting on a lawn. Next to her is Robin, who has found the historical text stone tablet and followed him to Dragon Palace City.
Although in Robin's aesthetics, the three-headed hell dog from the Devil's Triangle is cuter, Shirahoshi's appearance is still very lovable. In addition, she is the true form of the ancient weapon Neptune, so Robin still goes with her. Got up close and personal, and soon became 'Sister Robin'.
The other side.
Princess Otohime has a bandage on her shoulder and seems to have almost recovered.
Two days ago, she learned the news from the Chambord Islands. Ross killed a Celestial Dragon and left after a fierce battle with the admiral. She was extremely shocked. Not only her, but also Neptune and Jinbe. Everyone was shocked, they didn’t expect Rhodes to do such a big thing!
"Are you planning to kill that Celestial Dragon? Doing so will only endlessly anger the World Government, which is meaningless..."
Otohime tries to persuade Ross.
Rhodes responded calmly: "I don't plan to kill him now, but making the World Government angry is the meaning in itself. How can it be said that it is meaningless?"
Otohime's tone was stagnant, and she realized that Ross's attitude was even worse than that of the fishmen of the Sun Pirates. She couldn't help but show a complicated look, and she didn't know how to persuade him for a while.
At this moment, Ross suddenly turned to look at her and said, "You are planning to save the Tianlong people, and then win his approval for the fishmen to move ashore."
"well?"
Otohime was stunned for a moment, but she didn't expect that her thoughts were completely seen through by Ross. When she was about to retort, she was not just persuading for this reason, but she heard Ross's tone suddenly became a little solemn.
Ross stared at her, his eyes calm and profound and said: "Don't take it for granted, Otohime."
"Even if you get the signatures of the Celestial Dragons and the consent of all the fish people, can you guarantee that humans will treat fish people and mermaids the same way as you do?"
"this… "
Otohime was stunned.
Ross continued in a cold tone: "Don't say anything like 'Do you believe humans and fishmen can understand each other?' Before you have absolute strength to ensure the safety of your people, letting them come ashore is tantamount to We are burying the entire Fish-Man Island!"
Otohime fell into silence. Ross's words pierced her heart sharply, like a wake-up call, piercing the part of herself that she had been unwilling to think about, or that had been numbing herself.
Yes.
Even if fish people and mermaids can accept peaceful coexistence with humans, can humans definitely do it? Maybe, but she couldn't guarantee it, and being unable to guarantee it would be irresponsible to her own people.
To use what Ross said before, it is too taken for granted.
"However, your Fish-Man Island is not completely devoid of power. Needless to say, Jinbe's strength is also extraordinary. Shirahoshi's ability is also extraordinary."
Ross's words became calmer, and he turned to look at Bai Xiaoxing who was playing with Robin in the distance, showing a faint smile.
"White Star?"
Otohime was slightly startled when she heard Ross's words. Ross mentioned Jinbe's strength. This was easy to understand. After all, he was King Shichibukai, but Shirahoshi's ability made her think that she had heard wrongly. A six-year-old What abilities can the mermaid princess have
Ross has no intention of hiding Otohime. Anyway, Shirahoshi's ability will awaken sooner or later. Rather than letting her awaken and be exposed unconsciously, it is better to let Otohime protect Shirahoshi in advance.
"There should always be a legend on Fish-Man Island. Mermaid princesses who can communicate with and control Sea Kings will be born on this island every once in a while..."
When Ross said this, his tone paused slightly. Under Otohime's astonished gaze, he said calmly: "Yes, Shirahoshi is the mermaid princess."
"!!!"
Otohime looked at Shirahoshi in the distance in shock and disbelief. She couldn't believe Ross's words, but Ross obviously didn't need to lie to her.
"But, Bai Xing..."
"When you were in danger before, her ability almost awakened directly, but I stopped her. It's better not to expose this ability."
Ross interrupted Otohime, turned to look at her, and said: "How to protect Shirahoshi, I don't need to say more. You know the meaning of that kind of power."
There was a trace of sweat on Otohime's forehead.
She took a deep look at Bai Xing and nodded slowly.
"So there is no need to collect those meaningless signatures. It is your responsibility to protect Bai Xing, because this involves not only the safety of Fish-Man Island, but also the entire world."
Ross said slowly to Otohime.
He didn't say any empty words, such as overthrowing the World Government and giving Fish-Man Island status in the future. Although he was already somewhat capable of saying such words in his current status, it was unnecessary.
Just wake up Otohime and tell her Shirahoshi's ability, and she will know what she should do. Before, she was just blinded by kindness and 'peaceful coexistence'.
As for whether he will use Bai Xing's power in the future, it is not within his scope now.
That was something in the future, at least after he became the 'Yonko'.