Neptune looked at Hera in shock. How much had she drunk to dare speak like that? Weren't the minors served juice?
Hera was a little speechless at Neptune's drunken gaze. "I'm not drunk, I'm serious. Do you know the legendary Nika?"
Upon hearing this, Neptune's eyes instantly changed. "How do you know about this, and how do you know that I know?"
Hera broke free from Neptune's hands, which had unconsciously rested on her shoulders in his shock. "I even know about the Sea Kings, so what's the big deal about knowing Nika? I even know about that shadow on the Celestial Dragons' throne."
Hearing this, Neptune instantly became unsettled, looking around warily. He even wanted to cover her mouth when Hera mentioned the Celestial Dragons, only relaxing after seeing no one was around.
Hera looked at Neptune's cautious demeanor, a bit speechless. "I just mentioned it, and look how scared you are. Don't worry, this area is covered by the City of Devouring Time. She couldn't possibly hear our conversation from that far away."
Hera then said, "My ability is related to time. I won't tell you the specifics, but I can receive messages from the future. The Human-Human devil fruit, Mythical Zoan type, Nika form, has already chosen someone and will awaken during their trials, bringing liberation to this sea."
Hera continued, "Before Nika awakens, I want to gather the Marine. The Marine's justice should not be defined by the World Government, much less be the vicious dogs of the Celestial Dragons."
To persuade Neptune, Hera selectively told him some future events, hoping he would side with the Marine.
Hera looked at the hesitant Neptune and persuaded him again, "Are you content to stay at the bottom of the sea forever? Besides, how much worse could it get? All you have to do is secretly transport treasures from the sea to the Marine, and you'll have a chance to legally come ashore."
"Moreover, Whitebeard's injuries are getting more and more severe. How long can his prestige last? You know, ambitious individuals eyeing the Four Emperors position are constantly emerging in the sea."
"I swear in Garp's name, as long as you agree to provide financial aid, at worst, we'll let old man Garp guard the Sabaody Archipelago above."
Neptune's eyes turned red, as if he had made a certain decision. "Can you make the decision? Can you really give us the Sabaody Archipelago after liberation?"
Hera nodded. "Although I am only a Headquarters Major now, rest assured, the promise made by a future Fleet Admiral will not be broken. Besides, you'll transport secretly through me, so not many people will know. In just a few years, you'll see evidence of Nika."
Neptune nodded. According to Hera, this was indeed an opportunity. Countless ships sank in the sea every year, and most treasures lay on the seabed, submerged with the vessels.
These treasures could be easily found by the Sea King, who controlled the Sea Kings. Moreover, he only needed to provide some military funds to the Marine for a few years in the future, without having to confront anyone directly. With low risk and ample retreat options, Neptune was tempted.
However, despite being tempted, his long experience managing a kingdom made him want to confirm with Hera:
"You mean, I will fully search for treasures in the sea for you, and you promise that after liberation, you will incorporate the Sabaody Archipelago into Fish-Man Island's jurisdiction? If Nika doesn't appear, the hero of the marines will protect this place after Whitebeard."
Hera nodded, but still reminded him, "If Nika awakens in this era, then the Sea King must also contribute. Don't worry, I will protect Shirahoshi."
Neptune thought of the long-standing prophecy, and more importantly, he saw the shadow of the next Marine Fleet Admiral in Hera. After gritting his teeth, he nodded. "Alright, I agree to your plan."
Hera nodded in satisfaction upon hearing Neptune's agreement. She had said some things she shouldn't have to win him over, and if he had stubbornly refused, then the power of the ability would not have been for nothing.
However, Hera didn't like using such direct methods. She always believed in 'courtesy before force,' and charming an old man with her ability was also a bit unpleasant for Hera.
Hera's goal in coming to Fish-Man Island was perfectly achieved: she gained the goodwill of the Fishmen, met Princess Shirahoshi, rescued Queen Otohime whom she liked, and found another source of funding for the future Marine.
After all this, the two returned to the banquet. With a shared secret, their relationship became closer, and the banquet's atmosphere, in perfect harmony, came to an end.
Early the next morning, a huge fish tail appeared in front of Hera's room. A large hand pulled away the blanket covering Hera, revealing Kuina, Ain, Nami, and Perona on the bed.
Shirahoshi looked angry and poked Hera, who was still groggy from sleep. "Really, you guys had a secret party last night and didn't even invite me to play."
As Hera's consciousness gradually cleared, she also felt that her room seemed a bit crowded. Only then did she discover that four people were lying next to her. She quickly looked at herself, and only after finding her clothes normal did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Hera's blurry memory gradually recalled the events of last night. She, relying on being a transmigrator, insisted on drinking some of Ryugu Kingdom's specialty wine, and Kuina and the others tried to stop her.
But Hera's speed was too fast, both in drinking and getting drunk. Unexpectedly, even after transmigrating, she still had no alcohol tolerance, and one cup made her act drunk, even wanting to get all her crewmates drunk.
In the end, they all worked together to take Hera away, and the exhausted group ended up sleeping together.
"Hera!" a slightly angry voice sounded from behind Hera. Kuina's slightly angry fist hit Hera's head. Hera instinctively covered her head and squatted down defensively.
Looking at her Captain in this state, Kuina's anger disappeared. The angry fist turned into a gentle hand, stroking Hera, who was curled into a ball. "Alright, alright, no more drinking next time. Do you know how tiring it is to clean up your drunken mess?"
"mm."
Then she realized something was wrong. Her Observation Haki sensed that all her crewmates were awake and looking at her. Perona looked particularly speechless, muttering, "How could Moriah be defeated by her? I won't admit it."
Hera, feeling her already scarce Captain's prestige completely gone, felt her face flush even more. Buried in Kuina's embrace, Hera whispered, "You, you didn't see anything."
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