Neptune took his pen and crossed out "Marine," replacing it with Taro's name. Then, he shouted toward the outside,
"Shark Star, prepare two contracts according to this!"
"Also, Shirahoshi, come in for a moment!"
Why call Shirahoshi?
Taro looked up at Neptune in confusion, as Shark Star and Shirahoshi had already swum in excitedly.
Neptune handed the draft agreement in his hand to Shark Star. "Prepare it quickly!"
After Shark Star left, Neptune called Shirahoshi to his side.
"As for that promise, it's more appropriate for Shirahoshi to make it with you."
As Neptune spoke, he stared fixedly at Taro's reaction.
Taro was startled, and his expression instantly became serious.
Taro, of course, knew that Shirahoshi was 'Poseidon.'
It was precisely because of this that he couldn't help but take it seriously; a verbal agreement with Neptune and a promise to Shirahoshi were two different things.
"Father, Lord Taro, what are you talking about? What promise?"
Shirahoshi sensed the subtle atmosphere between the two, her gentle voice sounding like a small animal's.
Neptune said nothing, only watching Taro. He took in every change in Taro's expression, and his eyes suddenly widened slightly.
Taro!
He really does know Shirahoshi's true identity. He is the Joy Boy of this era, there's no mistake!
Seeing the old king remain silent, Taro had no choice but to look up at Shirahoshi, showing a bright smile.
"Shirahoshi, I want to make a promise with you!"
Shirahoshi tilted her head, looking curious. "Okay, Lord Taro, what kind of promise?"
Taro shook his head with a smile. "I'll tell you slowly in the future, I can't say it yet!"
As he spoke, he extended his right hand, clenched it into a fist, and held it up.
Shirahoshi looked bewildered. "Lord Taro, this..."
"Shirahoshi, do you trust me?" Taro asked solemnly.
"Ah, of course, Lord Taro, I trust you the most!" Shirahoshi said with a look of grievance, thinking Taro was angry.
Seeing Taro wave his right arm a few times, she finally extended her right hand. After a slight hesitation, she retracted four fingers, leaving only her pinky extended.
"Hahahaha!"
Taro was amused by Shirahoshi's little girl behavior. He relaxed his fist and extended his pinky to touch Shirahoshi's pinky.
Meanwhile, on the platform on the east side of the square.
"Ah!"
Madame Shyarly let out a cry of surprise, causing several people nearby to look at her. Jinbe also retracted his gaze from Hody across from him.
"Shirley, what's wrong?"
Madame Shyarly's face changed drastically. "It's changed, it's changed!"
"Changed? What changed..." Jinbe's brow furrowed slightly, and then his eyes widened.
"You mean the divination result has changed? What did it become?"
Madame Shyarly looked over her companions one by one. "That half of the mist has filled the entire Fish-Man Island, extinguishing the half that was previously burning with flames!"
Blue Fatty stood up in shock, his sharp gaze fixed on the Covenant Hall in the center of the square.
"Could it really be him?"
Then he turned to Madame Shyarly. "What exactly does that mist represent? What has become of Fish-Man Island's fate?"
Madame Shyarly shook her head in pain.
"No, I don't know. There is only mist; the two previous figures have disappeared!"
Everyone's expressions turned grim. Recalling Shirley's previous prophecies that had come true, all of this seemed to indicate that Fish-Man Island's future was uncertain.
Inside the Covenant Hall, Taro sensed a power trying to peer into this place. His expression faltered, and he turned his head to look.
Just as he was about to investigate, Prince Shark Star rushed in with two contracts and handed them to Neptune.
"Father, they are ready!"
Neptune took them, quickly checked them over, signed his name, and then pushed them in front of Taro.
That feeling of being watched was also fleeting. Taro frowned slightly and retracted his focus.
He took his pen and signed his name on the two contracts. Taro paused, then added a few strokes to one of the contracts before handing it to Neptune.
Neptune took it and glanced at it. The signature area had Taro's name written in the common language, followed by two square, symbol-like characters.
The Great Knight of the Kingdom looked at those two Hanzi characters, his mind momentarily stunned, and then, as if having gained some enlightenment, he laughed heartily.
"Shark Star, tell all the citizens the good news that the treaty is complete! Hohohoho, Neptune!"
Hody Jones's anger was already uncontrollable when he saw Shark Star re-enter the Covenant Hall with the two contracts.
When Shark Star walked out again with a joyful expression, Hody roared before Shark Star could even speak,
"New Fish-Man Pirates, move out!"
In an instant, a sudden change occurred. The watching Fish-Man Island residents and Ryugu Guards didn't even have time to react.
A short Fishman instantly drilled out from underground. Then, all around the square, the ground where the Ryugu Guards stood began to crack with a "creak, creak" sound.
"Rumble~"
The ground collapsed, dust rose everywhere, and accompanied by the cries of the guards falling underground, everyone was stunned by this sudden upheaval!
Taro heard the commotion outside, his heart skipping a beat, and he rushed out in a single stride.
Neptune and Shirahoshi exchanged a glance. Seeing the panic in his daughter's eyes, he said urgently,
"Shirahoshi, stay inside!"
Then he followed him out.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh~
Several figures leaped down from the platform, while more Fishman pirates, holding swords and sabers, rushed into the center of the square from the few remaining passages.
Taro recognized Hody Jones at a glance and was greatly surprised.
Logically, this guy only recently formed the New Fish-Man Pirates. Where did he get the confidence to rebel?
Even with the boost from energy steroids, in his memory, Hody Jones's combat strength still wasn't that strong.
Furthermore, Gyoncorde Plaza wasn't in the sea; without water, his combat strength was even more like a salted fish.
Where did he get the nerve?
However, Hody Jones was a Fishman after all. Even if he rebelled, it was an internal affair of Fish-Man Island. Taro originally hadn't taken him to heart.
Of course, things were different now; Taro was the protector of Fish-Man Island.
"Taro, did the talks break down? Is there going to be a fight?"
In the Marine camp, Grant and Sherman didn't care about hiding anymore and jumped straight in front of Taro, asking with excitement.
Taro was stunned for a moment upon seeing these two guys.
"What fight? Stand down!"
He scolded the two of them, then said hatefully, "You two, disobeying military orders and leaving your posts without permission... when this is over, get back and receive your punishment!"
Grant and Sherman exchanged a glance, not caring much about Taro's so-called punishment. Sherman even leaned in closer.
"Vice Admiral, we accept our punishment, but looking at the current situation, a fight is definitely going to break out, right?"
"Exactly, Taro, this is a trap by Fish-Man Island. Our Marines didn't bring any weapons, this..."
Grant chimed in, his face full of eagerness for battle, without a hint of panic.
"Shut up!" Taro barked with a dark face. These two bastards just wanted to see the world burn!
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