"If you cannot explain your intentions, I will not allow you to enter the island!" Jinbe said calmly, and members of the Sun Pirates emerged from all around, causing the Marines on the ship to tense up.
Fighting against Fish-Men in the open sea is extremely disadvantageous for humans, especially in this deep-sea area. It's practically suicide.
Ryu was about to say something when his expression suddenly changed. After a few minutes, he exhaled and said, "Let me meet King Neptune. I have something I wish to discuss with him. I can go alone. Surely, with so many of you here, you're not afraid of me?"
Jinbe looked at Ryu with a strange expression. He could sense that Ryu's original intentions had changed. He wasn't sure why Ryu had altered his plan.
Ryu knew the reason, though, and it was causing him great distress. He had just received a mission from the system, and that was why he had changed his mind.
"Wait here. I need to ask His Majesty," Jinbe said after a moment of thought. He called over a Fish-Man and spoke to him. The Fish-Man quickly left, heading toward the Ryugu Palace.
"By the way, Jinbe, I heard from Ace that you two are close. Do you know where he is? I've been looking for him for a while and still can't find his whereabouts!" Ryu asked, feeling a bit bored as they waited.
"Ace, my little brother? What do you need him for?" Jinbe asked cautiously.
"Huh? Didn't he tell you that I'm his brother?" Ryu said with a light laugh.
"Brother?" Jinbe exclaimed in surprise.
Even the members of the Sun Pirates nearby were shocked. Fish-Man Island was under the protection of Whitebeard, so as the captain of the second division, Ace was very well known.
"That's right. I'm very concerned about him. I've already warned him that Blackbeard Teach is extremely dangerous, and told him to be cautious.
But he didn't listen. Now, Teach has killed the fourth division captain, Thatch, and taken the Dark-Dark Fruit. His power is terrifying!" Ryu said in a serious tone. "Ace didn't listen to my warning and insisted on pursuing Teach, so I'm really worried about his safety!"
Jinbe looked at Ryu thoughtfully, unsure whether Ryu's words were true.
"Aren't you a Marine? How could you be Ace's brother?" Fisher Tiger asked carefully.
"Don't you know who Ace's grandfather is?" Ryu asked, surprised.
"Who?" Jinbe blinked in confusion.
Ryu knocked on his head and said, "Never mind, it's not something to discuss here. When you get the chance to meet Ace, ask him yourself."
Ryu's words seemed to make Jinbe start believing him. Plus, despite being a Marine, Ryu had a good reputation, so Jinbe gradually lowered his guard and said, "I only know that Ace left Whitebeard's ship to search for Teach. As for his exact location, I'm really not sure."
"I met him in Alabasta, but because of Luffy, he managed to slip away. Later, I went to Jaya Island, where I found traces of Teach, but I couldn't find any sign of Ace!" Ryu said softly, ignoring the fact that he had forgotten about Ace's whereabouts.
"Luffy? Is he Ace's brother?" Jinbe grinned and said, "I often hear him mention him!"
"That's right, a guy who doesn't play by the rules, and always gets into trouble" Ryu sighed, slightly annoyed.
"Hahahaha!"
In just a short time, Ryu had become quite familiar with Jinbe. Even the Sun Pirates' attitude toward him had improved a lot
.
"Let's go. His Majesty has agreed, but you can only go alone!" After meeting with his subordinates, Jinbe waved to Ryu.
Ryu nodded and instructed Lena to keep the Marines in check and watch over the warship. Then, he followed Jinbe toward the Ryugu Palace.
"Jinbe, I need to ask one more thing. Can you leave a few people here? Preferably someone with decent strength. After all, we're Marines, and not all Fish-Men are welcoming toward humans!" Ryu said quietly as they turned a corner.
Jinbe thought for a moment, then nodded and called over the first mate, Aladdin, to give some quiet instructions.
Finally, when Ryu arrived at the Ryugu Palace, he met the King of the Fish-Men, Neptune, the Sea God.
The Fish-Man who stood before him wore a crown and had a thick, fluffy, orange-red mane and beard. His arms were adorned with flame-like tattoos, and his body was covered in thick hair. His muscular build made him appear imposing. This was King Neptune, known as the Great Knight of the Sea.
"Marine, explain your intentions," Neptune said in a serious tone, his voice deep and commanding.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. First of all, let me clarify my stance. I am not here on behalf of the Marines today, but solely as an individual" Ryu bowed before speaking directly.
Neptune, along with his ministers and Jinbe, exchanged looks before responding, "What is it you wish to discuss?"
"This matter is of great importance, so much so that it could affect the future of the Fish-Man race. That's why I can only tell you alone. Of course, if you are concerned about my intentions, you can leave Jinbe here. With him present, even if I wanted to do something, he would be able to stop me!" Ryu spoke calmly.
"How dare you! Is this something you're afraid to let others hear? What if you plan to harm His Majesty?" The Fish-Man ministers all voiced their objections, but Ryu ignored them entirely, focusing only on King Neptune.
Neptune exchanged a look with Jinbe, preparing to speak. But just then, a voice came from behind Ryu: "I believe we should have the right to stay, shouldn't we?"
Ryu turned around to see the three Sea Kings of Ryugu Palace.
"The Crown Prince may stay, but as for the Second and Third Princes, after hearing what I have to say, you can decide whether or not to tell them. But in my opinion, the fewer people who know about this, the safer it will be" Ryu thought for a moment before speaking.
He recalled that although the three princes weren't particularly powerful in combat, they were all decent people.
"Very well, apart from Fukaboshi and Jinbe, everyone else will leave!" Neptune nodded, agreeing to Ryu's request.
Once everyone else had left, Ryu slowly began, "Your Majesty Neptune, let me ask you a question first—does the Fish-Man race have any intention of living freely on the surface?"
Ryu's words made the three princes' eyes widen in surprise. Although the Fish-Men could live underwater, they still yearned for life under the sun. Even Neptune's queen had sacrificed herself for that very ideal.
"Ryu! Do you understand what you're saying?" Neptune didn't respond directly, but Jinbe spoke up instead.
Ryu smiled lightly and said, "Well, if you don't wish to tell me, that's fine. Let's get to the main issue. But first, please allow me to introduce myself!"