LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 233: Chapter 233: Strange Thoughts
"Hmph!"
As Li Yuan was momentarily distracted by the scene before him, a sharp voice full of jealousy echoed. His arm was swiftly enveloped in a soft embrace, pulled into a comforting yet possessive "harbor."
Toki's face was a mask of frosty disapproval as she glared at the scantily clad mermaid women attempting to charm Li Yuan.
If her combat abilities were better, she might have charged forward to teach these brazen mermaids a lesson.
"Ahem, feel free to explore Fish-Man Island, but don't cause any major destruction," Li Yuan instructed Barrett and the others, amused by Toki's protective demeanor. He then carried her away from the crowd of overly enthusiastic mermaids, flying directly to the bustling streets of Fish-Man Island.
---
"Barrett, Ashura Doji, come on! I'll show you around and make sure you're satisfied!"
Once Li Yuan left, Fish-Man Jeraral took charge, promising an unforgettable tour. Despite their embarrassment, Barrett and Ashura Doji's curiosity won out, and they followed Jeraral determinedly.
After all, as core officers of the Infinite Pirates, how could they be outdone by a team leader?
---
"Li Yuan, those floating bubbles look fun! Can we buy one?"
"Ah! What an adorable cake! I love it!"
"Wow, they even have a circus performance! Let's check it out!"
Having shaken off the overzealous mermaids, Li Yuan and Toki wandered the island's lively streets. For Li Yuan, visiting Fish-Man Island for the first time, the sights were novel and intriguing, and he happily indulged Toki as they explored.
---
"Li Yuan-dono, I am Neptune, King of Fish-Man Island. I have prepared a banquet in the palace and would be honored by your presence."
Their stroll was soon interrupted by the arrival of King Neptune himself.
"Let's visit Ryugu Palace," Li Yuan suggested to Toki. "It's said to be the most exquisite place on the island."
Toki nodded, understanding that Li Yuan had important matters to discuss.
---
As they passed through a plaza, Li Yuan noticed a golden-haired mermaid passionately speaking to a sparse and disinterested crowd. Many onlookers even cast disdainful glances her way.
What piqued Li Yuan's interest wasn't the speech but the faint aura emanating from her—a unique type of Observation Haki capable of influencing emotions.
"Who is that?" Li Yuan asked.
"That's my queen, Otohime," Neptune replied. "She's sharing her ideals with the people. Let me invite her to join us at the palace."
Otohime noticed Neptune approaching with Li Yuan and promptly ended her speech to accompany them.
---
Ryugu Palace lived up to its reputation, dazzling with underwater splendor. The banquet was a feast of exotic delicacies, accompanied by live music and captivating dances performed by graceful mermaids.
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"Otohime-dono, I noticed you speaking earlier. What were you advocating for?"
Li Yuan's curiosity was genuine, though his mind wandered briefly to a peculiar question:
Otohime was a goldfish mermaid, standing about 2 meters tall, while Neptune was a coelacanth merman, towering at 12 meters.
How did these two manage to have children together?
Their offspring were a fascinating mix:
Their eldest son, Shark Star, was a 6-meter-tall shark merman.
Second son, King Star, was a 5-meter-tall oarfish merman.
Third son, Flip Star, was a 4-meter-tall sunfish merman.
And their youngest, Princess Shirahoshi, was already 12 meters tall at just 16 years old.
The logistics baffled Li Yuan, but he wisely refrained from asking.
---
Otohime's eyes lit up at Li Yuan's question.
"My dream is for Fish-Man Island's merfolk and humans to coexist peacefully on land."
"I've been gathering signatures from like-minded individuals here on Fish-Man Island. Once I have enough, I plan to approach humans, the Navy, the World Government, and even the Celestial Dragons to secure their support."
She spoke with fervor, sensing Li Yuan's genuine interest. If she could gain his endorsement, her dream might become a reality.
To Li Yuan, however, her vision was laughably naive.
---
"Otohime, your dream is impossible," Li Yuan interrupted, cutting her off before she could continue. "It's too naive."
Otohime's expression faltered, her radiant smile fading into disappointment. She looked like she'd been hit by a wave of negativity. But her resolve quickly resurfaced, as if the storm of doubt had passed.
"Why do you think it's impossible, Li Yuan-dono?" Neptune asked, silently supporting his wife's aspirations despite knowing their impracticality.
"Fish-Man Island is too weak to demand equality with humans. Without equality, coexistence is impossible."
"Moreover, humans themselves are far from united. Kingdoms, Navies, pirates—they're constantly at war. If humans can't coexist peacefully among themselves, how can they possibly coexist with another species?"
Li Yuan's words were harsh but realistic.
---
Otohime fell silent, disheartened by the truth.
But Li Yuan offered a glimmer of hope.
"While peaceful coexistence is unrealistic, your people can still live on land. I can offer Fish-Man Island a place in the Infinite Sea."
Otohime's eyes lit up again.
"How would that work?" she asked eagerly.
"I'll provide an island for your people to live on under the protection of the Infinite Pirates. In exchange, I'll form a Fish-Man Fleet, led by Jeraral, to fight for my crew."
"Additionally, Fish-Man Island will become part of our territory, and we'll ensure its safety from pirates and slave traders."
---
Otohime beamed with excitement.
"That's wonderful, Li Yuan-dono! I'm sure many will seize this opportunity to experience life on land."
Neptune, however, voiced his concerns.
"Otohime, I cannot let you go alone to the Infinite Sea. I must accompany you as king!"
""And besides, you are the Great Knight of the Sea, incredibly powerful. Even if you return safely, it won't prove anything to our people," Otohime argued passionately.
"Only if someone like me—a simple mermaid with no extraordinary strength—can live there peacefully and return unharmed will it truly demonstrate that everything the Infinite Pirates have promised is real."
"Neptune, you must believe in me. This is Fish-Man Island's opportunity, a chance we cannot afford to miss. You know as well as I do how much good this could bring to our people."
---
Neptune's resolve began to waver as he looked into Otohime's determined eyes. Her unwavering conviction softened his heart, as it always did.
"You may go, but only if you take a group of guards with you. That is my bottom line," Neptune said, his tone firm but tinged with the deep affection he held for his wife.
He loved her deeply and had always supported her, even when her ideas seemed far-fetched. Whatever she asked, no matter how outrageous, he would choose to believe in her.
---
"Don't worry, Neptune. I trust Li Yuan. He hasn't lied to us, and I believe what he says is true," Otohime reassured her husband, a soft smile finally returning to her face.
Neptune
nodded, though concern lingered in his eyes. For the sake of Otohime's dream and the future of Fish-Man Island, he would trust her judgment, as he always had.
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