One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Slack Off and Get Stronger

Are you sure you're worried about me and not Aion?

Neptune scratched his head awkwardly, because Carl was right.

Led by Neptune, Carl arrived at a beautiful castle, built of various colorful corals and reefs, which looked both beautiful and dreamlike from the outside.

"Your Highness Neptune..."

"I've come to see Shirahoshi. You may all leave!"

"Yes!"

After opening the door, Neptune shouted, "Little Star, your father has come to see you! There's a surprise in store!"

A soft, sweet voice immediately rang out from inside the castle: "Father, I'm coming right away!"

After a while, Shirahoshi, sitting on a giant bubble, appeared with her pet shark.

Shirahoshi is no longer the little mermaid Karl remembers. Now, she has flowing, long, pink curly hair, adorned with a taiyaki-shaped hair accessory. She wears seashell-shaped earrings, has bright blue eyes, a beautiful face, a full bust, and a fishtail in varying shades of pink. She truly is a beauty comparable to Hancock.

Shirahoshi, you've grown up...

"Father, what surprise is it?" Let me see... Hey! You, you are...

Upon seeing Carl next to Neptune, Shirahoshi excitedly covered her mouth with both hands, her fishtail swaying incessantly, clearly thrilled.

"Long time no see, Shirahoshi."

Chapter 301 Lord Karl

"Lord Karl!!!"

Bai Xing decisively abandoned Mecaro, swam towards Carl, reached out and grabbed Carl, bringing him close to her face.

"Lord Karl, it's so good to see you! I have to tell you, I've rarely cried since you and Sister Ain left!"

"Haha, that's great!"

You can tell from Shirahoshi's actions that she is no longer the Shirahoshi of a few years ago; at least she has become much more cheerful now.

"Shirahoshi, don't be rude, release Lord Karl immediately."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Lord Karl. I... I was just too excited. Are you alright?"

Karl, who was placed on the ground, waved his hand and said, "It's okay, I'm not that fragile. What a pity! I should have called Ian over to take a look. The cowardly star from back then has grown up!"

Hearing Karl's praise, Bai Xing blushed and said shyly, "Ka, Lord Karl, please don't say that, it makes me embarrassed."

Carl seemed to suddenly remember something, and quickly took out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and dialed Ain's number.

"Hey, Karl, what's up? Fire! Wipe out these pirates!"

Shirahoshi quietly moved closer and listened intently. The voice seemed to belong to her older sister, Ain.

Carl:? ? ?

"Uh, you're capturing pirates?"

"It's nothing, go ahead and say it! He's just a nobody, what's the matter?"

Carl glanced at Shirahoshi and then said, "Do you remember Shirahoshi?"

"Shirahoshi? The princess of Fishman Island, of course I remember her. What happened to her? Did something happen to her?"

"No, I came to Fishman Island and have already met Shirahoshi. Would you like to talk to her?"

Bai Xing, who had been waiting impatiently, quickly said, "Sister Ain, I'm Bai Xing, do you remember me?"

"Haha, of course I remember you, Little White Star. I'm sorry I can't come to see you in person."

"It's alright, I'm already very happy that Lord Karl came to Shirahoshi, hehe, it's so nice to hear your voice!"

Ayn, who was directing the naval soldiers in battle, felt a warmth in her heart and said affectionately, "You really are exactly the same as before! Uh, I'm a little busy right now, I'll call you later! How about that?"

"Okay, then Sister Aien, I'll be waiting for you!"

After hanging up the phone, Ain narrowed her eyes as she looked at the pirate ship in the sea ahead.

......

"Your Excellency Karl, how about this: you spend some time chatting with my daughter, Shirahoshi, and I'll have someone arrange lunch right away."

"Okay, okay, I'll bring Shirahoshi over then."

So Neptune left with peace of mind; to be precise, he trusted Carl completely.

The people of Fishman Island may not be aware of what has happened in the outside world in recent years, but as the king, he knows very well that Karl, the naval hero of the new era, is an extraordinary figure!

Most importantly, he does not reject fishmen.

After seeing her father leave, Bai Xing smiled and whispered to Karl, "Lord Karl, ever since you and Sister Ain left last time, no one has talked to Bai Xing about what's going on outside."

"Can you tell me about it?"

"Of course, what would you like to know?"

Shirahoshi pouted, pondered for a while, then widened her eyes and said excitedly, "That's right! I heard my father say that Lord Karl is now a naval hero! A great hero! Lord Karl, can you tell Shirahoshi how you became a great hero?"

Carl grinned: "That's a long story!"

......

After telling the story, Carl successfully gained a little... well, a huge fangirl.

"Lord Karl is amazing! Ah! I really hope that one day I can go and see the outside world too!"

"Don't worry, there will be such a day."

"really?"

Carl nodded and said seriously, "Of course it's true. That day won't be far off, I promise."

Bai Xing also put on a serious face and said in a proper manner, "Yes, I believe in Lord Karl."

brubrubru~

Carl's phone rang; it was Ian calling. Bai Xing's eyes lit up immediately: "Is this Sister Ian?"

"That's right, it's her. It seems she's finished with her work. Here, take this Den Den Mushi, you can talk to Ain yourself!"

Shirahoshi happily picked up Carl and placed him in front of her. Carl quickly put the Den Den Mushi in Shirahoshi's hand and jumped down from her grasp.

"Um, Shirahoshi, you talk to Ain yourself! Call me when you're done."

"Mmm Good."

An hour later, the Den Den Mushi was practically mumbling itself hoarse when Shirahoshi reluctantly returned it to Carl, who couldn't help but feel a little sorry for it.

If it weren't for the fact that lunch was approaching, Karl estimated that the two women could have talked all day.

"Bai Xing, it's almost time. The luncheon is about to start. Let's go together!"

"Alright, Lord Karl, sit on Mecaro's lap! It'll be faster that way!"

Carl looked at the silly-looking shark next to Shirahoshi. To be honest, this was the first time he had ever seen a shark that looked so "intelligent".

......

Dragon Palace.

"Hahaha, Bai Xing, Lord Karl, you've come at the perfect time. The luncheon is ready, we're just waiting for you."

The three princes beside Neptune bowed respectfully to Carl, saying, "Greetings, Mr. Carl!"

"Haha, hello everyone! Wow, it's been so many years, you've all grown so much!"

"Let's do it!"

The luncheon began quickly, and all sorts of exquisite seafood dishes were served, such as seaweed, clams, and fish. This reminded Karl of the painful memory of getting tired of seafood when he first came to Fishman Island.

However, eating was secondary; the important thing was to discuss the naval deployment with Neptune.

"Lord Neptune, we've almost finished our meal, so let's get down to business. My trip to Fishman Island wasn't just to visit Shirahoshi; there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Neptune raised an eyebrow, looked at his children beside him, and said softly, "You should go back and rest first!"

"It is my father."

Carl waved his hand: "No need, there's no need to hide it from outsiders. They have the right to know about this too."

Neptune took a deep breath and put on a serious expression: "Please speak, Your Excellency Karl."

Karl grinned: "Then I won't beat around the bush and will just say it straight: the Navy is planning to establish a Navy branch on Fishman Island to protect it."

Neptune's breath hitched: "What?"

The eldest prince, Shark Star, also looked shocked: "Really?"

Bai Xing remained completely bewildered; she was a true "white lotus," remaining utterly unmoved.

"That's right, this is the result of my discussion with Marshal Kuzan. I wonder what His Excellency Neptune thinks?"

After saying that, Carl took out a document from his pocket, handed it to Neptune, and then began to eat his food.

Such a big thing should be given some time to process.