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

Chapter 302 Cooperation reached

After pondering for a long time, Neptune looked at Carl.

"Lord Karl, it would certainly be a good thing if the navy could be stationed on Fishman Island. I personally agree with it."

"However, the situation on Fishman Island is quite complicated now."

Karl smiled slightly: "Are you only referring to the Big Mom Pirates? Don't worry about that. You just need to know that the Big Mom Pirates are not a big problem."

"Most importantly, as the king, are you willing to allow the navy to be stationed on Fishman Island to achieve long-term peace and stability?"

What benefits would the merfolk have from having the navy stationed on Fishman Island?

The most direct benefit is deterring pirates and human traffickers, and protecting the safety of residents.

Neptune had discussed with the Navy countless times his suggestion to have them stationed on Fishman Island, but Sengoku had brushed him off every time.

One reason was the deep-seated racial tensions, and the later fishman adventurer Tiger further fueled the racial hatred. Sengoku could not possibly send his naval soldiers to a place rife with conflict.

Another issue is that once the navy is stationed on Fishman Island, if a major incident occurs there, the navy will be unable to provide support in a short period of time, and they may even have to coat the ships with a protective coating before they can be launched into the water.

In summary, it's possible to build it, but unnecessary.

But now, things are different. Because Karl and Ain cleared up the misunderstandings that the residents of Fishman Island had about humans early on, Fishman Island's perception of humans has improved a lot. If it weren't for those damned pirates and human traffickers...

We might have already reached a point where we're all on good terms.

Hearing this, Neptune was startled. What did "don't worry about the Big Mom Pirates" mean? After all, Big Mom was one of the Four Emperors! Had the Navy's power grown to this extent?

It's also thanks to the Navy's relatively low profile these past two years that Neptune would not have had such thoughts.

The current Navy is invincible, and its strength lies in the fact that Poon ate the Float-Float Fruit, which gives the Navy the possibility of launching a blitzkrieg.

For Big Mom and Kaido, who have fixed territories, it's a nightmare, they just don't know it.

When it makes its debut, it's guaranteed to surprise the world.

"Your Excellency Karl, you mean..."

Carl waved his hand, indicating that Neptune didn't need to ask any more questions, and then took out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and handed it to Neptune.

"It can contact Admiral Kuzan. If King Neptune has made up his mind, you can call this number at any time to contact Admiral Kuzan to discuss the details of the naval deployment."

Of course, if Your Excellency Neptune finds this matter unreliable, you can also call Marshal Kuzan and inform him, so as not to waste everyone's time and effort. What does Your Excellency Neptune think?

Neptune caught the Den Den Mushi that Carl tossed to him, took a deep breath, and said with a conflicted expression, "This matter has come too hastily. I want to think about it some more, and at least I should consult the public!"

"That's true. It wouldn't be good to keep such a big thing from the public."

"Report! King Neptune, a group of pirates has arrived on Fishman Island and is currently loitering around Coral Hill, but they haven't done anything out of line. Should we inform Lord Jinbe?"

Neptune frowned: "Pirates, how many of them are there?"

"There seemed to be eight people, and a furry creature, which appeared to be their pet."

Karl asked, "Was there one of them wearing a straw hat and a red shirt?"

"Yes, that's right."

Karl nodded: "I understand, they are the Straw Hat Pirates."

Upon hearing that familiar name, Neptune was immediately shocked. If he remembered correctly, it was this Straw Hat Pirates who rescued Jinbe from Impel Down two years ago, right? No, it was Straw Hat Luffy.

So, this group of pirates knows Jinbe, then...

"Lord Karl, we can handle this matter. You've come all this way to Fishman Island, how could we trouble you with your efforts?"

Carl naturally understood the meaning behind those words, and seizing the opportunity, replied, "Haha, then it's up to you! Uh, by the way, Lord Neptune, I'd like to take a stroll around Fishman Island first. Could Shirahoshi come with me?"

"She said she really wanted to go out for some fresh air. With me accompanying her, you should be able to rest assured, right?"

Neptune was about to refuse, but then he thought that the man in front of him was a naval hero. What could possibly happen to Shirahoshi if she followed him? This would also be a good opportunity to get rid of Karl and let Jinbe find the pirates he had been waiting for.

"No problem, Shirahoshi. Then you'd better behave yourself and go out for a stroll with Lord Karl. Don't wander off!"

Bai Xing's face lit up with delight, and she nodded like a chick pecking at rice: "Yes, yes, Father, don't worry, Bai Xing promises to listen to Lord Karl and will definitely not run around!"

Seeing Shirahoshi like this, Neptune shook his head helplessly. If it weren't for Karl, he would never have let Shirahoshi run around like this.

"Um, Mr. Karl, there's something I need to tell you. Be careful not to take Shirahoshi to crowded places, or it will cause a riot."

Karl looked at Shirahoshi's innocent and angelic face and nodded in agreement; it was indeed likely to cause a disturbance.

Plus, considering myself... tsk tsk tsk, I really can't go to crowded places.

"Lord Karl, let's hurry! Where should we go first?"

Carl noticed Neptune eavesdropping out of the corner of his eye, and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "How about we go check out Mermaid Bay?"

"Okay!"

Soon, Karl was grabbed by an excited Shirahoshi and they left Ryugu Palace.

"Bai Xing, you seem quite excited. Have you never left the Dragon Palace before?"

Bai Xing shook her head: "Of course I've been out, but very rarely, and each time I went out I caused chaos. Gradually, my father stopped letting me go out, so I could only play in the Dragon Palace."

Hearing Shirahoshi's whisper, Karl was somewhat moved. Beauty is the original sin; unless one possesses great power to protect that beauty, it will be ruthlessly trampled upon by others.

"Why don't you go and see the world outside Fishman Island first?"

Bai Xing's eyes lit up, but she quickly shook her head: "Well, although Bai Xing really wants to go, if I go outside, Father will definitely be very unhappy."

"Shirahoshi, do you believe me?"

"Of course, Karda, I trust you completely. If it weren't for you and Sister Ain, I'd probably still be living in the Hard Shell Tower!"

Karl grinned: "That's good. Since you trust me, do you dare to come with me to the world beyond Fishman Island?"

Bai Xing hesitated for a moment, then looked at Karl, and nodded vigorously: "Bai Xing dares! As long as Lord Karl is here, Bai Xing has nothing to fear!"

"But there's no air outside Fishman Island, how can Lord Karl...?"

Chapter 303 Shirahoshi Awakening

"Don't worry about me, you'll find out in time."

No matter what, we are the fathers of the ocean! The mere deep-sea environment is nothing to us.

The edge of Fishman Island.

"Are you ready, Lord Karl?"

"Okay, just charge out!"

"Okay!"

Bai Xing took a deep breath and rushed straight towards the bubble with Mecaro and Carl.

Bo~bo~

Mermaids truly lived up to their reputation as the fastest creatures in the ocean; in the blink of an eye, they broke through the two layers of bubbles and reached the outer sea.

But after rushing out, Shirahoshi immediately looked at Karl: "Lord Karl, are you alright?"

Karl, taking a deep breath in the seawater, smiled slightly and said, "Do I look like I have something on my mind?"

Now it was Shirahoshi's turn to be confused: "Lord Karl, why can you breathe in seawater? Aren't you human?"

"Hahaha, this is my secret, so don't tell anyone else!"

Bai Xing nodded vigorously, indicating that she would definitely not say anything more, but her attention was quickly drawn to the scenery outside.

"Wow! So this is what Fishman Island looks like from the outside! It's so beautiful!"

Bai Xing jumped around excitedly; if it weren't for the fact that Karl was still there, she probably would have disappeared long ago.

"Haha, let's go, let's go a bit further away and take a look, shall we?"

"Mmm Good!"

Deep in the sea.

"My king, our king has come out..."

"Go, go, go see the king!"

Several giant sea monsters quickly left their nest and headed towards the "King".

Ten minutes later.

Shirahoshi and Karl had left Fishman Island and arrived at a dark sea area.

"Lord Karl, it's too dark here, we can't see anything. Shall we go back?"

Karl sighed. It seemed this method wouldn't work. Did he really have to get Shirahoshi excited for her to awaken?

Forget it, let's just let things take their course!

"Okay, let's go back!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Karl looked ahead warily: "Bai Xing, there's danger. Stay behind me and don't run around!"

Carl pulled out the weaponized raven, ready to launch an attack at any time.

Soon, the already poorly lit sea became dark, and huge sea monsters blocked their path.