Time Travel: Age of Discovery

Jinbei shook his head, a nostalgic smile on his lips: "Yes, this journey seems like traveling through the long river of time." His eyes lingered on Teya for a moment, full of inquiry.

Sensing Aaron's dissatisfaction, Tiger simply stopped and opened his heart to everyone: "Teya, he is an indispensable partner in my journey, a friend who fought side by side with me through wind and rain. We have experienced many unspeakable adventures together at the junction of the human world and the ocean."

Tiger's words were like a lubricant, gradually relaxing Aaron's frown. Although he still snorted, his hostility had quietly subsided. At this time, Jinbei extended an olive branch to Teya with a sophisticated and warm attitude: "Since Brother Tiger trusts you so much, then I, Jinbei, am willing to treat you as my brother."

A warm feeling welled up in Teya's heart. He smiled and nodded, his eyes gleaming with gratitude. "It is my greatest honor to set foot on this legendary Fishman Island and witness your friendship and tenacity."

Aaron, though still feeling resentful, could only let out a low sigh out of respect for Tiger. He glanced at Smoker and Tina beside Thea, a complex expression flashing across his eyes. Then, as if remembering something interesting, he pointed to a beautifully decorated ship not far away and invited Tiger, "Brother, why don't you take a break on our ship?"

Tiger smiled and declined: "I have some urgent matters that need to be handled in Dragon Palace City. Let's meet again another day."

Jinbei volunteered to lead the way, but when he passed Arlong, he gave him a meaningful look, as if to say, "You and I both understand that the identities of Big Brother and Pirate are just labels imposed by the outside world."

Aaron immediately got angry, his voice rising a few degrees: "What? That's not what Big Brother meant!" The two ignored the looks around them and fell into a heated argument again. Xiao Ba was anxiously circling around, constantly persuading them: "We are all brothers, why do this?"

Tiger continued on his way, laughing heartily, as if the conflict had nothing to do with him. Teya glanced back at the onlookers, their faces beaming with smiles and their chattering voices swirling, creating a heartwarming scene. But a subtle worry welled up in Teya's heart. Could this peace and joy truly last?

He cast his gaze forward once more. Tiger's back stretched against the setting sun, looking particularly lonely. Teya seemed to read the story behind that figure: a longing for the past, uncertainty about the future, and a deep love for this land. Teya secretly resolved that no matter what lay ahead, he would fight alongside Tiger to protect this hard-earned harmony and friendship.

In that shimmering underwater world, the silhouette of Ryugu Castle resembled a dreamlike castle, majestic and mysterious, captivating the gaze of every marine creature. Tiger, the murloc warrior once renowned across the seven seas for his courage and wisdom, now gazed upon that magnificent palace, his expression as complex and inscrutable as the undercurrents of the deep sea. His gaze held a mixture of determination and an indescribable hesitation, as if two forces were fiercely clashing within him.

"Brother Tiger, perhaps it would be better for me to stay outside," Teya's voice rang softly, a touch of uncertainty and humility. Standing beside Tiger, he pondered: Even if he was willing to lend a hand, entering Dragon Palace City as an outsider felt a bit out of place, even a bit forced. Teya's eyes drifted unconsciously to the distance, to the free ocean beyond. He, an ordinary human, felt out of place in the solemnity and order of Dragon Palace City.

Upon hearing this, Tiger didn't respond immediately, instead falling into deep thought. His gaze lingered on Teya for a moment, as if weighing something, before finally yielding a warm yet slightly bitter smile. "Teya, you should come in with me. Princess Otohime will surely see you in a different light." Tiger's words carried an inexplicable trust, as if conveying some silent strength to Teya.

Thus, Thea reluctantly followed Tiger into the Dragon Palace, while Smoker and Tina remained outside, like loyal guardians, quietly waiting. Even with Tiger's personal guarantee, the armored, piercing eyes of the royal guards could hardly conceal their deep-seated wariness and hostility towards the alien visitor, Thea.

However, Teya had no time to care about these things. His thoughts had already drifted to the depths of the palace he was about to face. There were the king and the princess, and there were the voices of his heart that he had to convey, but also the secrets that he had no way to tell.

Deep within Ryugu Castle, on the throne of a magnificent palace, King Neptune sat solemnly, his brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed, as if the turmoil within him had been quelled by the passage of time. He glanced at Princess Otohime beside him, his eyes filled with both trust and doubt. He knew that Tiger was no frivolous man, and would never bring humans into this forbidden land without reason. Something significant must have happened to prompt him to make such a decision.

"Your Majesty Neptune, Lord Tiger has returned, bringing with him several human guests." The waiter's voice echoed in the empty hall, with a hint of imperceptible tension.

Neptune's heart stirred upon hearing this, and his gaze once again focused on Princess Otohime, though he was more lost in thought. He knew there must be something hidden behind Tiger's trip, so he decisively ordered Tiger and his companions to come in. Princess Otohime spoke up, her voice gentle yet firm: "Tiger's journey has indeed been too long. The winds and waves at sea always hold unknown variables. Perhaps he has truly encountered a problem that he cannot resolve on his own."

At this moment of uncertainty and anticipation, every corner of Ryugu City seems to speak of the impending change. And Teya, this ordinary yet extraordinary human, stands at the turning point of history, ready to use his courage and wisdom to prove something - about trust, friendship, and deep camaraderie that transcends racial boundaries.

Behind Princess Otohime's gentle yet resolute words, a subtle spiritual ripple quietly swept through the door, like an unknown undercurrent in the deep sea, causing her heart to inexplicably sink. This inexplicable oppression seemed to foreshadow the storm that was about to be swept up.

Outside the gate, Tiger stood tall and resolute, his brow furrowed in a frown. His gaze, penetrating Teja's slightly tense face, was deep and complex. He knew that for Teja, a young human, entering the gates of Dragon Palace was a real risk.

Yet, Tiger's burning desire compelled him to act. He longed to reveal his true feelings to the King and Queen in person, and Teja held the key to unlocking the door to hope. Teja had pledged her help, and this trust weighed heavily on Tiger's heart, transcending even the boundaries of race.