Underneath the gigantic Noah's Ark, a group of Ryugu Kingdom Merman guards had gathered, led by the three princes.
"Have you found the esteemed guest, the Admiral?" King Neptune asked as he swiftly swam over on his mount, Hoe, accompanied by palace guards.
"Yes, we found him," Prince Fukaboshi replied gravely, pointing toward the enormous, aged Noah's Ark. "Those Fish‑Men who were beaten earlier indicated that the Human Admiral went this way toward Noah's Ark. When we arrived, we heard intense fighting from inside, but it had already stopped before we could intervene."
King Neptune frowned and exhaled resolute bubbles as he gazed at the disturbed area of Noah's Ark above.
"It seems this place has been taken over by those hooligans who have long been dissatisfied with the kingdom," Neptune said with concern. "Since a battle has occurred, I will go up and check myself. If anything goes wrong, you are to support me."
"But, King!" the two ministers beside him protested, worried about his safety.
"I fear this recent battle may have angered the Admiral. If he is truly enraged, our arrival may only fuel his resentment. Let me face him first," one minister urged.
King Neptune cut them off with a wave of his hand and began swimming toward the bubbling section of Noah's Ark.
Clang!
"Damn Fish‑Man Street hooligans!" Prince Fukaboshi cursed as he plunged his trident into the seabed, stirring up mud with resentment. "We have worked tirelessly to protect this country and improve its state, yet those lawless Fish‑Man Street hooligans drag us down. When will they see reason?"
Prince Ryuboshi frowned and tightened his grip on his trident.
"Everyone in the kingdom, including the King and Queen, has done their best to improve the reputation of Merfolk and Fish‑Men, to make humans no longer fear or despise us," he said. "But their actions have rendered all our efforts pointless. Even Fish‑Men from Fish‑Man Island have been swayed by them, growing resentful of humans. If not for their destruction, our situation would not be so shameful. Humans already see us as monsters, and their behavior only convinces them further."
Suddenly, a loud crash came from above. King Neptune was flung out of the cabin, spinning through the seawater.
"King!" "Your Majesty!" the royal family and guards cried, startled and ready to rush up.
"Don't come up!" Neptune called, steadying himself in the water and sternly stopping them. "I'm fine. Wait below!"
"But…" Prince Fukaboshi hesitated, seeing the obvious blood‑red mark on his father's cheek. He waved his trident fiercely and pointed at Noah's Ark. "Someone dared to strike you, the King of a nation! This is a declaration of war against Fish‑Men!"
"My face is not important," King Neptune said, waving off the concern. He looked at his eldest son and firmly commanded, "Retreat."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what force could send their King flying and still refuse support. Could it be…
That Human Admiral?
"Yes, sir!" Prince Fukaboshi said, gritting his teeth as he led the others away.
King Neptune took a deep breath and swam back toward Noah's Ark.
"Heh heh, I hit you. Are you angry?" he muttered to himself as he reentered the cabin, now strewn with fragile Fish‑Man remains. His heart pounded heavily.
In the center, a human wearing a silver‑white outfit and a Marine Justice coat sat cross‑legged in an air bubble on the ship's plank, smiling. A small Fish‑Man girl stood timidly beside him.
"No, I am not angry," King Neptune answered calmly.
"Oh, then come here," Shirogai said with a grin, beckoning him closer with a crooked finger.
When King Neptune approached again…
Slap!
Another strike landed on his cheek.
Pfft!
Neptune spat a mouthful of blood as he spun and flew out again.
Below Noah's Ark, the royal family, ministers, and guards watched with pounding hearts as their King was hurled through the water.
"Don't… don't go up…" Neptune's voice was muffled, but he still warned them not to rush in.
The people below could only helplessly watch as the King swam back into the cabin without hesitation.
"Very good, very resilient," Shirogai said with a smile as he sat cross‑legged on the seaweed‑covered floor, watching the King return.
"Do you know why I hit you?" Shirogai asked.
"No, I do not," King Neptune said, shaking his head. He truly had no idea why this Admiral was striking him repeatedly. Was it because of the anger from being attacked by the New Fish‑Man Pirates? Neptune did not dare voice the thought. If the Admiral were to cause trouble for the Ryugu Kingdom because of this, it would be catastrophic.
"Oh, then come here," Shirogai beckoned again with a crooked finger.
Neptune, who had already foreseen what was about to happen, twitched at the corner of his mouth but stepped forward anyway.
Slap!
Pfft!
King Neptune spun and flew out again, stunned but not injured.
Two teeth drifted in the bloody water toward little Akiue Hoshi's eyes.
"Gulp…" she trembled, watching the battered King stagger back. She tugged at Shirogai's sleeve and whispered:
"Human Master, he is not like those Fish‑Man Pirates. He is the King of the Ryugu Kingdom. Don't hit him anymore! His subordinates will kill you!"
Shirogai turned his head, stroked the little one's face, and sighed.
"Even a child understands this, yet the King of this nation does not. No wonder this land has grown so twisted and conflicted."
King Neptune, face swollen and beaten, struggled back toward them and heard Shirogai's words. After a brief pause, he seemed to understand and said in a deep voice:
"I apologize for the Admiral being attacked by the Fish‑Men of Fish‑Man Street. It was my dereliction of duty as King."
"You cannot fix rotten world," Shirogai said, shaking his head in disappointment. He beckoned with a crooked finger again, smiling.
"Come, I'll show you something interesting."
King Neptune braced himself and swam back toward the powerful Admiral.
Slap!
As expected, the blow came again.
King Neptune spat blood and teeth, breaking through the wall as he flew out.
Below, the crowd watched as the King drew a graceful arc in the water, by now accustomed to the scene.
"Do you understand?" Shirogai asked as King Neptune slowly swam back, his face bruised.
Understand what? King Neptune's thoughts churned. His head throbbed from pain and bewilderment.
"What exactly do you want me to understand?" he asked faintly.
"Alas, some progress, but not much," Shirogai said with a smile. He crooked his finger again and spoke words that made Neptune's heart sink:
"Come, I'll teach you a life lesson: People do not learn from people, they learn from events."
Despite the pain, Neptune slowly stepped forward.
This time the slap came a little later.
"Heh heh, I'll tell you…" Shirogai leaned forward and whispered into the King's ear, eyes sharp:
"Why do you wear a crown?"
"Huh?" King Neptune looked blankly at him, only to be struck again.
Slap!
King Neptune floated in the seawater, staring dazedly as pain and confusion throbbed in his head.
Is this person sick? He wondered. Can someone sick be an Admiral?
"Gulp…" Neptune flipped over and swam toward Noah again. This time, he deliberately removed his crown and tossed it aside.
"Oh, you didn't bring your crown back?" Shirogai said with a smile as he watched the King approach once more.
Slap!
"Why aren't you wearing a crown?" Shirogai asked.
Akiue Hoshi closed her eyes, wincing.
Why wear a crown? Why not wear a crown?
Those two pounding questions echoed in King Neptune's mind as he floated in the water. With a swollen head and aching body, he finally confirmed one thing:
This Admiral Cero is a pure lunatic!