199. Ryugu Palace

After receiving the news that some of his crewmates are getting captured by the local Police, Buggy goes to the base where they get taken to. He will take them out of there even if he needs to punch Neptune's face.

Jude, Dela, Alan, & Elen also follow him because they are worried about their crewmates. Also, they are worried that Buggy might destroy Fishman Island if he gets angry by their crewmates' capture. They need to calm him down if that happens.

Their group reaches the base location after some minutes of walk and they've met with Cricket & Mantis on the way. Of course, the 2 follow them to the base because they have the same thinking as Buggy's group.

When they enter the base, their crewmates are being interrogated by the authorities. These people thought that The Clowns were trying to capture the Fishmen too by snatching the captured ones from those pirates.

"Snatching them? Ridiculous. If we want to capture some Fishmen, we wouldn't do such a roundabout way. We'll just capture the ones on the street rather than bother fighting some pirates," says Buggy to the Police Captain who is a Puffer Fish Fishman.

"W-Well, that's true, but we can't just assume it like that because there were some cases like that. So we still need to question them," says the Police Captain.

"But they didn't even try to catch the hostages, right? Then there is no proof to your accusation," says Buggy.

"Still, we can't just let them go because they were fighting in the public area," says the Police Captain.

"Then, do you prefer your citizens getting captured by those pirates and be sold as slaves on Sabaody?" says Buggy.

"Still-," says the Police Captain before someone interrupts him.

"What happened here, jamon?" asks King Neptune who has just come after hearing that there is a big problem in his Kingdom.

"Neptune-sama!?" says the Police Captain in surprise.

"Yo, Neptune. Long time no see," greets Buggy.

"Hmm? Who are you, jamon?" asks Neptune in confusion.

"Huh? You don't remember me? I am Roger Pirates' apprentice," says Buggy.

Neptune tries to remember as he looks at Buggy's nose before he says, "Ah, you are that kid from Roger Pirates. Hahaha, sorry that I don't remember you, it's been a few years, after all. So you've made your own crew, huh? I've seen your bounty posters a few times but I don't recognize you. I've also met with your red-haired friend a few months ago who has made his own crew too. What are you doing here?"

"I come to retrieve my crewmates," says Buggy.

Neptune looks at the Police Captain who explains what happened. It makes Neptune sigh then he asks the Police Captain to release Buggy's crewmates. He knows that even if The Clowns are guilty, antagonizing Buggy is not a good thing to do.

Neptune knows Buggy's bounty, after all. Having 600 million Belly for his head even before entering New World is proof that he is very strong & dangerous. Also, it's well known that Buggy has defeated 2 Vice Admirals before, further showing his great strength.

The Police Captain immediately orders his men to release The Clowns. Buggy tells his crew to just leave and resume their day. They do as Buggy says and just leave without causing a ruckus. It's just a small matter, after all, and they aren't that petty to make a fuss of it.

"Neptune, can we talk for a moment?" asks Buggy.

"Sure, as long as you don't get angry at me, jamon," says Neptune.

"I am not that petty," says Buggy.

Neptune agrees and takes Buggy's group to his Palace. His guards protest about it, but he doesn't care and just takes them there. They ride a big Seaking that has a big bubble on its body to help it move on land and go to the palace located in a different giant bubble.

"Neptune, I heard that you've married now. It seems that Shark Mermaid's prophecy was correct," says Buggy after they reached the palace.

"You're right, jamon. My wife's name is Otohime but now she isn't here. She must be in the town right now," says Neptune.

"Hmm, too bad, I want to talk with her actually. What she does is quite interesting, after all," says Buggy.

"So you know, jamon," says Neptune.

Otohime is campaigning for peace between Fishman & humans. Buggy likes what she does, but he also knows what it will cause later, her death. He has changed a lot of things from the canon, so he also wants to change this if he can.

That's why he wants to talk with her, but she is not in the palace right now. However, his luck change when a guard informs Neptune that Otohime has returned. She has heard that Neptune brought some humans to the palace so she returns immediately.

"Dear, you should've informed me that you have some guests here," says Otohime after she entered the room.

"Sorry, Otohime. I don't want to disturb your campaign, jamon," says Neptune apologetically.

"You don't need to worry about that, I can still do that later. Dear guests, nice to meet you. I am King Neptune's wife, Otohime," says Otohime, introducing herself.

"I'm Buggy, just Buggy," says Buggy.

The others then introduce themselves to Otohime and Dela suddenly approaches Otohime with glittering eyes. The guards want to stop her but Otohime stops them. Before Otohime can ask Dela, the girl asks her first about her clothes because it's interesting.

Buggy sighs seeing Dela keep asking Otohime without giving her a chance to answer. So he asks Mantis to pull Dela because she makes the Queen uncomfortable. She finally stops after Mantis pulls her ear and she apologizes.

"Sorry for my secretary's act, she is a fashion fanatic, and it seems she really likes your clothes," says Buggy.

"It's okay. I am happy instead because it's rare for me to meet humans who don't care about our race's difference," says Otohime.

"Races, huh? Now that you mention it, I want to discuss that topic with you," says Buggy.

"Eh? You want to discuss it? Are you also want to make our races live alongside each other?" asks Otohime happily.

"Of course, I want it, but that's not the point of what I want to talk with you. Otohime, I know you have a good intention and I appreciate that. But if you keep doing this campaign like this, then you won't succeed," says Buggy seriously.

Neptune & Otohime widen their eyes before they look down.

"That's... I know my chance is low, but if I don't do this, then nothing will change," says Otohime.

"You are correct, and I never said that you shouldn't do anything. What I mean is that you need a different approach and you need to learn more about this. Tell me, what do you know about the world up there?" asks Buggy.

Otohime tells him what she knows about the world outside of Fishman Island. But just like what Buggy thought, she doesn't know a lot. She just knows a few things because the access to information from the outside world is limited here.

"That's not good, Otohime. You know too little about the world. You need more information and this is not enough. If even you as a Queen only know this much, then what about the normal people? They don't have better access than you so they'll know even less. How will they agree with you if they don't know anything?" asks Buggy.

Otohime looks down before she asks, "Then, what should I do?"

Buggy smiles and then says, "Don't be too sad. I won't bring up this topic if I don't have the solution."

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