152 Chapter 152: Jolly Roger

Because they had to ask Adrian for a favor, the Ryugu Palace spared no expense in entertaining him.

A grand banquet was underway in the palace's great hall. Beautiful mermaids of varied races glided along the stage, dancing gracefully to intoxicating music. All manner of Fishmen Island's finest delicacies flowed onto the tables like water.

After the feast, King Neptune dismissed all irrelevant guests, even escorting the three young merman princes to their respective chambers.

Now, the vast hall of the Ryugu Palace was occupied only by Queen Otohime, Adrian, and Love.

In her gentle tone, Queen Otohime asked, "Sir White Ghost, were you satisfied with tonight's banquet?"

"Absolutely!" Adrian's hand paused slightly as he raised his wine glass. He looked at the delicate mermaid queen and smiled. "I imagine Fishmen Island rarely hosts such grand celebrations."

Adrian's words weren't mere flattery; he genuinely believed them.

However, what intrigued Adrian most about Queen Otohime wasn't her status or appearance—it was her innate Observation Haki.

Queen Otohime possessed an exceptionally powerful Observation Haki. She could sense the thoughts and emotions of other beings, subtly convey her own thoughts and ideals to others, silently influence their minds and thoughts, and even alter their values and beliefs.

A prime example was the Celestial Dragon, Donquixote Mjosgard.

After Fisher Tiger climbed the Red Line and liberated Mariejois's slaves, Saint Mjosgard, who came to reclaim the freed Fishmen slaves, had been originally no different from any other typical conceited World Noble.

However, after being injured and stranded on Fishmen Island, Mjosgard remained unyielding in his personality. He had even nearly shot Queen Otohime.

Due to Shirahoshi's unexpected flare-up of power, Mjosgard was knocked out unconscious from shock after witnessing the horde of Sea Kings.

During his recuperation, he was deeply moved by Otohime's persuasions.

After this incident, Saint Mjosgard underwent a big change in personality. This previously useless dandy actually developed the intention to repay Fishmen Island's kindness.

It was just preposterous! How could there be World Nobles genuinely repent and mend their ways?

Mjosgard had clearly fallen under the deep influence of Otohime's innate Kenbunshoku Haki!

After some more idle chatter, Queen Otohime finally revealed the favor she sought from Adrian. Hearing her request, Love also turned her gaze over.

"Planting my Jolly Roger?"

Adrian fell into contemplation, somewhat surprised that Otohime would make such a demand.

If his memory was correct, the one who eventually announced Fishmen Island under his protection in the original timeline was none other than the Strongest Man in the World, Whitebeard Edward Newgate.

Whitebeard's might also deterred pirates from ever openly intruding Fishmen Island and abducting the Merfolk again.

Yet now this request had somehow fallen unto him instead…

"That's right. If Sir White Ghost could lend Fishmen Island your Jolly Roger, the denizens of Fishmen Island will never forget your grace."

Queen Otohime gazed at Adrian earnestly.

"But I'm just a lone wanderer."

What use did a wanderer have for a pirate flag?!

Queen Otohime stared blankly, having heard an answer completely beyond her expectations.

"While I do not mind using my reputation to protect Fishmen Island, Queen Otohime, ever since I started my journey, I have never actually used a pirate flag before."

Regarding Queen Otohime's request, Adrian generally agreed.

Don't forget, he still had an S-level random mission hanging over him, "The Wail of the Merfolk"!

The mission required the complete termination of the mermaid slave trade on Merfolk Island.

Lending his banner and name to Fishmen Island would undoubtedly force the pirates to stop abducting mermaid ladies, thus advancing the mission's progress!

"This…"

Queen Otohime was momentarily at a loss for words.

She hadn't even considered that White Ghost, a pirate with a bounty exceeding 600 million Berries, who had ravaged the Tenryubito and held his own against Marine Admirals, would lack a Jolly Roger!

"Then let's settle it today," Adrian suggested.

"Agreed!" Love responded promptly. The little fox had long wanted to hoist a majestic pirate flag aboard the Abyss.

But being the third in line, she hadn't dared to say it…

Adrian pondered and asked in advance, "Would it be acceptable if the crew doesn't have a formal name?"

Queen Otohime shook her head. "It's fine. The flag just needs to represent you, Sir White Ghost."

Was the crew name important?

Of course!

That was a given!

Even if they named the crew after some random feature of their bodies—like Whitebeard, My Enormous Electric Eel, Red-Haired, or Straw Hat—it would be better than having nothing!

But let's reiterate: Adrian was a lone wanderer!

Although he had a ship spirit and a fox chef by his side, that hardly constituted a 'crew,' right?

Could one person even form a crew?

Upon hearing that they wouldn't choose a crew name, Love couldn't help but feel disappointed. She had wanted to suggest names like "Fuzzy Pirate Crew" or "Beautiful Little Fox Pirate Crew."

"As for the flag design…" Adrian pondered for a moment. At his fingertips, he condensed a small cluster of spectral energy and began sketching on the seashell coffee table before him.

Not long after, a sharply defined pirate flag appeared on the table.

At the top of the emblem stood the trident symbolizing the sea god. On the left was a curvaceous mermaid, while on the right stood a robust Fishmen. Both figures stood back-to-back, each wielding a simple sailor's cutlass. Below the central emblem, a massive golden anchor interwoven with chains completed the design.

After observing the emblem for a while, Queen Otohime tactfully said, "White Ghost, your artistic skill is good. I believe this intricate and magnificent emblem is more than fitting to represent Fishmen Island."

In other words, the emblem was overly complex, making it less recognizable for pirates.

Adrian smiled. "No problem. I also have a simplified version."

Once again, he sketched and drew.

The new emblem was much simpler.

There was a lone sailor's cutlass, with an ethereal dragon-shaped ghost. The dragon's mouth curved into a terrifying smile.

Yes!

These two drafts Adrian drew were directly inspired by the legendary pirate haven – Libertalia!

Just like how player-created game avatars tended to appear cursed.

When drawing, one must naturally create things nonexistent in reality!