Neptune stood frozen for a long moment before snapping back to reality.
He looked at Rayleigh in confusion and asked, "Then... what should we do? Should Shirahoshi meet this Caesar?"
"No!" Rayleigh blurted out instantly, without hesitation.
"Why not?" Neptune asked, puzzled.
Rayleigh frowned deeply. "Caesar is no ordinary man—he's a ruthless and dangerous figure. If Shirahoshi falls into his hands, she might never escape his control! Her identity is of utmost importance—as Poseidon, one of the three Ancient Weapons, her strategic value is unparalleled."
Neptune's brow furrowed, and he glared at Rayleigh with displeasure.
Then, firmly and resolutely, Neptune declared, "What strategic value? Shirahoshi is first and foremost my daughter—she is no weapon!"
Rayleigh sighed inwardly, realizing he had let Shirahoshi's identity cloud his judgment.
Now he had even upset Neptune.
He exhaled and spoke solemnly to Neptune:
"Neptune, I know this isn't the right time to bring this up, but I must say it—Caesar's ambition is the greatest I've ever seen in my life.
Not only is he immensely powerful, but his mind is sharp enough to conceive something like the Pirate Council. If he gains control over Shirahoshi, think about it—will Fish-Man Island ever know freedom again? Every fish-man might be reduced to a subordinate race under his rule.
And Shirahoshi... she would become a weapon in his hands, used against the World Government and the pirates of the New World! The consequences would be far more dangerous than the current situation—countless times worse!
And now, Shirahoshi's condition may not necessarily be related to Caesar. What we discussed earlier was merely speculation. Perhaps she truly has some sort of land sickness."
Hearing Rayleigh's sincere words, King Neptune's lingering displeasure dissipated.
He wasn't a petty man.
His earlier irritation had only been momentary.
Sunbell, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
"Rayleigh, Crocus is still visiting Shakky. Why don't we take Shirahoshi to see Crocus?"
Sunbell's booming voice reached everyone's ears.
Rayleigh looked to Neptune, silently seeking his opinion.
Neptune's expression shifted uncertainly as he gazed at his daughter on the bed.
After a long pause, he finally gritted his teeth and said.
"No, I'm not comfortable with Shirahoshi leaving Fish-Man Island. Crocus is a human doctor—he might not be able to treat mermaid ailments. Moreover, if your earlier conjecture is correct, it would mean Shirahoshi can't be too far from that Caesar."
Rayleigh's heart sank.
He knew these were just excuses.
The Knight of the Sea had likely grown wary of them now.
"Mm..."
Just as everyone was frowning in thought, Shirahoshi suddenly opened her eyes and sat up on the bed.
Neptune was overjoyed, scrambling to his daughter's side with tears streaming down his face.
"Shirahoshi, my precious daughter, you're awake? How do you feel?"
Shirahoshi looked blankly at the crowd before her, her cheeks flushing pink with shyness.
Her large, dewy eyes blinked timidly as she whispered.
"Father... I feel much better. That loud noise seems to have grown quieter. It hasn't disappeared completely, but it's back to how it was a month ago."
"A month ago?"
Neptune and Rayleigh exchanged puzzled glances.
Rayleigh and Gaban looked at each other, with Rayleigh murmuring softly.
"Perhaps Caesar has moved away from Fish-Man Island."
Neptune paid no attention to their speculation, weeping tears of joy at his daughter's awakening.
"Shirahoshi, you've been asleep for days—you must be starving! I've prepared all your favorite foods. What would you like? Fukaboshi! Ryuboshi! Quick, have the kitchen prepare a feast!"
"Yes, Father!"
Fukaboshi and Ryuboshi were equally delighted.
Seeing their sister safe lifted a great weight from their hearts, and they hurried off to the kitchens.
Noticing Neptune was fully occupied with his daughter, Rayleigh smiled wryly to himself.
He nodded to Gaban and the others, then quietly exited Shirahoshi's room.
Once outside the palace, Rayleigh sighed.
"There's no way to take Shirahoshi with us. Who would have thought she'd suddenly fall ill—and that it might be connected to that bastard Caesar?"
Gaban shook his head. "Even if Shirahoshi weren't sick, Neptune would never let his daughter leave Fish-Man Island. I told you this wouldn't work from the start."
Jinbei had followed the four of them out.
He had remained silent throughout the entire discussion in Shirahoshi's room.
Rayleigh turned to him solemnly. "Jinbei, you're one of Neptune's most trusted confidants. Right now, you might be the only one who could persuade him to let Shirahoshi leave Fish-Man Island."
"Leave Fish-Man Island?"
A bitter smile crossed Jinbei's face.
"It's impossible, Rayleigh. King Neptune is the ruler of the Fishman Tribe—how could he possibly leave Fishman Island? As for Princess Shirahoshi, she might leave if you could bring Luffy here."
Rayleigh was surprised.
"Luffy?"
Jinbei nodded: "Indeed. Luffy is deeply cherished by Princess Shirahoshi. If he were to come here, he could definitely persuade King Neptune to leave Fishman Island with the princess."
Rayleigh nodded in understanding.
He knew well just how charismatic his disciple was.
Emotionally, Luffy was still a complete idiot.
Yet wherever he went, he had an uncanny ability to attract princesses—both from small and large nations—who would seek his help.
Princess Vivi of Alabasta, Princess Shirahoshi of Fishman Island, Princess Rebecca of Dressrosa.
Even Hancock, the Empress of the Kuja Kingdom, fell head over heels for him at first sight.
"Do you know where Luffy is now?" Rayleigh asked Jinbei again.
After a moment's thought, Jinbei replied, "Perhaps he's with the Revolutionary Army? After all, Dragon, their leader, is Luffy's father. We parted ways in Dressrosa—he disbanded the Straw Hat Pirates."
This shocked Rayleigh.
His eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Luffy disbanded the Straw Hat Pirates? Why?"
Jinbei smiled bitterly. "Why else? We suffered a crushing defeat in Wano Country, dealt a heavy blow by Caesar. If the Revolutionary Army hadn't intervened, we might have ended up like the Kid Pirates—stripped down to nothing. Even so, Brook died in the Flower Capital."
"It hit Luffy hard. He felt he wasn't strong enough to protect us. He said that after he dealt with Caesar—the obstacle in his path—he would invite each of us back aboard to set sail again."
After hearing Jinbei's words, Rayleigh frowned deeply.
Being a pirate was never child's play.
The dangers of the New World were such that even the Roger Pirates couldn't claim absolute safety.
Losing one companion had led him to disband a crew he'd built over years.
Even if he defeated Caesar, there would always be stronger, more formidable foes ahead.
Caesar was terrifying, but the World Government was even more unfathomable—not to mention the mysterious Celestial Dragon King, Im.
What if, after defeating Caesar, he faced the even more terrifying Im?
Would he disband the crew again?
"Luffy... your resolve still lacks strength and resilience."