Fish-Man District – Depths
Filthy, chaotic, and reeking with decay, this part of Fish-Man Island was a place long abandoned by law and light. Aside from a few fish-men lingering in the shadows, almost no one dared come here.
Yet at this very moment, a sinister scheme was taking root in the dark.
"Are you sure it was her?"
"Yes, Hody Jones-san. I'm certain. It was Nico Robin—'the Devil's Child.' She looks slightly different now, but I'd bet my life on it."
"Dihahahaha… So it really is her. The last surviving scholar from Ohara, the only one who can read the Poneglyphs."
With a twisted grin, Hody Jones leaned forward, his eyes glinting with ambition.
"Capture her. With her power, we'll finally uncover the ancient weapon and rise from this damned pit beneath the sea. Fish-Men will rule above."
"Yes, Hody Jones-san!"
In the faint glow of lanterns, his face—sharp, cruel, and monstrous—was revealed in full. This was the leader of the New Fish-Man Pirates. Ruthless and driven by hatred, he had set his sights on Robin… and through her, a power that could shake the world.
---
Ryugu Palace – Tower of Hard Shell
"…So this is it, huh?"
Kaelen Tsukishiro stood outside the massive structure, its walls formed like layers of a thick, armored shell. The architecture was impressive, but his gaze was not one of admiration.
What flickered in his eyes was pity—and beneath that, a simmering trace of anger.
Nine years.
Nine long years confined to this place.
No freedom, no contact with the outside world, no chance to explore or grow. Every day spent in fear.
No wonder Shirahoshi had grown so timid.
"That bastard... I let him off too easy."
Kaelen clicked his tongue. If he hadn't ended Vander Decken so quickly, he could have used some of the more painful techniques he picked up in the training camps. But it was too late for regrets.
His figure faded into shadow and silently slipped past the palace guards.
---
Inside, a soft, trembling voice broke the stillness.
"It's so boring... Father and my brothers haven't visited in so long. What do you think they're all so busy with, Mekao?"
The voice was light, sweet, and filled with loneliness.
Kaelen followed the sound and arrived at a pink-hued chamber fit for a princess. Plush toys, trinkets, and delicate curtains decorated the space, yet despite its charm, it felt suffocatingly isolated.
And then he saw her.
A massive mermaid lay across the bed, chatting with her pet shark. Her long, flowing pink hair shimmered softly. Her skin was pale and radiant, her features as innocent and adorable as a child's storybook heroine.
If Boa Hancock was the most beautiful woman on the sea, then Shirahoshi was without a doubt the cutest.
But Kaelen could feel it—behind that charm was a deep, constant fear.
He stepped forward with a gentle smile and greeted her.
"Hello, Princess Shirahoshi."
"Ahhh!"
She screamed and curled up immediately, retreating into the corner of the bed with wide, frightened eyes.
But curiosity flickered beneath the fear, and she cautiously scanned the room.
"W-Who's there...?"
Her voice was barely audible. Yet Kaelen heard it perfectly and responded with a soft chuckle.
"I'm Kaelen, just call me 'Big Brother Kaelen.'"
He stepped up onto the table so she could see him better, smiling reassuringly.
Otherwise, she might keep searching and miss him entirely—this girl wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.
"Oh…"
Her breath hitched when she saw him. Eyes wide, hands clutched the quilt tightly, and tears began to glisten in the corners.
Kaelen: "…Seriously?"
Why is she screaming like that? I'm not that scary… I'm handsome, even. This is unfair.
Still, he knew her reputation well. She was timid to an extreme. And after everything she'd endured, he couldn't blame her.
He adjusted his expression and softened his voice further.
"Relax, I'm not here to hurt you."
His sincerity must have reached her. Slowly, cautiously, Shirahoshi peeked over the covers again, tears still clinging to her lashes.
"K-Kaelen… sama?"
"Just Kaelen," he said, waving his hand. "Or Big Brother Kaelen. No need for honorifics with me."
"Ah… Y-Yes, Big Brother!"
Her words trembled with nervousness. But she was trying.
"Good. No need to be nervous," he reassured her gently.
"…Okay."
As the minutes passed, Kaelen's calm voice and light teasing began to ease the tension. Shirahoshi gradually warmed up, becoming curious, even cheerful.
He told her about the world beyond the sea, painting pictures of the sky islands, reindeer that could talk, and seashells that sang with power.
She listened intently, starry-eyed.
"For real? Talking reindeer? Sky islands with floating waterfalls?"
"Yup. They're all real."
"Woooow!"
She pressed her fingers to her lips in wonder, her childlike amazement making Kaelen grin.
"You'll get to see them one day. With your own eyes."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Then, he leaned forward, his voice turning playful and mysterious.
"Actually, I've got some good news for you. Want to hear it?"
"Good news?" Shirahoshi tilted her head, placing a finger to her lips. Her innocence made Kaelen pause for a second.
She really was like a living fairy tale.
"Yeah," he said, shaking the thought away. "That creep who's been scaring you for years? Vander Decken? I got him."
Shirahoshi blinked, unsure what he meant.
"He won't ever bother you again. You're free."
---
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