On Fish‑Man Island, inside the grand restaurant of Ryugu Castle, a feast had been prepared to properly welcome Ace. Upon hearing the surprising news of his arrival, Fukaboshi and the others had immediately seen to his needs, leading him directly into the castle for a sumptuous meal.
Now, the three of them — Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi and Manboshi — were seated across from Ace, chopsticks in hand, enjoying the spread before them.
"By the way," Ace asked with cheeks flushed from food, pulling a parchment photo from his pocket and holding it up, "have any of you seen this person?"
The image was unmistakable. It was Teach, Blackbeard himself.
"This is… familiar, I think," Ryuboshi said after scrutinizing the photo.
Ace's eyes lit up at that, and before he could stop himself, three questions spilled out at once, "When did he come here? Where was he? Where did he go?"
Ryuboshi exchanged a glance with Manboshi, then answered, "There was someone like this here. He came through Fish‑Man Island about half a month ago."
"Really?" Ace leaned forward, anticipation in his tone. "Then what did he do here? Where did he go afterward?"
Ryuboshi frowned, thinking it through, and finally said, "He didn't stay long, seemed like he was just passing through. He left pretty quickly. Based on his ship's course, it looked like he headed toward the early section of the Grand Line."
Ace blinked — then immediately flopped forward, collapsing face‑first onto the dining table.
"What?!" Fukaboshi and the other princes leapt to attention in alarm, panic flitting across their faces. This was Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates — a man whose strength was renowned throughout the seas. If anything were to happen to him while on Fish‑Man Island, the wrath of the Whitebeard Pirates would surely descend here.
Fukaboshi twitched an ear and said quietly, voice tense but cautious, "Wait a moment, listen carefully."
ZZZZ~
A faint snore came from Ace's mouth, the rumble so light and unthreatening that Fukaboshi and the others slowly exhaled in relief.
It turned out Ace hadn't collapsed from weakness, injury or shock — he had simply fallen asleep.
Even so, the three Fish‑Man Island nobles sat silently nearby, barely daring to breathe, afraid to disturb him.
Minutes passed in silence.
Pop~
The sound of a snot bubble popping was followed immediately by Ace lifting his head, eyes blinking open as though nothing had happened.
"Ah, sorry, I just dozed off," he said with a grin, stretching as if waking from the best nap of his life. "Where were we?"
Fukaboshi inclined his head respectfully, "The person you were asking about, he left Fish‑Man Island not long after arriving."
"Ah, okay, thanks so much."
Just then, a soft female voice echoed through the restaurant.
"Um… Mr. Ace, have you seen my future husband?"
Ace turned toward the voice, gaze landing on a towering, beautiful mermaid figure. Based on her size and regal bearing, he immediately guessed who she was.
This must be the Mermaid Princess.
"Future husband?" Ace asked calmly, though curiosity tinged his voice. "Princess, who do you mean by that?"
The mermaid princess's cheeks flushed pink, and she fidgeted, hands gathering together in front of her.
"It's… it's… it's Lord Rolan," she stammered.
A‑pfft~
At that moment, Ace — who still had a mouthful of rice — literally sprayed it all over Manboshi's face.
His eyes widened, startled, then Ace grinned sheepishly and said, "Sorry, couldn't hold it in."
Manboshi wiped off the rice, waving it off with good humor. He didn't seem offended at all.
Ace turned back to the princess, focusing on her again. "Princess… you said your future husband is Rolan?"
"Yes!" Her eyes sparkled with sincerity, and longing echoed in her soft voice. "He's my future husband."
Ace blinked, stunned. He knew Rolan had many admirers — women whose beauty rivaled the sky, each of them breathtaking — but even the Mermaid Princess? And such a young one at that! She wasn't even fifteen yet. A beauty of her caliber professing love for Rolan?
Damn it! His Sensei truly was something else.
Ace looked over to Fukaboshi and the other island princes, confusion on his face.
They only shrugged, giving hesitant support. After all, she was their beloved sister — the pride of Fish‑Man Island.
Ace nodded back toward the princess. "I've seen Rolan, yes. So Princess, where is he now?"
Upon hearing this, the princess brightened further. "Then, Mr. Ace, where is my future husband… Lord Rolan?"
Ace's expression stayed composed, "He should be in Peach Garden, right?"
The princess tilted her head in happy curiosity, "Peach Garden? Is my future husband doing okay?"
Ace smiled, "He should be fine."
The mermaid princess's big eyes blinked with earnest wonder, "Does Peach Garden have forests?"
Ace laughed lightly, "Peach Garden is the territory of the Ion Tempest Pirates. It's one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the New World. It definitely has forests and many beautiful sights."
"A real forest, with trees?" she murmured, voice filled with awe.
Ace nodded, "Yes, full of tall trees. Real forests, Princess."
She hummed softly, excitement building in her heart. "Rolan, when will you come to take me to see the forests in Peach Garden?"
Ace blinked again, then chuckled and asked, "Princess, do you want me to call him on a Den Den Mushi and have him pick you up?"
The princess shook her head earnestly. "No! Rolan promised he would come for me. If he hasn't come yet, it must be because he's busy. When he's done, he'll come and get me."
For a moment, Ace felt a pang of doubt — like maybe Rolan had come and left again without her. But he quickly banished it. No, Rolan wasn't the type to hurt someone and then abandon them.
Still… with someone as beautiful and kind as that princess thinking so highly of him, Rolan must be one lucky man.
Ace let out a quiet, affectionate sigh, "Rolan, don't ever let down a girl like that."
…
Later, as Rolan approached Shanks and the others in Peach Garden, his expression remained impassive, aloof as always.
"How have the past few days been?" Rolan asked bluntly.
"Very good," Shanks replied with a relaxed grin.
"So happy," Yasopp added, giving Rolan a cheerful wave.
Shanks and the others had stayed in Peach Garden for over half a month now. In that time, they had seen nearly every corner of the kingdom, eaten countless delicacies, laughed at countless wonders, and basked in the beauty of an island that never felt like it lacked anything.
There were endless sights to enjoy, friendly locals, amusement facilities on nearly every block, and enough gorgeous views to make even the hardest pirate smile.
The citizens lived with ease and joy, transportation was convenient, and services like schools, judicial offices and security bureaus ensured peace and normalcy throughout the kingdom.
Only now did they truly realize that the young man standing before them — Rolan — was far more capable, strategic and resourceful than they had ever imagined. They had underestimated him at first glance, but not anymore.
Shanks reached out and placed a hand on Rolan's shoulder in a gesture that was both respectful and affectionate.
"Haha, you really are incredible, kid. I apologize for doubting you earlier," Shanks admitted sincerely.
Rolan raised a brow, unshaken. He already knew Shanks and the others had changed their minds after seeing Peach Garden's prosperity firsthand.
"Oh? What now? You have some thoughts on this?" Rolan's voice was calm, controlled, with that unmistakable edge — a man who didn't give a fuck about pleasing anyone yet always demanded truth.
Shanks exhaled with a gentle sigh, still firm in his conviction. "I cannot fight the World Government for you directly, but when you do face them, I can help hold off some trouble for you."
Rolan's eyes flickered with a rare spark at that, "Think it through carefully. Once you decide, you'll be on this pirate ship."
Shanks laughed, that warm rumble of a man who knew the weight of choice, destiny, and freedom. "Hahaha, you're right. Destiny must be seized by one's own hands, not waited upon."