Rolan looked at the Mermaid Princess beside him.
She now stood at a height of 1.73 meters. Aside from her body shrinking to a more human scale, nothing else about her seemed different at first glance.
Yet only now did he truly notice her figure.
Before this, Shirahoshi's enormous size had made it impossible to focus on details, but now everything was laid bare. Her body was slender yet full where it mattered, with no excess fat anywhere. Her proportions were balanced, natural, and unmistakably eye catching without being exaggerated.
Her cheeks carried a soft, healthy rosiness, still holding a trace of youthful roundness that made her beauty feel unpolished rather than artificial.
It was no exaggeration to say that her appearance alone justified the rumors. Even Boa Hancock, known across the seas as the world's most beautiful woman, would hesitate to claim absolute superiority.
Rolan's gaze lingered for half a second too long before he snapped himself out of it.
He bit the inside of his tongue, hard enough to ground his thoughts. Shirahoshi was still young, and that line was not one he intended to cross.
What Rolan did not know was that the Shape Shifting Pill had not merely altered Shirahoshi's size. It had accelerated her physical growth by over two years.
At this moment, Shirahoshi's body was closer to sixteen than fourteen.
Neptune and the others sensed it as well. Shirahoshi's aura had barely changed, but something about her presence felt more stable, more complete.
And that was when it truly sank in.
Rolan had never intended to harm Shirahoshi.
The value of Fish Man Island to him lay in Shirahoshi's identity as the Sea King, not in control or exploitation. She had already trusted him long before taking the pill, making any ulterior action unnecessary.
They had simply overthought everything.
The four exchanged glances before bowing deeply.
"We were mistaken, Lord Rolan," Neptune said solemnly. "We believed you intended to do something improper to Shirahoshi."
Rolan raised a hand and stopped them mid bow, pulling them upright with ease.
"If anything, I should apologize," he replied calmly. "I acted without your permission."
Neptune waved it off immediately. "There is no need. I know your intentions were for my daughter's sake."
The tension dissolved.
Far below, in the lightless abyss of the sea floor, several massive eyes opened.
Each pair spanned dozens of meters, ancient and immeasurable.
"Did you feel it? The King has awakened."
"I felt it."
"We waited over eight hundred years for this moment."
"That is impossible," another voice rumbled. "The timing is wrong. The King should not awaken for another two years."
"You miscalculated."
"I do not make mistakes."
A pause followed.
"…Regardless, the King has awakened. That alone is reason enough to rejoice."
"Should we go to the King?"
"No. Not yet. There is another presence nearby. One of the strongest I have ever felt."
"Is the King being threatened?"
"No. Their emotions are stable. Close. Familiar."
"Then we wait."
The abyss fell silent once more.
Back in Ryugu Palace, Rolan raised an eyebrow.
For a brief moment, he had felt eyes on him. Ancient, vast, and unfathomable.
Then they vanished.
Even with his senses, he could not trace their origin or intent.
The depths of the sea truly hid things beyond reason.
"Husband," Shirahoshi said softly, tugging at his sleeve. "I think… I hear someone calling me."
Rolan turned to her. "Calling you?"
His mind connected the dots instantly.
Sea Kings.
Then he dismissed the thought. Shirahoshi had not yet come of age. By all logic, her power should not have awakened.
Unless the pill had interfered.
Rolan reached out and gently rested his hand on her head. "You probably burned too much energy earlier. Hungry?"
Shirahoshi tilted her head, poking her cheek. "I think so."
Neptune immediately ordered Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi to prepare a feast.
Then Shirahoshi looked back at Rolan.
"Oh, what did I call you earlier?"
"Husband," she said innocently. "Is that wrong?"
Rolan did not react.
Neptune, however, nearly choked on his breath.
"I am fine," Neptune said quickly, waving his hands. "Just swallowed wrong."
Rolan ignored him entirely.
"You can call me whatever you want," he said flatly.
At the table, Shirahoshi did not stop moving.
"Husband, eat this."
"And this one."
"Hurry before it gets cold."
She stacked plate after plate in front of him, her expression earnest and focused.
Rolan stared at the growing mountain of food.
"…You are feeding me like I'm the fragile one."
Shirahoshi smiled, unbothered.
Then she suddenly brightened.
"Husband, when will you take Shirahoshi to see a real forest?"
The words hit him harder than expected.
He had promised her that long ago. More than a year had passed.
Rolan did not make excuses.
"We'll go now."
Shirahoshi froze, then nodded enthusiastically. "Really? It won't trouble you?"
He felt irritation, not at her, but at himself.
"Never."
Neptune watched silently. He did not stop them.
With Rolan, there was nothing to fear.
A massive bubble rose through the sea, enclosing the two figures as they ascended.
"Husband, the underwater world is so beautiful," Shirahoshi whispered, eyes shining.
"That's a sea monster," Rolan said calmly, smashing it aside when it got too close.
She clapped excitedly.
"That glowing pearl?"
"Bait."
"Oh…"
She followed him like a curious kitten, unaware of danger, trusting completely.
Without Rolan, she would have died a hundred times over.
Finally, the barrier shattered.
With a thunderous splash, they emerged into the New World.
Shirahoshi gasped.
"This is… Earth?"
Rolan said nothing.
---