At this moment, Hancock and her sisters, along with Old Granny, stepped in through the doorway.
Grimm smiled again and spoke. "No royal power lasts forever — not even that of the Celestial Dragons. Are you not the kind of people who would want to be the ones to topple their rule?"
As he said this, every person in the room felt their hearts pound; their pupils shrank and their eyes widened in shock, though they quickly regained their composure.
Damned charlatan… as if we could believe you. Do you really think you could overthrow the World Government?
"Of course, that was just a side thought," Grimm continued. "What matters most is that I have waited long enough and I am growing impatient. Give me your answer… now."
He added casually, "Or… shall I give you a few more days so you can go and fetch that old man Whitebeard? It has been a while since I last fought him, and my fists are itching for a match."
Princess Otohime stepped forward, her expression grave. "We will hand Shirahoshi over to you."
Behind her, Neptune and the others flinched in shock, wanting to stop her — yet they held back. They simply did not have the strength to refuse Grimm.
"We accept — and are grateful for — your offer of land for our people to migrate to the surface. However… we ask that you allow us to raise Shirahoshi until she is older. Until she is ten… no, until she is eight years old. By then, she will be able to think and act for herself. Will you agree to take her then?"
Grimm looked at her in silence, while those behind her broke out in cold sweat from fear.
After a few seconds, a warm, benevolent smile appeared on his face. "You know I am a follower of the Holy Light. And faith in the Light must be nurtured from childhood. So… I will take her now."
"I told you before — I am known as 'The Nurturer'. You need not worry about her care."
His words sounded kind and reassuring, yet a faint, overwhelming aura of absolute authority radiated from him, forcing everyone in the room to instinctively step back.
After half a minute of tense silence, he spoke simply and firmly: "I will be her guardian."
In plain terms: Shirahoshi was to become entirely his.
Otohime felt as though her heart might burst from her chest. Fisher Tiger and Jinbe stepped forward, positioning themselves between Grimm and the royal family.
In an instant, Hancock appeared right in front of them. Before the two men could even steady themselves, she swung her long, flame‑cloaked leg in a powerful sweep, knocking them both flying backward into the corner of the room.
Those two… putting on such a show. Is this how you demonstrate loyalty to the crown? To be knocked aside with a single kick?
"Oh? Do you object?" Grimm asked with a smile. "Remember — I am still, first and foremost, a pirate. Are you determined to refuse a peaceful agreement only to force me to take what I want by force?"
"That is not what we meant!" King Neptune cried, rising from his throne with a face full of sorrow, bowing humbly — completely stripped of all royal dignity.
"Shirahoshi is my daughter. I only ask to have her by my side for a few more years!"
"Ah? If Fish‑Man Island submits to me wholeheartedly, why worry about never seeing her again?" Grimm pressed aggressively.
"Or are you planning some trick? Perhaps you hope to run to old man Whitebeard and ask him to deal with me the moment I leave this island?"
He leaned forward. "So… let me ask you for the last time: will you give her to me or not?"
He emphasized the words "last time" — his meaning clear: if words failed, force would follow.
Tiger and Jinbe slowly picked themselves up from the floor, looking utterly defeated.
Otohime took a deep, shaky breath, and spoke without turning her head toward the two ministers.
"Minister Left… please have the guards bring Princess Shirahoshi from her chambers and deliver her to Lord Grimm."
The decision was made.
Grimm turned and walked out without looking back. But at the doorway, he paused for a moment and tossed over his shoulder:
"Then… I look forward to a pleasant partnership."
With that, he left the palace, followed by Hancock, her sisters, and Old Granny.
Old Granny looked at his retreating figure, still trembling from fear. If that girl Shirahoshi truly possesses such potential… within ten years, Lord Grimm will have the Ancient Weapon — the Sea King — under his complete control. That is terrifying.
By then, neither Whitebeard nor the World Government will be able to stand against him… In that case, for Amazon Lily to place itself under his rule… may not be such a bad thing after all.
Back in the city, Otohime announced to the people of Fish‑Man Island that they had finally been granted permission and land to migrate to the surface. Her words were met with cheers and celebration.
Many fish‑men and mermaids had secretly visited the surface before — most often the Sabaody Archipelago — and dreamed of living there, especially enjoying the famous parks and bubble attractions.
Even those who had previously refused to sign the petition for migration had done so only because they believed it was an impossible dream. In truth, who among them did not wish to leave this tiny, cramped island behind?
Grimm himself had never truly understood the stubborn attachment the royal family held toward Whitebeard.
What exactly did Whitebeard ever do for you? He called you his "sons" and gave you a flag… but look at me — I am offering you something far more reliable and real!
In secret, the two ministers arranged to quietly move the sleeping Princess Shirahoshi from the royal chambers to the Sea Forest, where Grimm's party was waiting.
By now, the Kuja pirates were fully prepared to depart.
Now that she understood clearly that Grimm had gained possession of the Ancient Weapon — the Sea King — Old Granny no longer voiced any objections to Hancock's plan to relocate Amazon Lily to the New World.
From now on, Amazon Lily and Fish‑Man Island would be part of the same family — under the same banner.
Although Hancock's original motivation had been purely personal, the outcome was undeniably beneficial. Joining Grimm's faction was undoubtedly the best move they could make.
Putting aside the power Grimm already commanded, the fact alone that he now controlled the Sea King made him every bit as powerful as any of the "Four Emperors" feared across the seas.
More importantly, they could no longer remain in the Calm Belt. With the Marines having developed warships capable of crossing it safely, Amazon Lily faced total destruction unless they acted quickly.
After discussing it with her sisters, Hancock decided to temporarily set aside her wish to travel alongside Grimm.
Instead, she would return immediately to Amazon Lily, organize the entire nation, and lead the full migration to the New World to reunite with him later.
As for where to meet again, aside from the Transponder Snail Hancock had given Grimm, they agreed that their rendezvous point would be Dressrosa.
While the Kuja pirates were finishing their preparations, King Neptune, the two ministers, and a royal guard arrived at the ship.
They carried the sleeping Shirahoshi, still lying in her giant cradle, and gently placed her — bed and all — onto the deck of the Kuja ship.
"Standing this close… this child is truly enormous…" Sandersonia murmured as she looked at the princess.
Though her face appeared to be that of a three‑ or four‑year‑old, she was already nearly five meters tall. It was terrifying to imagine how large she would grow once she reached adulthood.
Marigold and the others nodded in agreement.
Trailing near Shirahoshi's cradle was the scruffy, ragged little girl — Koala.
They had effectively taken her from Hatchan and the Sun Pirates. Sandersonia and Marigold felt deep sympathy for the child, having once shared the same fate as slaves themselves, and had decided to bring her along.
As for Hatchan and his companions… though they were unwilling and heartbroken, not one of them dared to speak a word of protest.
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