Inside the main hall of the Ryugu Palace, Neptune, Otohime, Fisher Tiger, Jinbe, and the two ministers gathered. Fisher Tiger's opposition remained firm. "This is unacceptable. To let Princess Shirahoshi become a pirate... this is simply…"
"Then, Tiger-san, will you be the one to defeat Alucard?" the Left Minister asked, immediately silencing Fisher Tiger.
What could he do against Alucard? It wasn't a matter of whether he could win; it was a matter of whether he'd be instantly annihilated.
When it came down to it, this whole situation was his fault for liberating the slaves at Mariejois and somehow offending Alucard. Although Fisher Tiger didn't know how freeing slaves had offended Alucard, he knew the responsibility lay with him. He calmed down and began to think more rationally.
The Right Minister's face lit up with an idea. "What if we ask the King's friend to stop him? Isn't he known as the world's strongest pirate, even surpassing Alucard?"
"Don't speak nonsense, Right Minister."
Jinbe frowned. "Whether Whitebeard-san would intervene or not, the identity of Princess Shirahoshi is something that can't be revealed to any more people. What's more, even if Whitebeard-san agreed, what then? Alucard is already inside Fish-Man Island, while Whitebeard is in the latter half of the New World. If a conflict were to arise, what do you think would happen?"
The Right Minister deflated like a popped balloon. "Then we can only let that pirate take Princess Shirahoshi away?"
"Although it's a difficult outcome to accept, it is our only option now."
Otohime finally spoke. As the one who loved Shirahoshi the most, her resolve was
unimaginable. "However, let's think about it from another perspective. We've also gained an opportunity to move to the surface, haven't we? Furthermore, as an Ancient Weapon, Alucard will undoubtedly do everything in his power to protect her until she matures. Her safety is
absolutely guaranteed."
"We're not worried about Princess Shirahoshi's safety; we're worried about her future," Jinbe frowned. "I admit, Alucard and his crew will definitely protect Princess Shirahoshi. But in five, ten, or twenty years, when Alucard can control her power… Princess Shirahoshi's identity as Poseidon will be revealed to the world. What will we do then?"
"That's still better than it being revealed right now, isn't it?"
A voice suddenly rang out. The six people present quickly turned to see Alucard walking into the hall, having passed through the palace wall. He looked at their astonished faces and said calmly, "As Poseidon, do you really think she'll have a peaceful life? Instead of constantly worrying
about her, it's better to teach her something useful now."
At that moment, the three Boa sisters and Elder Nyon also entered from the door.
Alucard chuckled softly. "My apologies, I was getting impatient waiting. Hurry up and tell me your decision."
"Or, would you like me to give you a few days to call Whitebeard over?" Alucard added. Otohime stepped forward, her expression solemn. "You can have Shirahoshi."
When Otohime said this, the five people behind her looked shocked, wanting to stop her, but they restrained themselves. They knew they had no power to refuse Alucard.
"We also accept and thank you for offering an island so we can move to the surface. But we hope you will allow us to raise Shirahoshi until she is a little older. Ten years old… no, eight years old, when she has a little bit of independence. Can you wait until then?"
Alucard stared at Otohime in silence. The others behind her broke out in a cold sweat from the tension.
After a few seconds, Alucard said coldly, "Am I too easygoing? Or… do you think I'm Whitebeard?"
A wave of murderous intent radiated from Alucard, causing everyone to instinctively back away. After half a minute, Alucard continued, "Hand her over when she has her own will? Is there such a good deal in this world? It would be easy for me to take one person from the tens of thousands of nobodies on this island. It would be a hassle, but not impossible, to modify her into something that is loyal only to me…"
Upon hearing this, Otohime felt her heart pounding. Fisher Tiger and Jinbe stepped forward, trying to stand between Alucard and Otohime, but Hancock suddenly appeared and, before they could even react, struck both of them down with a high-kick.
"Are you still trying to play games with me?" Alucard said coldly again.
"We didn't mean that. We just wanted Shirahoshi to be with us for a few more years," King Neptune said as he got down from his throne and bowed, completely abandoning his kingly dignity.
"Poseidon, or Fish-Man Island? Which will it be? This is the last time I will ask. Next time, I will not be asking."
Alucard emphasized the word "ask," making it clear he was still giving them a choice. The next time, there would be no choice. "Kill," would be enough.
Fisher Tiger and Jinbe struggled to get up from the wall, their hearts still pounding as they stared at Hancock. What is that person? Is she Alucard's new crew member? She's so strong…
Taking a deep breath, Otohime turned to her two ministers. "Left Minister, please get the guards ready. Right Minister, please dispatch the army to bring Shirahoshi from her chambers and take her to… Alucard-san's location."
The decision had been made. Otohime had chosen.
Without a word, Alucard turned and walked away. As he reached the door, he stopped and left them with one last sentence: "If you want, you can always team up with Whitebeard to try and kill me."
With that, Alucard, the three Boa sisters, and Elder Nyon left.
Elder Nyon watched Alucard's retreating back with trepidation, thinking to herself, If that girl named Shirahoshi has talent, in less than a decade, Alucard will have one of the three Ancient Weapons, Poseidon. It's terrifying… At that point, neither Whitebeard nor the World
Government will… In that case, it seems that the Snake Princess being under his command isn't such a bad thing after all.