Sea Circle Calendar Year 1507 — Two years later
The ocean above shimmered like molten glass, fractured by light cascading through leagues of water. Beneath that endless blue lay a kingdom untouched by time — Fishman Island, the jewel of the deep and one of the many territories under the protection of the Empress of the Sea, Nyx D. Ada.
The Oro Jackson sailed smoothly through the massive bubble currents that wound down toward the sea floor. Around the ship, armored whale escorts swam in formation — royal guards loyal to King Neptune, but flying Ada's crimson-marked standard upon their harpoons.
At the prow, Ada stood with her hands clasped behind her back, the faint light of the deep glinting off her coat. Her eyes followed the coral spires that slowly came into view — familiar, ancient, and alive.
"Still feels strange," Okiku murmured, peering over the railing. "To think a whole kingdom lives beneath the sea."
Beside her, Hiyori pressed her palms against the transparent dome. "It's so beautiful. Like a dream made of colors."
"Just remember it's also a fortress," Mihawk said evenly. "An empire wrapped in coral and glass. One crack, and the dream floods."
Ada smirked faintly. "Don't tempt fate, Hawkeye. Neptune wouldn't appreciate that."
The crew laughed softly as the Oro Jackson slipped through the colossal gate. Carved upon the arch above were words Ada herself had inscribed years ago when she claimed the territory.
"Under the protection of — Nyx D. Ada."
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Coral Palace — Ryugu Kingdom
The grand hall shimmered with refracted sunlight. Coral pillars rose like living trees, glowing faintly beneath the pressure of the sea.
At the far end of the hall, King Neptune waited on his throne, trident resting against his shoulder. When Ada entered, the old merman's booming laughter filled the room.
"Ada! You haven't changed at all!"
Ada's lips curved faintly. "And you still shout loud enough to shake the reefs."
Neptune rose from his throne, the water rippling around his massive form as he clasped her forearm in greeting. "Your presence alone keeps the sea beasts in check, old friend. Fishman Island remains peaceful under your flag."
"I expect no less," Ada replied calmly. "Still, your queen's petitions are stirring quite the waves."
From behind Neptune stepped Queen Otohime, her movements gentle yet firm, eyes filled with warmth. "You speak of my petitions, Ada… yet I sense mockery in your tone."
"Not mockery," Ada said evenly. "Concern."
Otohime smiled faintly. "You still think me naïve."
"I think you're too kind for a world that doesn't deserve it."
A silence followed — not hostile, but layered with mutual understanding. Neptune sighed, sinking back onto his throne. "You two never change. Always ideals and warnings."
Otohime gestured for Ada to follow her toward a smaller coral chamber where sunlight filtered through the glass. A table was laid out with scrolls, each filled with signatures and stamps — petitions.
"These," Otohime said softly, "are dreams. Every name here belongs to a citizen who believes Fishman Island should move to the surface — to live among humans."
Ada studied the papers for a long moment. "A dangerous dream," she said finally. "The world above is cruel, Otohime. They'll call it coexistence… but to them, your people will be trophies, slaves, tools."
Otohime didn't flinch. "Then I'll change their hearts. One at a time, if I must."
Ada's gaze hardened. "And if they don't change?"
"Then at least," Otohime said gently, "my children will know their mother tried."
Silence filled the room, heavy and profound.
Okiku and Hiyori lingered by the entrance, listening — the younger girl's eyes wide with admiration.
Ada finally exhaled, her expression unreadable. "Your faith is reckless," she said. "But your will… I respect it."
Otohime smiled softly. "Coming from you, that means more than you know."
Ada turned, hands clasped behind her back as she gazed through the glass at the endless ocean beyond. "Faith like yours built kingdoms… and destroyed them. The world you dream of will not come easily."
"I know," Otohime said. "But someone must begin. Even if I fail, perhaps another will succeed."
Ada's lips curved in a rare, faint smile. "Maybe. Just be careful you don't get crushed by the tide before then."
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Later — Coral Streets of Fishman Island
The streets buzzed with life. Merchants sold coral pearls, mermaids danced in water-filled squares, and schools of fish darted between glowing lamps.
Lilith walked beside Hiyori, her mechanical goggles flashing. "This place is amazing! Look at the bio-luminescent filtration systems — they're practically self-sustaining!"
"Eh?" Hiyori blinked. "You mean… pretty lights?"
Lilith groaned. "Ugh, peasants."
Mihawk sighed from behind them. "If she touches one more thing, I'm throwing her overboard."
Bullet laughed loudly, hauling a massive barrel of coral wine over his shoulder. "Relax, Hawkeye! Ain't every day you see mermaids swimmin' through the ceiling!"
Ada walked slightly apart from them, silent. Her gaze swept the domes, her mind elsewhere — on Otohime's words, and on a memory of another idealist long ago.
"The world can change, Ada."
"Only if it wants to."
Dragon's voice still lingered in her mind like the echo of a storm. She wondered where he was now — whether he'd heard Otohime's message, or whether he was already moving toward his next revolution.
Okiku approached quietly. "You're thinking again, Captain."
Ada glanced at her. "Always."
"She reminds you of someone, doesn't she?"
Ada's eyes softened slightly. "Yes. Someone who also believed in impossible things."
Okiku nodded. "Then maybe it's not so foolish to hope."
Ada's smile was thin but genuine. "Maybe. But hope has a price."
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The Palace Balcony — That Evening
A soft glow bathed the coral palace in hues of blue and violet. Below, schools of glowing fish swirled through the water like stars caught beneath the sea.
Queen Otohime stood at the balcony, gazing down at the petition box beside her — nearly full now, yet never enough.
Behind her, Ada approached, cloak flowing like a shadow against the coral light.
"You'll gather all those signatures," Ada said quietly, "and still the world won't be ready."
Otohime turned, smiling faintly. "Perhaps. But I have to believe they can be."
Ada leaned against the railing. "Belief can move mountains. It can also get you killed."
"Then so be it," Otohime said softly. "If my death brings even one ray of light to this ocean, I will have lived well."
For a moment, the Emperor of the Sea said nothing. Then she reached into her coat and took out a small sealed case — inside, a piece of ancient parchment, its ink faint and old.
She handed it to Otohime.
"What is this?"
"Something from the surface," Ada said. "A record from an age when humans and fishmen walked side by side. Proof that coexistence isn't a fantasy — it once existed."
Otohime's eyes widened. "This… this is—!"
"A fragment," Ada interrupted. "Don't let anyone see it. The World Government would destroy it, and you, if they knew."
Otohime held the parchment close to her chest, tears welling in her eyes. "Why are you helping me?"
Ada turned to leave. "Because even fools deserve a fighting chance."
Otohime laughed softly through her tears. "You hide your kindness well, Ada."
Ada glanced back over her shoulder, a small, wry smile on her lips. "Don't tell anyone."
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As the Oro Jackson rose through the tunnel currents, the domes of Fishman Island glowed beneath them like a sleeping giant beneath glass.
Okiku waved to Otohime, who stood on the palace balcony with her children — Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi — all waving enthusiastically.
"Goodbye, Queen Otohime!" Hiyori called, smiling brightly. "We'll visit again!"
Otohime smiled, her hand resting protectively on her children's head. "Be safe, my friends. The sea is vast, but so are our dreams."
On deck, Ada watched silently, her expression unreadable. Mihawk stood beside her.
"You believe she'll succeed?" he asked.
Ada's eyes narrowed slightly. "No. But maybe her failure will plant something worth growing."
Mihawk smirked faintly. "How poetic of you."
"She's brave," Ada murmured. "Braver than most kings I've met."
"And if her dream fails?"
Ada's voice hardened. "Then the world will have one less light to follow."
As the ship disappeared into the glowing currents, the last image of Fishman Island faded behind them — a kingdom of hope in the depths, and a queen whose dream reached toward a sun she'd never touched.
And for the first time in years, Ada felt something stir in her chest — not anger, not ambition… but something quieter.
A spark of belief.