Hody Jones bellowed, "Jahahaha, my brethren, gather all the captured human pirates! We are preparing to attack Ryugu Castle!"
The Fish-Men around him erupted in excitement, their voices echoing through the streets as though the entire island were under his command.
"By then, the whole of Fish-Man Island will be ours. That cowardly Neptune is unworthy of being king!" Hody cackled, the thrill of conquest shining in his eyes.
---
Meanwhile, in the grand banquet hall of Ryugu Castle, Shirahoshi's soft voice broke the tense atmosphere.
"Rolan, I think… I want to visit my mother's grave," she said hesitantly.
King Neptune froze, a mix of grief and nostalgia shimmering in his eyes.
No one could replace his longing for Queen Otohime, who had dedicated her life to protecting the peace between humans and Fish-Men.
"I will accompany you, Shirahoshi," Neptune said gently.
Shirahoshi shook her head.
"Father, Rolan can accompany me. You are the king. You cannot leave Ryugu Castle lightly."
She cast a glance at her three brothers, Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi, whose expressions revealed their desire to join her.
"No need," she continued firmly.
"The safety of the island still depends on you."
Then she looked at Rolan.
"With you accompanying me, nothing will go wrong."
Neptune's stern features softened, pleased with her wisdom.
"Very well, then Shirahoshi, I leave her in your care, Rolan."
Rolan, ever stoic, simply nodded.
"Alright, I'll take you to the Sea Forest."
Neptune's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion in his voice.
"Rolan, you wouldn't use this opportunity to abduct Shirahoshi, would you?"
Rolan almost laughed at the idea, shaking his head.
"Robin-chan, there's a poneglyph in the Sea Forest. Want to see it?"
Robin's eyes sparkled.
"Of course."
Lina and Nami, uninterested in staying inside the somewhat oppressive castle, stood immediately.
"We want to go too," they said.
Rolan gave a small, amused smile.
"Don't worry, I'm not taking Shirahoshi anywhere. She'll return safely."
With that, he leaped from Shirahoshi's palm, creating an Electromagnetic Barrier around the five of them, invisible yet strong enough to keep seawater and danger at bay.
"Rolan, this…" Fukaboshi hesitated, holding four sections of coral.
But Robin's calm voice stopped him.
"We don't need these."
Neptune chuckled.
"Rolan is even more mysterious than we imagined."
Instead of exiting through the main gate, Rolan led the group to the edge of the protective bubble.
Shirahoshi looked around in curiosity.
"Rolan, this doesn't look like the main gate."
Rolan chuckled lightly.
"It's fine, trust me."
Suddenly, the girls felt their bodies lighten, and they began to float upward.
"Nami! Robin! How… what is this?" Lina asked, astonished.
"My Devil Fruit has awakened," Rolan explained nonchalantly.
"I can control my own electromagnetic gravity and the forces of objects. Now, I can also manipulate living beings I touch directly."
"But you're not touching us," Lina said, puzzled.
Robin pondered briefly.
"Perhaps Rolan altered the surrounding seawater's electromagnetic properties to lift us."
"Bingo," Rolan said, giving her a subtle thumbs up.
Shirahoshi, clueless about Devil Fruits or electromagnetism, simply beamed.
"Rolan is amazing!"
Rolan's lips curved slightly, satisfied that his power had the desired effect.
He guided the group through the invisible barrier and above Fish-Man Island, heading toward the Sea Forest.
---
The Sea Forest dazzled them.
Coral reefs shimmered under the sunlight, forming a dense maze with sunken ships scattered throughout, giving the place a sense of mystery.
Rolan carefully controlled his electromagnetic power, descending slowly.
"Wow! The Sea Forest is beautiful!" Lina exclaimed, dashing forward and glancing back at Nami and Robin.
Nami kicked off her sandals.
"Lina, there are sunken ships here! Let's look for treasure — maybe there's a lot hidden."
"Okay, let's go!"
Rolan shook his head, sighing softly.
These two were impossible to control.
Pointing toward the heart of the forest, he turned to Robin.
"The poneglyph is in there."
Robin adjusted her backpack straps, nodding.
"I'll go, but Rolan, don't forget — Shirahoshi is still very young. No funny business."
Rolan almost spat blood at the implication.
"Do I look like that kind of person?"
Robin only chuckled and led the way deeper into the forest.
Shirahoshi gently poked Rolan's waist.
"Rolan, can you come with me to see Mama?"
"Of course," he replied flatly.
Shirahoshi's face lit up.
She picked him up gently and floated toward her mother's grave.
---
When they arrived, Shirahoshi whispered softly.
"Rolan, this is my mother's grave."
Rolan surveyed the enormous tomb, adorned with golden coral, and a large photograph of Queen Otohime.
He bowed deeply, paying respects to a hero who had tirelessly worked to bring peace between humans and Fish-Men.
After bowing, he stepped aside, giving Shirahoshi space.
Sitting quietly, she spoke to her mother.
"Mama, I'm Shirahoshi. I've grown up now. I remember what you said about being strong and not crying easily. I try not to cry as much anymore."
"I remember when we went shopping, and you scolded me for taking that pearl. I live a happy life now. Father, my brothers, they've always been there, taking me to eat and play."
She hesitated before continuing.
"I've brought my fiancé with me. Don't worry, Mama. He loves me, and I love him. He said he will marry me when I turn sixteen."
Rolan almost choked.
So this wasn't about fear — she wanted her mother to meet him.
____
Milestones
100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter
200 Powerstones = 2 Bonus Chapters
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