Chapter 200: Otohime's Divided Loyalties
"I'm serious," Ross said, turning to Otohime. "If you agree, I'll announce tomorrow that you're my exclusive CP0 agent. Once the new Fish-Man Island is ready, it'll join as a member nation—I'll foot the entire bill. And you'll be its first queen."
Otohime froze, realizing he meant every word. A spokesperson role? That she could handle. But becoming his dedicated CP0 operative, plus queen of a new Fish-Man Island? No, that was impossible.
Her childhood dream had been leading her people toward peace. But her current life...
"But how could I possibly..." she stammered, her voice trailing off.
"I believe in you," Ross cut in. "We haven't known each other long, but I see real leadership in you. With my backing, you won't have to worry about a thing."
Otohime stared at him, her heart racing. From the day she was born, this was the validation she'd craved most. No one had ever said it before—not like this. Ross was the first to truly get her vision, the first to offer real support without strings. The first to see her as a leader.
But why now? Tears welled up, spilling down her cheeks. If only he'd shown up a few years earlier...
Back then, she'd have jumped at the chance. But now, bound by duty and love, she couldn't.
She knew Ross's heart perfectly—her Observation Haki made sure of that. Yet she couldn't respond the way he hoped. Relocating the Ryugu Kingdom to the new island? Fine. But leaving Neptune behind to start fresh alone? That was betrayal. Ross had been kinder to her than anyone in years, but Neptune had been her rock. She couldn't turn her back on him.
"Mr. Ross," she said, lifting her head with resolve, "your words mean the world to me, but I have to decline."
"I want to cut out the cancer rotting Fish-Man Island from the inside," she continued, her face serious. "But I'll never betray my home."
Ross nodded, unfazed. "I respect that. My offer stands, though. The new island's yours whenever you're ready."
He smiled faintly. If she'd ditched Neptune right then, he wouldn't have trusted her anyway. This was better—genuine. Plenty of twists awaited Princess Otohime. In time, she'd be his.
"Thank you," she replied, pressing a hand to her chest as her racing pulse eased.
A pang of regret lingered, though. If not for her ties, she'd have said yes in a heartbeat.
"Let's check on the slaves they've got locked up," Ross said, gesturing ahead as he headed toward the dungeon.
Otohime snapped back to the moment, flicking her tail through the seawater Ross had conjured to keep her mobile on land. She caught up quickly.
The slaves were stashed in a grim underground cell. Ross had scoped it out earlier upon entering the manor.
"Lots of prisoners," he'd noted. "But only three with any real strength. The rest are half-dead."
Otohime's Observation Haki confirmed it before they even arrived, twisting her expression with unease.
She'd once believed humans alone were the villains, enslaving fish-men and mermaids out of pure malice. That's why she'd pushed so hard for peaceful coexistence. But after everything she'd endured, naivety was a luxury she couldn't afford.
Humans had brutalized her kind, yes. But fish-men and mermaids had struck back just as viciously. The cycle of hate spun on, endless and brutal.
They descended into the damp underbelly. Two fish-man corpses slumped at the entrance—remnants of the Fish-Man Gang. When Ross had taken down their leader, Ada—or Arlong, as he'd been known—he'd wiped out the whole rotten crew to tie up loose ends.
With a casual push, Ross sent the iron door flying off its hinges. A foul stench hit them like a wave: rot, blood, waste, all mixed into something vile.
"Crude work," Ross muttered, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Even slavers know better than to break their merchandise like this."
Professional crews kept slaves in decent shape for auction. These? They reeked of neglect, barely worth the chains.
Otohime covered her mouth, reluctance in her eyes, but she pressed on, her tail swishing gently.
Cages lined the dim space—some big, some small. In the nearest one, a human woman dragged herself forward on one arm and leg, her gaze locked on Otohime.
"Please... let me go..." she begged.
Otohime bit her lip, sorrow flashing across her face. She turned pleading eyes to Ross.
He just grinned, pulling out a Den Den Mushi and dialing swiftly.
"Saint Ross here. Gion speaking," came the crisp reply.
"Who's the Marine commander at Sabaody Archipelago?" Ross asked.
"Rear Admiral Momonga," Gion said.
"Send him to the Fish-Man Gang's spot on Grove 1. Free every slave here. As of now, they're Sabaody residents. If any cause trouble, he's out."
Sabaody Archipelago wasn't your typical member nation. No kings, no nobles—just direct World Government oversight, with the Marines enforcing order. Closest to Mary Geoise and Marine Headquarters, it was a powder keg of shady dealings, but the Marines called the shots. Pirates stirred trouble yearly, but few dared cross the brass outright.
Not yet, anyway. The Great Pirate Era was still brewing—no Straw Hats to flip the script.
Ross hung up and glanced at Otohime.
"Thank you, Mr. Ross," she said, her gratitude genuine.
He shook his head with a chuckle. Otohime was still too kind. He'd freed her own people, and here she was, a mermaid, thanking him like it was some grand favor.
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