Chapter 184 – Shirahoshi, the Sea King!
By the time Ryuunosuke arrived at the Ryugu Palace, King Neptune was already waiting.
Though he was the sovereign of Fishman Island, Neptune didn't act with arrogance. He had watched the broadcast of the Dragon Hunter Pirates fighting alongside the Whitebeard Pirates at Marineford. He knew their relationship—and understood the importance of personally welcoming Ryuunosuke.
Over the years, it was only thanks to Whitebeard's protection that Fishman Island had avoided countless attacks. Neptune wasn't about to ignore a visit from one of their strongest allies.
"Captain Ryuunosuke," Neptune greeted warmly. "I heard you arrived at Fishman Island. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"King Neptune… Actually, it feels too formal to call you that," Ryuunosuke replied with a grin. "I'll just call you Uncle Neptune—it sounds better that way."
He paused for a beat before continuing, his tone turning serious.
"Uncle Neptune, I'd like to see Shirahoshi."
Neptune froze.
Shirahoshi!?
His daughter had rarely ever left her chambers. Her existence was kept quiet, and even among the people of Fishman Island, few knew much about her. How could Ryuunosuke possibly know of her, let alone ask to see her?
And more importantly—Shirahoshi wasn't just a sheltered princess.
She was something far more dangerous.
Ryuunosuke seemed to read Neptune's thoughts with ease.
"Uncle Neptune, no need to be nervous. If I had any ill intent toward Fishman Island, do you think you could stop me?"
He chuckled lightly. "If I'm asking you here directly, it means I'm not here to cause harm.
Despite the casual tone, Neptune knew the words were true.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates were no ordinary crew.
And Ryuunosuke was no ordinary pirate.
"I apologize. I shouldn't have doubted you," Neptune said, bowing slightly. "But… this concerns my daughter's wishes too, and—"
"In that case," Ryuunosuke interrupted with a knowing smile, "shall we discuss something else first?"
"Uncle Neptune, are you really going to make me speak openly about this at your front gate?"
Realizing the guards were still nearby and hearing everything, Neptune cleared his throat in embarrassment.
"You're right. That was careless of me. This way, please."
He quickly led Ryuunosuke inside, where only one of his most trusted ministers accompanied them.
"Uncle Neptune, I need to speak to you alone," Ryuunosuke said firmly, casting a glance at the minister.
Regardless of how loyal the man was, Ryuunosuke wasn't about to take risks—not with what he was about to say.
"I understand," Neptune nodded. "You may leave us."
Once the minister had gone, Neptune turned back with a frown. "Alright, Captain Ryuunosuke. What is it you wish to discuss?"
Ryuunosuke met his eyes without hesitation.
"Uncle Neptune… shouldn't we talk about your hidden Sea King Poseidon?"
The words hit Neptune like a cannonball.
He stood frozen, mind racing.
Sea King?
How could Ryuunosuke know?
This was no ordinary rumor. The secret of the Sea King Poseidon had never left the palace. Not even Neptune's sons or ministers knew the full truth.
And yet, this pirate—this young man from the surface—had spoken it so casually.
Ryuunosuke didn't stop there.
"Not only do I know there's a Sea King Poseidon here, I also know who it is."
"It's Shirahoshi."
Neptune's jaw tightened.
Even if someone had guessed that Fishman Island had a connection to Poseidon, how could they possibly deduce that Shirahoshi herself was Poseidon?
This was their first visit. No prior contact. No reason to suspect anything.
So how?
"Uncle Neptune, like I said… if I wanted to do something reckless, you couldn't stop me."
"I'm not here to threaten you. I want to understand—fully—what's going on.
Despite Ryuunosuke's calm demeanor, Neptune was far from calm inside. His expression was a whirlwind of disbelief, confusion, and rising anxiety.
How did this boy know everything?
"Don't overthink it," Ryuunosuke said with a sigh. "There's no trick. No scheme. I'm not here to expose you."
"So, Uncle Neptune… will you tell me the truth?"
Neptune took a long, heavy breath, then slowly nodded.
"…Very well. But first, I want to know—where did you hear this?"
Even now, he addressed Ryuunosuke with respect.
It was clear the shock had shaken his royal composure.
"Only I know," Ryuunosuke replied with a half-smile. "Well, actually, one other guy knows. I'll kill him later. Problem solved."
Neptune chuckled despite himself, then sighed again. "I never imagined I'd one day speak of this so openly…"
He looked out the window for a moment, his gaze distant.
"You've seen the giant ship Noah, haven't you?"
"That vessel was built long ago—during the era of Joy Boy."
"Back then, Joy Boy made a promise… and asked for our help."
And so, Neptune began to tell the story passed down from king to king.
The legacy of Joy Boy, the ship Noah, and the burden carried by Fishman Island.
As king, Neptune inherited the knowledge that Shirahoshi was no ordinary mermaid.
She was Poseidon—one of the Ancient Weapons. The one who could communicate with and command the Sea Kings.
---
When she was still a child, Shirahoshi was once injured and began to cry.
In that moment, massive Sea Kings emerged from the depths—monsters large enough to consume islands.
But they hadn't come to attack.
They came to protect.
Terrified by their presence, young Shirahoshi fainted on the spot. That traumatic experience was the root of her timid nature.
Even now, Shirahoshi's emotions could summon those sea monsters, often unintentionally.
Her mother, Queen Otohime, was the first to confirm the truth.
From that moment on, Neptune did everything in his power to protect his daughter from the world—and from herself.
Only the ruling monarch knew her secret.
Not his sons. Not his ministers. No one else.
"…Uncle Neptune," Ryuunosuke said quietly, "I still want to meet Shirahoshi."
"She deserves to know the truth. She has a right to understand what she is."
"If the time comes and her powers are needed… do you really think she'll be able to accept it, without even knowing her true identity?"
Neptune was silent for a long time.
Then, with a deep breath, he slowly stood up.
"…You're right. Perhaps the time has come."
"Let's go."
He led Ryuunosuke out of the chamber and through the palace corridors.
They passed several large halls and staircases before arriving at a vast door.
The sheer scale of the structure was overwhelming, but it made sense.
Shirahoshi, after all, was no ordinary mermaid.
She was a giant, even among her kind.
And behind those doors… was the one destined to command the sea.
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