Chapter 185 – Gaining Shirahoshi's Trust!
Creak...
As the giant door swung open, Shirahoshi sat inside, gently playing with her oversized doll.
After all, she had no friends since childhood. Apart from her family and her beloved shark companion, she spent most of her time alone in this vast chamber that served as her sanctuary.
"Father?"
Her gaze fell on the two figures entering the room.
"Who... is this guest?" she asked politely, tilting her head in curiosity.
Despite her timid personality, she had been raised as a princess. Even when afraid, she spoke with dignity and grace—especially in her father's presence.
"This is Captain Ryuunosuke, leader of the Dragon Hunter Pirates," Neptune introduced without hesitation. "He's also a trusted ally of Lord Whitebeard."
Shirahoshi's eyes widened slightly.
She didn't know Ryuunosuke personally—but she had certainly heard of the Whitebeard Pirates. And anyone who was close to Lord Whitebeard was, in her eyes, a good person.
"I see… it's an honor to meet you, Lord Ryuunosuke," she said, bowing slightly.
"Father, did you come to see me for something?"
Her voice was soft and a little confused. Neptune rarely visited, especially since her mother Otohime's passing. So, his sudden arrival—along with a stranger—was unexpected.
"Captain Ryuunosuke," Neptune said, taking a breath, "I'll leave the rest to you. I have some matters to attend to."
He turned, giving Ryuunosuke a firm look before stepping out.
He had understood Ryuunosuke's intention from the very start. He wanted to tell Shirahoshi the truth—that she was Poseidon, the Sea King. As for whether Ryuunosuke had any ulterior motives, Neptune couldn't say for sure.
But in this moment, he chose trust.
Ryuunosuke was recognized by Whitebeard. And with the strength he possessed, if he truly meant harm, there was nothing Neptune could do to stop him.
Instead of resisting in vain, it was better to trust—and perhaps even earn the pirate's respect.
To Ryuunosuke, Neptune's decision was clear and dignified.
The bearing of a true king.
"Princess Shirahoshi, it's a pleasure to meet you," Ryuunosuke said kindly.
"Do you know why your father never lets you leave this place?"
"I'm not sure..." Shirahoshi replied, blinking.
"But Father said it's for my own safety. Besides, whenever I go outside, strange sea monsters always appear and follow me around…"
Her voice grew quieter as a look of fear crossed her face.
The memories clearly frightened her.
"Shirahoshi, have those sea monsters ever harmed you?" Ryuunosuke asked gently.
"No… not really," she admitted. "But whenever they appear, I always run away."
"But my father and brothers are always nearby, so I know I'll be protected."
Her tone was soft, but there was a spark of conviction in her final words.
Ryuunosuke chuckled lightly, though he was slightly stunned inside.
Those weren't ordinary sea creatures. They were massive Sea Kings, some even capable of devouring entire islands. And while Shirahoshi believed her father and brothers could protect her…
In truth, even Neptune and the princes wouldn't survive a direct encounter with such monsters.
"They're not trying to hurt you, Shirahoshi," Ryuunosuke said.
"To them, you're their master. Like loyal pets—they just want your affection."
He stepped forward slightly, meeting her gaze.
"Do you believe me?
"Yes," Shirahoshi nodded, surprisingly quick to answer.
"You don't have any bad intentions—I can tell."
Her honest words made Ryuunosuke smile.
Normally, Shirahoshi struggled to speak with strangers. But with him, she opened up easily.
He had his answer—just as he suspected, Shirahoshi possessed an innate form of Observation Haki, much like Admiral Fujitora.
She could instinctively sense the good—or evil—in people.
"Come with me," Ryuunosuke said, his tone shifting.
"Let's go meet the monsters you've feared all this time."
As he spoke, a powerful aura erupted from his body. At the same time, he suppressed his killing intent, controlling the pressure around him.
Even Shirahoshi, who towered over him, was stunned.
This small human held such overwhelming power?
And yet… it didn't frighten her
After a brief hesitation, Shirahoshi nodded.
"Alright."
Ryuunosuke equipped his protective bubble, and Shirahoshi gently held him as they exited the palace. They passed through Fishman Island's membrane and descended into the deep sea.
The water pressure at ten thousand meters below the surface was crushing, but the bubble remained intact.
It was incredible that such a thin membrane could withstand the deep sea's might.
"Princess Shirahoshi," Ryuunosuke said, scanning their surroundings with Haki,
"Can you… cry for me?"
"Eh?"
Shirahoshi blinked. "You want me to… cry?"
"Yes," Ryuunosuke replied. "Your tears will bring them to us."
In his memory, the Sea Kings always reacted to her emotional state. If she cried, they would appear immediately.
"But… I can't cry right now," she mumbled softly.
"Somehow… I feel safe around you. Like nothing bad will happen."
"…I'm sorry then, Shirahoshi."
Ryuunosuke took a deep breath—and in the next moment, his killing intent surged, crashing down like a tidal wave over her.
The pressure was immediate, heavy, and terrifying.
Shirahoshi trembled, her body reacting instinctively—and then, the tears came.
They flowed freely, and soon, her sobs echoed through the water.
True to her reputation as the "cowardly star," once she started crying, it was impossible to stop.
"They're coming!"
Ryuunosuke closed his eyes and felt it through his Observation Haki—the monstrous presence approaching rapidly.
"Shirahoshi, it's okay now. You can stop crying."
"Ah? O-Okay!"
Shirahoshi quickly cupped her mouth, embarrassed.
She had been tricked into crying on purpose—and worse, it had worked.
And then…
Hoooooo…
Rooooooar…
From the shadows of the deep sea, enormous figures emerged—over a dozen Sea Kings, each massive beyond imagination, their heads dwarfing even the giant Shirahoshi.
In the dim waters, lit faintly by the Tree of Eve, their silhouettes were both majestic and terrifying.
Even Ryuunosuke had to swallow nervously.
Fighting these beasts in the sea would be suicide.
And Shirahoshi—she could command far more than just these dozen.
"L-Lord Ryuunosuke!"
Shirahoshi instinctively hid behind him, gripping his shoulder gently.
Despite her status as Poseidon, the childhood trauma had left a scar.
Even now, she was terrified of these creatures.
"Shirahoshi," Ryuunosuke said softly.
"They're your pets. You just don't realize it yet."
"You are the Sea King."
Shirahoshi blinked in confusion. "P-Pet?"
"But… I've never had a pet before."
"And these... they look so scary!
She tried her best to look the Sea Kings in the eyes—but they were just so big, so ancient, so... overwhelming.
Her heart still trembled.
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