"Shirahoshi, you wish to train under Sir Crocodile? To take him as your master?" Neptune furrowed his brow.
Jinbe, on the other hand, chuckled heartily, finding the notion rather interesting. After all, Jinbe was not privy to as many of Shirahoshi's secrets as Neptune was.
"This is Shirahoshi's own will. I believe she possesses the ability to discern right from wrong."
"You may withdraw," King Neptune waved his hand, dismissing the guards, though he bade Jinbe to remain.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The guards complied and exited.
"You should be aware of what Shirahoshi truly is. I am grateful to you for saving Fishman Island, but Shirahoshi is my daughter, and I will not allow anyone to exploit her." King Neptune fixed his gaze earnestly upon Rosen, showing no sign of yielding.
"King Neptune, you may know that Shirahoshi is the ancient weapon Poseidon, but you are perhaps unaware that the World Government has long coveted her. It is only natural for you to wish to protect your child. Yet Shirahoshi also possesses sufficient power to protect herself. The only difference lies in whether she proactively masters this power in advance, or waits until she is forced by circumstances to use it in the future?" Rosen elaborated.
Neptune might know a great deal, but he could not possibly know that the World Government would also uncover this secret in the near future and would inevitably take action then.
"Father, it is my own wish to learn from Lord Crocodile," Shirahoshi interjected at an opportune moment.
"An ancient weapon... Shirahoshi, then. In other words, the giant Sea Kings earlier were indeed summoned by her." Jinbe's heart grew heavy. Was it truly good for such power to manifest on Fishman Island?
If Emperors like Big Mom or Kaido were to learn of this, it might well spark an Emperor-level war right here on Fishman Island. After all, this was the legendary weapon said to possess the power to destroy the world.
"Shirahoshi." Neptune remained deeply concerned, but after much deliberation, he ultimately consented. He had little choice but to agree, since it was Shirahoshi herself who had proposed it. He could only place his trust in this arrangement.
He could only hope that it would not lead to some great catastrophe in the future.
"I ask everyone to keep this secret. I do not speak these words as a king, but merely as a father's request." The king looked sincerely at each person present. He had asked Jinbe to stay precisely to secure his trust, hoping Jinbe would protect Shirahoshi to the best of his ability when circumstances allowed.
"Since she is my disciple, I will not let her suffer any disadvantage." Rosen instinctively reached up, intending to pat Shirahoshi's head as he would Natalie's, only to find that even stacking several more of himself atop one another might not equal her height.
When Rosen returned to the residence, Natalie, Robin, Hathaway, and the others all gathered around curiously, gazing at Shirahoshi. Natalie even climbed up onto Shirahoshi's shoulder.
"You really took Princess Shirahoshi as your disciple?" Robin was thoroughly surprised. What kind of development was this? How had it suddenly become a master-disciple relationship? Could there be something else behind it?
"A matter of personal inclination, I suppose." Rosen himself found life unpredictable. Sometimes, one truly could not foresee what the future held.
"Then shall we remain on Fishman Island for some time?" Daz Bones inquired.
"That won't be necessary. I've already discussed it with Shirahoshi. Once we seize Dressrosa, she can come there to train. If the plan succeeds, we will stabilize our position in Dressrosa for a period, consolidate our influence, and then gain a deeper understanding of the New World's dynamics." Upon entering the New World, they needed a foothold first. Only then could they plan further advances or encroachments on other pirates' territories.
"Boss, Baron Tamago is here to see you," Mr. 5 announced as he entered from outside.
"Hmm, I'll go see what he wants." Rosen nodded and followed Mr. 5 to meet Baron Tamago. Shirahoshi, meanwhile, was having a delightful time playing with Natalie.
"Sister Shirahoshi, your skin is so smooth! It could be a slide! But being so big, can you still swim fast?" Natalie, cradled in Shirahoshi's palm like a little toy, asked.
"Come try it out, and you'll see!"
...
"Is this truly without issue? From what you two occasionally mentioned, this Princess Shirahoshi is somewhat... unique." Hathaway watched the departing Shirahoshi and Natalie and asked Robin.
"Good or ill, only the future will tell. It's difficult to say for now. But I believe the Boss will guide her in the right direction," Robin replied with confidence.
Inside the main hall.
"An alliance? And Big Mom wishes to introduce one of her daughters to me?" Hearing Baron Tamago's words, Rosen was momentarily stunned. What was this about? Was he really that familiar with the Big Mom Pirates?
An olive branch from an Emperor, and not one demanding subservience, but rather treating them as half-allies. Even a verbal alliance carried immense weight in the New World once associated with an Emperor's name.
More importantly, it sent a clear message: an Emperor acknowledged the Dawn Pirates, a force that had only recently entered the New World. It would lead people to believe that Emperor Big Mom recognized his status as a potential "new Emperor," causing many to speculate and tread carefully.
This was, in effect, a tacit endorsement boosting the Dawn Pirates' prestige. Rosen saw no reason to refuse. As for the introduction of a daughter, ostensibly as an envoy, it was clearly an attempt to win him over. Yet this was only natural; only sufficient strength warranted such courting.
Although Rosen had little interest in the envoy Big Mom planned to send and had no intention of entering a political marriage, there was no need to offend Big Mom. After all, the Big Mom Pirates had extended him a considerable courtesy this time. Moreover, Big Mom herself likely did not hold absolute hope for the marriage; it was more about the value and strength they represented.
"However, Sir Crocodile, I heard that Princess Shirahoshi has become your disciple? Should you wed Custard, I could arrange for the full transfer of supervisory authority over Fishman Island to you," Baron Tamago naturally sought to fully integrate Rosen as one of their own.
"Let us set aside the matter of marriage alliances for now. Compared to the Four Emperors, we still have a long way to go. We are not yet capable of truly protecting Fishman Island. I appreciate your goodwill, Baron Tamago. But it will not be long before we possess the strength to do as we wish." Having an Emperor's backing was beneficial, but Rosen would not mind its absence. Ultimately, any reputation must be earned through one's own strength.
"Very well, there is no rush. You two can get acquainted first. That aside, many places on Fishman Island now fly your Dawn Pirates' flag. It is fortunate you did not oppose an alliance, for otherwise, I would have a difficult time explaining matters to Mama. One island flying two flags is a sensitive matter for any power. However, if the two parties share an alliance, the deterrent effect is even stronger." Baron Tamago spoke with a smile. Had Crocodile not cured their poisoning while simultaneously demonstrating formidable strength, he, as an officer of an Emperor's crew, would have no need to owe a favor to an ordinary pirate captain.
"This holds no downside for me whatsoever."
"I was merely concerned that your first target might have been us. After all, your potential is immense. It would be a shame to see you perish prematurely. But it appears you already have a target in mind." Baron Tamago stated this matter-of-factly, without a hint of mockery.
"Indeed." There was no point in hiding this; anyone could guess as much. The specific plans, however, would not be divulged.
"Then I wish you good fortune. I hope you manage to survive under the pressure from Kaido of the Beasts. Otherwise, all my efforts will have been for naught." Baron Tamago rose, preparing to depart. Everything that needed to be discussed had been covered during their earlier exchange of information.
Rosen saw them off. Upon returning to the residence, he issued his orders: "We set sail tomorrow morning. I will first outline the personnel assignments and each of your respective tasks."
(End of Chapter)