You want to sneak past the guards at the door?"
Artoria raised an eyebrow, glancing at the row of heavily armored Ryugu Palace guards stationed outside the chamber. Given Princess Shirahoshi's massive size as a giant-sized mermaid, it was laughable to imagine her slipping past unnoticed unless she suddenly turned into a goldfish.
"Ugh…" Shirahoshi could only blush in silence. She knew it was impossible.
"Princess Shirahoshi, please trust me—Ryugu Palace is not much worse than the outside world. Sure, it might be a little dull sometimes, but it's far safer," Artoria said gently. She'd traveled enough with Rin to know that the Grand Line and New World were filled with unpredictable dangers pirates, sea beasts, Warlords, and even worse. Compared to that, the guarded peace of Ryugu Palace was a blessing.
"Then… tell me more about the outside world."
Shirahoshi, having completely abandoned the idea of sneaking out, now wanted to satisfy her curiosity in a different way. Her perspective on the world beyond the sea had changed it wasn't just exciting, it was also dangerous~dangerous.
"Alright. The surface world has soaring mountains, vast forests, rivers, and skies filled with clouds and birds. There are places of joy… but also places soaked in sorrow. Pirates burn villages, some enslave entire populations. And then there are those who've eaten Devil Fruits people with terrifying powers," Artoria explained solemnly. Unlike before, when she spoke only of the world's beauty, this time she showed Shirahoshi the harsh reality of life beyond the sea.
"Sister Artoria… when do you think I'll be able to go on an adventure with you and Brother Rin?"
Shirahoshi's voice was hopeful, eyes wide with dreams. She imagined herself one day sailing with them, free of guards and fear.
"When you truly mature when you're strong enough to carry the hopes of all Fish-Man Island on your shoulders," Artoria replied. Her voice was serious. For Shirahoshi, that meant not just physical strength, but emotional fortitude worthy of her bloodline and role as the Sea King's daughter.
"Really? Then I'll study hard and grow stronger! One day, I'll leave the island and explore the world just like you!"
Shirahoshi's tone was filled with determination. No longer the passive girl who cried at every turn, her heart now held resolve.
"There's nothing difficult in this world for those with the will to try. That's what Rin always tells me if you work hard enough, you will reach your goal," Artoria said with a smile, repeating the motto Rin had instilled in her from the very start of their journey.
"There's nothing difficult in this world for those with a heart… I understand now, Sister Artoria!"
Shirahoshi's eyes sparkled as the words sank deep into her soul. In just a few days, Artoria had taught her more than any lesson. She had opened her mind to the world, to ambition, and to what it truly means to persevere.
"And when that day comes when you've grown into someone worthy of carrying your kingdom I'll return to see you again."
Artoria's voice was full of promise.
"I'll succeed, Sister Artoria! Just wait and see!"
Shirahoshi declared with complete confidence.
---
Ryugu Palace, Guest Rooms
After parting from Shirahoshi, Artoria made her way to the guest quarters. She found Rin leaning against the window, watching the drifting jellyfish outside the palace.
"Rin, do you ever wonder why Princess Shirahoshi's fate feels so tragic?"
Artoria asked, walking over.
"Hers? She's the princess of an ancient royal family. She has anything she could want food, treasures, comfort. Most people would trade places with her in a heartbeat," Rin replied casually, folding his arms.
"Maybe so… but she doesn't have what normal children do," Artoria said, pulling out a chair and sitting across from him.
"You mean innocence?"
Rin didn't even have to think about it. "Yeah. She's been confined her entire life. Her size made it impossible to play with other children, and her identity made it too dangerous to leave her room. You sympathize with her, don't you?"
"I do. When I first heard about her life, I pitied her."
Artoria nodded. Everything about Shirahoshi's upbringing screamed isolation.
"She's also incredibly kind," Rin added. "Remember in the original timeline? When her father was captured by Hody Jones, she rushed to Gyoncorde Plaza with Megalo and the princes, only to be captured herself. Hody revealed he murdered Queen Otohime, hoping to break her spirit… but Shirahoshi already knew. Megalo had told her years earlier, but she honored her mother's dying wish—not to hate the man who killed her. She kept the secret for years, even though it tore her up inside. Gyojin Island owes its peace to her heart."
"Even Gyojin Kingdom's warriors were stunned by her resolve," Artoria added quietly. "She carried that truth silently. That kind of strength… not many have it."
---
"If only she wasn't so big…"
Artoria spoke absentmindedly, imagining a version of Shirahoshi the size of a regular human girl. Life might have been easier maybe even normal.
"Yeah, that's part of it. But it's more than that," Rin said. "Her entire existence is unique. In the original world, she's the one the Sea Kings were waiting for the reincarnation of the Mermaid Princess of the Void Century. No other mermaid in history, except her, has ever had the power to communicate with and command Sea Kings."
"The power of Poseidon," Artoria murmured. "Even the World Government would kill for that kind of ancient weapon."
"Exactly. Every few centuries, the Sea Kings say, a 'king' is born a mermaid who can summon and lead them. Shirahoshi is that king. And because of that… her life was never meant to be ordinary."
Rin's voice carried the weight of the truth.
They both fell silent, contemplating the burden that came with being Poseidon a living weapon, a symbol of peace, and a child who just wanted to laugh and play.
---
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