"Thousands of Sea Kings are coming!!!"
"This is incredible!!!"
The cries echoed through the ocean as the impossible unfolded before everyone's eyes.
Outside Fish-Man Island, an awe-inspiring scene was taking place — one that would be etched forever in the memories of all who witnessed it.
"Shirahoshi, go," said Sugisawa Yuuto calmly, his voice cutting through the hum of the ocean. "They're here for you."
The words fell softly, yet the effect was immediate.
Everyone aboard the massive Fairy Tail ship froze in astonishment.
"They're here for little Shirahoshi?"
"What do you mean?"
"President?"
Nami, Vivi, and Wendy all looked at him in confusion.
Only Robin's eyes widened in sudden understanding.
She knew. She finally understood why this was happening.
The Golden Bell Tower on Skypiea, the ancient text hidden at its base — it all pointed toward the identity of one of the Ancient Weapons: Poseidon.
But Poseidon was no warship like Pluton.
Poseidon's true form was a living being — a mermaid princess who could command all Sea Kings.
That legendary power now resided in Shirahoshi.
Yuuto had known this truth all along, and that was why he spoke those words.
"It's all right, Shirahoshi," Yuuto said, turning to the trembling princess. His gaze softened. "They're your people."
Shirahoshi hesitated, then nodded, gathering her courage to face them.
"Shirahoshi!"
Her brothers, the princes, immediately stepped forward, tense and protective.
"Come back!"
King Neptune's voice stopped them in their tracks.
"Father? Why?"
The princes looked at him anxiously.
"It's all right," Neptune said heavily. "This is Shirahoshi's destiny."
He sighed deeply.
Eight years ago, during that terrible incident with the Celestial Dragons, he and Queen Otohime had learned the truth — their daughter was the mermaid princess of legend.
The power of Poseidon had been sealed within her from birth.
All these years, Neptune had done his best to conceal it, hoping to spare her from a cruel fate.
But now, the secret could no longer be kept.
Even as king of Fish-Man Island, he could not silence the tides of rumor.
News of what happened today would spread — to the surface world, to the great powers, to the World Government itself.
And once they learned that Shirahoshi was Poseidon…
It wouldn't just endanger her.
It would drag the entire island into chaos and war.
The thought darkened Neptune's face.
Under the tense, breathless gaze of all present, Shirahoshi swam forward, her massive fishtail gliding gracefully through the water until she reached the center of the Sea Kings' circle.
"Princess."
"Princess Shirahoshi!"
"Lady Mermaid Princess!"
"At last, we meet again, our Princess of Heaven!"
"It's been eight hundred years! We have long awaited this day!"
"We have kept our promise, Princess!"
Their enormous mouths opened one by one, releasing sound waves filled with joy — sounds that only Shirahoshi could understand.
"Everyone…"
She trembled slightly, overwhelmed by the flood of voices echoing inside her mind.
"Princess, we heard you're getting married!"
"We came all this way to offer our blessings!"
"Congratulations, Princess! May your wedding be joyous!"
The 5,000-meter-long Sea Kings roared their congratulations in unison.
"Eh?"
At the mention of marriage, the fear on Shirahoshi's face melted away, replaced by a deep, blushing shyness.
"Th-thank you, everyone… but no, that's not—"
Before she could finish explaining, one of the Sea Kings interrupted:
"Princess, are you marrying Joy Boy?"
Another turned its massive gaze toward Yuuto aboard Fairy Tail.
"To be honest, we never liked that Joy Boy fellow much."
"Yeah! He broke his promise to the Princess eight hundred years ago!"
"And he didn't keep his word to us either!"
"He failed to protect her!"
"Well, we know he had his reasons, but still…"
They rumbled disapprovingly.
"Of course, what matters is your happiness, Princess," said another, softer-voiced Sea King. "If you like him, that's all that counts."
"But if that man ever fails you again, Princess, we won't forgive him!"
The great Sea Kings glared pointedly at Yuuto, their massive eyes shimmering with threat.
"…Huh?" Yuuto frowned slightly, realizing they were glaring at him like a villain in some ancient tragedy.
"No, no—you've got it wrong!" Shirahoshi said quickly, waving her hands. "He's not Joy Boy! This is Lord Sugisawa Yuuto—he's a good person!"
The Sea Kings exchanged puzzled glances.
After eight centuries, names changed easily — Joy Boy, Yuuto… perhaps they were all the same in the end.
Their reunion continued for several minutes, Shirahoshi speaking softly to her ancient guardians.
At last, with a gentle command, she bade them return to the deep.
"Princess Shirahoshi~"
"We'll take our leave now, Princess."
"If you ever need us again, just call!"
"No matter where we are, we'll come to you!"
The massive Sea Kings — the Dumb-Headed Peacock, the Deep-Sea Frog, and the Purple-Haired Penguin — each offered their farewells.
"Goodbye, everyone," Shirahoshi whispered, waving until the last of them disappeared into the abyss.
With their departure, the ocean calmed. The turmoil that had shaken Fish-Man Island finally faded away.
It was over.
The two scourges of the island — Hody Jones and Vander Decken — were defeated, two years earlier than fate had intended.
Hours later, the destruction from Noah's falling chains was repaired by Urrutia's time magic.
Soon after, King Neptune made a public announcement to his people, dispelling the rumors.
"What? So it was all a misunderstanding?!"
"Princess Shirahoshi wasn't getting married — it was just a trap to lure that creep Vander Decken?!"
"I knew it! The Princess is way too young for marriage!"
"Then that means Fairy Tail was helping her all along!"
"They saved us from Vander Decken's harassment!"
"I can't believe we doubted them!"
"Master Sugisawa Yuuto risked everything for our island!"
"He's a hero, just like Whitebeard!"
"I swear, if anyone dares bad-mouth Fairy Tail again, I'll punch them myself!"
"Master Yuuto is so handsome~"
"Haha, I'd give anything to have his children~"
"Well, if Princess Shirahoshi really did marry him, I think that'd be fine!"
"Yeah! As long as she waits until she's of age!"
Laughter and chatter swept through the island.
The tide of opinion had completely turned.
Fairy Tail's name shone brighter than ever before.
Where there had been suspicion, there was now admiration.
Where there had been resistance, now there was worship.
Though peace had returned, Fairy Tail didn't rush to leave.
After the chaos of the past few days, the girls had hardly enjoyed any time on the island.
Now they were making up for it.
Nami, Vivi, and the others went shopping in the Marine Market.
Robin and Marianne visited the cultural museum.
Bonney dragged Urrutia out for a feast.
And as for Yuuto…
Finally free of duties, he made his way to Mermaid Bay — and the famous Mermaid Café he'd been curious about since their arrival.
His appearance caused an instant sensation.
The heroic savior of the island, walking through their doors — the mermaids nearly fainted in excitement.
Within minutes, the café had been cleared for him.
Dozens of young mermaids fluttered around eagerly to serve him.
But before any could approach, one woman took the lead — the elegant, mysterious Madam Shyarly, owner of the Mermaid Café.
Inside a quiet, elegantly lit room, Yuuto reclined comfortably — his head resting not on a pillow, but on Shyarly's soft fishtail — as she gave him a gentle massage.
"How does it feel, Lord Yuuto?" she asked softly, her usual cold composure melting into warmth.
"Mm. Not bad," Yuuto replied, closing his eyes with a satisfied smile.
Shyarly beamed.
Then Yuuto spoke again. "By the way, Shyarly… you have an older brother, don't you? Arlong?"
"Ah—" Shyarly froze, panic flickering in her eyes.
"That guy ran wild in East Blue," Yuuto said casually. "He caused trouble for my friends. I killed him."
Shyarly went pale. She immediately knelt before him.
"Lord Yuuto, Arlong and I… we weren't true siblings. We're not even from the same mother…" she stammered.
"Don't be afraid," Yuuto said with a faint smile. "I'm not angry. I just wondered — what would you do, knowing the man before you killed your brother?"
"Lord Yuuto…" Shyarly lowered her gaze. "I… I have a special service I've never offered any guest."
Yuuto raised a brow, intrigued.
Half an hour later—
"Hah…"
Yuuto let out a long breath of satisfaction.
He had worried that a shark's fangs might make her touch unpleasant — but Shyarly's control was perfect.
There was no discomfort, only a strangely refreshing sensation.
It was… an unforgettable experience.
Just as he was about to enjoy her "advanced service," loud voices rang out from outside:
"President~!"
"I can smell him! The President's scent!"
"Don't hide, President! We know you're in there!"
"How sneaky—coming here alone without telling us!"
"We want to try the mermaid services too!"
The Fairy Tail girls had arrived.
Yuuto sighed, shaking his head helplessly.
"Yare yare…"
Meanwhile—
In the New World, on the island of Punk Hazard — once Vegapunk's research lab — laughter filled the air.
"Sister Ulu~! Do it again!"
"The ice butterflies were so pretty!"
"I want an Ice Panda!"
"I want a sword made of frost!"
Gigantic children surrounded a smiling woman — Ulu, Fairy Tail's newest member and master of ice magic.
"Okay, okay, everyone," she laughed, clasping her hands together. "Just wait a second!"
Frost swirled around her palms as she invoked her spell—
"Ice-Make: Creation!"
...
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