Ryugu Castle.
"Who are you?"
The guards of the Royal Palace shouted at the Fish-Man who appeared before them, their voices tense and alert.
"Jahahaha, is Neptune here?"
The guard squinted, scrutinizing the intruder. After a moment, recognition struck. "You… you are Hody Jones? What are you doing here? What do you want with King Neptune?"
Hody Jones's eyes narrowed as he laughed, a cold, menacing sound. "Jahahaha, I didn't expect anyone to still recognize me. I'm here to take Neptune's life!"
"Nani!!?"
The guard could hardly believe his ears. He raised his voice sharply. "Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Someone has invaded Ryugu Castle!"
The guards swarmed him instantly. "Hody, surrender at once! This is Ryugu Castle, not your Fish-Man Street!"
Hody's gaze swept the crowd, disdain clear in his crimson eyes. "You think you can stop me? You have no idea how terrifying I am."
"Arrow Shark!"
With a swift motion, he manipulated the surrounding seawater. Tiny droplets shot toward the guards like bullets, piercing through the front lines.
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
For a moment, guards fell like wheat in a storm, toppled by the unrelenting assault.
"Jahahaha, don't even think about stopping me. You're still far from strong enough." Hody laughed and advanced toward the palace.
---
"Hody Jones! Stop right there!"
Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi heard the commotion and rushed toward the entrance. Seeing Hody, they froze for a fraction of a second.
"Oh, the three princes. Long time no see," Hody said casually.
Fukaboshi glanced behind him, seeing a trail of injured guards. "Hody, what did you do to them?"
He spun his weapon and charged. Shark Star struck, hitting Hody squarely on the left side of his face.
A-pff~
Hody fell, spitting blood, but a cruel smile spread across his face.
"Tie him up," Fukaboshi ordered Kuro and Ryuboshi.
Before they could move, Hody popped a pill into his mouth. His eyes turned crimson, his posture straightening unnaturally.
"Jahahaha, is that all?"
"Water Shot!"
A single drop of water flew from Hody's hand, slicing through Shark Star's shoulder like a bullet. Shark Star fell, clutching his wound. The water continued, smashing into the palace dragon, splitting it in half as it crashed down.
Hody clenched his fists, satisfaction written across his face.
"Sea Drum!"
With a single strike, Kuro and Manboshi were hurled back, blood staining the floor.
"Jahahaha, with this power, Fish-Man Island will be mine soon enough." Hody stepped into the Royal Palace unchallenged.
"Hody! Stop! This is the Royal Palace. You can't just enter!"
A short, portly catfish in a top hat, the Left Minister, stepped forward.
"Left Minister? Think you can stop me?" Hody's voice dripped with mockery.
From the doorway, the Right Minister arrived.
"Water Shot!"
A single droplet pierced through the Left Minister, then the Right, and shattered the Royal Palace gate behind them into fragments.
"King Neptune, hurry… escape! Hody is…"
---
Meanwhile, in the Sea Forest, Shirahoshi's trembling voice reached Rolan.
"Rolan is doing very well, Mama. You don't need to worry about me… he will make me happy. I really wish you could see my wedding… boohoohoo~"
Rolan glanced at her small, shaking form, understanding immediately that she was crying.
Since losing her mother at six, Shirahoshi had celebrated birthdays and milestones alone. Now she wanted only to share her happiness with the woman she had lost.
Rolan floated beside her, unsure how to comfort someone so young. He rested a hand gently against her cheek. "Shirahoshi, don't be sad. Queen Otohime is watching you."
He carefully wiped away her tears. "You have to be happy. She'll know you're living well. Otherwise, she'll worry."
Shirahoshi sniffled. "I understand, Rolan. I'll be strong… I just miss Mama."
Rolan felt a faint pang, a longing for the world above.
"Mmm… every person who passes becomes a star in the sky, watching over those they care about," he said softly.
Shirahoshi's eyes widened. "Then Mama will watch over me too?"
"Mmm, she might be watching us right now."
She wiped her tears. "Rolan, I read in a book about stars, but… what is the sky?"
Rolan's lips curved slightly. Fish-Man Island lay ten thousand meters underwater; no sky or stars existed here. "I'll take you to see the stars later, and we'll visit real forests and animals."
"Okay! Husband-to-be!"
Rolan froze briefly. "Uh?"
Shirahoshi tilted her head, smiling. "What? Something wrong, Husband-to-be?"
Rolan exhaled, almost amused. "O-Okay… call me whatever you want."
Shirahoshi clapped joyfully. "Yay, Husband-to-be!" She leaned forward and pecked him, soft and fragrant.
"Husband-to-be, let's go back," she said.
"Alright."
Just then, a light screen appeared beside them.
"All Fish-Man Islanders, hear me! I am Hody Jones, Captain of the New Fish-Man Pirates from Fish-Man Street. This island will be destroyed and reborn. I am the new king!"
The broadcast shifted, showing three mermaids tied up, a grim square in the background.
Hody's face filled the screen again. "Citizens of Ryugu Castle, it's time to bid farewell to the old kingdom. Next, King Neptune and the three princes will be executed at Gironcaud Plaza."