Shirahoshi, the Princess

"Yamato, remember this."

Rune looked at Yamato with a very serious expression. "Peace survives when sought through struggle. Peace dies when sought through compromise. Laying down your weapons under an enemy's threats will only make them think you are weak and easy to bully. It will only bring even harsher oppression."

"Only by taking up weapons and fighting—by ruthlessly carving a piece of flesh from the enemy—will they face your demands seriously."

After saying that, Rune returned to his room to rest. He did not know how much Yamato had taken in, but no matter what, she had gone through so much with him after setting sail. He could not let her continue worshipping an Oden like that.

While Rune and Yamato were talking, Prince Shark Star had already thrown Vander Decken IX into Fish-Man Island's prison. Afterward, Prince Shark Star went to find his father, Neptune.

"I'll leave this matter to you, Shark Star. I trust that you can handle this incident properly."

Neptune and Whitebeard were friends, and Fish-Man Island was under the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates. However, members of the Whitebeard Pirates rarely came to Fish-Man Island.

Handling this incident well would deepen the ties between the two sides. At the same time, Neptune intended to temper Prince Shark Star and prepare him for eventually taking over his position.

"Yes, Father."

Prince Shark Star accepted the order and left. After departing Dragon Palace, he planned to visit Shirahoshi first. Vander Decken IX had already been captured, and Rune had removed the Devil Fruit abilities, so Shirahoshi could finally leave Hard-Shell Tower.

However...

He should find Rune first and bring him along. After all, Rune was the one who had captured Vander Decken IX. Shirahoshi ought to meet her benefactor, Rune.

"Go see Princess Shirahoshi? Now?"

Prince Shark Star woke Rune, and Rune was a little displeased. But when he heard they were going to see Princess Shirahoshi, that irritation immediately vanished.

If he could bring this "Poseidon" under his command, it would be a tremendous boost to his crew.

However...

Rune thought for a moment, then went to Bonney's door and knocked twice.

"Rune? What is it?"

Bonney poked her little head out and looked at Rune in confusion. Rune simply grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.

"Come on, I'll take you to see a mermaid."

"What...?"

Bonney did not understand why Rune was so enthusiastic. And what exactly was a mermaid? A beautiful fish-person?

Following Prince Shark Star, the three of them arrived outside Hard-Shell Tower. Rune and Bonney were covered in bubbles so they could move underwater.

"Shirahoshi! You won't have to live here anymore. You can go out whenever you want!"

As Shark Star opened the doors of Hard-Shell Tower, his voice was clearly excited. Shirahoshi, who had been hiding in a corner, happily swam over.

"Really? I don't have to... Eh? Who are these two?"

Shirahoshi had only swum halfway over when she noticed Rune and Bonney. She immediately shrank back in embarrassment. However, she was simply too enormous; even while hiding, her figure was still visible.

"Shirahoshi, this is Lord Rune, the benefactor who captured that man who had been harassing you all this time. He is the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Seventeenth Division."

Shark Star introduced Rune to Shirahoshi, then looked at Bonney. "And this is...?"

"Bonney, one of my crew."

Rune smiled faintly as he introduced Bonney. Then he looked toward Shirahoshi in the distance and raised his head.

It had to be said that Shirahoshi perfectly matched every one of Rune's expectations for a mermaid. Delicate appearance, adorable features, and a slender, graceful figure.

Other than being too large, she had almost no flaws.

"Lord Rune, thank you for helping me. I... Can I really go outside now?"

"Of course you can."

Rune smiled faintly as he looked at the gigantic Shirahoshi. Those overwhelming curves looked like they could crush him to death.

"However, you're so big that getting around every day would be inconvenient, wouldn't it? Would you like to try becoming the same size as us?"

"Eh? Is that possible? Can something like that really be done?"

When Rune mentioned her size, Shirahoshi had almost wanted to hide or apologize. But upon hearing his next words, joy immediately appeared in her eyes.

If she really could shrink...

"Mm... I'm not sure, but we can try."

Rune looked at Bonney beside him. "Bonney, imagine a future version of yourself who ate the Shrink-Shrink Fruit. See if you can shrink Princess Shirahoshi."

"..."

Bonney rolled her eyes at Rune. She felt that he had brought her along purely to use her as a tool. But there was nothing she could do about it; her Ork Logic was simply too useful.

Bonney closed her eyes and thought for a while. Then she walked beneath Shirahoshi's tail and gently reached out to touch it.

The next instant, Shirahoshi's body rapidly shrank until she quickly became the same size as Rune.

"It... It really worked!"

Shirahoshi was excited, her pretty face flushed red. She had always felt deeply inferior about her size, and it had troubled her greatly. If she could maintain this size from now on, it would truly be wonderful news.

"Thank you, Lord Rune."

Shirahoshi happily swam in front of Rune. Lord Rune had solved two of her greatest troubles, and she did not even know how to thank him.

"If you want to thank me... how about we go for a walk together?"

Rune smiled faintly and glanced at Prince Shark Star. After blinking, Prince Shark Star gave a light cough.

"Well, Shirahoshi, you can go take a walk with Lord Rune. I still have some matters to handle, so I won't accompany you."

With that, Shark Star swam away. However, he did not go far and instead watched from a distance.

He was afraid Rune might make off with his little sister.

"If there's nothing else for me to do, I'm going back to sleep..."

Bonney shot Rune a look. Other than when he needed her to use her ability, Rune's gaze had remained fixed on Shirahoshi. She was just a mermaid. What was so interesting about her...

If I turned into an adult, I'd be prettier than her.

At least, that was what Bonney believed.

"Thanks for your hard work, Bonney. I'll bring you something delicious next time."

"Hmph."

Bonney said nothing else. She gave a soft snort and left. Rune looked at the petite and adorable Shirahoshi before him, smiling as he extended his hand.

"Beautiful Princess Shirahoshi, would you allow me to take you for a walk outside?"

"Lord Rune, you... you're too polite."

Shirahoshi's pretty face reddened slightly, and she looked a little shy. Aside from her family, this was the first time someone had treated her like a normal girl.

Rather than some kind of monster.