A Father's Request

Sunlight dappled down, like golden scales drifting on the waves.

The Sunlight Tree Eve draws sunlight from 10,000 meters away to illuminate the deep-sea Fish-Man Island Fish-Man Island.

At this moment, in the Ryugu Kingdom, within the Ryugu Palace.

The scarce sunlight shines on the colorful coral reefs, creating a mesmerizing shimmering effect.

But now, King Neptune and the three mermaid princes, who are inside the Ryugu Palace, have already lost their composure.

Shirahoshi: "You... what did you say?"

Fukaboshi: "Are you kidding me? How could we possibly hand over our sister to a dangerous pirate!"

Manboshi: "Father, let's join forces and drive this arrogant bastard off Fish-Man Island!!!"

Compared to the three furious mermaid princes, King Neptune, though calm, had a chest that kept expanding and contracting, and an afro that showed he was suppressing his anger.

"Uchiha Huayue, although we very much want to fulfill my late wife's last wish, I will never betray my own daughter!"

"If there's nothing else, please leave. The Ryugu Kingdom does not welcome guests without goodwill, and even less so those who discriminate against mermaids and fish-men..."

"King Neptune! I apologize, Lord Huayue did not mean that, he simply..."

"Enough, Aladine. I know he helped Fisher Tiger rescue the fish-men who were trapped there as slaves on Mariejois, otherwise I wouldn't have given him the chance to meet him."

"No matter how renowned you are on the high seas, this is 10,000 meters deep. No matter how strong you are, you cannot withstand the immense pressure underwater. Go back!"

Aladine, the Sun Pirates' ship doctor with sharp teeth and a high ponytail, looked troubled and couldn't help but glance at the calm and composed figure with a smile on his lips.

However, at this moment, Huayue was in high spirits, her gaze sweeping from King Neptune to the three mermaid princes.

"King Neptune, Coelacanth Mermaid, Shirahoshi, Shark Mermaid, Fukaboshi, Royal Oarfish Mermaid, Manboshi, Red Sunfish Mermaid..."

"I've heard that Queen Otohime is a goldfish mermaid. The bloodline of the mermaid race is truly interesting. But... with your strength, are you really capable of protecting Poseidon, the Poseidon?"

Bang!

Like a heavy hammer blow, it struck King Neptune's heart, leaving him unable to stand and helplessly leaning against the throne.

"How... how did you know?"

"It's strange. The Sky Island that Gol D. Roger visited had records of the existence of Poseidon, whose ability was to control giant Sea King, Sea King were at least six thousand meters long..."

Huayue spoke each word with a secret that even King Neptune did not know, leaving everyone present in awe.

"Enough! You've set your sights on Shirahoshi's abilities, but what exactly do you intend to use her for? I will never allow my daughter to be used as a tool by others..."

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Just then, a giant axe from the Ryugu Palace swept across the sea, its sharp blade hurtling towards them.

Bang! Thump thump thump...

The loud noise temporarily halted their conversation. His eyes flashed with displeasure as he gave King Neptune a deep look.

"Is locking his daughter in her room really a form of protection for him as a father? Excessive social withdrawal and the inability to communicate with others can have irreversible psychological effects on a child!"

"For example, being cowardly, timid, and prone to crying..."

During the conversation, swords, spears, and halberds flew in from afar and pierced the Hard-Shell Tower covered with iron sheets. The mottled marks on the tower confirmed that this protracted intimidation had lasted for several years.

King Neptune's face grew increasingly grim. It wasn't that he hadn't tried leading the merfolk army to attack Vander Decken IX, who had been courting his beloved daughter, Shirahoshi, for the past ten years.

However, whenever the army sets out, the Flying Pirates, driven by the Bald Sea Monster, would flee at the mere sight of them.

Left with no other choice, King Neptune could only watch helplessly as his daughter remained trapped inside the Hard-Shell Tower until this day.

"If a mere Vander Decken IX can trouble you to this day, where will you go if Fish-Man Island loses Whitebeard's protection one day?"

"Even among the Four Emperors, there should be a hierarchy. Otherwise, let Shirahoshi decide for herself?"

As she said this, Huayue's eyes darted around, and the bombardment outside the door stopped at some point.

Bang! The door was hurriedly pushed open, and the Right Minister rushed in.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! From the moment before, Vander Decken IX's harassment of Princess Shirahoshi has stopped mid-air and he has not continued his attack on the Hard-Shell Tower..."

Upon hearing this, King Neptune and the three mermaid princes turned to look at him, Huayue raised her wine glass and smiled slightly.

"I hate it when other people make noise during conversations. Even in the deep sea, dealing with one or two annoying guys isn't that difficult, is it?"

The merfolk exchanged bewildered glances. Vander Decken IX was Ability User of the Target-Target Fruit, and would never stop until he hit his target. But now...

This is the power of the Four Emperors. Even Whitebeard probably couldn't do this!

"But... this..."

At this moment, hesitation appeared on King Neptune's face as he looked around, his expression troubled.

On one side is an incredibly powerful being who can easily solve her problems, and on the other side is someone who protects her daughter. But she doesn't know how long she will be trapped in the Hard-Shell Tower.

"Therefore, give the power of choice back to Shirahoshi and let her choose. This way, you can also put down your burden and no longer let your daughter be alone, curled up in the tower, holding the little whale."

"Father! Don't believe it..."

Finally, King Neptune sighed softly and waved slightly to his three sons.

"I have only one request. If Shirahoshi is unwilling, I would also like to ask you to deal with Vander Decken IX. This is my request, not King Neptune's, but a father's request. Please!"

With a thud, King Neptune bowed solemnly, Huayue nodded with a smile, walking towards the Hard-Shell Tower surrounded by several people.

Meanwhile, among the guards of the Ryugu Kingdom standing outside the gate, a guard who had been quietly following at the end raised his head and glanced at the figure surrounded by a large group of mermaids, his brows flashing with hatred.

"Oh dear, this is quite a pitiful sight, weapons are everywhere!"

"The guards clear out a batch every three days. That hateful Vander Decken IX, how dare he treat Her Highness the Princess like this! Sooner or later, we will bring this bastard to justice!"

The Left Minister was indignant, while Huayue smiled broadly.

"I believe he will soon be brought to justice and face your judgment..."