Shirahoshi's resolve

Ryugu Palace's secret chamber, late at night.

Shirahoshi stood alone before Queen Otohime's portrait. Her mother smiled gently in the painting, holding a shell-the very one around Shirahoshi's neck, which had once held the Ocean Shard.

"Mother..." Shirahoshi gently stroked the portrait. "I finally understand why you always said, 'Wait for the dawn.'"

"Because when dawn arrives, I need to make a choice."

The door was gently pushed open, and Lin Yan walked in.

"Still awake?" he asked.

"I can't sleep." Shirahoshi turned, her eyes holding a maturity beyond her years. "Lord Lin Yan, about Poseidon's true mission... I've seen the complete memories."

She walked to the window and looked at the faint light in the deep sea outside:

"Poseidon's power fully awakens once every eight hundred years. When it awakens, three things must be done:

"First, awaken the 'Ocean Will' through song and purify the ocean polluted by Devil Fruits.

"Second, guide the Sea Kings to protect the designated 'Ark' during the 'Great Cleansing.'

"Third... after everything ends, seal the Devil Fruit Source once more, at the cost of one's life."

Lin Yan's pupils contracted. "At the cost of your life?"

"Yes." Shirahoshi nodded calmly. "Last time, eight hundred years ago, after helping Lord Nika seal the source, Poseidon became the 'core' of the Sea Forest, maintaining the seal for eight hundred years. And this time... it's my turn."

"No." Lin Yan's voice was resolute. "I won't let you sacrifice yourself."

"But-"

"No buts." Lin Yan walked up to her. "The method from eight hundred years ago isn't necessarily the only way. I've already fused with the Nika Core and gained a deeper understanding of the Devil Fruit Source. Perhaps... we can find a way to achieve both."

He placed his hands on Shirahoshi's shoulders. "Trust me, and trust yourself too. Poseidon's power isn't meant for 'sacrifice.' It's meant to 'create the future.'"

Shirahoshi looked into Lin Yan's determined eyes, and tears welled up again.

But this time, they were tears of gratitude.

"Yes... I trust you."

"But," she wiped away her tears and smiled, "before that, there's one little thing I want to do first."

"What is it?"

"I want... to see the real sun." Longing shone in Shirahoshi's eyes. "Not the one I've seen through a Visual Den Den Mushi, but the real, warm sun, seen from land."

Lin Yan froze, then smiled.

"All right. Once Fish-Man Island's reconstruction is finished, I'll take you there. We'll ride the Dawn Ark straight to the surface and land on the nearest Spring Island."

"Really?!"

"Of course. This is my promise to an ally as the 'Sun God's successor.'"

Shirahoshi smiled happily, her smile like the most beautiful pearl in the deep sea.

Just then, Robin knocked and entered, holding a document.

"Captain, the World Government's latest movements." Her expression was grave. "The Five Elders have ordered Fish-Man Island's 'Affiliated Nation status' revoked on the grounds of 'colluding with dangerous individuals and threatening world security.' Meanwhile, Marine Headquarters has dispatched ten warships to establish a blockade in the waters above Fish-Man Island, forbidding any ships from entering or leaving."

"Are they trying to blockade us?" Ace walked in as well, looking grim.

"No." Lin Yan shook his head. "This is a probe. They want to know whether we'll go to war with the World Government ahead of time for Fish-Man Island's sake."

He walked to the nautical chart and pointed above Fish-Man Island:

"Ten warships, led by... Chaton and Momousagi, two Admiral candidates. A sizable force, but not an all-out war yet. Their real goal is to force us to leave Fish-Man Island and enter the New World."

"Why?" Shirahoshi asked, puzzled.

"Because the New World is the Four Emperors' territory," Robin explained. "The World Government wants to use the Four Emperors to eliminate us. If we're killed in the New World, they can wash their hands of it. If we kill the Four Emperors instead... they can reap the benefits without lifting a finger."

"What a clever scheme." Ace sneered. "Then we won't leave. We'll stay right here and defend Fish-Man Island!"

"No." Lin Yan smiled instead. "We're leaving, and we're going to leave openly."

He looked at everyone:

"But not now. Before we leave, there's something we need to do-"

"Give Fish-Man Island the power to defend itself."

Over the next seven days, Lin Yan began a comprehensive overhaul of Fish-Man Island.

First, he used the Genesis Flame to add a "Divine Runes Defensive Array" to the outer layer of Fish-Man Island's bubble membrane. This array could withstand at least three Admiral-level attacks and provide warning of any unauthorized intrusion.

Second, he taught Shirahoshi to use Poseidon's power on a deeper level-not to control Sea Kings to attack, but to turn them into "mobile defensive fortresses." Dozens of Island Whale-class Sea Kings were given special marks. They would take turns patrolling the perimeter of Fish-Man Island, forming a natural barrier.

Third, he put Fish-Man Island's combat forces through special training. Chopper refined the "Flame Emperor Pill: Sea-Folk Version" to suit Fish-Man physiology, Tashigi taught Basic Swordsmanship, and Ace led Flame Resistance Training.

As for Lin Yan himself, he left a "contingency" deep within the Sea Forest.

It was a "Clone" condensed from three-colored flames, possessing 30% of his power. It could be activated in a crisis and last for three hours. The Clone was sealed inside a Sun Emblem, which was entrusted to King Neptune.

"If a powerful enemy invades, crush the emblem, and the Clone will appear," Lin Yan instructed. "But remember, it can only be used once."

Neptune solemnly accepted it. "That's enough. Fish-Man Island will never forget this kindness."

Early in the morning seven days later, the Dawn Ark prepared to set sail.

The harbor was packed with Fish-Men and merfolk seeing them off. Shirahoshi held Lin Yan's hand, her eyes brimming with tears:

"Lord Lin Yan... you must come back safely."

"I will." Lin Yan smiled. "Once I've established myself in the New World, I'll come back and take you to see the sun."

He looked at King Neptune. "Your Majesty, I'll leave Fish-Man Island in your hands. Ignore the World Government's blockade. They won't dare launch a real attack-because attacking the place where Poseidon resides means making an enemy of the entire ocean."

"I understand." Neptune nodded. "May you... be victorious in battle."

Lin Yan turned and boarded the Dawn Ark.

Ace, Robin, Chopper, Tashigi, Isuka, and all the other crew members were already at their stations.

"Set sail!" Lin Yan ordered.

The Dawn Ark blazed with three-colored light, its hull slowly rising.

Rather than taking the usual Knock Up Stream, it used the "Divine Runes Drive" directly, parting the seawater and shooting toward the surface like a meteor in reverse.

An opening appeared in Fish-Man Island's bubble membrane, and the Ark passed through it into the deep sea.

Above, ten Marine warships stood ready for battle.

Chaton and Momousagi stood on the flagship's deck, watching the massive energy source rapidly ascending on the radar, their expressions grave.

"Here they come." Momousagi tightened her grip on Kompira. "Prepare for battle!"

"No." Chaton shook his head. "The Five Elders' orders: let them through."

"What?!"

"Those are our orders." Chaton sighed. "We're only here to 'see them off.'"

The Dawn Ark burst through the sea's surface and soared into the sky, gleaming with three-colored light beneath the sun like a miracle.

It ignored the Marine fleet, adjusted its course, and sailed toward the other side of the Red Line-

The New World.

Standing at the bow, Lin Yan gazed at the faint outlines of islands on the distant horizon, flames kindling in his eyes.

"The Four Emperors? The World Government?"

"Here I come."

"Are you ready to welcome... a new sun?"