After Neptune compromised, things became much easier.
After the banquet welcoming Yami and celebrating Shirahoshi's newfound freedom, Yami was taking Shirahoshi for a stroll around the Ryugu Kingdom when he suddenly asked: "Shirahoshi, are you willing to go on an adventure at sea with me?"
"C... Can I?"
Shirahoshi's beautiful eyes first lit up, then dimmed as she said: "I can't. If Shirahoshi leaves, Father-King and my royal brothers will be worried."
"Your father has agreed to let you go with me."
Yami smiled and said: "You might not have a clear enough understanding of me. I am actually one of the most powerful people in this world. As long as I am here, no one in this world can harm you. I will also use my name to shelter Fish-Man Island, so those bad people won't dare to capture fish-men and merfolk for auctions."
"Really?"
Hearing this, Shirahoshi's beautiful eyes finally sparkled as she looked at Yami, asking with anticipation: "Can Shirahoshi really go to the surface to live with Lord Yami?"
"Of course. Just go ask your father and you'll know."
Yami nodded, then looked at Shirahoshi with a smile and asked: "If your father agrees, is Shirahoshi willing to leave with me?"
"Mhm, mhm..."
Shirahoshi nodded vigorously, then clasped her hands together, her face full of yearning as she said: "Mother always hoped that our people could go and live on the surface, to coexist peacefully with humans."
"So, Shirahoshi's wish since childhood has been to be able to go to the surface, to understand the world where humans live, and to find a way to coexist peacefully with humans."
Looking at the innocent mermaid princess, Yami didn't say anything to crush her hopes.
As long as he became a trans-dimensional, inescapable existence, Shirahoshi's wish would be a trivial matter.
Even now, Yami could use his Fuwa Fuwa no Mi ability to pull Fish-Man Island to the surface.
He just hadn't realized Shirahoshi's wish yet because he had to consider the consequences, the location, and the fact that the World Government possessed a National Treasure capable of easily destroying an island.
After Shirahoshi agreed to leave with him, Yami was in a very pleasant mood and stayed on Fish-Man Island for a few days.
Of course, these few days were mainly for Shirahoshi to say goodbye to her father and brothers.
Shirahoshi had just gotten out of the Hard-Shell Tower. Taking her away on the same day would be too heartless.
He had to at least give them a few days to be together, and incidentally, buy some gifts for Carina and the girls to take back.
Thus, Yami put on a simple disguise and went to the Fish-Man Island Marine Shopping Center for a big shopping spree. He bought eight portions of every Fish-Man Island specialty. Not just for Carina and the girls, but also for Hancock and her three sisters.
Additionally, Yami specifically went to make a trade with Jinbe, acquiring a very complete manual for Fish-Man Karate.
This was a gift specially prepared for Robin.
In the original story, Robin, without mastering Haki, relied on her fruit's Awakening and Fish-Man Karate to defeat Black Maria.
The Fish-Man Karate she mastered wasn't much, just a few moves taught by Koala.
As long as Robin learns the complete Fish-Man Karate, and then masters Armament Haki and her fruit's Awakening, her strength, even in an Emperor's crew, would be second only to the top commanders, at the level of a lower-ranked division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
At that time, the trio of Robin, Nojiko, and Perona would not be without the power to fight even a top commander of an Emperor's crew.
"Father-King, my royal brothers, goodbye."
"Shirahoshi, remember to be safe outside, and listen to His Excellency Yami."
"Mhm, mhm..."
A few days later, Yami turned into a giant over ten meters tall, carrying an oversized backpack in one hand, and placing his other hand on Shirahoshi, who was waving goodbye to her father and brothers with a face full of anticipation.
In the reluctant gazes of Neptune and the three Neptune brothers, the two figures vanished into thin air.
That's right, the crybaby Shirahoshi did not shed tears when she left. She didn't have much reluctance, only strong anticipation.
This scene was just like when Nami said goodbye to her villagers.
Because their mentalities were different from the original story.
Nami met Yami at thirteen, and he liberated Cocoyasi Village five years early. The process wasn't as difficult as the original.
So, rather than reluctance, Nami was more full of yearning for the future, wanting to repay Yami and set sail to realize her dream.
Similarly, Shirahoshi was saved five years early, did not experience the Fish-Man Island calamity from the original story, and did not bear the responsibility of Fish-Man Island.
At eleven years old, she was more eager to see the surface world and find a way to coexist peacefully with humans, fulfilling her mother's wish.
It was this kind of mentality that made Yami's recruitment process so incredibly smooth.
"So... so cute!"
"Is this the legendary mermaid princess? So big... so beautiful!"
When Yami brought Shirahoshi back to the Amazon Lily palace.
Shirahoshi's cuteness immediately conquered Carina and the girls.
Even Hancock had to admit that in terms of cuteness, Shirahoshi was not the slightest bit weaker than her.
When Shirahoshi is fully grown, her beauty will definitely not be inferior to her own.
But Hancock felt no jealousy at all.
Because... Shirahoshi's cuteness made it impossible for anyone to be angry, let alone jealous.
This kind of charm was just as Hancock often said: no matter what she does, everyone will forgive her, because she is just too beautiful!
"Um... hello."
Looking at Carina and the girls sizing her up, the timid Shirahoshi subconsciously shrank back, leaning closer to Yami (who hadn't shrunk down) and greeted Carina and the girls timidly.
"Ah... so cute!"
This one sentence melted the hearts of Carina and the girls, filling them with affection for this new companion and new sister.
Thus, they didn't even look at the gifts Yami brought back and began to bond with Shirahoshi.
Even the cold and aloof big sister Robin showed unprecedented enthusiasm.
This black-bellied, cold, aloof big sister had no resistance to cute things.
Yami didn't need to introduce them one by one at all. Shirahoshi quickly integrated into the crew and hit it off with Carina and the girls.
She also instantly established her status as the crew's darling.
"Hancock, let's go sit on the deck."
While Carina and the girls were bonding with Shirahoshi, Yami canceled his giant form, appeared before Hancock, and invited her to sit on the Pegasus, which was floating by the back mountain of the palace.
"Yes!"
Hancock, who was about to join Carina and the girls, instantly responded with an excited face.
For this woman, who only had Yami in her eyes and heart, nothing was more important than Yami.
If not for having become much stronger and having matured a lot in the past half-year, this innocent woman would probably be letting her imagination run wild, thinking Yami was asking her on a date and that they would get married soon.
But after arriving on the deck of the Pegasus, Yami's first words made Hancock's mood instantly fall to rock bottom.
Yami was seen skillfully brewing black tea while saying: "Hancock, I'm leaving."
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