Esdeath turned to look into Shirahoshi's eyes.
It was as if she was facing an angel, but this angel seemed to be suffering.
"Want to know?"
She straightened up and took hold of one of Shirahoshi's index fingers; despite her immense size, her finger was not rough at all, but very smooth.
The two-meter-tall Esdeath appeared very small beneath Shirahoshi's enormous body.
It was no exaggeration to say that Esdeath could even stand upright on Shirahoshi's palm.
"Yes!"
Shirahoshi nodded excitedly, her eyes filled with longing for the outside world, looking at Esdeath expectantly.
"Then how about you come out with me to see it?"
Esdeath extended a hand, inviting Shirahoshi.
She had been confined in the Hard-Shell Tower for five years.
For a person, the cruelest punishment is not to kill them or torture them, but to lock them in a dark room.
Although the Hard-Shell Tower where Shirahoshi lived had lights, it was still just like a dark room.
One must know that if Esdeath hadn't come, Shirahoshi would have had to stay in this Hard-Shell Tower for another five years.
What kind of concept is this?
Shirahoshi was only an eleven-year-old Fishman, yet she had already spent five years in the Hard-Shell Tower, starting from the age of six!
This was undoubtedly a huge torment for Shirahoshi, who yearned for the outside world!
"Ah!"
Shirahoshi looked at Esdeath, who had extended her hand, in disbelief, feeling a bit dazed.
She just wanted to hear some stories from the outside, but the person in front of her wanted to take her out and let her see the outside world with her own eyes.
It was like a fairy tale.
Shirahoshi hesitated for a moment, then shook her head and said, "But Father won't agree to me going out..."
"Esdeath, just tell me..."
"If you don't agree, I'll tie up your brothers."
For this Fishman girl, Esdeath naturally didn't plan to use normal means to take her out.
"Ah!"
"But..."
It was that phrase again.
But she clearly didn't feel any malice from Esdeath towards her!
"No 'buts'!"
With that, she took Shirahoshi's finger, intending to pull Shirahoshi out of the Hard-Shell Tower.
Whoosh!
A sword flew from a distance.
"Ah!"
Shirahoshi hugged her head and crouched down, looking at the sword flying towards her.
"Esdeath, be careful!"
Even though she knew the sword was flying towards her, the kind-hearted Shirahoshi couldn't help but remind Esdeath.
What if Esdeath got hurt because of her?
Even when she herself was about to be harmed, Shirahoshi's heart was still worrying about others.
With a wave of her hand, an ice cone flew out, blocking the incoming sword blade.
After calculating the direction the sword blade came from, Esdeath said, "Come on, let's go over there."
Saying that, Esdeath sat on the enormous Megalodon, directing Shirahoshi to fly out of Dragon Palace and swim in the direction the sword blade came from.
"Wuwuwu..."
"Esdeath, Father will worry about me."
Though she said this, Shirahoshi showed no intention of stopping, continuing to swim.
It was clear that Shirahoshi also really wanted to go out and see; since she was already out, she might as well be willful! She trusted her perception of Esdeath.
Esdeath had no ill will towards her!
Megalodon, behind them, looked at the scene worriedly, glancing left and right, afraid that an attack might come flying.
"That is!"
Shark Star and Tashigi, who had just arrived at Dragon Palace, saw a shocking scene.
Esdeath and Shirahoshi were swimming out of Dragon Palace, slowly flying in one direction!
"Yo!"
Seeing the two, Esdeath directed Shirahoshi to swim towards them.
"This is..."
Shark Star looked at this scene in disbelief. Esdeath had actually brought his sister out; Father must have agreed.
"Brother!"
Shirahoshi glanced at Shark Star somewhat worriedly. Esdeath actually knew her brother; what was going on?
"Esdeath!"
Tashigi excitedly ran over to Esdeath. As if suddenly remembering something, her eyes welled up as she said, "Esdeath, Shark Star's sister is so pitiful."
"Please help her, Esdeath."
Along the way, Shark Star had told Tashigi about Shirahoshi's situation while chatting.
After hearing Shirahoshi's story, Tashigi was instantly moved, her eyes turning red on the spot; she was too pitiful!
She even decided that she must make Esdeath help Shirahoshi. If she begged Esdeath, Esdeath would definitely not refuse!
Esdeath doted on her so much.
"That's exactly what I'm planning to do."
Patting Tashigi's little head, Esdeath looked at Shark Star.
"How about you entrust your sister to me for a while, and I'll help her solve this trouble?"
Listening to Esdeath's inquiry, Shark Star hesitated. To be honest, he was tempted.
One must know that all along the way, he had heard Tashigi talk about Esdeath's deeds; to say he wasn't shocked was false!
But...
Shark Star was still a bit hesitant.
"How about you give an old man some face?"
A gruff voice came from not far away. Jinbe arrived, wearing wooden clogs.
He had heard long ago that Esdeath had arrived at Fish-Man Island, so Jinbe hurried over. Esdeath was a Marine he was particularly focused on!
Her future was even limitless!
He still remembered that clash of Haoshoku at the time.
"Jinbe!"
Shirahoshi looked at Jinbe excitedly. She hadn't expected to meet Jinbe after coming out!
After nodding to Shirahoshi, Jinbe looked at Esdeath and said, "Esdeath, long time no see!"
"This time, let this old man go with Esdeath. Prince Shark Star can rest assured."
"In that case, alright!"
Unable to argue with so many people, Shark Star finally stopped hesitating and directly agreed.
"You want to go too?"
Esdeath glanced at the plump Fishman, Jinbe. Although her impression of this Fishman was alright, how would he go?
"Don't worry, this old man will just follow behind you two and won't disturb you."
Seemingly seeing Esdeath's dilemma, Jinbe directly said that he would follow behind them.
"Alright then!"
One more person wouldn't make a difference, as long as he didn't stay right beside them.
"Come on, little Shirahoshi, let's go!"
"Tashigi, go pick up Tina; they're waiting for me at Dragon Palace."
"Yes, Esdeath!"
Excited, Shirahoshi's tail wagged even harder. Esdeath seemed to be going to help her resolve the issue with Vander Decken.
Would she then no longer have to stay in the Hard-Shell Tower?
Shirahoshi didn't yet know what her future would face!
What Esdeath said was not just mere talk; a gentleman's word is his bond!
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