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Hikaru raised an eyebrow and acted annoyed. "Why? You want to learn how to control Sea Kings too? You think buying me a meal is enough to get my strongest technique?"
"You…"
Smack!
Flip Star was irritated and was about to say something, but Shark Star's quick reflexes stopped him just in time. Duval reached out and held him back.
"Sorry, he's just eaten too much today… Poseidon, please take Flip Star back," Shark Star said apologetically. Poseidon led the frustrated Flip Star away.
Hikaru didn't even bother looking at them. His eyes went straight to King Neptune.
Neptune gave an apologetic smile. "Mr. Hikaru, I've spoiled the young prince. He doesn't understand the weight of the world. I hope you can forgive his behavior."
Seeing that Hikaru remained expressionless, Neptune continued, "If you don't wish to speak, that's your right. We won't force you. But tell me—have you heard of Poseidon, the 'King of the Sea'?"
The words sounded respectful, but anyone with power wouldn't easily ignore someone who could command Sea Kings. That ability was too vital to Fishman Island's survival.
"I've heard of Poseidon—one of the three Ancient Weapons, the King of the Sea," Hikaru replied.
"To be honest, the legend says Poseidon will appear on Fishman Island. She's the queen of the Sea Kings and can speak to them peacefully…"
"Your ability to control Sea Kings is very similar to Poseidon's. That's why I had to ask."
This old king was being careful with his words. He was hiding something. Is he trying to protect Shirahoshi?
Hikaru nodded. It was time to move forward.
"I can command Sea Kings because of my own strength. One attacked me on the way to Fishman Island. I beat it. After that, it submitted and offered to guide me."
"What!?"
Neptune was stunned. Hikaru's power was even more terrifying than he had imagined. He had defeated a Sea King over 2,000 meters long?!
"You're saying that after you defeated it, the Sea King offered to follow you… Does that mean you can understand their language?"
"Yes."
Neptune's thoughts went back to his old friend, Gol D. Roger. Roger once showed the ability to speak with Sea Kings—but never to control them.
And yet, Hikaru could actually command them?
"If there are no more questions…" Hikaru's eyes narrowed as he activated his Conqueror's Haki. A wave of overwhelming pressure exploded outward, knocking out everyone nearby—everyone except Neptune, Shyarly, and himself.
In the blink of an eye, the room fell silent.
"Mr. Hikaru! What was that!?" Neptune shouted in alarm, tensing up as if preparing to fight.
"Relax, Neptune. They just passed out. They're not worthy of hearing what comes next," Hikaru said calmly. Then he looked at Shyarly. "Shyarly."
Understanding his signal, Shyarly stepped forward. "Your Majesty Neptune, do you still remember the prophecy I told you a few months ago?"
Neptune froze, then quickly glanced at Hikaru before replying.
"Of course I remember. You spoke of a massive war—the biggest since the Great Pirate Era began. The 'War on the Summit.' You said Whitebeard would fall in that battle."
"That's right. I can't say exactly when it'll happen, but it's not far off. It might even be within a few months."
Shyarly's face was serious. Ever since that terrifying vision, she had been too afraid to make more predictions—until Hikaru forced her hand today.
"And just now, I've had a new prophecy."
"Under Hikaru's leadership, Fishman Island will fulfill the thousand-year-old dream of the merfolk. We will rise to the surface and live in the sky, bathed in endless sunlight and fresh air!"
"What!?" Neptune was shaken. He knew Shyarly's character. She would never lie—not even to protect someone. That was her code as a prophet.
He believed in her completely. Every prophecy she had ever made came true. Always.
[Neptune once tried to arrest Luffy and his crew—despite Luffy saving Shirahoshi's pet—because he trusted Shyarly's predictions so blindly. That's how deep his faith in her visions runs.]
"So, Mr. Hikaru will become the ruler of Fishman Island? The great benefactor of our people?"
"Yes!" Shyarly answered firmly.
"Then… what about me? Where do I go in this future?"
"…Sorry. In the vision, I was too overwhelmed to notice your presence."
"But all the merfolk and fishmen were smiling. Everyone looked genuinely happy. Princess Shirahoshi will become Hikaru's divine consort. I believe His Majesty—the king—returned to the people and now works silently behind the scenes for the good of Fishman Island."
"What about Fishman Island itself? Are we… leaving this place?"
"No! Fishman Island will be taken away by Hikaru. It'll rise from ten thousand meters below the sea to ten thousand meters above—into the sky!"
"This… Shyarly, it's not that I doubt you, but the idea of Fishman Island flying into the sky… it's just too unbelievable."
"As far as I know, only Shiki the Golden Lion—who stood alongside legends like Roger and Whitebeard—could make something like that happen using the Float-Float Fruit… but…"
"The Golden Lion is dead," Hikaru interrupted coldly. "And I've taken his Devil Fruit ability."
"None of that is your concern. I'm here for one reason—just as Shyarly's prophecy said. I've come to take Fishman Island with me. To bring it under my rule."
"To lead the merfolk and fishmen away from the ocean floor. To let them live under the open sky, in the warmth of the sun and fresh air."
"Isn't that the dream you've always had? I can make it real. But there's a price."
"…What price?" Neptune asked gravely. He knew this decision would change Fishman Island's fate forever.
"The price is this—the royal family of the Ryugu Kingdom must step down. You must willingly relinquish your authority over Fishman Island. All governing power will be handed over to this god."
Neptune was speechless. The royal family of the Ryugu Kingdom was his own blood. He opened his mouth, but the words barely escaped his lips:
"This…"
No one would easily surrender power they've held for generations. Even the most just ruler would hesitate.
Neptune chose his next words carefully, hoping to preserve some control.
"If Your Excellency wishes to make the Ryugu Kingdom a vassal of the Kingdom of Heaven, we won't resist. But… why must we give up the right to govern?"
"If we do that, won't Fishman Island fall into chaos?"
"Hmph. Nonsense!"
"To be honest, I don't care who manages Fishman Island—so long as they obey my will. But your leadership has been weak. That's why I must take control."