A sudden wave of wind swept through, and like a curtain pulled away, all the weapons embedded in the tower door were ripped free, swirling off into the distance.
Kaito pushed the door open and slipped inside. Darkness greeted him — but that meant little. With his Sharingan, he could see perfectly even without light.
"Who's there? Someone… please…" a small, timid voice floated from deeper in the room.
Pat! A switch flipped. Light exploded into the room.
The entire chamber was pink: pink drapes, pink lamps, pink bed frame, even pink cabinets. It felt like walking into a fairy tale.
Sitting on the bed, Shirahoshi looked up at him, her expression fragile, frightened.
"You… who are you, and what are you doing here?" Her voice trembled softly.
Kaito stepped forward, gentle, reassuring. "You don't need to be afraid. I came to rescue you."
"Rescue me?" Tears formed in her eyes, but a hopeful blush colored her cheeks. "Do you… really mean that?" she whispered.
He nodded. "I know why you're here. I also know where Vander Decken IX is. I can take him down, so you can leave safely — and see the sea again."
Her hope flared, and she whispered back, almost inaudible: "Then… can you do it?"
"Of course." Kaito's voice was firm. "But there's one condition." He smiled gently. "By the way, my name is Kaito."
"Kaito?" Shirahoshi's eyes widened. "I… I don't know what you want, or how I can help — but if you need something, I'll do it. I promise I won't refuse."
Kaito's expression softened. "Good. When I need you, I'll come back. I just hope… you don't refuse me."
Shirahoshi nodded, her voice catching with emotion. "I won't refuse, Kaito-kun."
He cleared his throat, a little embarrassed, then added: "Actually… can I ask you something odd?"
"You can ask anything," she said quickly.
Before he could speak, shadows flickered through the door cracks. Figures leapt forward, aiming at her bed.
"Kaito, watch out!" Shirahoshi cried, panic in her voice.
"Foolish," he muttered with disdain. He extended his hand, and an invisible repulsive force erupted from his palm — Observation Haki manifested subtly in the air around his hand. The intruders were pushed back, crashing into the pink walls.
Click! The wall dented. Behind where they struck, hidden weapons fell free, daggers and blades revealing themselves.
"… I'm Vander Decken IX!" he said with cold certainty, his gaze unwavering.
"Vander Decken IX — I came for you!" His calm tone held a sharp killing intent.
The intruders recoiled, and Kaito advanced.
When the danger passed, Shirahoshi trembled as she looked at him. "Kaito-kun… are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
He shook his head slowly. "I'm fine."
Relief washed over her. "You… you saved me." She exhaled, her small frame quivering. "Thank you."
He smiled softly. "Now… you said I could ask you anything, right?"
Kaito's eyebrows rose, but he asked gently, "Mermaids on your island — how does your species grow up and reproduce?"
Shirahoshi's voice was quiet, almost shy. "When a mermaid matures, her tail can become legs. Our reproductive system… activates normally. Also, we can control our height. It's… different than humans."
Kaito listened, stunned. That's… unexpectedly scientific.
He nodded slowly. "I see."
Relief softened her expression — then, she bowed her head naively. "Kaito-kun… if you like me… I — I would wait until I grow up. For you."
His heart jerked. What is this? He tried to wave away the tension. "No, Shirahoshi — that's not what I meant." He rubbed his head awkwardly. "I asked out of curiosity."
Tears glinted in her eyes. "Then… you don't like me?"
"Of course I… I just… I have things to deal with right now," he said, voice flustered. "I came here to stop Decken, not… this."
Shirahoshi's face fell, and she looked crushed. Then she bravely bumped her index fingers together. "Is it… because you don't like me?"
Kaito paused. She seemed so sincere, so fragile. He swallowed. "I… will come back. After I take care of what I need to."
"When you come back… maybe… we can talk again?" she asked, faint hope in her voice.
He nodded, then disappeared in a blink.
Boom! Boom! The door closed behind him.
Outside, Kaito inhaled deeply. "Finally…" he whispered. "When this is all over, I'll talk to someone else about this."
He strode toward Merman Street. He'd promised to help her — and he meant to keep it. He'd also help root out the new fish-man pirates, make sure this island wasn't disrupted again.