The Descent
The surface world slowly faded above them as Heaven's Embrace glided down the coated bubble path toward Fishman Island. Bioluminescent currents shimmered along the hull, casting dancing patterns across the runes and dragon-woman figurehead. Schools of strange, glowing fish darted by in curious swarms.
Most of the crew were pressed against the transparent coating, gazing at the undersea landscape. Even veterans like Robin found themselves leaning closer to catch every detail.
"This is insane," Nami whispered, her breath fogging the glass. "It's like flying through the night sky… but upside down."
"Not bad, right?" Vegito said, hands in his pockets. "Wait until you see the island itself."
The ship's AI voice — calm, resonant, and unmistakably feminine — chimed in from the figurehead:
[Approaching Fishman Island: Estimated arrival, 4 minutes.]
Bell-mère's brow lifted. "You really had your ship talk to us just for a dramatic countdown?"
Vegito smirked. "You say dramatic like it's a bad thing."
The Gate
The bubble-shaped island soon filled the view ahead, nestled against a massive trunk of the Red Line. A kaleidoscope of colors spilled from the coral reefs and palace towers — pinks, blues, golds — all bathed in the glow of an enormous sun-lamp hanging above.
As they approached the main gate, Neptune's royal guard awaited them in full armor, their tridents gleaming.
One stepped forward, shouting into a conch-shaped loudspeaker:"State your name and purpose!"
Vegito stepped onto the bow, tail curling lazily behind him. "Name's Vegito. Purpose? Tourism… and a little kingdom maintenance."
The guards exchanged confused looks, but one of them gasped. "Wait… Vegito? As in the Vegito? The man who destroyed Enies Lobby and made two Celestial Dragons vanish?"
From behind him, Shalria — sipping a tropical drink — called out, "They're not vanished! One of them is right here!" She waved sarcastically. "Hi!"
The guard's face paled. "Open the gates! Open them now!"
Royal Welcome
Inside, the crew was escorted straight to Ryugu Palace. The coral spires twisted into impossible shapes, their tips dripping streams of glittering water. Guards and servants alike stole glances at the strange, confident human man with a tail and the gaggle of powerful, beautiful women following him.
King Neptune, towering even over Vegito, greeted them with a booming laugh. "So! You're the one who decided to visit without first trying to break my gates. Already a good start!"
"I like to make a good first impression," Vegito said with a grin. "Though… I hear one of your daughters could use some help."
The king's expression sobered. "Shirahoshi."
The Princess' Tower
They climbed a spiraling coral staircase toward a set of massive double doors, each carved with seashell patterns. A nervous maid hurried ahead, cracking the doors open just enough to peek inside.
"Your Highness," the maid said softly, "there's someone here to see you."
A soft, watery sniffle answered her. "I… I don't want to meet anyone right now…"
Vegito tilted his head. "Mind if I handle the introduction?"
The maid stepped aside.
First Sight of Shirahoshi
The room was a cathedral of glass and coral, its walls shimmering with the glow of the ocean outside. At the center, lying across a coral chaise large enough to hold three elephants, was Shirahoshi — easily the largest mermaid Vegito had ever seen.
She was breathtaking, but her beauty was drowned in sorrow; tears streamed down her cheeks, each droplet turning to tiny bubbles as it floated upward.
When she finally noticed him, her eyes went wide. "You're… a man?"
He grinned. "And you're crying in one of the most beautiful rooms I've ever seen. Seems like a waste."
The Shrinking Trick
Shirahoshi blinked in confusion as Vegito lifted his hand. Golden ki swirled around his palm, laced with a hint of spatial distortion.
"I think we should talk face to face," he said. "And that means eye level."
Before she could protest, a warm light enveloped her. In seconds, her towering form compressed smoothly down to just over Vegito's height. Her tail shimmered into a smaller, sleeker version — still a mermaid, but small enough to stand in the room without bending the ceiling.
She gasped, looking down at herself. "I-I'm… small?!"
Bell-mère's voice floated from the doorway: "Careful, Shirahoshi — once he shrinks you, you never go back to being lonely."
The Forehead Flick Heard Round the Palace
Vegito stepped close and — to the shock of everyone present — gently flicked Shirahoshi on the forehead.
"Stop crying," he said, his voice warm but firm. "You've been dealing with fear and grief for too long. That ends today."
Her eyes welled up again, but this time the tears were different — lighter, almost disbelieving. "No one… has ever spoken to me like that."
"That's because they're scared of breaking you," Vegito said. "Me? I'm here to fix what's been broken."
The Creeper's Fate Revealed
Vegito's grin sharpened. "By the way, I took care of Vander Decken on my way here."
Shirahoshi froze. "You… you mean—?"
"Gone. Reduced to less than fish food." He dusted his hands off theatrically. "Consider it an early gift."
Her hands shot to her mouth, eyes wide, before she suddenly burst into giggles — light, airy, genuine giggles. The sound rang through the chamber like chimes.
The crew, watching from the doorway, exchanged looks.
"That's it," Mikita said softly. "That's the first real laugh she's had in years."
The Palace Feast
By the time they returned to the main hall, the entire palace seemed brighter. The cooks had gone into overdrive, preparing platters of sea-salted beef, giant clam stew, and fruits that glowed faintly in the dim light.
Shirahoshi stayed close to Vegito's side — small enough now to sit beside him at the long coral table. She leaned toward him with an expression somewhere between awe and shy delight.
"I… I want to see the surface world," she admitted quietly.
Vegito grinned. "Then you'll see it. But first, let's enjoy the party."
Shyarly's Entrance
Midway through the feast, a tall, sleek shark mermaid in a flowing sea-silk robe stepped into the hall — Shyarly, the fortune-teller of Fishman Island. Her green hair flowed behind her like seaweed in the current.
"Vegito," she said without hesitation, her voice low and measured. "I've seen visions of you for years. You are… dangerous to the balance of this world."
He raised an eyebrow. "That supposed to scare me?"
She smirked faintly. "No. It's supposed to make me ask… if you've got room on that ship of yours."
The table went silent. Bell-mère raised her glass. "And just like that… the harem draft picks up another player."
The Queen Returns
The celebrations were interrupted only once — when Vegito led the way to the central plaza outside the palace.
Golden light filled the space, and the people of Fishman Island gasped as the familiar, regal figure of Queen Otohime materialized before them, alive and radiant.
Her children — Shirahoshi, Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi — rushed forward, voices breaking as they clung to her. Neptune stood frozen, tears streaking his broad face.
The square erupted into cheers and sobs.
Nightfall in the Palace
That night, Vegito stood on a balcony overlooking the glowing coral streets. Shirahoshi, still small, leaned on the rail beside him.
"I don't know how to thank you," she said.
He smiled softly. "You already did, Princess. You laughed."
[Crew Roster Updated]
Shirahoshi (Princess of Fishman Island – Mermaid, Poseidon)
Shyarly (Fortune Teller – Combat Analyst)
Queen Otohime (Support Ally – stays on Fishman Island)
Next Destination: Leaving Fishman Island for Punk Hazard — and Caesar Clown's days are numbered.