Before the giant Sea Kings reached the depths below the Red Line, Carl naturally wouldn't just wait in the sea with Shirahoshi. Since she could communicate with them at any time, he took her back to Mary Geoise in the meantime, even accompanying her for lunch.
Due to Shirahoshi's massive size, her meals were prepared in enormous portions. Even among the Celestial Dragons, only someone like Carl could afford to feed her—a luxury that would be impossible for ordinary noble households.
As they ate, Carl casually asked,
"Shirahoshi, have you ever felt troubled by your size?"
She was in the middle of enjoying her favorite sea grape pasta when she heard Carl's question, causing her to choke slightly. Carl sighed, waving a hand to summon a white 'handkerchief' the size of a carpet, handing it to her. Shirahoshi took it, drank a sip of water, and then wiped the purple sea grape juice from the corner of her mouth.
She lowered her head shyly and whispered,
"I'm sorry, Carl-sama... I ate too quickly..."
Hearing that her mother, Otohime, would be brought over had completely lifted Shirahoshi's spirits, making her eat with even greater enthusiasm.
Carl waved dismissively. "No need to worry about it. Eat as much as you like. You're still... hmm, growing."
Shirahoshi placed her hands gently on her pink mermaid tail, her ample chest shifting slightly with the movement, creating soft waves of pale white.
"Carl-sama, my body really is too big. It's quite inconvenient at times."
"Then do you want to be smaller? Say, about Monet's size?"
"Eh? Of course, I do! If I were that size, I could visit Monet and the others all the time! Even entering your chamber is difficult for me."
She looked at Carl expectantly. "Carl-sama, do you have a way to make me smaller?"
Carl nodded slightly. "I do."
"That's amazing! I knew you could do anything! What is it, Carl-sama?"
"I know of a Devil Fruit called the Mini-Mini Fruit. Its user can freely enlarge or shrink their body. What do you think? Interested?"
"How fascinating... but, Carl-sama, wouldn't eating a Devil Fruit mean I can't move freely in seawater? I am a mermaid, after all..."
"Well, you mainly live on land now, and I suspect that won't change in the future. Besides, when you were on Fish-Man Island, you weren't constantly submerged in the ocean, were you?"
Though his reasoning made sense, Shirahoshi still hesitated. Being unable to swim freely was a significant concern for a mermaid.
Carl continued, "You don't need to worry too much. The idea that Devil Fruit users are completely powerless in water isn't absolute."
"That's true. Carl-sama can move in water, but I heard from Monet and the others that it's because of your cursed blade, Muramasa. Are there other weapons like that?"
"Unfortunately, Muramasa is one of a kind. But I believe I'll soon find a way to remove the Devil Fruits' weakness to water. It's up to you whether you believe me. I won't force you to eat a Devil Fruit—it takes effort to find one, after all. The choice is yours."
Shirahoshi thought for a moment before nodding firmly. "I trust you, Carl-sama! I really want to be normal-sized. Please grant me the Mini-Mini Fruit!"
"Alright. Once the war with Joy Boy is over, I'll order CP to search for it. No need to feel pressured—if you change your mind, we can always store it away."
Hearing this, Shirahoshi cheered excitedly, "Carl-sama is the best!"
She opened her arms as if wanting to hug Carl but quickly realized that, with her size, such an action was impossible. Feeling awkward, she froze in place, her desire for the Mini-Mini Fruit growing even stronger.
With its power, she could embrace those she cared for—Carl, her mother Otohime...
Although she couldn't hug Carl, Shirahoshi had other ways to express her gratitude and excitement.
She gently cupped her hands near Carl. He stepped forward curiously, only for Shirahoshi to lift him and rub her smooth, fair cheek against him.
Carl chuckled. "Shirahoshi, are you treating me like a pet?"
She panicked and waved her hands.
"No, no! I never thought of you that way! Please don't misunderstand!"
Seeing her flustered expression, Carl reached up and pinched her cheek.
"Look how scared you are.'"
Shirahoshi's face turned pink.
"Please don't tease me, Carl-sama..."
...
Carl kept her company for a while longer until Shirahoshi received a message from the giant Sea Kings—they were approaching.
She immediately relayed this to Carl, and he activated his ability, bringing them both beneath the Red Line's waters.
...
Diving to a depth of about 8,000 meters, Carl released his innate flames, illuminating the deep-sea darkness.
In the flickering firelight, several massive silhouettes loomed in the distance, rapidly approaching.
Shirahoshi pointed at the shadows and exclaimed, "Carl-sama, look! They're here!"
Carl nodded, narrowing his eyes as he observed the incoming creatures.
Through the violent ocean currents, the enormous Sea Kings finally arrived, surrounding Carl and Shirahoshi in their midst.
Each one fixed its gaze on Shirahoshi. For an ordinary person, being stared at by such monstrous beings in the deep sea would be terrifying. Yet, despite her timid nature, Shirahoshi remained calm—she wasn't afraid in the slightest.
At that moment, the voices of the Sea Kings echoed in her mind.
"Your Majesty... have you finally awakened?"
Shirahoshi blinked, surprised. She turned to Carl and repeated their words.
Only then did the Sea Kings take note of Carl, a figure so small compared to them that he was nearly imperceptible. One by one, their enormous eyes squinted, focusing on him.
When they finally recognized him, their massive bodies trembled, and their voices boomed through the depths—
"It's you!? Why are you by the Queen's side?!"
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+170 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg