"Cry? Chiga-sama, I haven't cried in a long time. Uncle Jinbe can vouch for that!"
Chiga smiled warmly. "That's good. A birthday should be filled with smiles, not tears."
Surrounded by cheering citizens, Chiga and his entourage made their way toward the Royal Palace. As they passed through the grand Merfolk Plaza, a towering statue caught everyone's attention—a statue of Chiga himself.
Its Rinnegan eyes were carved from shimmering violet gemstones that gleamed like twin stars beneath the sunlight.
A faint, nostalgic expression crossed Uchiha Chiga's face. It had been quite some time since he'd last activated his Rinnegan. For him, a being who carried the divine power of the Dragon God, the Rinnegan was merely a reflection of his essence rather than a source of power.
Inside the Royal Palace, the great hall was alive with celebration. Banners, ribbons, and coral ornaments filled the chamber, radiating the warmth of Shirahoshi's birthday.
Among the decorations, one banner stood out to Chiga—a hand-drawn doodle showing two smiling faces pressed together, both making cheerful "V" signs. A closer look revealed that one was Shirahoshi, and the other was unmistakably him.
There was no need to guess the artist. Shirahoshi giggled when she noticed him looking at it. The melodious sound of her laughter echoed through the hall, as light and beautiful as a song.
If the Celestial Dragons were still around to see her now, they would've gone mad with greed, willing to destroy Fish-Man Island itself to possess such beauty.
Shyarly, elegantly dressed in her shrine maiden attire, approached with grace, her pale tail gliding across the marble floor. As the only fortune-teller on Fish-Man Island, her presence was one of both respect and reverence.
Bowing slightly, she greeted him softly, "King, it is a great honor to see you again."
Chiga's crimson eyes softened with recognition. "Last time we met, your crystal orb shattered because of me, didn't it? Have you managed to continue your readings since then?"
Shyarly's body stiffened. She hadn't expected him to remember that small incident. With a faint blush, she pulled a new crystal orb from her arms. "Thank you for your concern, King. I've already replaced it with a new one."
Chiga extended his hand. "Let me see it."
The moment his palm touched the orb, a brilliant stream of golden and azure light flared across its surface. When the glow faded, the crystal sphere was clearer and brighter than before, its interior swirling with divine energy.
Shyarly's eyes widened in disbelief. "This…"
Chiga smiled faintly. "I've reinforced your crystal orb. Try it later—you'll find it far stronger than the last one."
Shyarly could immediately sense the immense energy coursing within the object. Compared to her old orb, this new one felt like heaven and earth apart. She knew that whatever visions she divined through it would now appear with far greater clarity.
If Fortune Teller Baba from the Dragon Ball Universe were to see this, she might very well weep with envy.
Yet, to Uchiha Chiga, this act was nothing more than a simple favor.
Shyarly looked up, her voice trembling slightly. "King… I don't even know how to thank you for such a gift…"
Chiga waved his hand lightly. "No need for gratitude. You're a kind Merfolk. You deserve it."
Though Shyarly was Arlong's sister, she lacked his hatred and prejudice toward humans. Chiga found her calm, mature demeanor rather admirable—an alluring contrast to her younger peers.
Just as Shyarly bowed again, Shirahoshi tugged at Chiga's sleeve. "Chiga-sama, what about my gift? Can you show it to me now?"
Chiga thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright, but we should go somewhere private first."
"P-Private?" Shirahoshi blinked, her face instantly flushing red. "Chiga-sama, do you mean…"
Chiga sighed and gave her a light tap on the head. "Don't get the wrong idea. You'll understand once you see it. It's best you look at this alone before anyone else."
"Ah! I see! Then… let's go to my room! It's private there!"
"Fine," Chiga said with a small smile. "But we should inform your Father first before we go."
Shirahoshi nodded quickly, her pink hair swaying as she turned and swam off to find her father.
Neptune was in the middle of a cheerful conversation with Garp. The two veterans had known each other since Roger's era, their friendship surviving decades of war and peace alike.
Garp crunched on a senbei as he laughed, "Neptune, I gotta say, this place has changed a lot!"
"Haha! All thanks to the King's grace," Neptune said proudly. "Fish-Man Island's economy is thriving, and no one dares stir up trouble anymore. The future finally looks bright."
Garp nodded approvingly. "Yeah, I remember when I used to come here to bust up slave traders and pirates. Things are peaceful now—and the best part is, your people don't hold any hatred toward humans anymore. That's a miracle."
"Indeed," Neptune said softly, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. "If Otohime were still alive to see this, she'd be overjoyed. Everything we have now is exactly what she dreamed of."
At the mention of Otohime, sorrow flickered in his eyes. Garp, noticing it, quietly slipped his half-eaten senbei into his pocket and patted Neptune's waist in silent comfort.
The Fish-Man King exhaled deeply. "Forgive me, speaking of such things on a happy day… but seeing Shirahoshi and our people smiling like this—truly, I couldn't ask for more."
Just then, Shirahoshi swam up to them, radiant as ever. She bowed politely to Garp and said with cheerful excitement, "Father, I want to take Chiga-sama to my room for a little while! He's prepared a gift for me~"
Neptune blinked, momentarily speechless. He wasn't at all worried—he trusted Chiga completely. In his eyes, the King's honor and character were beyond reproach. The thought of any ill intent didn't even cross his mind.
He was, however, quite curious. What kind of gift could require privacy?
Seeing her father lost in thought, Shirahoshi tilted her head and asked, "Father? What are you thinking about?"
"Ah, nothing, nothing!" Neptune chuckled heartily. "If the King wishes to give you a gift, don't keep him waiting. And remember to thank him properly afterward—it's a great blessing to receive anything from Chiga-sama."
"Of course! I'll be happy no matter what he gives me!" she said with a bright grin. "See you at the banquet later!"
Her joy was infectious. As she swam back toward Chiga, Neptune watched her fondly and murmured with a smile, "My daughter has truly grown up."
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500 Chapters🎉
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