Otohime picked up one of the newspapers and began reading. Nearly every headline from the past several years was about Chiga — from his legendary battles to the final destruction of Mary Geoise.
Each article struck her heart like a hammer. By the time she put the newspaper down, her expression had gone blank, her mind struggling to comprehend everything she had read.
Shirahoshi, noticing that her mother had been still for a long while, hopped down from the bed with a soft grunt. She waved a small, fair hand in front of Otohime's face and asked worriedly,
"Mother, are you alright?"
Otohime turned her head stiffly, her voice dazed.
"I'm… I'm fine. It just feels so unreal. Pinch me, dear, I think I might be dreaming."
Shirahoshi obediently pinched her mother's cheek. The sharp sensation snapped Otohime out of her daze.
She looked down again at the image of Uchiha Chiga in the newspaper and exhaled softly.
"He truly is a god-like man. What a pity I couldn't witness his rise myself."
Hearing her mother's words of admiration made Shirahoshi beam with pride, as if she herself had been praised.
"It's alright, Mother. You can talk to Chiga-sama later. He's a very kind person!"
Otohime folded the newspaper and studied her daughter closely. That knowing look in her eyes made Shirahoshi lower her head out of instinct. But she quickly realized she had done nothing wrong — there was no reason to hide her feelings.
Taking her mother's hand, Shirahoshi led her toward the great coral window. Beyond it, the sunlight gleamed across the shimmering sea. She pointed upward with a bright smile.
"Look, Mother! Everyone on Fish-Man Island can see the sun now! That's all thanks to Chiga-sama. He commanded several Giant Sea Kings to pull the whole island up to the surface. You wouldn't believe how incredible it was!"
Otohime's eyes widened as she gazed at the warm sunlight streaming through the glass. It wasn't blinding, just soft and golden. Her heart swelled with relief.
Then she asked quietly,
"Shirahoshi, what about the human slave traders? Do they still exist here? And how are relations now between humans and our people?"
Shirahoshi smiled, her tone full of pride.
"They've been gone for a long time! Ever since Chiga came, no one has dared to cause trouble. The only humans who visit now are tourists or merchants, and everyone gets along peacefully!"
Hearing that, the last weight pressing on Otohime's heart lifted completely. She breathed a long sigh of relief and gazed at her daughter's radiant smile. After a moment, she felt overwhelmed with gratitude.
It was as if she had only taken a brief nap, and upon waking, all the struggles and grief she had endured for years were gone. The dream she had pursued all her life had been realized effortlessly — by a single young man.
She took Shirahoshi's hand tightly, her tone solemn yet full of warmth.
"Shirahoshi, let's go. I must thank Chiga-sama in person. He's the benefactor of our entire race!"
Her sudden seriousness caught Shirahoshi off guard. After a brief pause, the princess said softly,
"Mother, you don't really have to do that. Chiga-sama is very easygoing…"
Otohime smiled knowingly and stroked her daughter's cheek.
"Then it's fine for me to see him, isn't it? It won't take much of your time."
A light blush spread across Shirahoshi's face as she turned her head aside.
"It's not that… Chiga isn't mine. I just wanted you to understand him better, that's all."
Otohime chuckled gently, saying nothing more. She rested her hands on Shirahoshi's shoulders and turned her around.
"Alright, alright. Let's not keep everyone waiting. I'm eager to see how your father and brothers are doing."
The two made their way to the grand hall.
When they arrived, Garp was the first to notice. His jaw nearly dropped as he stared at the woman following behind Shirahoshi.
"Oi, Neptune… That Fish-Woman there, doesn't she look exactly like Otohime?"
Neptune turned and froze, his pupils dilating.
"How is this 'like'? That is Otohime… She looks exactly the same as before!"
The thought of resurrection hadn't even crossed his mind — it seemed impossible.
But Garp's instincts told him otherwise. He blinked in disbelief and muttered,
"I get it now… So that's why Chiga wanted to take Shirahoshi out alone earlier!"
Startled, Neptune quickly pressed,
"What do you mean? What does this have to do with Chiga-sama?"
Garp swallowed hard, then looked Neptune straight in the eye and said clearly,
"Neptune, I know it sounds crazy, but I'm sure of it — that's Otohime. Chiga resurrected her."
"W-What?"
Neptune's shout echoed through the hall, drawing everyone's attention.
Prince Fukaboshi and his two brothers rushed over, alarmed.
"Father, what's wrong?"
Neptune didn't answer. His gaze remained locked on Otohime. When the princes turned to follow his eyes, all three of them froze.
Fukaboshi trembled as he whispered,
"Is… is that Mother? Am I seeing things?"
Ryuboshi's voice shook as he replied,
"No, it's not an illusion! That's really her! Look—she's smiling at us!"
Otohime lifted her hand and waved warmly, calling out,
"Everyone, it's been so long!"
The hall fell utterly silent. The guards and attendants stood frozen, unable to believe what they were seeing.
At the front of the room, Uchiha Chiga stood beside Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru, a faint smile curving his lips.
Akainu gave him a sidelong glance and muttered,
"Marshal, this has your handiwork written all over it, doesn't it?"
Chiga only shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.
Kizaru adjusted his glasses and grinned lazily.
"Well, well… Even though I've seen it before, I must say, the Marshal's power truly borders on divine."
Aokiji sipped his chilled drink and sighed.
"Guess we're witnessing another miracle."
Meanwhile, Neptune's family was overcome with emotion. Tears flowed freely as they embraced, their voices thick with years of longing.
Otohime looked at her sons with tender affection. Though their appearances had matured, the warmth in their hearts remained unchanged. Her family, once broken apart for a decade, was whole again.
After a while, Otohime turned toward Chiga. There were still guests present, but she could not let this moment pass. Holding her husband's and children's hands, she led them forward.
When Chiga saw them approaching together, a faint headache came over him. Kizaru and the others had already taken a few steps back, leaving Chiga alone at the forefront.
Otohime and her family stopped before him. Then, without hesitation, they bowed deeply. With their fish tails folded beneath them, it was the Fish-Men's version of kneeling.
Neptune, as king, took the lead and declared in a loud, reverent voice,
" higa-sama, our family and all of Fish-Man Island owe you a debt beyond measure. Long live our King!"