When returning to Fishman Island, Wadatsumi's size caused another wave of panic.
Fortunately, King Neptune appeared in time to calm everyone down.
Naruto first told Neptune that he no longer needed to worry about Vander Decken and then introduced Wadatsumi to him.
"You're saying you plan to arrange this big guy as Shirahoshi's bodyguard?"
Looking at Wadatsumi, who was even taller than giants, Neptune was somewhat at a loss for words.
"Yes, this guy deeply regrets his past mistakes. If it's inconvenient to have him as a bodyguard, arranging for him to guard Ryugu Palace is also fine."
This big guy was very agreeable. Hearing Naruto's arrangement for him, he hurriedly nodded, afraid of ending up homeless again.
Since Naruto had said so, Neptune thought about it and then agreed.
Having a guard was good, after all, Fishman District hadn't been very peaceful recently.
As for this bodyguard's size and appetite, there was no need to worry about that. Neptune was at least a king and wouldn't be unable to support one more resident at Ryugu Palace.
Hard-Shell Tower.
This was the shelter that had protected Shirahoshi from Vander Decken and also the prison that had confined her for a full ten years.
Looking at those weapons stuck in the door, the three princes all had grim faces and said nothing, while also feeling somewhat uneasy.
"Alright, time to wake up your sister."
Reaching out to knock Fukaboshi's head, Naruto naturally understood this kid's earlier scheming.
But that was only to get Naruto to rescue their sister.
Actually, even if he hadn't spoken up, Naruto would have acted after learning of Shirahoshi's situation.
Fukaboshi exchanged glances with his two brothers, also feeling a bit embarrassed.
Ordering soldiers to open the door, the light of the Sunlight Tree finally shone into the room.
At the same time, it woke up Shirahoshi who was sleeping.
Inside this Hard-Shell Tower, Shirahoshi spent most of her time sleeping.
This was understandable. Living in this tower was no different from being imprisoned.
Although she had no worries about food and clothing, and King Neptune and the other princes would visit her regularly.
But there really weren't many forms of entertainment here.
"Eh? Is it morning already?"
Shirahoshi woke up from bed, rubbing her eyes, then looked drowsily at the several people who had appeared in her room, instinctively feeling somewhat pleasantly surprised.
"Father, and brothers, why did you all come to see... ah!"
Her gaze went from left to right, finally landing on Naruto, instinctively letting out a cry of surprise.
Shirahoshi completely burrowed into her blanket, only revealing half her head to cautiously observe outside.
Although this half-head was quite conspicuous given her height of over ten meters.
"Little Shirahoshi, do you still remember me?"
Although she towered over him by several meters, Naruto's tone remained gentle, as if coaxing a small child.
"...Uncle Naruto?"
Perhaps because she'd known so few people, or because Naruto looked exactly as he had ten years ago, recognition slowly dawned in her eyes.
After hesitating for a while, Shirahoshi finally recognized him.
"Wow!"
This little girl directly hugged Naruto with both hands and then spun around vigorously.
Shirahoshi remembered that this uncle often came to play with her when she was very young. Being held by her, Naruto was like a doll.
Neptune, seeing his daughter suddenly become happy, felt both pleased and a little jealous.
Why didn't she seem this happy when he came to visit Shirahoshi?
Ignoring the old father who had fallen into self-doubt, Naruto gently patted Shirahoshi's head, indicating for her to put him down.
Shirahoshi was very obedient. She also realized that this behavior wasn't very ladylike.
After putting Naruto down with a blushing face, Shirahoshi asked him expectantly:
"Uncle Naruto, how long will you stay at Ryugu Palace this time?"
"Can you play with Shirahoshi for a few more days?"
"It's really boring here."
The little girl's mouth was like an opened floodgate. Once she started talking, she couldn't stop.
The three Fukaboshi brothers rarely saw their sister in such high spirits, to the point where they didn't even have a chance to interject.
"Shirahoshi, let's go outside and play."
After letting the girl vent her pent-up excitement, Naruto touched her forehead gently and spoke the words that would change everything.
"We're going... going outside?" Shirahoshi's voice caught. "But... but..." She looked at her father tentatively, hardly daring to hope. Uncle Naruto must not realize why she'd been confined to this tower for so long.
And Neptune also responded with an affirmative look.
"Shirahoshi, you don't need to be afraid anymore."
Hearing her father's words, Shirahoshi was somewhat dazed, then looked at her brothers.
Fukaboshi and the others also had excitement in their eyes, nodding in response.
"...Really?"
"Really, can I go out now?"
Large teardrops dripped from Shirahoshi's eyes, falling onto the floor and quickly pooling into a large puddle.
"Let's go out, Shirahoshi. Wherever you want to go, everyone can accompany you."
Fukaboshi also said. He empathized with his sister's situation. This tower had confined more than just Shirahoshi alone.
"I... I want to go see Mother."
Sea Forest, in front of a cemetery.
Naruto, King Neptune, and the three princes stood quietly there.
Besides them, there were no other guards present.
After all, with Naruto here, what was there to worry about?
"Mother..."
Shirahoshi curled her tail beneath her, half-kneeling as she whispered to the gravestone.
This was her first visit—during the princess's funeral ten years ago, she'd already been trapped by Vander Decken's curse, unable to even say goodbye to her mother properly.
"Mother..."
Shirahoshi curled her tail, half-kneeling there and speaking softly to her mother about something.
This was her first time coming here.
Ten years ago, when her mother was buried, Vander Decken's curse had already trapped her in that tower, stealing even the chance to say goodbye.
It could be seen that Vander Decken really deserved to die.
Princess Otohime's grave was small, only accommodating her tiny body.
But at the same time, it was large enough to carry this mother's great spirit.
On the princess's tombstone, her posture of holding up the peace agreement was carved in relief.
Naruto just quietly looked at Princess Otohime's relief. That woman who seemed to be full of gentleness toward the entire world appeared to be smiling at him.
Sister Otohime, long time no see.
While Naruto spent peaceful time on Fishman Island, the surface world had begun to convulse.
Sabaody Archipelago saw massive Navy raids, with countless "innocent" pirates arrested or killed on the spot.
The few who escaped were completely puzzled by this sudden aggression. Hadn't this always been an acknowledged "no-man's-land"?
At World News headquarters, Morgans watched his news birds carry world-shaking headlines in all directions, his beak curling with satisfaction.
The sea would soon boil over.