Thinking this, Yuno's figure descended from high above.
Jinbei and the others remained tense, their eyes fixed on him.
This man… his actions were too ruthless earlier. He didn't seem like someone with good intentions at all!
But Otohime raised her hand and shook her head gently. "He bears no ill will."
The guards exchanged uncertain glances but obeyed their queen's command.
Yuno ignored their wariness and walked straight toward Otohime. Noticing her untreated wound, his brows furrowed in displeasure.
"You left her wound unattended? Do you want her to die?"
Otohime, still pale, straightened her posture and said with respectful courtesy, "Sir, it was I who instructed them to wait."
Her Observation Haki was special—subtle, refined, capable of sensing the emotional currents of others. Just moments ago, she had clearly perceived the boundless fear surging from the hearts of the giant Sea Kings.
Although she didn't know what Yuno had communicated to those mighty beings, she was certain their terror was connected to him.
And a man who could strike fear into Sea Kings, beings who could destroy Fish-Man Island itself—such a man could not be opposed.
That was why she showed such reverence. One careless act might incur his wrath, and then Fish-Man Island would face disaster.
Her attitude shocked everyone present. Why was their queen so humble before this stranger?
"Mother, you—" Fukaboshi tried to speak, but Otohime silenced him with a firm gesture.
Yuno, too, noticed that her respect was excessive. But he knew her Observation Haki was said to be unusually perceptive. Perhaps she had sensed something.
Unconcerned, he said, "Go treat the wound first."
"Yes, sir." Otohime replied gently.
Because of her frail health, she was always accompanied by a medical team. They had hesitated earlier, fearing that her delicate constitution could not withstand treatment without specialized care.
But now, with practiced skill, the medical team extracted the bullet.
Though her condition was grave, Otohime struggled upright and bowed. "Thank you for saving me, sir. Please allow us to host you at Ryugu Castle."
Yuno looked at her weak figure. Lifting his finger, he summoned a radiant white light that enveloped her wound.
No one dared stop him this time; Otohime had already warned them not to act rashly.
Jinbei, ever the man of reason, held no resentment for being overpowered earlier. After all, Yuno had just saved their queen.
In an instant, Otohime's complexion brightened, her injuries vanishing as if they had never existed.
"I've healed your wounds," Yuno said calmly, "as repayment for my earlier discourtesy."
"Thank you, sir." Otohime bowed deeply once again.
Waving his hand dismissively, Yuno replied, "Enough. No need for such formality. You said you'd entertain me—let's go. I'm hungry."
With that, the group moved toward Ryugu Castle.
Yet Yuno noticed that Jinbei, Fukaboshi, and several soldiers didn't follow. His earlier words must have shaken them.
There was a traitor among their ranks.
Moreover, his recent burst of Conqueror's Haki had knocked out not only their soldiers, but others as well...
On the way, Shirahoshi floated over curiously. Her large, innocent eyes studied him as she circled around.
"Um… sir," she asked hesitantly, "how did you fly up there without a bubble? And… what was that white light just now?"
At her age, curiosity was natural. With her own innate Observation Haki, she could sense that Yuno meant no harm.
And since he had healed her mother, in her eyes, Yuno was undoubtedly a good person.
If anyone knew that Shirahoshi — the gentle mermaid princess who once defied the World Nobles by refusing their cruelty, and who even escaped from a Marine Admiral — actually considered herself a good person, it would cause a huge stir…
"Shirahoshi, don't be rude," Otohime scolded softly.
The little princess rarely received reprimands from her mother, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Yuno waved his hand, dismissing the tension. As he walked, he explained, "There's something in this world called a Devil Fruit. Eating one grants miraculous powers, but it also makes the sea hate you, turning you into what people call a landlubber."
Shirahoshi glanced nervously at her mother. Seeing Otohime didn't scold her further, she asked timidly, "What is a landlubber?"
On Fish-Man Island, such a concept didn't exist. After all, all fish-men and merfolk were born knowing how to swim—no one ever needed to speak about those who couldn't.
"It means someone who can't swim," Yuno explained.
Shirahoshi blinked in surprise. "Are there really people who can't swim?"
"…"
Yuno fell silent, but at the same time he was probing her with his senses. He still wanted to know whether that strange soul vibration—the one connected to her Sea King ability—could be replicated.
If it could, then perhaps he might even command all the Sea Kings himself one day.
But if not, he at least wanted to learn more about the one known as the "Sea King."
Still, perhaps that resonance required strong emotional fluctuations to manifest. Since Shirahoshi remained calm, Yuno couldn't detect anything further.
Before long, the group arrived at Ryugu Castle.
"Thank you, sir, for saving Otohime. We are deeply grateful," King Neptune said solemnly.
It wasn't only because Yuno had saved his wife, but also because of Otohime's unusually serious words in his favor. Neptune had rarely heard her speak with such weight before.
"King Neptune, you're welcome," Yuno replied smoothly, well used to such courtesy.
A banquet was soon held. Both host and guests enjoyed the feast heartily.
Yuno, now maskless, sampled the unique cuisine of Fish-Man Island. Nearby, little Shirahoshi kept circling around him with wide-eyed delight.
Since discovering the ability to change the shape of his artificial body, Yuno no longer cared about concealing his appearance. He kept the mask only for the sake of his persona.
He was patient with children—Xena was like this, and so was young Shirahoshi. Still, he carefully maintained restraint, cautious never to act out of character.
From time to time, Jinbei also came to Ryugu Castle. Despite Otohime being saved, he still regarded Yuno—the Quincy—as a potential danger, and kept a close eye on him.
One evening, Jinbei approached with a pot of wine. After the two clinked glasses, he spoke gravely:
"I am grateful for your aid to Princess Otohime… but I still want to know. What is your true purpose here?"
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