Seeing Creed about to depart, Neptune turned to make arrangements—then paused at the doorway as something came to mind and hurried back.
"Right, Lord Creed, there's one more matter…"
With clear worry, Neptune explained the situation between Van der Decken IX and Shirahoshi.
Creed remembered the name. That creep had the Mark-Mark Fruit: once he touched someone, his throws would lock on and chase the target anywhere. Outwardly he paraded himself as a man "madly in love" with Princess Shirahoshi, swearing lifelong devotion. In truth, when she was only six, he witnessed her command the Sea Kings—and from then on wanted to seize her power and rule the seas.
"That's a small matter," Creed waved it off.
At this point, Van der Decken IX was beneath notice. Never mind Redfield—Perona alone could handle him easily.
Before that, though, Creed wanted to hold a short press conference.
When Ryugu Palace guards spread the word to the reporters still lingering on Fish-Man Island, the press exploded:
"What? The Fifth Emperor is holding a presser? You sure this ain't fake?"
"I'm actually moved to tears! An Emperor, personally calling a press conference—unprecedented! Lord Creed is so down-to-earth!"
"Quit yapping and move! We'll hear it from him in person!"
They swarmed the makeshift venue. Creed stood there alone—at ease, no fuss, zero ceremony—which only stoked their curiosity.
Once most had gathered, Creed raised his voice. "King Neptune and I, Creed, have shared the wine of friendship. He is my good friend. From this day on, anyone who attacks Fish-Man Island is my enemy."
Some reporters looked let down—until the sharper ones started reading between the lines:
"Fish-Man Island used to be Whitebeard's territory. If Creed says this today, is he moving it under his banner?"
"Holy crap, that's huge!"
"Is the Creed Pirates going to war with the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"Headline of the day, right there!"
Hearing their breathless whispering, Creed nearly face-palmed. Typical reporters—flowery pens, wilder spins.
He added two lines to clarify: Fish-Man Island remained Whitebeard's territory, and the Creed Pirates were simply adding their own promise of protection.
Naturally, the crowd went wild again:
"What? Two Emperors backing Neptune? What's the story behind that?"
"Whitebeard plus Creed—then even the World Government won't dare touch Fish-Man Island!"
"Explosive news! This could dominate headlines for days!"
"Explosive my butt! Compared to the island's migration, this is a firecracker."
"Wait—what if Neptune's a Celestial Dragon love-child? Maybe that's why Whitebeard and Creed are sucking up to him?"
"Are you brain-dead? A Celestial Dragon's kid would need pirates for protection? CP0 would have locked the place down already!"
"Speaking of CP0, didn't two guys in white suits show up that day? Your theory's not totally crazy…"
Creed ignored the lot of them and left. Most here were gourmet reporters who'd come for the tea party—not heavyweights from the World Economy News. He never expected stellar professionalism; getting the message out was enough.
…
When Creed and the others boarded the freshly coated Creed and were about to set sail, Neptune's family arrived with Shirahoshi. Their faces were heavy with reluctant parting. Whether Neptune and the princes had wept was unknown, but the tender, tear-prone princess had—her reddened eyes said everything.
"L-Lord Creed, Sister Ain… I'll be in your care," Shirahoshi bowed timidly—flawless etiquette on display.
"Come now, little Shirahoshi," Ain smiled, taking her hand. "If you're calling me 'sister,' then of course I'll look after you." The two walked aboard chatting—despite the comical height difference, they looked every bit the "good sisters."
Robin and Perona came to greet her as well, and Falkor fluttered over with cheerful "yiying" sounds, easing Shirahoshi's mood.
Accepting from Neptune the Transponder Snail that could contact Whitebeard, Creed gave the order to depart.
Splash—
The Creed eased out of Fish-Man Island's port, riding the current toward the undersea route.
"Father, brothers—goodbye!" Shirahoshi waved with all her might, heartbreak plain in her voice.
Then—
RUMBLE…
A deep, oppressive thunder rolled from ahead. The sea began to churn as if some primordial monster were about to burst out from below.
"What is that?"
"Sea Kings?" Perona and Robin gasped.
The water here was usually crystal clear—one could see more than ten meters down. Now, though, dozens of li of ocean had turned a sooty gray-black. Something enormous was surging up from the depths, its momentum terrifying.
BOOM!
(End of Chapter)
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