Fish-Man Island, Entry-Exit Dock.
"You sure you don't want to swing by the Revolutionary Army? A lot of our comrades are dying to meet you!"
The dragon-prow ship eased forward. Monkey D. Dragon lifted a hand in farewell to Sakura and Tiger.
"Nah, I still want to learn a few things from the merfolk," Sakura said, shaking her head. "Plus, I'm just a pirate who does whatever she feels like. Revolution's not my thing."
Dragon didn't push. He knew that as long as the World Government kept up its ugly face for even one more day, the people on the seas who hated being ruled and crushed would eventually raise the flag of rebellion. When that day came, an even bigger force would sweep them all together into a flood that'd wash everything away.
"Then let's both go get what we want!"
Monkey D. Dragon pulled his cloak's hood back down, hiding his face.
With the coating in place, the undersea currents whisked the ship out of the harbor and toward the deep ocean.
"Come on, follow me to Ryugu Palace. Someone's waiting for us!"
Fisher Tiger turned, clapped Sakura on the shoulder, and started walking.
Behind them floated a huge sea beast pulling a shell-crafted boat through the air.
They boarded the sightseeing vessel and rode the current up to Ryugu Palace, high above Fish-Man Island.
Every guard they passed stared at the two of them with pure awe. It made Sakura a little uncomfortable.
They walked the palace halls (separated from the sea by coating) under full honor-guard escort until they reached the grand throne room.
Suddenly, a blur shot out of the crowd and scooped the girl into a hug.
"Finally… finally, you're here!"
Sakura opened her eyes and followed the gentle scent. A face full of compassion filled her vision.
Their observation haki brushed souls; in the blink of an eye, they felt like old friends.
"Hello, Princess Otohime of the merfolk. And good to see you again, King Neptune."
"And you, human child—Haruno Sakura!"
Otohime's heart was racing. After years of speeches, she'd finally found the right human to take the first step toward peace between their peoples.
She wanted to drag Sakura straight to the next rally on Fish-Man Island.
But the next second, her husband's voice yanked her back to reality.
"That little girl from back then has grown into a fine pirate of the seas."
Neptune's eyes were distant, like Roger barging onto the island had happened yesterday.
Though… wasn't this girl growing awfully slowly?
The thought stuck in his head. He kept sneaking glances at Sakura.
"Thanks for the concern."
Sakura tried a polite reply, but Otohime wouldn't let go. In the end, Sakura just let the princess lead her into the hall.
A full banquet had been prepared to welcome them.
Amid soft music and graceful dancing, Sakura looked back at the princess whose fate always made her sad.
No matter how you sliced it, someone who fought for peace getting gunned down by cowards was just too tragic.
So she spoke up. "Princess, you should probably ease off your campaign for a while."
Otohime's lips parted; a shattered look crossed her face.
Their haki had just shared hearts that understood each other perfectly—so why?
"You three already know Fish-Man Island's situation, right?"
Tiger fell silent. Neptune gave a helpless nod.
"The World Government just rejected our request to attend the Reverie. That's why we wanted to see you."
The heavier Neptune's gloom, the deeper Tiger's guilt became.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesties. I trampled on everything you've been working for."
"I'll leave the island soon. I won't bring disaster to my homeland."
The crimson fishman looked up, eyes burning with resolve.
"Tiger, you don't have to—"
Otohime started to protest, but Sakura tugged her sleeve and cut her off.
"It's not just him. I'll be leaving soon too."
Sakura helped the princess sit. Behind her, three tiny princes peeked out, staring curiously at the pirate girl.
"But before I go, there're a few things I need to warn you about—so we don't end up with an even bigger tragedy."
The girl's aura thickened, carrying the weight of history.
The other three straightened up, ready to listen.
"The reason Fish-Man Island's voice can't reach the surface isn't because of merfolk. It's humans."
"Malice has always been blocking you. Because eight hundred years ago, a certain mermaid princess stood on the opposite side of today's world in a war that still isn't over."
Neptune froze. His face went pale. A trembling voice escaped: "You mean… Joy Boy?!"
"Yes." Sakura sighed. "So under the current World Government run by the Celestial Dragons, Princess Otohime's dream can't come true. It'll only bring danger."
"How can that be?!"
A cold current brushed past; Otohime's face dimmed. The arms hugging Sakura went limp.
"Otohime…"
Neptune saw his wife's despair and looked down too. Even his mighty mustache drooped.
But the baby girl in his arms started crying, as if she sensed their sadness. Neptune rocked her gently; the gloom lightened a little.
"Neptune, I'm telling you now—I'm not giving up!"
Otohime floated to his side, gently stroking their daughter's hair. The fire in her eyes was pure, not a trace of selfish desire.
For their children to live free under the sun, reconciliation with humans was non-negotiable.
No matter how hard the road, she wouldn't quit.
"Mm. I've got your back."
The old married couple shared a smile. A warm, peaceful vibe bloomed between them.
"You sure about this?"
Sakura watched. Through observation haki, she felt Otohime's heart grow softer yet stronger—unshakable now.
"Of course! I'm not the type to give up easily. But thank you for the warning, Sakura!"
Otohime cupped the girl's cheek. The more she looked, the more she adored her.
If she could adopt this girl, she and Shirahoshi would be the best sisters!
"Bridging two races takes time. Don't try to fix everything overnight. Trust the next generation sometimes—train them to carry on your work!"
Sakura stuck out her tongue and made a funny face at the floating princes. The little mer-kids flinched at the sudden "scary" pirate, eyes welling with tears as they hid behind Mom.
"You mean…"
A jolt ran through Otohime; everything clicked.
"Yup. A school. A place that teaches merfolk kids how complicated humans are, gives them knowledge and fighting skills."
Under Ryugu Palace's glowing lights, Sakura painted a future so bright, her pure passion made everyone unable to look away.
"Only when you want peace, understand how diverse humans are, still choose to talk and understand, and have the strength to protect yourselves—that's when your goal takes its first real step."
Light sparked in Otohime's eyes. She grabbed Sakura's hands, trembling. In her haki sight, the girl's excitement erupted like magma.
She'd just found a real, workable path that helped her people and followed her ideals.
At that moment, Otohime wanted to take this girl home, keep her close every day, and empty her head of every wild idea.
Family, there's a wild pink-haired girl here. She wants to come home with me.
"Be my daughter!"
Sakura: ???
Not this again—are you the legendary Oto-hime?