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Tashigi struck the blow. Ain had initially intended to act, but after seeing Tashigi's quick response, she held back.
Under Byakuya's guidance, Tashigi and Ain had made significant progress in their swordsmanship over the past few months.
Since Ain had to balance her swordsmanship training with developing her Devil Fruit abilities, she hadn't advanced as quickly as Tashigi.
However, their current strength could easily handle most of the notorious Supernovas.
Once Fukaboshi had landed, Byakuya spoke up, "Prince Fukaboshi, aren't you going to explain this?"
Since Byakuya and his group had witnessed everything, and the young girl had stepped in to help, Fukaboshi decided to disclose the situation.
According to Fukaboshi, Vander Decken IX was a cursed man with the "Target-Target Curse," which was the power of the "Target-Target Fruit."
However, Vander Decken IX had deliberately spread the rumour of a "curse" to conceal the true nature of his Devil Fruit ability.
Tashigi and Ain, both women, could deeply empathize with the despair Princess Shirahoshi must have felt while being pursued by such a deranged suitor.
When they learned that Princess Shirahoshi had been living in the Hard Shell Tower for nine long years, they felt sympathy for her.
Ain cautiously asked, "Would it be possible for us to visit Princess Shirahoshi?" "This..." Fukaboshi hesitated, glancing at Byakuya.
He wasn't worried about Byakuya being attracted to Shirahoshi; rather, he feared that Shirahoshi's innocence might inadvertently provoke Byakuya, potentially leading to the disaster Madam Shyarly had predicted.
Tashigi said, "Don't worry, we'll protect Princess Shirahoshi."
Fukaboshi had always felt deep sorrow for his sister, who was forced to stay alone in the Hard Shell Tower.
He knew how much Shirahoshi longed to go outside, but she never expressed this dream, fearing it would burden her brothers.
Now, with two girls to keep her company, Shirahoshi might find some joy, so perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Fukaboshi nodded in agreement. Led by Fukaboshi, the group made their way to the Hard Shell Tower.
Fukaboshi knocked on the door, and almost immediately, a small gap opened in the window at the top, revealing a pair of large, lively eyes. A joyful voice called, "Is that you, Brother Fukaboshi?"
Shirahoshi's reaction showed how dull her life in the Hard Shell Tower had been. For a teenage girl, such a life was nothing short of torture.
As Fukaboshi opened the door, Tashigi and Ain were greeted by the sight of a massive, pale pink fishtail.
Looking up from the tail, they saw a figure with a body that would make any woman envious and a face of exquisite, porcelain-like beauty.
After all, Princess Shirahoshi was renowned for her beauty, which was said to be comparable to that of the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.
Shirahoshi blinked her clear eyes, looking at Fukaboshi and the four strangers who had appeared before her.
Byakuya stepped forward and said, "Hello, I'm a Marine."
Perhaps she seemed timid because Shirahoshi had not seen any strangers for so long. She instinctively shrank back, extending a delicate, snow-white hand to shake Byakuya's hand as a gesture of friendliness.
Byakuya was momentarily speechless as he stared at the hand, which was so large that even her fingers dwarfed him.
He awkwardly extended his hand and ended up shaking her pinky finger.
Tashigi and Ain, rarely seeing Byakuya look so flustered, couldn't help but cover their mouths to stifle their giggles.
After the handshake, Byakuya could only think about how soft and smooth her hand was and how he wouldn't mind shaking it again.
When Shirahoshi noticed Ain and Tashigi, she became noticeably more animated.
The three girls quickly began chatting, and within five minutes, they were engrossed in lively conversation.
Ain and Tashigi shared stories of their adventures at sea. Shirahoshi, incredibly curious about the outside world, listened intently, often breaking into laughter like the tinkling of silver bells.
In no time, Shirahoshi even forgot about her brother Fukaboshi, who stood to the side, feeling a bit neglected.
Fukaboshi awkwardly glanced at Byakuya, relieved and happy to see Shirahoshi in such good spirits.
As their conversation continued, Shirahoshi invited Ain and Tashigi to stay with her in the Hard Shell Tower, which they gladly accepted.
For Fukaboshi, this was a relief—he wouldn't have to worry about Shirahoshi being lonely, and he could leave Byakuya and Ferguson to return to the tower.
As the three walked along, Fukaboshi sincerely thanked Byakuya, "I haven't seen Shirahoshi this happy in a long time. Thank you so much!"
Byakuya shrugged and said, "No need to thank me. If anyone, you should thank Ain and Tashigi."
"I didn't stay in the Hard Shell Tower or tell Princess Shirahoshi any stories."
"Uh..." Fukaboshi looked Byakuya up and down, assessing their size difference.
It seemed unlikely that Byakuya would have any improper intentions toward his sister.
Still, as an overprotective brother and a merman, Fukaboshi decided that he would never allow Byakuya and Shirahoshi to be alone together, eliminating any potential for such a scenario.
However, from what he had seen, Fukaboshi didn't find Byakuya's personality particularly unpleasant and doubted that he would easily do something as catastrophic as Madam Shyarly had predicted.
Inside the Hard Shell Tower, Ain and Tashigi lay on Princess Shirahoshi, experiencing a life that countless men could only dream of.
Initially, they felt embarrassed by Shirahoshi's physique, but they became accustomed to it over time.
This makes sense: when you're in school, if your goal is slightly better than yours, you have the motivation to catch up.
But if they're way ahead, you might just give up and let them lead the way. After all, it's completely unreasonable to compete in such a situation!
As Ain and Tashigi shared their stories, Shirahoshi asked sweetly, "Is Vice Admiral Byakuya really that strong?"
"He looks so small; I feel like I could crush him if I used too much strength."
"Hahaha! If Byakuya-senpai heard that, he'd be furious!" Ain laughed so hard that she clutched her stomach, tears streaming.
Tashigi, with a gentle smile and dimples showing, kindly warned, "You definitely shouldn't say that in front of Lord Byakuya."
"He's quite petty; if you make fun of him, he'll definitely get back at you later."
Shirahoshi, now worried, asked timidly, "What would he do to me if he found out?"
With a mischievous grin, Ain replied, "Byakuya-senpai is a bit of a lecherous old man."
"You're so beautiful; he probably wouldn't harm you. At most, he might 'punish' you on the spot."
As she said this, Ain playfully ran her hands over Shirahoshi's body, enjoying the sensation so much that she didn't want to stop.
Shirahoshi felt ticklish from Ain's touch, and a blush appeared on her pale cheeks. She innocently asked, "Um... what does 'punish on the spot' mean?"
"You don't know what 'punish on the spot' means?" Ain became even more excited upon seeing Shirahoshi's innocence and was about to explain it to her.
Tashigi, seeing how eager Ain was, felt a headache coming on. "You say Lord Byakuya is a lecher, but I think you're the real one here, Ain," she thought.
To prevent Ain from corrupting Shirahoshi's innocence, Tashigi quickly stopped her and changed the subject.
For Ain and Tashigi, meeting Byakuya drastically changed their lives. So, most of their conversation throughout the night revolved around him.
As they described him, Shirahoshi began to form an image of Byakuya in her mind: passionate, petty, cold, stingy, greedy, powerful, protective, generous, humorous, and caring.
All these contrasting traits combined into one person, sparking Shirahoshi's strong curiosity. What kind of person was Byakuya?
Thus, Byakuya and the others spent a few peaceful days at Ryugu Palace.
During this time, Byakuya was preoccupied with enjoying the food, drinks, and entertainment the palace offered, not even thinking about the World Source.
After all, with his current strength, changing the course of events was a piece of cake. It would only take a few minutes to accomplish.
But visiting Fish-Man Island wasn't something that happened every day, and with Neptune covering all the expenses at the palace, wouldn't it be a loss not to enjoy it for a few more days?
As time passed, Neptune and his men began to relax, believing that the disaster predicted by Madam Shyarly was unlikely to occur.
During these days, Ain, Tashigi, and Princess Shirahoshi grew very close.
Wanting to fulfil Shirahoshi's dream of seeing the outside world and visiting the Sea Forest to pay respects to her mother, Ain and Tashigi approached Neptune with a request: "Let Shirahoshi go out for a bit. We'll protect her."
"This..." Neptune was initially reluctant, but seeing Shirahoshi's pitiful expression, he softened.
After all, Shirahoshi hadn't left the Hard Shell Tower in over nine years. Letting her go out might not be a bad idea.
Neptune gently patted Shirahoshi's pink hair and said, "Alright, alright, you two can take her out for a while."
"Thank you, Father!" Overjoyed at the thought of finally going out, Shirahoshi was almost in tears, her large eyes glistening with excitement.
Seeing her reaction, Neptune felt a pang of guilt and said, "For safety's sake, let Fukaboshi accompany you along with the palace guards. That way, I'll feel more at ease."
But to Neptune's surprise, Shirahoshi refused Fukaboshi and the guards' company.
"Father, I heard from Ain and Tashigi that Vice Admiral Byakuya is strong. Let him come with us instead."
Neptune hesitated, "Byakuya?"
"Ain and Tashigi have already gotten Vice Admiral Byakuya's consent. Please, Father, let him come with us!"
"This... fine, just be careful," Neptune finally agreed.
"I will, Father!" Shirahoshi said, happily swishing her fish tail as she returned to the Hard Shell Tower to pack her things.
Neptune left bewildered, watching her leave with confusion and worry.
"My foolish daughter," he thought, "Do you have any idea what you're asking for? I meant you should be careful of Byakuya!"
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