HST: Chapter 146/147

Chapter 146: Shirahoshi Joins

After a while, Shirahoshi calmed down and gently released Caelan from her embrace.

"I'm sorry, I was just so excited."

Shirahoshi looked at the small Caelan apologetically.

"It's okay, I understand how you feel."

Caelan recalled the feeling just now, like floating among the clouds. Honestly, he didn't dislike it.

Nearby, Neptune and the three princes were also smiling, relieved by Shirahoshi's liberation.

Shirahoshi, you finally don't have to hide in the Hard Shell Tower anymore or live in fear like a prisoner.

"So Caelan, could you please take me out for a walk?"

Shirahoshi looked at Caelan expectantly, her eyes sparkling like starlight.

With Vander Decken's threat gone, she was eager to see the world outside.

Originally, she could've asked her father or brothers to take her, but for some reason, she wanted Caelan to do it.

"Of course."

Caelan agreed without hesitation.

Seeing Caelan agree, Shirahoshi beamed, her smile blooming like a flower.

She turned to look at her father and brothers and said, "Father, brothers, I'm going out to play with Caelan!"

"Alas~"

"You two go on."

Neptune sighed weakly.

"Yay!"

Shirahoshi cheered and left the Hard Shell Tower with Caelan.

To make conversation easier, Shirahoshi let Caelan sit on her shoulder.

"Phew! This is amazing!"

Shirahoshi took a deep breath of the outside air. It was so sweet and intoxicating.

For someone who had finally cast off her shackles, everything outside seemed beautiful.

Soon, the two of them arrived at the streets of Fishman Island.

Shirahoshi, towering at 11 meters tall, instantly drew the attention of everyone as she appeared.

"Whoa, that's Princess Shirahoshi!"

"She was just a tiny thing eight years ago. Look how much she's grown!"

Many fishmen stared in curiosity at Shirahoshi, who hadn't been seen in years.

"But isn't it dangerous for her to be out now?"

"What danger? Her Highness has Caelan-sama on her shoulder!"

The mermaids sighed in awe.

Caelan had done two major things upon arriving at Fishman Island.

He not only dealt with that unruly group of fishmen, but also freed Princess Shirahoshi.

He was truly a great benefactor of Fishman Island!

"Princess Shirahoshi! Long live!"

"Caelan-sama! Long live!"

As they passed, mermaids and fishmen alike cheered.

"What enthusiasm! Everyone…"

Shirahoshi was a little nervous at first, but as she saw the fishmen's warm welcome, she gradually relaxed.

She waved her arms in response to their cheers.

"Let's go. I'll take you to meet some friends," Caelan said, using his Observation Haki to sense the location of Nami and the others.

They were enjoying afternoon tea at the Mermaid Café.

"Friends? Are they your companions?" Shirahoshi asked curiously.

She had always been envious when Caelan told her stories about the people he journeyed with.

"Yes, they're all great people. You'll definitely get along with them," Caelan said with a smile.

Soon, the two of them arrived in front of Nami and the others.

Caelan jumped off Shirahoshi's shoulder and introduced both sides to each other.

All the girls looked at Shirahoshi with curiosity and quickly struck up a conversation.

Nami patted Caelan on the shoulder and sighed.

They hadn't been apart long, and he had already "abducted" someone else.

And this time, it was someone else's princess.

"It's all personal charm," Caelan said proudly, taking a sip of his drink.

"Hmph, how full of yourself."

Nami rolled her eyes, then turned back to join the conversation with Shirahoshi.

Everyone was very curious about the beautiful mermaid princess.

"There were zombies in the Florian Triangle too?"

"Yes, and the one who could create zombies was defeated by Caelan."

"Then is there really an island in the sky?"

"Of course. We even found a lot of gold there!"

…

The girls chatted with Shirahoshi, sharing their adventures and experiences.

"That sounds amazing! I want to see the outside world too!"

Shirahoshi looked up toward the sky, yearning for the world above the ocean ten thousand meters high.

"Shirahoshi, since you're so eager to see the outside world, why not come out to sea with me?"

Caelan said casually while sipping through a straw.

"Eh!? Go to sea with you?"

Shirahoshi was tempted at first, but quickly shook her head when she thought of the consequences.

"No… My father and brothers won't agree. Besides, if I follow you, I'll only cause you trouble!"

"How could you be trouble? I already know your strength," Caelan said with a smile.

Shirahoshi was the current Poseidon, capable of commanding super-giant Sea Kings. Each of them, measuring five or six kilometers in length, was a strategic-level combat force.

With them, even warships were like toys.

"Really? But father and the others won't allow it…"

Shirahoshi said hesitantly.

She knew her father and brothers wouldn't let her take such a risk.

"In fact, they already agreed. How could I invite you without getting their permission first?" Caelan said seriously.

"In that case…"

Shirahoshi bit her lip, still a little hesitant.

She longed for the outside world and the adventures with Caelan. Since her father and brothers had agreed, there was nothing left to stop her.

"I want to go too!"

"Then Caelan, everyone, please take good care of me from now on!"

Shirahoshi bowed deeply to everyone.

"Welcome aboard! We're all family now."

Caelan smiled. Mission accomplished.

Compared to Caelan's joy, Nami was frowning slightly.

Does Nami not welcome me?

Shirahoshi looked at Nami, her expression pitiful.

Nami noticed Shirahoshi's gaze and quickly explained, "Of course you're welcome aboard! It's just… our ship might be a bit small."

Actually, the Wind Rider was quite large, about 100 meters long, with plenty of space for a dozen people.

But Shirahoshi, standing 11 meters tall not including her tail, was a different story.

"Is that so?"

Shirahoshi looked disappointed, and tears began welling up in her eyes.

Is my dream of sailing about to end before it starts?

"That's not a problem. We'll just build a bigger ship."

Caelan said calmly.

The remaining members of the New Fishman Pirates were now laborers.

Their first task was to build a ship large enough for Shirahoshi.

With the strength of tens of thousands, it could be done in just a few days.

"Woohoo, that's amazing!"

Shirahoshi cheered and lowered her head, rubbing her soft face against Caelan.

"Alas~"

Caelan sighed as he felt her silky smooth skin.

This size… is too much. That's not necessarily a good thing.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 147: Jinbe’s Fury

After leaving Shirahoshi behind, Caelan returned to Ryugu Castle to discuss shipbuilding with Neptune.

At the same time, Knight of the Sea Jinbe, who had rushed back, also received word about Caelan.

The news that Caelan had killed Hody Jones along with more than 10,000 fishmen, and sentenced the remaining tens of thousands to ten years of labor reform, shook him.

How could he do something like that!?

Over ten thousand fishmen, killed as if their lives were nothing. They were his fellow fishmen!

And the rest, forced into so-called labor reform for ten years?

Calling it "reform" was putting it mildly. To Jinbe, it was nothing short of slavery!

Mining, sixteen hours a day, all year round—harsh, backbreaking labor.

This was worse than slavery!

Too cruel. Far too cruel!

A fishman's life is still a life!

No matter how powerful Caelan was, Jinbe had to stand up for his people.

Furious, Jinbe's blue skin swelled and flushed purple. His face twisted with rage.

He stormed into Ryugu Castle, where Caelan was in discussion with Neptune.

"Jinbe? What's he doing here?"

Caelan looked at the large whale shark fishman rushing toward him and immediately recognized him.

The three slaves in the original story swapped allegiances so many times...

At this moment, Neptune also realized Jinbe's intentions and immediately grew anxious.

"Jinbe, be rational!"

He knew exactly why Jinbe was angry. But right now, Caelan was the guardian of Fishman Island—the hope for its future on land.

More importantly, Caelan was on par with the Four Emperors.

Under no circumstances could Jinbe provoke Caelan.

If he does, the fish are doomed!

"Rational? What reason do I have left!"

Jinbe roared, ignoring Neptune completely.

More than ten thousand fishmen were killed, and forty thousand more (not counting the humans and sea beasts among the rest) were thrown into a labor system worse than slavery.

Faced with such injustice—

Jinbe was furious!

The veins on his arms bulged, his muscles swelling as if about to explode.

"You planning to fight?"

Caelan frowned and placed a hand on Jinbe's shoulder.

Who are you trying to intimidate with that stance?

The next moment, an enormous force surged into Jinbe's shoulder.

Boom!

Jinbe stiffened his body, trying to hold on.

But the pressure on his shoulder was like a mountain crashing down, utterly irresistible.

In an instant, Jinbe snapped out of his rage. Cold sweat soaked his back.

He was facing a powerhouse who stood at the peak of the world—on the level of Whitebeard.

"…"

Jinbe had no words when faced with Caelan.

"You're speaking up for those fishmen? What right do you have?"

Caelan released his hand from Jinbe's shoulder and instead pointed at his chest.

"I'm their fellow countryman. I can't stand to see them treated like this!"

Jinbe stiffened his neck, refusing to accept Caelan's approach to the situation.

"You already knew what kind of people they were. With your strength, you could've stopped them, kept them in check, and kept them out of trouble."

"But you didn't! You turned a blind eye to their crimes. You could even say you enabled them."

"You think that's loyalty?"

"Arlong, the one you let go, ran wild in the East Blue and ended up being killed by me. Macro, the one you ignored, was kidnapping mermaids on Fishman Island—he was killed by my crew. And the New Fishman Pirates, the group you let slide, tried to take over Fishman Island and challenged me. Now look at their fate."

"It was your inaction that led them down the path of destruction."

As Caelan listed the crimes, Jinbe lowered his head in shame.

Arlong caused countless deaths and ruined countless families in the East Blue. His crimes were unforgivable. Macro sold mermaids into slavery. Another crime beyond redemption.

And the New Fishman Pirates had openly tried to overthrow the country and declare war on humans.

The fishmen Jinbe hadn't been able to punish… had all committed terrible crimes and paid the price.

He couldn't blame anyone else.

"I admit it was my fault. I'm willing to take responsibility for those fishmen. Please, let them go."

Jinbe closed his eyes in pain.

He admitted Caelan was right, and he was willing to shoulder their punishment in exchange for their freedom.

"You're still getting it wrong. If I let them go, they'll just start causing chaos on Fishman Island again."

"They'll make the same mistakes, harm others, and be killed anyway. Would that satisfy you?"

"I'm making them undergo labor reform so they can pay for their crimes, learn the cost of wrongdoing, and become better people. This is for their own good!"

"They're not slaves. They're being transformed through labor, given a second chance to become real people!"

Caelan spoke with conviction, like it was the moral high ground.

Neptune stood dumbfounded at his side.

Killing over 10,000 fishmen and working the rest to death—is this really for their own good?

No matter how you spin it, this can't be right… can it?

"Through labor, they can change, atone, and begin anew?"

"I see… I was wrong before."

Jinbe repeated the words and found a strange logic to them.

"It's not too late to understand now. You can still help them."

Caelan nodded, continuing his persuasive talk.

"How can I help?"

Jinbe looked at Caelan, eyes filled with a desire for redemption.

"You should join them and lead by example. Set the standard for labor reform. That way, you can guide them and keep them from making more mistakes."

"That's how you can truly help them."

Caelan offered the suggestion sincerely.

"I'll supervise them and make sure they truly change!"

Jinbe's eyes gleamed with determination.

He would take responsibility and make sure those fishmen were properly reformed.

"Very good. Their first task is to build a large ship within three days. Can you oversee it and make sure it gets done?"

Caelan patted Jinbe on the shoulder, his tone serious.

"No problem. I'll see it through!"

Jinbe responded firmly.

With that, Jinbe turned and left, ready to dedicate himself to Caelan's shipbuilding project.

Soon after, Jinbe gathered the criminal fishmen and began organizing the construction of the new ship.

Any fishman who tried to slack off or act up was beaten by Jinbe, educated thoroughly, and thrown back to work.

After this happened a few times, no one dared to mess around anymore.

"Not bad, not bad."

Caelan inspected the worksite and was very satisfied.

Fishmen had ten times the physical strength of humans. Under Jinbe's strict supervision, the tens of thousands of workers were moving efficiently.

At this rate, the ship would be done in three days.

(To be continued.)