One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

Wasn't this exactly what Roman had planned from the very beginning?

A realization struck Neptune like a bolt of lightning.

This wasn't just a coincidence… Roman had intentionally brought humans and fishmen together to witness the emergence of peace firsthand.

And more than that—

There are humans… truly willing to help us.

And the one who made it happen was none other than the Marine Admiral, White Dove!

Neptune's eyes welled up with tears as he thought of his late wife, Queen Otohime.

'Otohime… If you could see this moment, I'm sure you'd be overjoyed.'

The five-minute duration of the Energy Steroid's effect came to an end.

Fisher Tiger's condition had stabilized. He had survived the worst.

Slowly, he opened his eyes and scanned the unfamiliar surroundings.

"H-Huh…? What's the situation now?"

Seeing Fisher Tiger so concerned for Fishman Island even after such a grave injury, Neptune felt a surge of pride.

"It's all over now," Neptune replied gently. Then he added, "And it was Admiral White Dove himself who saved you."

"Wh-White Dove…?"

Tiger repeated the name—and suddenly, his eyes snapped wide open.

"I… I didn't come here for you. My target wasn't you; it was Jinbei, right there beside you!"

"What… What are you planning to do to Jinbei?!"

Fisher Tiger tried to rise, but Roman gently pressed him back down.

Neptune stepped in quickly. "Please, don't worry! It's a good thing, really!"

Hearing even King Neptune say so, Fisher Tiger finally relaxed, his panic subsiding.

With Jinbei's wounds treated, Neptune immediately dispatched his men to escort both him and Tiger to the palace's top-tier medical chambers for further rest and recovery.

Then Neptune turned to Roman with sincerity glowing in his eyes.

"Admiral White Dove, rest assured. Regarding the proposal for Jinbei to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea… I will accept it on his behalf."

Roman nodded, ready to take his leave, but Neptune quickly stepped forward.

"Admiral White Dove, there's… one more request I must make."

"If you grant it," Neptune said with resolve, "I promise- anything within my power, I will do for you, no matter when."

Roman's gaze didn't waver. "What is it?"

Neptune's eyes flickered with deep frustration.

"I have a daughter. Her name is Shirahoshi. She's sweet, gentle… but she's been endlessly harassed by a scoundrel named Vander Decken IX. At first, he only sent love letters once a week. But soon, it escalated. He started sending… packages."

"Then came threatening marriage proposals laced with intimidation!"

"I ordered my three sons, the Neptune Brothers, to lead the army and hunt Vander Decken down."

"But even with a bounty and being officially wanted by Ryugu Kingdom, that man still hurls weapons at the Hard-Shell Tower, where Shirahoshi lives."

"I beg of you—help me capture that bastard! I swear… I'll make him pay!"

Neptune was normally a tolerant and noble king. But when he spoke of Vander Decken, he was visibly seething with anger.

It was clear how deeply Neptune despised this man.

Roman listened quietly, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

He remembered now—

Princess Shirahoshi. The Ancient Weapon Poseidon.

Not just a princess, but one of the legendary three ancient weapons. A girl with the power to command Sea Kings.

Either of these identities would make her invaluable.

And yet… such a being was trapped in isolation, under constant threat from Vander Decken IX.

It spoke volumes not only of Shirahoshi's gentle nature…

But also of Neptune's efforts to protect her identity from sparking an even greater storm.

"Your Majesty," Roman asked, "where is the Hard-Shell Tower?"

Hearing those words, Neptune's eyes widened in joy.

"You… you'll help?!"

Roman gave a casual nod. "Think of it as a training opportunity for Ain."

Hearing her name, Ain blinked in surprise.

"Me? I get to take action this time?"

"Of course," Roman said with a faint smile. "We've been out for a while. It's about time you stretched your legs, lest you end up rusting away."

Ain straightened up, eyes sparkling with resolve. "Understood, Lord Roman. I won't let you down!"

Watching this exchange, Neptune felt even more certain—this White Dove Admiral was someone worth forging a strong alliance with.

"Come. I'll take you there personally."

With that, Neptune led the group to the Hard-Shell Tower beside the palace.

As they approached, a soft chime echoed in Roman's mind.

Ding! 

[ Hard-Shell Tower sign in location reached. Reward: 100% Favorability with Shirahoshi! ]

Roman froze for a second, the corner of his mouth twitching.

'That's a weird reward.'

Neptune noticed the change in his expression. "Is something wrong?"

"…It's nothing."

Roman shook his head, then casually reached toward Ain's waist and drew her blade.

Ain blinked in confusion.

The next second, a powerful aura burst from Roman—the aura of a Supreme Swordsman.

With a downward sweep, he unleashed a monstrous slash skyward.

Before anyone could react, a small object suddenly flew into the strike's path.

BOOM!

The slash shattered it into dust.

"That… was the power of the Mark-Mark Fruit, wasn't it?" Ain asked calmly.

"Seems like it," Roman replied. "It's a surprisingly useful power. Unfortunately, the user is complete garbage."

Hearing this, Neptune's lips twitched slightly.

'If that was considered trash… what did that make his sons, who hadn't even caught Vander Decken?'

Still, Neptune knew this was just Roman's casual banter.

"Open the door," Neptune ordered the guards.

But Roman held up a hand.

"I'll go in alone. That okay with you, Your Majesty?"

"Of course."

With Neptune's approval, Roman stepped into the Hard-Shell Tower alone.

The moment he entered, he spotted her.

Princess Shirahoshi lay curled gently on a pristine white bed, sleeping peacefully. Her delicate figure gave off a soft, innocent aura—she looked like a porcelain doll.

'Even asleep… she's breathtaking.'

Roman couldn't help but blush slightly.

He gave a small, but firm deliberate cough.

The sudden noise startled Shirahoshi awake.

She sat up quickly, her big eyes locking onto Roman in surprise. Her flawless face instantly turned beet red.

Roman composed himself and gave a polite bow.

"Princess Shirahoshi," he said with a gentle smile, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Admiral White Dove of the Marines. My name is Roman. It's a pleasure to meet you."