Chapter 228: Fish-Man Island! ()

While Rayleigh and Jinbei were confronting Vander Deken IX and Hody Jones, Ace and his group accompanied Shirahoshi to the place she had longed to visit most. 

This serene underwater forest, located northeast of Fish-Man Street, is often called the "Ship Graveyard" due to the many sunken vessels carried there by the ocean currents. 

Thanks to the "Sun Tree Eve," which transmits sunlight to Fish-Man Island from the surface, the forest flourishes with vibrant coral, and pods of whales come here to feed. This enchanting location is known as the Forest of the Sea. 

It is also where Princess Otohime, Shirahoshi's mother, is laid to rest. 

Because of Vander Deken IX's relentless harassment, Shirahoshi had never been able to visit her mother's tomb to mourn or pay her respects. She had long dreamed of coming here to honor Princess Otohime. 

Now, standing before her mother's grave, Shirahoshi clasped her hands together in prayer, her eyes closed in reverence. For a moment, her timid and tearful demeanor softened, and a faint smile graced her face, as if she could feel her mother's presence. 

"..." 

Seeing Shirahoshi in this tranquil state, Neptune and her brothers—Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi—were overwhelmed with emotion, tears brimming in their eyes. 

They knew how much they owed Shirahoshi. 

Shirahoshi had been just six years old when Princess Otohime was assassinated. At such a young age, she lost her mother's love when she needed it most. To make matters worse, Vander Deken IX's actions had prevented her from even attending her mother's funeral. 

All these years, Shirahoshi had been confined to the Hard-Shell Tower for her safety, her only companion the loyal shark Megalo. 

Neptune and her brothers loved Shirahoshi deeply, but their inability to protect her haunted them. They had failed to apprehend Vander Deken IX, and even her simple wish to visit her mother's grave remained unfulfilled—until now. 

Finally, that painful chapter was over. 

Shirahoshi had at last been able to pay her respects to Princess Otohime. 

Watching the gentle smile on her face, Neptune and his sons were overcome with gratitude. They owed it all to Ace. Without him, Shirahoshi might have spent countless more years trapped in isolation within the tower. 

As they looked on, Nami and Nojiko, who had also lost their mother, Bell-mère, at a young age due to Arlong's cruelty, couldn't hold back their tears. 

"Woo..." 

The sisters felt a comforting weight on their shoulders. Looking up, they saw Ace smiling warmly at them. 

"Bell-mère would be so proud to see the strong, incredible women you've become," Ace said gently, pulling them into a protective embrace. 

Despite their strength—the two were still young women under twenty. 

Even the strongest have their moments of vulnerability. Recognizing and embracing such moments doesn't diminish their willpower; rather, it strengthens their resolve, allowing them to grow further as individuals and as warriors of the sea. 

"Ace," Nami murmured, her voice trembling. "Let us lean on you for just a little while." 

Ace smiled softly as Nami and Nojiko buried their faces against his chest. He gently stroked their hair, offering silent reassurance through his presence. 

In his heart, Ace wished he could summon Bell-mère's soul from the underworld to reunite her with her daughters. But even with his abilities, this was currently beyond his reach. 

The Great Burial Ranks of the Ten Trillion Fire Dead, combined with the power of the Underworld Fruit, allowed Ace to summon souls only of those he had personally killed. Without the ability to lock onto a soul's aura, finding one among the countless billions in the underworld was impossible. 

However, the impossible now did not mean it would remain so forever. 

Ace resolved that one day, he would master this ability and bring Nami and Nojiko the reunion they deserved. 

However, Ace refrained from making promises to Nami and Nojiko. If something couldn't be done now, he wouldn't declare otherwise. Ace's word was his bond—what he vowed he would achieve. 

While thinking of this, his gaze wandered to Shirahoshi.

For Ace, the concept of "motherly love" was foreign. 

In his previous life, Ace had never experienced the love of a mother; he didn't even know who she was. 

In this world, his mother, Portgas D. Rouge, had perished after evading the Marines' relentless pursuit, enduring a 20-month pregnancy that drained every last ounce of her vitality. 

And yet, in the brief moment of his birth, just before her death, Ace felt her love—a love so profound it left an indelible mark on his soul. 

Even now, Ace vividly remembered Rouge's parting words. 

They had shaped his daily habits, such as his ritual of taking a hot bath—an homage to his mother's tender care. 

"Someday..." Ace murmured to himself, a wistful smile forming at the edges of his lips despite the tears pooling in his eyes. 

The memory of such pure, selfless love still stirred his heart, even as he stood at the pinnacle of this era's ocean. 

It was that memory, that love, that brought tears to the eyes of a man revered as invincible. 

It was also his driving force—one more reason to grow stronger. 

Feeling Ace's shifting emotions and noticing the glistening tears he tried to hide, the women around him were deeply moved. 

They knew Ace's history. 

Ace had always shielded them with unwavering strength, but this was the first time they had seen him so vulnerable. 

Each of them had endured their own hardships, and they understood how long it took to heal the scars of childhood pain. 

Ace had never shown such an expression before. He was like a towering tree, always there to solve their problems and shelter them. 

In comparison, what they had done for Ace seemed woefully insufficient. 

Looking at him now, they felt an ache in their hearts. 

"Ace-sama, thank you." 

Shirahoshi's soft voice broke the silence. She had finished her prayers at her mother's grave and turned to Ace, her eyes filled with gratitude. 

"You're welcome," Ace replied, a gentle smile on his lips. "You remind me of better times." 

By then, the tears in Ace's eyes had been evaporated by the warmth of his Mera-Mera Fruit, leaving no trace. His gaze softened as he looked at Shirahoshi. 

At the same time, Ace could sense through his Observation Haki the subtle emotional shift in Nami and Nojiko, who had initially sought comfort in his arms but now wished to offer him solace in return. 

Their warmth soothed him, and his smile deepened. 

"Ace, Rayleigh and Jinbei are back," Nami said softly, raising her head to point into the distance. 

"Mm." 

Ace reached out to touch Nami's cheek. 

Taking the cue, Nami and Nojiko stepped back, giving Ace space as they moved to stand behind him. 

"Ace-san... I, I failed to help," Jinbei said, stepping forward hesitantly. 

He looked conflicted, his voice tinged with regret. 

Jinbei had intended to deal with Vander Deken IX and Hody Jones, yet his reluctance to act against fellow Fish-Men had held him back. In the end, he had contributed nothing. 

Though Jinbei harbored deep disappointment toward Hody Jones, the fact remained that they were born in the same place—Fish-Man Street. 

Watching them meet their end left Jinbei with a heavy heart. 

"Don't worry about it," Ace said, stepping closer and resting a reassuring hand on Jinbei's shoulder. His tone was kind, understanding. 

"Ace-san..." 

Jinbei looked into Ace's eyes and saw only warmth.

"Ace, this is the Target Fruit," Rayleigh said, holding up a Devil Fruit.

Rayleigh had retrieved the Target Fruit from Vander Decken IX using the same methods employed by Kuzan and Issho in similar situations.

"Gion, as captain of the Sixth Division, I'll leave the distribution of Devil Fruits of this level to you," Ace said, handing the fruit to Gion.

The Target Fruit's ability was mediocre at best, suited more for auxiliary roles on the battlefield. 

For Ace, this level of Devil Fruit didn't warrant personal involvement in its allocation. Delegating the task to Gion, commander of the Devil Fruit Corps, was sufficient.

"Understood," Gion replied. Familiar with Ace's approach, she didn't hesitate and secured the Target Fruit for future distribution.

"Target Fruit... That means..." Neptune's eyes glimmered with a mix of realization and excitement.

"Yes," Ace confirmed with a small smile. "Vander Decken is dead, and Shirahoshi can finally live freely."

Hearing this, tears of relief welled up in Shirahoshi's eyes.

With the combined efforts of Rayleigh, Jinbei, and Nami's Observation Haki locking onto the targets, the demise of both Vander Decken and Hody Jones had been inevitable.

"There's also something important I need to report to the king," Jinbei said, stepping forward to explain the situation to Neptune.

"It was Hody Jones who killed Otohime?!" Neptune's face twisted in shock and grief upon hearing Jinbei's account.

"Apprehend those involved! There may still be others hiding within Fish-Man Street!" Neptune ordered with urgency, his voice heavy with sorrow.

The three brothers echoed their father's anguish, their expressions hardened with hatred.

Although Hody Jones and the New Fish-Man Pirates' leaders were dead, remnants of the group still lurked in Fish-Man Street.

"Father, brothers, please don't let hatred consume you," Shirahoshi said, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears. "Mother wouldn't want this."

"Shirahoshi?" Neptune and the three brothers turned to her in surprise.

"Shirahoshi... did you already know that Hody Jones was the one who killed Princess Otohime?" Ace asked gently, observing the young mermaid who, despite her timid nature, harbored remarkable inner strength.

"Yes," Shirahoshi replied softly. "Megalo witnessed it and told me. But Mother always said not to hate the murderer. She believed hatred would only lead to more tragedy. I want to honor her wishes."

Though her voice was quiet and hesitant, it carried a conviction that pierced deeper than the anguished cries of her brothers.

"Shirahoshi..." Neptune's eyes reddened as he gazed at his daughter. In her, he saw the same selfless spirit as her late mother, Otohime.

The three brothers stood frozen, tears streaming silently down their faces.

"Your Majesty," Ace interjected after the family had composed themselves, "there's still one more matter to address."

"The Poneglyph," Robin murmured, her eyes distant yet focused.

Ace turned to Shirahoshi, his tone gentle. "Shirahoshi, do you wish to master your power? Only by doing so can you fulfill your mother's dream of uniting merfolk and fish-men and leading them to the surface."

"I... I want to!" Shirahoshi stammered, her voice trembling.

"Ace-dono!" the three brothers exclaimed, immediately realizing what Ace meant—Shirahoshi's latent ability to summon the mighty Sea Kings as the ancient weapon, Poseidon. They tensed with worry.

"Don't be concerned," Ace reassured them with a confident smile. "I'll ensure everything proceeds smoothly."

With that, Ace raised his right hand, and a mysterious light enveloped Shirahoshi.

"Realm of Comprehension," Ace muttered.

A resonant hum filled the air.

The power of Poseidon, Shirahoshi's dormant ability, began to awaken.