That's different! You're a king and Rin Pandora is a pirate! Do you want our Shirahoshi to become a widow?" Queen Otohime's voice was full of emotion and concern. She had always thought about the long-term happiness of their daughter, and this time was no different. If Shirahoshi married a pirate, no matter how powerful he was now, what future would await her? Though Rin was undeniably strong, the seas were vast and full of threats—the Admirals, the Yonko each one a towering force capable of shaking the world. If one of them took offense to Rin, eliminating him would be possible, even easy. Would she allow her daughter to risk becoming a widow at the hands of fate?
"But if Rin continues on this path, he will surely surpass even the Admirals and the Yonko one day." King Neptune's tone was heavy with certainty. He had seen Rin's power firsthand how his team of only four had managed to repel three massive Sea Kings from the depths. That kind of power wasn't ordinary. Not to mention, Rin had already been named a Warlord of the Sea (Shichibukai) at such a young age. When Neptune was Rin's age, he was still sheltered inside Ryugu Palace, a pampered prince with no real exposure to the harsh seas. Rin, on the other hand, had walked among giants and survived.
"Think for yourself if Shirahoshi found out you tried to marry her off to Rin without asking her... she'd never forgive you." Otohime's words struck deeply. She had once run away from home to resist her own politically arranged marriage. If Shirahoshi inherited even a fraction of that spirit, she'd rebel just the same.
"Sigh…" King Neptune let out a heavy breath. Everything he did was for the safety of Fish-Man Island. He had hoped Otohime would understand his burden. But clearly, she didn't support this plan. It seemed he would have to find another way to protect his people.
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Meanwhile, far away in the dark, churning waters outside Fish-Man Island, the three heavily-injured Sea Kings that had battled Rin and his team were limping back to their domain. Among them, the Venomous Water Serpent, one of the most dangerous beasts in the deep, was barely keeping pace. This time, he had suffered more than just defeat he had lost his tail, his venomous stinger, and even one of his prized fangs. He couldn't stop thinking about Rin about the calm, terrifying expression on his face. That human wasn't one to cross. Just the memory gave him chills.
Then, suddenly midway through his retreat a figure cloaked in a long black mantle appeared silently in the dark current ahead. Without a word, the figure vanished from sight in a flash of motion.
A split second later, a powerful vacuum slash sliced through the water so fast that the Water Serpent didn't even see it coming. In the next instant, his massive head was severed cleanly from his body.
The cloaked figure landed beside the decapitated head and, without hesitation, ripped out the remaining fang from the serpent's skull with his bare hands. The ease with which he did it spoke volumes this man's strength wasn't just comparable to Rin's, it may very well have exceeded it. While Rin's team had taken time and effort to subdue this beast, the cloaked figure had ended it in a single stroke.
"Rin Pandora... hmph. Interesting."
The cloaked person's voice was strange neither clearly male nor female. Then, from their robe, they pulled out another fang an identical one the same fang that Artoria had extracted during the earlier battle. This cloaked individual must have been watching that fight in secret, and during the clean-up by Ryugu Palace guards, retrieved it without detection.
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Ryugu Palace, Infirmary Room
Inside the quiet medical chamber of the palace, Artoria lay still. She was undergoing detoxification from the venom she had taken during the battle.
After leaving the royal audience chamber, Rin had gone straight to her bedside. He pulled a chair next to the bed and sat silently, watching over her. Her face, even in unconsciousness, was beautiful. Since her wound had closed and her fever dropped, her complexion had returned to its usual calm state. But she still hadn't woken.
"You idiot… why'd you push me out of the way?" Rin murmured, brushing her cheek softly. At that critical moment during the fight, Artoria had thrown herself in front of him, taking the venomous strike meant for him. If she hadn't done that—if she hadn't risked her life he would have died.
He clenched his fist. If Princess Shirahoshi hadn't insisted on sparing the Venomous Water Serpent, Rin might have destroyed the antidote in anger. The thought that he almost cost Artoria her life filled him with guilt.
"I remember the first time I saw you on Arthur Island." Rin smiled faintly. "The moment I pulled the sword from the stone, I was already fascinated. I knew then that you were someone I'd never be able to let go of." He reached down and held her hand tightly.
Originally, he had recruited Artoria for her strength to strengthen his crew. But through countless battles and near-death adventures, their bond had grown deeper than words. They had fallen for each other quietly, without fanfare, as partners who fought side by side.
He remembered the moment during their last battle, when Artoria had used herself as a shield. That image haunted him.
"If you really die because of me, I'll never forgive myself," he whispered. "You're the second woman I've ever loved after Kuina. You're also the first one I've loved since becoming a pirate captain."
All of it their meeting, their travels, their laughter and wounds felt like fate. And in that moment, Rin made a vow.
"I swear—if you wake up from this, I'll marry you and Kuina together. I'll give you both the wedding you deserve."
He meant every word. Kuina had been with him from the beginning, and Artoria had become irreplaceable in his heart. He would not choose between them. They were his strength, his reason to keep pushing forward. And if they would have him, he would give them the life they both deserved.
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