Chapter 195: Otohime's Wake-Up Call in Sabaody
Ross chuckled, glancing at Queen Otohime as their ship neared the bubbling coast of Sabaody Archipelago. "We're here. You stay on board if you want—I'll head out with her."
His words were just a gentle nudge, a reminder for her to brace herself. Otohime's ability to sense emotions was powerful, but up close to him, Ross's Conqueror's Haki muffled it like a fog, leaving her blind to the world's undercurrents. He'd even gotten her blessing for it beforehand.
To truly know her own heart, he'd explained, she needed to silence those gifts and live by raw instinct. No crutches, no second-guessing—just feel and act. She'd nodded, trusting him completely.
"Let's go," Otohime said finally, her voice steadying as she eyed the sprawling mangroves ahead. Unease twisted in her gut, but Ross's presence smoothed it away like a calm sea after a storm.
She knew his "lessons" wouldn't be easy. This was her chance to confront her ideals head-on, to bridge the gap between merfolk and humans. And with him by her side? Fear felt distant, replaced by a quiet resolve. Ross made the impossible seem routine—no debates, no what-ifs. Just charge ahead, and he'd have her back. It was a security she'd never known, one that let her breathe easy for the first time.
Ross stood, offering his hand with a warm smile. He'd ditched his usual World Government garb for plain clothes and a simple mask, blending into the crowd like any other traveler.
Otohime hesitated, glancing at his palm. "...Do we really have to?"
Earlier, when they'd boarded, he'd carried her aboard, and she'd squirmed the whole way, cheeks burning. Ross had been the picture of restraint, nothing more.
"It's the Devil Fruit or nothing," he said with a shrug, his tone matter-of-fact. "Wrapping you in my power's like a full-body hug—more efficient that way."
She flushed deeper, understanding all too well. The fruit's grip was intimate, no denying it. But she'd agreed to this, so after a beat, she slipped her hand into his.
In one smooth motion, Ross pulled her close. She yelped as he rocketed skyward, soaring toward the archipelago's chaotic shores.
Back on deck, Moira couldn't hold her tongue. "That queen's got rocks for brains! Why not wait for the ship to dock and walk off like a normal person?"
Stella shot her a sly look. "Ever think this is her first time on a surface ship? She probably doesn't even know docking's an option."
"Huh?" Moira blinked. "How'd she make it to Mary Geoise for the Levely without that basics?"
"Fish-Man Island's right by the bubble elevators," Stella explained with a grin. "They float up and hop right in—no boats needed."
Moira sighed, slumping against the rail. "Figures. I'm still green as seaweed sometimes."
Stella chuckled. You and me both, kid. She'd overheard Moira's not-so-subtle Den Den Mushi chats with the Revolutionary Army more than once—the whole crew had. Even Otohime had picked up on the undercover vibes and nearly talked her into defecting. If Stella hadn't intervened...
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Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 1.
Ross touched down in a shadowed alley, Otohime still tucked against him. A quick disguise later, they stepped out looking worlds apart from royalty.
Her golden hair flowed like sunlight on water, but she'd traded her regal attire for drab robes that shrouded her from head to fin. Only a glimpse of her goldfish tail peeked out, swaying on a thin film of seawater Ross conjured to keep her mobile. She looked like any other mermaid drifter—no one would peg her as queen.
Ross matched her vibe: simple shirt, pants, mask. To passersby, they were just another mixed couple navigating the groves.
Otohime edged closer under the leering stares, clutching his arm for dear life. "This feels... off."
It wasn't her first time clinging to him on the ship, so the contact felt natural now, almost comforting. Merfolk bonds were more about trust than touch—especially with Neptune, whose massive frame made intimacy a joke. Up close, she couldn't even make out his face without craning her neck.
With Ross, though? Height matched, and she'd leaned on him from the start. No awkward gaps.
Her tail glided effortlessly on the water trail he maintained, keeping pace without strain.
"You wanted mermaids and fish-men walking free on land," Ross murmured. "This is what that looks like up close."
A 70-million-Berry beauty drawing eyes like chum in shark-infested waters? Malice hung thick in the air, even without her powers to confirm it.
"It's like they want to devour me," she whispered, lip caught between her teeth. This was her first real taste of human turf outside the Holy Land—raw, unchecked greed staring her down.
Ross smirked. "A mermaid like you? Who wouldn't? But keep your eyes on the prize. You wanted this test, right?"
She nodded firmly, reciting their deal like a mantra: "One billion Berries to buy freedom for at least a hundred mermaid and fish-man slaves here. Plus, you handle any threats I spot—no limits."
It was her growth on the line, her wager with him. She'd memorized every word. And honestly? It sounded straightforward. Cash or muscle—either way, success was guaranteed.
"Right. No hand-holding beyond that," Ross said, stepping back to let her lead. "Your move."
He watched her steel herself, the lesson unfolding just as planned. Kindness wasn't free in this world—not even close. But for her? He'd make sure it didn't break her.
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