Gyoncorde Plaza
On the wide-open square of Gyoncorde Plaza, the event was about to commence Princess Otohime's public address. She often delivered speeches to the residents of Fish-Man Island, advocating peace and integration with the humans of the surface world. Today was no exception. Otohime, wearing elegant ceremonial makeup, quietly prepared herself backstage for what could become her most important speech yet.
"Princess Otohime, please be extra careful this time." Rin's doppelgänger stood nearby, speaking with sincere concern, watching the Fish-Man guards shuffle nervously. The plaza was packed, and the tension was heavy in the sea currents.
"I will," Otohime replied softly, then glanced at Rin. "What about your crew? I rarely see you alone."
"I dispatched them to patrol the surroundings of Gyoncorde Plaza if anything happens, they'll respond immediately." Rin replied his tone calm and assured, giving Otohime some comfort.
"Otohime-sama, it's time. The crowd's ready," a subordinate informed her respectfully, bowing slightly.
"Alright, I'm coming." Princess Otohime stood up with graceful resolve, her long, flowing gown trailing behind her. Two attendants carefully lifted the hem of the dress to prevent it from dragging as she made her way to the platform.
The entire plaza was crowded beyond capacity. Fish-Men and Merfolk from all over Fish-Man Island whether supportive of coexistence with humans or staunchly opposed had gathered. The air was filled with anticipation, curiosity, and suspicion. Everyone wanted to hear what their beloved princess would say this time.
"There are so many people here, I can't even tell who's who." Casa muttered from the west side of the plaza, scanning the crowd but unable to distinguish friend from foe.
Compared to him, Rin's situation was more manageable. He had already activated his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), covering a portion of the area. While the range wasn't vast, it was more than enough to identify subtle shifts in hostile intent.
Meanwhile, Princess Shirahoshi, having sneaked out of Ryugu Palace, was lumbering through the streets. Her towering body easily took up more than half of the coral-paved path. She nervously glanced around the empty streets, trying to locate the direction of Gyoncorde Plaza. She had intended to ask someone, but almost every citizen had already flocked to the square to watch Otohime speak. Alone, she had to rely on her own sense of direction.
After walking several dozen meters, a sudden chorus of cheers reached her ears. Curious, she followed the noise and sure enough, just ahead was the Gyoncorde Plaza she had been searching for. The dense crowd encircled the square like a living wall of color and movement. Shirahoshi, cautious of being recognized, hid behind one of the nearby buildings. From there, she quietly peeked out, hoping to catch a glimpse of her mother's speech.
"Princess Shirahoshi!" came a voice from behind her.
"Sister Artoria!" Shirahoshi exclaimed, startled at first but quickly smiling. Artoria had spotted the massive form of the princess while patrolling nearby. It was hard not to notice a creature as large as the Sea King's daughter when she wasn't trying to be discreet.
"You little runaway… what are you doing out here?" Artoria asked in disbelief. Shirahoshi was supposed to be safely within the fortified walls of Ryugu Palace at a time like this especially with all the political unrest surrounding Queen Otohime's peace initiative.
"I got so bored inside Ryugu Castle," Shirahoshi confessed shyly. "So I slipped out for a bit. Please don't tell Father and Mother." She knew Artoria would never scold her harshly. Over the past few days, Artoria had often kept her company while Otohime prepared for the speech, telling her stories and treating her kindly.
"You're too bold sometimes," Artoria said, gently scolding but smiling. She couldn't bring herself to drag Shirahoshi back. Since Shirahoshi had never left Ryugu Palace her entire life, perhaps it was okay to let her experience this moment.
"Mm!" Princess Shirahoshi nodded happily, then stood quietly at the side, peeking through the crowd to watch her mother speak with admiration.
"Everyone, the benefits of peaceful coexistence with humanity are clear!" Otohime's voice rang out across the square. "We no longer have to live in fear no more being hunted, no more slavery our future must be one of unity and hope!"
Her words echoed across the square, stirring emotion in many. She spoke passionately, unaware that her daughter was watching her from afar, eyes glistening with pride.
"She's halfway through." Rin stood on the eastern side of the square, observing. He knew from prior intelligence who the assassin was Hody Jones, a radical member of the New Fish-Man Pirates who had been operating underground, planning to eliminate Otohime and shatter any dreams of peace.
Rin's senses flared he scanned the buildings around Gyoncorde Plaza for any signs of an ambush.
"Ting!" A sharp glint caught his eye. On a rooftop not far from him, a reflection from a sniper scope or telescope briefly flashed.
"Hmph, found you." Rin's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a cold smile. He vanished instantly, using the Soru technique from the Navy's Rokushiki martial arts to bolt toward the source with blinding speed.
Inside the upper floor of the building, Hody Jones grinned wickedly, gripping a modified spear-gun. "Once she's dead, I'll get the rest of my payment. Damn humans won't preach here again. I'll be rich…"
"Ahem."
A low cough echoed behind him, jerking Hody out of his wicked fantasy. He turned around in a panic.
"Who are you!?" Hody's face twisted in shock. The man had approached him completely undetected, which should've been impossible yet here he was, face to face.
"You're Hody Jones," Rin stated calmly, stepping forward.
"That's right wait, hold on... you look familiar," Hody squinted, brows furrowing as realization dawned.
"You've seen me before. I'm one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea." Rin didn't hesitate to reveal his identity. His wanted poster and headlines had already reached Fish-Man Island.
"That's right! I remember now! You're that newly appointed Warlord by the World Government leader of the Pandora Pirates Rin Pandora!" Hody's eyes widened in disbelief. He had dismissed Rin as another human sympathizer, but this changed everything.
"Good. Then you'll understand why you won't leave this place alive." Rin stepped forward his aura cold and decisive. Eliminating Hody now would avert a tragedy.
"I don't recall ever offending you!" Hody Jones snarled. "Why do you care what I do to that human-loving princess?"
"It's not about what you did to me it's about who you're trying to kill." Rin's voice was ice. "You endanger innocent people for your agenda. That makes you my problem."
Hody Jones gritted his teeth. He had underestimated the chaos a single man could bring but now he realized he'd made a grave miscalculation.
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