The strange resonance that had just echoed through Ryuunosuke's body was unmistakable—it was coming from Shirahoshi.
He could feel it clearly.
The transformation was nearly complete.
"Captain, do you want to come in?" Kun's deep, resonant voice rang out the moment Ryuunosuke appeared before him.
In the past, such communication would've required Ryuunosuke to invoke the Voice of All Things.
But now, as a wielder of Poseidon's power, he no longer needed it to speak with the sea kings directly.
"Yeah," Ryuunosuke nodded, his tone composed.
Understanding the silent command, Kun opened his massive jaws. A thin, transparent film instantly spread across the entrance of his mouth—a unique ability of sea kings that acted like a deep-sea coating, preventing seawater from rushing in at crushing depths.
Ryuunosuke stepped inside without hesitation.
Inside, the glowing cocoon of light still hovered quietly, but fine cracks had begun to spiderweb across its surface.
It wouldn't be long now.
A few soft snapping sounds echoed as the shell fragments of the light cocoon began to fall away.
A pair of long, slender legs slowly emerged from within, followed by a familiar silhouette wrapped in cascading pink hair. Shirahoshi had curled up like a newborn, her breathing light and unsteady—but alive.
"…So she really did grow legs," Ryuunosuke muttered.
But there was something else.
Shirahoshi wasn't just transformed—she was smaller. Significantly so.
She was no longer a towering giant, but closer to the height of a normal human woman. Still tall by comparison, but not the overwhelming mermaid princess she once was.
This unexpected change left Ryuunosuke briefly stunned.
He had assumed that even if Shirahoshi gained legs, her sheer scale would remain intact.
But apparently… not everything followed common logic.
"Lord Ryuunosuke… I have legs now!" Shirahoshi's eyes fluttered open as she spotted him. Her expression lit up as she instinctively leapt into his arms, two soft mounds pressing into him with no hesitation.
Ryuunosuke's face twitched.
Her innocence was… dangerous.
Any normal man would've lost their composure instantly. And Shirahoshi, with her stunning figure and naïve nature, was an absolute menace.
"Put on some clothes first," Ryuunosuke said, keeping his voice firm but gentle. He reached into his inventory and pulled out a spare outfit.
Because of her sudden size change, her old clothes—well, didn't exist anymore. And nudity was not an option with people like Sanji lurking outside.
"Eh? Ah! AH!" Shirahoshi finally realized her condition and squealed, turning beet red. She hurriedly slipped into the clothes Ryuunosuke provided.
The outfit, however, belonged to either Kuina or Akame—both smaller than Shirahoshi, even now.
The fabric clung tightly to her curves, accentuating every inch of her figure with an unintentional sensuality that made Ryuunosuke look away for a moment.
"Feeling alright?" he asked once she was decent.
"I think so…" Shirahoshi replied, then hesitated. "But now that I have legs… have I lost my ability as Poseidon? Can I still swim in the ocean?"
Her tone carried a genuine worry, like a child unsure of her new place in the world.
Ryuunosuke furrowed his brow. That… was a good question.
Without waiting, he ordered Kun to open his mouth again. Then, holding Shirahoshi's hand, he swam out into the open ocean.
What greeted them was astonishing.
Massive shapes loomed in the shadows.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of sea kings had gathered, their ancient eyes watching silently.
"…That's a lot of sea kings," Ryuunosuke muttered under his breath. "Even I'm a little unsettled."
They were ten thousand meters below the surface. At this depth, surrounded by beings this powerful, even he had to tread carefully.
Suddenly, the sea kings shifted. Their enormous bodies moved aside, forming a path.
"They say they want to return to Eve's base," Shirahoshi said softly, blinking. "Should we follow them?"
Her voice was hesitant. She had just awakened into a new form and was still overwhelmed.
"…Yeah," Ryuunosuke replied. "Let's go. Maybe I'll learn something."
With the sea kings leading the way, the two descended toward the foot of the Eve Tree once more.
The air—no, the water—grew heavy. Familiar.
Joey Boy, are you here again?
A voice echoed directly into Ryuunosuke's mind the moment his feet touched the ground.
"So it was you last time," he said, staring into the abyss. "You're the one who called us here, aren't you?"
Correct. I am the first Joy Boy. You may call me… Joy.
The voice was ancient yet warm, like a fire that refused to go out despite the winds of time.
I've held onto this consciousness for centuries… If you hadn't come, I doubt I'd last another two years.
As the voice spoke, Shirahoshi suddenly swayed.
"Lord Ryuunosuke… I feel… drowsy…"
She didn't even wait for his reply—just lay down on the sea floor and closed her eyes, fast asleep. For more chapters visit nοvelfire.net
"…What?" Ryuunosuke frowned.
Something didn't feel right.
Even if Shirahoshi had been weakened by her transformation, she should have recovered by now. Why did she fall asleep the moment they arrived?
Then came the voice again.
Ryuunosuke… what a strange name.
Listen closely. What I'm about to say is your responsibility… as Joy Boy.
Shirahoshi's body abruptly rose from the ground.
But the voice that came from her lips was not her own.
"Hey…" Ryuunosuke narrowed his eyes, a dangerous gleam forming. "You possessed her?"
He clenched his fists slowly.
Let me explain. Nine hundred years ago—
Before Jor could finish, Ryuunosuke's Conqueror's Haki burst outward in a shockwave, crashing against Shirahoshi's body like a thunderclap.
A spiritual force surged from him—targeted, controlled, and merciless.
A translucent figure was violently expelled from Shirahoshi's body and flung backward into the abyss.
Ryuunosuke rushed forward and caught Shirahoshi in his arms.
She was unconscious, breathing weakly—but otherwise unharmed.
He glared at the fading ghostly form in front of him.
"I knew something was off the moment we got here," Ryuunosuke said coldly. "I can hear all things. If you wanted to talk, you could've done it without trying to invade her."
Joey Boy… we're both human. Why stop me?
Joy's voice remained calm—almost regretful.
Ryuunosuke raised an eyebrow.
"If I hadn't stopped you… would you have still been my ally?" he asked mockingly.
He didn't wait for an answer.
The waves of Haki surged again, wrapping around his fists.
If this "first Joy Boy" wanted a fight… then he'd give him one.
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