Hera shook her head, her gentle smile appearing no less than a devil's grin in Vander Decken IX's eyes. "Do you think I'd believe you? Go to hell."
Having lost her patience, Hera didn't want to tangle with him any further, especially with an enemy who possessed a Devil Fruit. Her collector's itch began to flare up again; saikū sensed its master's intent, and its white light pulsed restlessly.
Before doing so, however, Hera turned to look at King Neptune. This was his territory, after all, and since her grandfather Garp was on good terms with Neptune, she had to show some respect.
If King Neptune still felt somewhat conflicted about Hody Jones, he felt nothing but pure hatred for Vander Decken IX. Seeing the questioning look in Hera's eyes, he spoke decisively, "Kill him."
Hera nodded. With a swift stroke of her blade, Vander Decken IX's head fell to the ground.
The City of Devouring Time consumed everything he had. The Paramecia Mark-Mark Fruit automatically manifested in Hera's fruit storehouse, and the transformed fruit was placed into the Devil Fruit collection room.
King Neptune bowed to Hera. "You stopped Hody Jones's conspiracy, saved my wife, and helped my daughter Shirahoshi step out from the shadows. You are truly a benefactor of Ryugu. If there is anything you need, just say the word."
Hera waved it off. "It's no problem. My grandfather Garp is an old friend of yours; this is what I should do."
King Neptune paused for a moment before inviting Hera and her group to Ryugu Palace as guests. Hera was quite curious about Shirahoshi and Ryugu Palace, so she accepted Neptune's invitation.
Upon entering the palace, Neptune introduced his three sons, but Hera's group had no interest in the three fishmen. Noticing this, Neptune dismissed his children.
Soon, the group arrived at the Hard-Shell Tower where Princess Shirahoshi lived. Neptune knocked on the door, and the massive Princess Shirahoshi emerged.
Shirahoshi was a Giant Smelt-wrasse mermaid. She was the largest of all merfolk, with flowing pink wavy hair and a Taiyaki-shaped hair ornament on her head.
She wore a pair of shell-shaped earrings and had bright, watery blue eyes, beautiful features, a full bust, and a pink fish tail with alternating shades.
Hera and her group stared with wide mouths at Princess Shirahoshi. It was hard to imagine how Queen Otohime, who was about the size of a normal person, could give birth to such a large child.
Princess Shirahoshi looked shyly at Hera and the others, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Neptune looked pityingly at Princess Shirahoshi, who kept glancing toward the sky, and patted her protruding head. "Don't worry, my child. That pirate who was constantly harassing you has been driven away by Hera."
Princess Shirahoshi's eyes lit up instantly. "Really, Father? I don't have to hide inside this iron shell anymore?"
Neptune nodded. "You've truly suffered these past years. Now, you can play to your heart's content."
Princess Shirahoshi's joy even affected the Sea Kings outside. One after another, the Sea Kings received her emotions and began to gather.
King Neptune's expression changed instantly, and he looked toward Hera and the others.
Hera knew this was Shirahoshi's ability as Neptune. Beside her, Kuina and the others were startled by the approaching Sea Kings and prepared for combat.
Princess Shirahoshi quickly reined in her emotions. The Sea Kings, losing their target, also dispersed.
Hera patted Princess Shirahoshi's tail. Sensing Hera's kindness, Shirahoshi rubbed her tail against her and looked curiously at the tiny person who had saved her.
Then, she opened her hand toward Hera. After Hera stepped onto it, Shirahoshi lifted her hand to her face and gazed at her curiously.
Hera looked up at Shirahoshi. Although Shirahoshi was over ten meters tall, her exquisite face seemed poreless. Her smooth cheeks complemented her watery blue eyes, and her slightly downturned brows made her look even cuter.
Neptune quickly added, "My daughter was targeted by that shameless pirate when she was very young. She has spent all these years in this small room, and she is very curious about the outside world."
Hera met Shirahoshi's gaze and gave a warm smile. "Don't worry, I like Shirahoshi very much too." After saying that, she reached out and rubbed Shirahoshi's cheek, feeling her smooth skin.
Shirahoshi asked happily, "Can you be my friend? Did you come from the surface? How is adventuring on the sea? Do you have any unique experiences?"
Shirahoshi was extremely curious about things on the surface. Sitting on Shirahoshi's hand, Hera answered her questions one by one, telling stories of her journey.
Shirahoshi would ask a question every now and then, even letting out a surprised cry when she heard about their experiences crossing Reverse Mountain and flying to Sky Island. Along the way, the relationship between Shirahoshi and Hera's group gradually grew closer.
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