Fishman Island.
From a distance, Mio could see the flag of the Black Crow Pirates planted across the island. The emblem flew proudly in many places, and even some of the residents' houses had the flag displayed on their roofs—planted there on their own initiative.
Over this period, Mio had occasionally received news from Fishman Island. Some pirate crews had harbored special intentions upon arrival, but almost without exception, the moment they made a move, they were discovered by Black Crow members stationed on the island—and swiftly eliminated.
Slave-hunting groups also met the same fate. The moment they acted, they were found and executed.
No one was left alive.
Now, the residents of Fishman Island had grown increasingly fond of the Black Crow Pirates, their respect bordering on reverence. Some had even begun treating the Black Crow flag as a symbol of divine protection, mounting it atop their homes like a guardian deity.
As the Black Glory entered the bubble that shielded the island, it was immediately spotted by many residents. Some hurried to present homemade food and freshly brewed wine, excitedly shouting Mio's name.
"It's Lord Black Crow! Incredible, I actually saw Lord Black Crow—I'm so lucky!"
"Lord Black Crow, would you like a drink? I brewed this myself—it's delicious, all for you!"
"Lord Black Crow!!"
In addition to the enthusiastic citizens, guards from the Ryugu Kingdom arrived quickly, inviting Mio to the Dragon Palace City. A grand banquet had already been prepared the moment word of Black Crow's arrival spread.
"Lord Black Crow, welcome to Fishman Island!" said one of the palace guards respectfully.
In Dragon Palace City, elegant mermaid maids surrounded Mio, pouring him wine and serving him delicacies.
The minister sat across from Mio, speaking with warm enthusiasm.
Now that Fishman Island was under the protection of the Black Crow Pirates, powerful pirate crews were no longer a concern—any threat would be dealt with swiftly by Mio's forces. Slave-hunters and raiders no longer dared to act, and the peace of the people had been restored.
The minister was sincerely grateful.
"All of this food and wine has been carefully prepared for you, Lord Black Crow. I hope it suits your taste."
"Thank you. It looks delicious," Mio replied with a small smile, raising a glass of wine and taking a sip. The moment he set it down, a beautiful mermaid refilled it promptly.
"This time, I'm only passing through Fishman Island. I won't be staying long—just resting for a night before moving on. I originally planned to simply pass by, but I thought I'd check on the island's condition. It seems everything is in good order," Mio said calmly.
"This is all thanks to Lord Wu Liu and the Black Crow Pirates," the minister said quickly.
Most pirates and slave-traders now feared the name of Black Crow. Acting recklessly was no longer an option—they knew death awaited.
The minister's voice carried deep emotion. Fishman Island had never been this peaceful. In the past, some residents didn't even dare to leave for fear of being captured and sold as slaves.
Knowing all this was due to Black Crow's protection, the minister couldn't help but express his gratitude. "If Lord Black Crow ever has use for us here, please let us know. The people of Fishman Island have long wanted to do something for you in return."
"Then send me some wine and desserts every now and then. I find those two things from Fishman Island quite to my liking," Mio replied with a chuckle.
"That's our honor!" the minister nodded eagerly.
"Where is Shirahoshi?" Mio asked next.
"She's resting. Princess Shirahoshi is still very young and sleeps most of the day," the minister replied with a gentle smile. Despite the passing of King Neptune and Queen Otohime, the princess was still here—and thanks to Black Crow's care, peace had returned. For the minister, that alone brought daily joy.
"Take me to see her later. After all, she's my future apprentice," Mio said softly.
"Of course," the minister said quickly. "I believe Princess Shirahoshi must miss you too."
As they chatted over food and drink, time passed slowly.
When the banquet began winding down, Mio rose from his seat and nodded to the minister, indicating his readiness to meet Shirahoshi. But before he left, he gestured toward Lilith.
Lilith promptly approached, attentive.
"Lilith, try to find the Sea Kings near Fishman Island and have a word with them," Mio said in a calm, steady tone. "There's no imminent threat around here, but see if they're willing to keep watch—especially over Princess Shirahoshi. We can't always be here to monitor the situation."
"Yes," Lilith nodded, understanding what Mio meant right away.
The main objective was the safety of Shirahoshi.
As Mio had said, they couldn't always monitor Fishman Island, and Shirahoshi's identity and ability were too important. Her existence alone stirred many conspiracies, especially diverging from the original path of history.
The Sea Kings were a powerful layer of protection.
Even against top-tier combatants, while the Sea Kings might not prevail, they were in their element—the deep sea. Their numbers could overwhelm nearly anyone. In their territory, no sane pirate would dare challenge a group of enraged Sea Kings.
And Shirahoshi, after all, was their king.
Mio believed that if Lilith asked, they wouldn't refuse. A conversation would be enough.
"I'll take care of it, sir. You can leave it to me," Lilith said with sparkling confidence. It wasn't a difficult task. Using Shirahoshi's identity as the reason, the Sea Kings would not resist such a request.
As for whether she could understand the Sea Kings?
It didn't matter.
As long as they could understand her.
In the next moment, Lilith's figure vanished from the palace.
Mio continued walking with the minister toward Shirahoshi's quarters. Unlike in the original timeline, where she lived in the hard shell tower, she now stayed in a beautiful pink room inside the Dragon Palace itself. Each day, a group of maids was assigned to care for her.
As they entered, the air was filled with a sweet, girlish aroma.
On a soft shell bed in the center, a tiny baby lay sleeping peacefully. Her little hands twitched from time to time, her features soft and cherubic.
Shirahoshi's skin was a pale white, and although still just a baby, her face already bore the signs of gentle beauty. She snored lightly as she dreamed.
Mio couldn't resist reaching out to gently pinch her chubby cheek, smiling warmly. "So cute. Be sure to take good care of little Shirahoshi."
"Haha, yes indeed. Princess Shirahoshi is getting more adorable by the day," the minister replied, beaming.