Chapter 186: The Queen's Hidden Despair
"Watch yourself around them," Moria muttered with a snort, shooting Otohime a warning glance. "Or you might end up dead before you even realize it."
Moments earlier, she'd been preaching about doing good deeds, which had grated on his nerves. But now, with Princess Otohime's "gift" reported straight to the top brass, offending Ross was out of the question. This was Ross—the man who'd cut down the Redfield, a monster far beyond even Kaido's league. Forget Ross's own power; any Admiral could squash Moria like a bug.
Otohime pressed her lips together, still reeling from the shock. She'd spent her life on Fish-Man Island, rarely witnessing true power in action. But Zephyr's feat alone had left her speechless: hoisting a hundred-meter ship from impossible heights and setting it down without a hitch. Even in the ocean, few fish-men could pull that off—let alone in the sky. The sight hit her like a tidal wave.
No one on Fish-Man Island matched that level of strength. And when she'd scanned the group with her Observation Haki, a sharp sting had pierced her senses. She'd felt it only once before, during Whitebeard's visit to the island. The implication was clear.
Still, Otohime reined in her awe quickly. Strength was just strength—it said nothing about character or intentions. From what she could sense, Ross carried no malice. He outshone most Celestial Dragons by a mile. Hell, plenty of fish-men harbored darker hearts than his.
"Heh, Saint Ross! Your reputation precedes you," Moria said, giving a slight nod after sizing him up. Even as a pirate, Moria knew when to bend the knee.
Ross returned the nod curtly, ushering Reiju and Sora back onto their ship before stepping aboard Moria's vessel.
Moonlight Moria
Overall Rating: A
This was peak Moria, before Kaido's crew wiped out his own. Surviving that slaughter marked him as no ordinary fool. Sure, Kaido had snapped his spine afterward, sidelining him for over two decades. With the right guidance, though, he could claw his way to S-rank—maybe not monster level, but close enough.
Of course, that hinged on Moria's loyalty. If not, Ross wouldn't hesitate to end him.
"Your ship's a floating eyesore," Ross said flatly. "Grab something smaller and tail us."
Moria's loyalty stemmed from one thing: vengeance for his lost crew. Kaido was a roadblock to that, and to Ross's plans for Wano. On that, they aligned perfectly. What came after Kaido's head rolled? That remained to be seen.
"Got it, Your Highness. But do I have to ditch this beauty?" Nostalgia flickered in Moria's eyes. The ship was one of his last ties to the past.
Ross shot him an odd look and shook his head. "We'll stash it in Mary Geoise on the way to the Holy Land. Then it's off to the New World—no need to paint a target on our backs."
"Stash it at Marineford...?" Moria's eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and thrill surging through him.
A infamous pirate like him, now folded into the World Government as Cipher Pol muscle? That was wild enough. But docking his ship at Marineford? It felt like a bandit tying his warhorse in a warlord's garage. Back in the day, Marines had hounded him relentlessly. Things only eased up once he hit the New World.
"Anything else?" Ross prompted, cutting the chatter short. He wasn't one for empty words. If Moria was serious, he'd prove it in deeds. Besides, Spandam had likely covered the formalities already.
"Your Highness, this is a little something from Spandam—I'm just the messenger." Moria chuckled, gesturing to the wooden crate nearby before stepping back.
Spandam had prepped it as a bribe for Moria, but seeing Ross changed everything. No point currying favor with Conqueror's Haki like that; better to play it straight.
"A mermaid... and she rings a bell," Ross murmured, eyeing the crate. No powers needed—he could sense the seawater sloshing inside. Plus, back in the air, he'd felt eyes on him. The source? This box.
A mermaid with Observation Haki. Rare even for Fish-Man Island.
Snap!
Ross flicked his fingers, and the lid flipped open, exposing the occupant.
"Your Highness, she's got a few tricks up her sleeve. Worth a look," Moria added with a grin, then wisely melted into the background. What Ross did next wasn't his affair. No sense poking the bear over a fish-girl.
"Understood. Have the ship join the fleet and move out," Ross ordered, waving dismissively. His attention locked on the mermaid.
Her light golden hair hung in tangled waves, framing a face that radiated quiet nobility despite the grime. A elegant dress clung to her form, and her orange-red goldfish tail coiled tightly beneath her—a portrait of fragile grace.
"Won't you introduce yourself?" Ross asked, impressed by Spandam's nerve. Kidnapping royalty? Bolder than some Celestial Dragons.
Such audacity was a double-edged blade, but useful. And it came with perks—like this surprise.
He'd accept the gift.
"Mr. Ross," she began, rising from the water with poised dignity and offering a graceful bow. "I am Otohime, Queen of Fish-Man Island. Thank you for my rescue. Please, return me home—Fish-Man Island would be forever in your debt."
In her mind, this was straightforward. She was no criminal, just a queen caught in misfortune. Ross, of all people, would see the honor in releasing her.
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