When the sound of the conversation reached the ears of Neptune and Jinbei, it was deafening. Their eyes widened, jaws nearly hitting the ground in shock at what Kairos Flint had just said.
That—That was Whitebeard he was talking to.
One of the Four Emperors of the New World.
The strongest man in the world.
And just like that, Kairos dared to talk back without a hint of concern for the other man's identity.
If Morgans had been there, he would've written a thousand words, added drama, and splashed it across the headlines.
"Gu la la la la!"
"Kairos, kid—you've got guts."
"What a shame. I really admire that."
On the other end of the call, Whitebeard wasn't angry at all. Quite the opposite—he chuckled.
He was, after all, one of the Four Emperors. But that didn't mean he'd never encountered bold, headstrong men before. In fact, the kind of people he admired were often exactly that—unyielding and arrogant. Take Ace, for example.
Ace didn't give a damn about Whitebeard's Four Emperor status either. When Whitebeard once told him he wanted to make him his son, Ace blew up on the spot and started shouting in his face.
Respect?
"I'm here to challenge you. Why should I show you respect?"
Yeah, Whitebeard had seen it all before. Not everyone wanted to be the son of the great Whitebeard.
"I admire you too. How about becoming my son?"
Kairos shot back casually.
Next to him, Jinbei and Neptune were frozen like statues.
Please, stop. Just stop talking...
They were internally screaming. If he kept going, Whitebeard really would get mad. And when the world's strongest man gets mad, very few people can handle it.
For a moment, after Kairos's reply, the other end of the Den Den Mushi went silent.
It was the first time Whitebeard had encountered a kid like this.
Even Ace had been more polite when they first met.
"Kairos, you're a real smooth talker," Whitebeard said. "You've already offended the World Government, and now you want to add me to your enemies list?"
"So what if I do?" Kairos snapped. "You call me a kid, huh? Listen up, old man—if you've got the balls, then wait for me in the New World. I'll bring 800 people and give you the lesson of your life. You like adopting sons so much? Maybe I'll knock some sense into that old head of yours."
Was he afraid?
Not even slightly.
He'd kill them one by one—his path of slaughter would become his path to invincibility.
If Whitebeard was willing to cough up some ability crystals, he wouldn't mind taking them either.
"Old man?"
Whitebeard let out another laugh. "Kid, I'll be waiting for you in the New World. Just don't chicken out when the time comes!"
"Afraid of you?!" Kairos fired back. "You better prepare billions of Berries. When I beat you, I'll let you buy your life back."
"Oh, and one more thing—Fish-Man Island? That's my turf now. Next time you pass through, pay the toll. If not, don't blame me for coming to collect."
Then he hung up.
Just like that.
He couldn't be bothered to argue anymore. Once he reached the New World, he'd pay the Whitebeard Pirates a proper visit—and leave Whitebeard with a few cracked ribs for good measure.
Everyone around him was dumbfounded.
Did he really just declare war on Whitebeard?!
Wasn't this the same Kairos Flint who killed a Celestial Dragon?
Well… in that case, it made a bit more sense. The guy clearly didn't care about anyone's status.
"Why are you all standing there?" Kairos asked, glancing at the stunned Neptune and Jinbei. "Didn't you say you were inviting us to Ryugu Palace as guests?"
"L-Lord Kairos... please, this way."
Neptune had plenty to say—but swallowed it. After all, if Kairos wouldn't show Whitebeard any respect, why would he care what Neptune thought?
Soon, Kairos and his crew boarded the transport arranged by Neptune. They set off toward Ryugu Palace.
The crowd around them gradually dispersed.
But the story of what had happened—and the truth behind Queen Otohime's death—began to spread like wildfire across Fish-Man Island.
One person told two, two told four, four told eight...
In no time at all, most of the island knew.
Ryugu Palace
Only when you saw it in person could you understand its grandeur.
Compared to it, the once-impressive Yufuli Villa looked like a rundown shack. Comparing the two was almost disrespectful.
As Kairos and his companions stepped inside—
"Lord Kairos, please, come this way. We've had chefs working since yesterday to prepare a feast in your honor," Neptune said, leading the way.
It was clear they had gone all out.
Kairos didn't care much for pomp and ceremony, but he appreciated sincerity.
Besides, this was his first visit to Fish-Man Island. The local delicacies were exotic and inviting. Naturally, he didn't hold back—sampling everything they laid out for him.
And to be fair, it was delicious.
"Not bad at all," he said, nodding with satisfaction.
Neptune and his ministers finally relaxed. As long as Kairos was happy, everything else could be dealt with.
Meanwhile — New World
Whitebeard Pirates
"Dad, calm down."
Marco tried to soothe his father.
Even though Whitebeard was good-natured, anyone would be ticked off after being taunted like that. Especially the part where Kairos just hung up on him.
Whitebeard usually ended calls—not the other way around.
"This brat..." he muttered. "Marco, once he enters the New World, keep tabs on him. I want to see if he's brave enough to come to me after running his mouth."
"Got it, Dad."
Marco could only agree—anything else would've been pointless. And honestly? The guy was insane.
Back at Ryugu Palace
Kairos and his group were relaxed, having had their fill of the feast.
Then Neptune cleared his throat.
"Lord Kairos, if I may... I'd like to propose something: a marriage contract between you and my daughter, Shirahoshi."
PFFT!!
Kairos spat out his drink.
"Cough! Cough! What?! Why?!"
He didn't reject it outright—but he had to ask.
"Because of her identity," Neptune replied, carefully.
He didn't elaborate. But Kairos got the message.
Shirahoshi wasn't just a mermaid princess—she was Poseidon, one of the three Ancient Weapons. If that secret ever got out, Fish-Man Island would be swarmed with people looking to exploit her.
And with their current strength?
They couldn't protect her.
Neptune hoped that binding Kairos to Shirahoshi through marriage would offer her protection. Who in their right mind would go after Whitebeard's son-in-law, let alone Kairos's wife?
That would be suicidal.
"I refuse."
Kairos shut it down firmly.
Sure, in Fish-Man Island, marriages at fifteen or sixteen were normal. But to him, she was still a kid.
He had no interest in arranged political marriages. And certainly not with an underage girl.
Neptune was speechless.
"Your Majesty," Minister Zuo whispered, "If Lord Kairos meets Princess Shirahoshi in person, he may change his mind."
It was a whisper—but everyone heard it loud and clear.
"Wow, Lord Kairos, you really are lucky," Nami said with a teasing smirk.
"She's the most beautiful woman in the world. You sure you won't regret this?" Vivi chimed in.
Kairos gave them a deadpan stare.
Neptune nodded. He sent for his sons to bring Shirahoshi out of the Hard-Shell Tower—she no longer needed to hide now that Vander Decken IX was defeated.
A short while later, Shark Star and his brothers arrived with her.
The moment she entered the room, everyone—even Nami and Vivi—were stunned.
Her beauty was otherworldly.
The rumors were true. She was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"Father," Shirahoshi said softly, clearly shy and unaccustomed to the outside world after years of isolation.
"Lord Kairos, this is my daughter, Shirahoshi. What do you think?" Neptune asked proudly.
Kairos looked at her—and yes, he was briefly stunned by her beauty.
But he shook it off.
"Neptune, I already said—I refuse."
Even seeing her in person didn't change his mind. She was 14.
"I understand your concern. But children should be allowed to grow up in peace."
"I'll make you this promise—whether or not her identity is exposed, Shirahoshi will be protected by me, just like Fish-Man Island is."
"Anyone who dares lay a hand on her..."
"Will be hunted down by my crew."
Kairos said it calmly—but with complete conviction.