118 The King's Surprise #118

As Shirahoshi and I were engrossed in our conversation about the world and its potential wonders and dangers, a hushed silence fell over the banquet hall. All eyes turned towards the entrance, where King Neptune had appeared, accompanied by four royal guards. They carried a massive container between them, its golden surface glimmering in the soft light of the hall.

Shirahoshi's expression brightened as she saw her father enter. "F-father!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I thought you'd be busy... what brings you here?"

King Neptune approached us, his regal presence commanding the attention of everyone present. He wore a proud smile on his face as he spoke. "My dear Shirahoshi, Cedric, I hope I'm not interrupting anything important-jamon."

I quickly shook my head. "Not at all. We were just talking about the surface world..."

The king's eyes sparkled with interest. "Ah, a fascinating topic, especially for someone such as my little girl. But I have something important to share with both of you-jamon." He gestured towards the container carried by the guards. "Behold, the replacement for your spear, Cedric."

I raised an eyebrow as the guards carefully opened the container, revealing a magnificent golden trident. It towered over me, gleaming with intricate designs and a powerful aura.

Still, I couldn't help but shoot King Neptune a weird look as I took in the size of the trident. It was undoubtedly impressive but also seemed unwieldy for someone of my stature. I turned to the king, a puzzled expression on my face.

"Your Majesty, this trident is... quite large, oversized for me even..." I remarked, trying to be diplomatic. "While I appreciate the gesture, I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle it effectively."

King Neptune chuckled heartily, his laughter echoing through the banquet hall. "Cedric, my friend, you state the obvious!" he exclaimed, amusement in his voice. "But fear not. There's more to this trident than meets the eye."

I tilted my head, curiosity getting the better of me. "More? What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

The king's smile widened as he began to explain. "This trident is special, Cedric. Our royal smith, a man with a peculiar Devil Fruit power, crafted the weapon. You see, this trident has the ability to adapt to its wielder's size."

I blinked in surprise, the gears turning in my mind. "Adapt to its wielder's size? You mean, it will shrink or grow to fit me?"

King Neptune nodded, his expression full of pride. "Exactly! With your devil fruit power, this trident will adjust itself accordingly. It will be the perfect weapon for someone like you, young man."

I nodded, impressed as I realized the true significance of the trident. It was a formidable weapon and a tool that would enhance my combat capabilities, adapting to my shifting sizes. I couldn't help but feel grateful for the thoughtfulness and ingenuity that went into its creation.

"I must admit, Your Majesty, I'm impressed," I said, a genuine smile splitting my face. "This trident is not only beautiful but also practical. I can't thank you enough."

King Neptune beamed with satisfaction, his eyes filled with paternal pride. "You're most welcome, young man. I'm glad you appreciate the craftsmanship and purpose behind this weapon. May it serve you well in your endeavors..."

Nodding in gratitude, I reached out to grasp the trident's handle. As my hand made contact, a faint shimmer rippled through the weapon, and to my astonishment, it began to change. The once towering trident shrank in size, adjusting itself to fit my grip perfectly. The intricate designs and golden sheen remained, but now it was a weapon tailored specifically to me.

Gasps and whispers filled the banquet hall as guests and onlookers watched the trident adapt to my size. Kieran, Duval, Baby 5, and even the flying fish riders curiously observing from a distance couldn't help but be drawn to the scene.

Kieran stepped forward, his dead eyes fixed on the transforming trident. "That's quite the weapon you've got there..." he said, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his tone.

As the attention shifted towards the trident and me, King Neptune raised his hand, urging everyone to return to their festivities. "Let us continue with the banquet! We've only repaid a fraction of our guests' efforts, and we have much to celebrate still!"

The grand banquet continued without further incident, filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses, as we celebrated our first success as a pirate crew alongside the fishmen.

...

Cedric ventured into the depths of the Sea Forest, the enchanting and vibrant underwater realm of Fishman Island. The Sea Forest was a remarkable place, teeming with abundant coral growth illuminated by the ethereal light emitted by the Sunlight Tree Eve.

The waters around its bubble were a sanctuary for diverse sea fauna, from schools of fish to pods of whales, creating a harmonious and captivating ecosystem.

Cedric gazed around in awe at the breathtaking beauty of the Sea Forest. The vibrant coral reefs, the schools of colorful fish, and the serene atmosphere created a truly enchanting scene. He couldn't help but comment, "The scenery here sure is something else... it's like a different world."

Shirahoshi's eyes shimmered with wonder as she took in the scenery. "I can't believe I'm actually here," she whispered, her voice filled with excitement and disbelief. "For so long, I yearned to visit the Ship Graveyard, but I couldn't leave Ryugu Palace because of Decken's cur-- devil fruit power."

Cedric's smiled as he listened to her words. He knew all too well the weight of her confinement, the longing to explore beyond the palace walls. "I can only imagine how much this means to you, princess. But we're here now, so you better believe it."

Shirahoshi nodded, a gentle smile playing on her lips. The royal guards, standing by respectfully, exchanged knowing glances, aware of the importance of this pilgrimage for their princess. They were ready to support her every step of the way, providing protection.

As Cedric and Shirahoshi continued their journey through the Sea Forest, the mesmerizing beauty of the underwater landscape captured their attention at every turn. The vibrant colors of the coral reefs and the movements of the marine life filled the surroundings with a sense of tranquility.

Amidst the enchanting scenery, Cedric's sharp eyes caught sight of a distinctive figure studying the sea forest. He frowned, finding the figure familiar. "Oi, Do you know that guy...?" he said, turning to one of the royal guards. "He looks familiar...?"

The guard followed Cedric's gaze and squinted in concentration. "Ah, that's Den," he replied, his voice filled with respect. "He's a renowned sea forest researcher known for his extensive knowledge of this underwater realm."

Cedric's eyes widened in realization, speacking out his toughts in his exitment at the sudden windfall. "Den! Of course! He's Tom's little brother, the shipwright who built the Oro Jackson!"

Shirahoshi, intrigued by Cedric's reaction, leaned closer. "Did you recognize him, Cedric? Is he someone important?"

Cedric nodded eagerly, still caught up in his exitment. "Absolutely! Den is not only a sea forest researcher but also a shipwright. What's more, his brother built the pirate king's ship!"

Cedric's mind raced with the possibilities. If he could persuade Den to build him a ship, it would never get wrecked as quickly as the one he stole from Sabaody, allowing him to explore the vast oceans and pursue without worry.

He turned to Shirahoshi, his voice brimming with excitement. "I need to talk to this man. Why don't you go ahead of me and visit your mother's grave, princess? I know you've been waiting for this moment for long..."

Shirahoshi nodded, understanding Cedric's eagerness to meet Den and not wanting to hold him back. "Thank you, Cedric. I'll make my way to my mother's grave. Take your time and join me when you're ready."

With a warm smile, Cedric watched as Shirahoshi swam gracefully towards the direction of Queen Otohime's grave. He turned his attention back to Den, who was still engrossed in the sea forest's study.

Taking a deep breath to steady his excitement, Cedric approached Den cautiously. As he got closer, he noticed the tattoos resembling four-leafed clovers on each of his arms's arms, the same one on his shirt.

"Excuse me," Cedric called politely, catching Den's attention. "Are you Den, the sea forest researcher?"

Den turned towards Cedric, his eyes widening in surprise. "Ah, I see you recognize me. Yes, I am Den," he replied with a nod. "And who might you be?"