Your Mother's Empress And My Father Are First Love (2/5)

Finn glanced over the scroll, his lips curling into a sly grin.

Primary Multiplication Technique: A power capable of enlarging any part of the body, up to ten times its original size.

Intermediate Multiplication Technique: The ability to magnify the entire body up to a hundred times its original size. However, agility is compromised.

Advanced Multiplication Technique: The pinnacle of this art, allowing any part of the body, or the entire figure, to expand by up to a thousand times without sacrificing speed or dexterity.

"Deadly... but exciting," Finn murmured.

The advanced technique could turn anyone into a colossus. Shirahoshi, the giantess of the seas, was already nearly twenty to thirty times larger than him. Giants? Over 150 times his size. And demons? A terrifying 700 times. Yet, with this power, Finn could surpass them all. He could become an indomitable force that even demons would be forced to look up to.

His smile grew stranger, more menacing. "Interesting."

Shirahoshi, still weeping nearby, had no idea what Finn was scheming.

"When I meet her again," Finn thought, "the rewards will be unimaginable."

His heart raced at the possibilities. In a world filled with beings of every shape and size, from the small yet fierce Nami to the towering, four-meter Smoothie, Finn's newfound power could match anyone. His eyes shifted toward Shirahoshi, the crybaby mermaid princess.

"Hey, Shirahoshi," Finn called, his voice a low whisper. "I've got a secret for you."

The mermaid princess sniffled, wiping her tears. "W-What is it?" she asked, her innocent gaze landing on him.

Finn's tone became conspiratorial. "Did you know? My father and your mother were... very close."

Shirahoshi's eyes widened in shock. "No way... Father never mentioned that."

"I wouldn't lie to you," Finn said, feigning sincerity. "Before your mother married your father, she and my dad were first loves. A love so strong, they were nearly inseparable."

"But—" Shirahoshi stammered, her lips quivering, "I never heard about that."

Finn leaned in, his voice steady and convincing. "It's true. Their love was forbidden, crossing the boundaries between humans and mermaids. The world wouldn't accept them, so they had to part ways. But if things had been different, we might've been siblings."

His fabricated story flowed like a river, swift and unrelenting. Shirahoshi, innocent and sheltered, didn't know how to react. She was captivated.

"But... why are you telling me this?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Finn smiled softly. "Because I want you to know, I don't have any ill intentions toward you. In fact, my father received a letter from your mother before she passed away. She asked him to fulfill her last wish: to help The Fish-Men Island live under the sun, free from darkness."

Shirahoshi's eyes filled with wonder. "Mother entrusted her wish to your father?"

Finn nodded solemnly. "Yes, she wanted to break the barriers between humans and mermaids, so that no one would ever be separated like they were. Your mother's dying wish was for The Fish-Men Island to live in harmony with humans. That's why I'm here."

The weight of Finn's words sank deep into Shirahoshi's heart. Her mother had devoted her life to bringing The Fish-Men Island into the light, and now, Finn claimed to hold the key to her unfulfilled dream. Could it be true?

Finn could see the doubt fading from Shirahoshi's eyes. She was buying it. He just needed to push a little further.

"Little Shirahoshi," Finn continued, his voice filled with purpose, "your mother dedicated her life to this. My father couldn't complete her wish, but he passed it down to me. I'm here to make sure your mother's dream becomes reality. I will bring The Fish-Men Island to the surface, where mermaids and humans can live together."

Shirahoshi's heart raced. Everything Finn was saying made sense. Her mother's greatest desire had always been to bridge the gap between their worlds, and here was Finn, claiming to carry that very mission.

"Brother Finn," she said quietly, her voice trembling with emotion, "how are you going to bring The Fish-Men Island to the surface?"

Finn smiled, savoring the victory. "First of all, call me Brother Finn. None of that 'big human brother' nonsense."

Shirahoshi's voice softened. "Brother Finn..."

The sound of her calling him that made Finn's heart skip. She was so pure, so trusting. The plan was working.

"Don't worry," he said confidently. "My allies and I have a way. We'll bring the island to the surface and ensure it's safe from all threats."

He turned to the ancient Emperor Ao, the massive creature that resided beneath The Fish-Men Island. "Old Claw," Finn commanded, "take The Fish-Men Island to the Calm Belt. It will be safe there, under the protection of the Sea Kings."

The ancient emperor hesitated but obeyed. "As you wish, Master."

"And Little Eel," Finn added, turning to another of his powerful creatures, "go with him. Together, you'll be unstoppable."

The Deep Sea Electric Eel King nodded in agreement, ready to defend The Fish-Men Island from any threat.

Slowly, the island began to rise, carried by the might of the ancient emperor. Shirahoshi watched in awe as the dark depths of the ocean gave way to light, and the warmth of the sun began to shine through the water.

"Brother Finn," she whispered, her eyes wide with wonder, "you're really going to fulfill my mother's dream."

Finn smirked, gazing up at the shimmering surface above. "Of course. I promised her, didn't I?"

The Fish-Men Island emerged into the light, its people basking in the sun's warmth for the first time in generations. Shirahoshi's heart swelled with joy and gratitude. She had believed every word Finn had said, never once suspecting the truth behind his cunning plan.

"Congratulations," a voice echoed in Finn's mind, a strange system he didn't understand fully yet. "Reward: 100,000 top-level gourmet meals."

Finn grinned. Things were falling into place, just as he had envisioned.