Tiberion, with the enormous Shirahoshi in his hand, walked calmly through the corridors. Despite Shirahoshi's size, Tiberion's muscular body showed no sign of strain. He carried her with a single hand, as if holding a bouquet of flowers.
They passed through a series of hallways until they reached the bridal chamber… or rather, a colossal bedroom adapted for the largest mermaid princess in the seas.
The door opened on its own with a soft creak.
What appeared before their eyes was more of a sanctuary.
A white dome covered the ceiling, and most notably, the bed was another story. Covered in pink cushions and aquatic flower petals, the mattress was so vast that at least ten Shirahoshis could lie there without touching each other.
And yet, only one was there.
Sitting in the center, her long body coiled like a seashell, Shirahoshi was incomparable.
But her face showed concern.
Her flushed cheeks trembled, and her fingers clutched nervously.
"Tiberion-sama…" she spoke shakily in a soft voice, looking at him with large, teary eyes, "We haven't held the wedding ceremony yet…"
And she bit her lip.
"Did I do something wrong?"
Then, the tears began to fall down her cheeks, silently, filled with fear. Fear that she had done something to displease the man she now considered her husband.
These past days, she had read so much… asked so many questions about marriage. The palace maids had explained every detail to her: the dress, the banquet, the vows, and the ceremony.
The ceremony was important!
She understood that clearly. It was the validation of love. The recognition of one's partner.
And yet, he had brought her straight here.
No ceremony. No vows. Just her and him.
And even though she was gentle, even though she loved him, even though she had accepted him with all her heart… it broke something inside her.
Tiberion approached without saying a word.
With his right hand, he gently caressed Shirahoshi's large pink tail, feeling her unusually soft scales under his fingers. There was no disdain or lust in his touch—only calm.
"From now on," he said softly, looking at her intensely, "call me by my name. Or simply, say 'husband.'"
!
Shirahoshi blinked in surprise.
"Yes… okay… husband…"
The blush rose all the way to her ears. She knew that word… that word could only be used if she truly was his wife.
But even so, she couldn't help but ask, though she trembled.
"Then… when will we have the ceremony, husband?"
"..."
Tiberion was silent for a moment.
"Right now."
During the banquet, the ceremony had been ruined. The attacks, the screams, the blood… everything had tainted what was supposed to be the most important day of Shirahoshi's life. That had enraged him. That's why he had taken her like this, without a second thought.
This ceremony would be theirs alone. Not for the world.
Only for her and him.
"Really?" asked Shirahoshi, her eyes glowing.
"Yes," Tiberion nodded without hesitation. "Let's begin. First, we will perform the bows. Then, we'll drink the cross-cupped wine. That way… you'll officially be recognized as my wife, within the Hanma bloodline."
"YES!"
Shirahoshi's heart instantly raced. Her face lit up with a joy so pure that, for a moment, she seemed to shine brighter than the lamps decorating the room.
She gently leapt from the center of the bed, her massive body quickly descending beside Tiberion.
They were about to perform a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony.
And why would a man like Tiberion Hanma—a brutal, arrogant, and savage monster—be doing this kind of ritual?
A bow to heaven and earth? A symbolic cup of love?
Very simple.
Because he felt like it.
And, though he would never admit it out loud, because that gigantic mermaid—who blushed like a little girl every time she looked at him—asked him for it with such sweetness that even his killing instinct seemed to calm down for a few seconds.
He wanted to give her a moment of happiness. Something she would remember for the rest of her life. And for that, he decided to hold this ceremony. In his own way.
Both stood side by side. The size difference was absurd, but that didn't stop them from synchronizing their postures.
First bow: to Heaven and Earth.
A solemn silence filled the room. Shirahoshi, her enormous hands in ceremonial position, lowered her torso. Tiberion, standing beside her with arms crossed, nodded solemnly.
Second bow: to the parents.
Shirahoshi bowed her head with deep respect. Though her mother was gone, her image appeared in her mind. Tiberion, on the other hand, kept his gaze lifted and didn't say a word.
Third bow: between husband and wife.
They looked into each other's eyes.
A simple bow, without words. Just the merging of their auras.
It was official.
Shirahoshi was his.
And he was her husband.
Afterward, Shirahoshi leaned on the bed and, with her large yet delicate arms, rested her cheeks on her hands, watching Tiberion expectantly.
"Husband… I'm too big. Will we be able to do it?"
That simple question held many layers.
It wasn't just about the rite. It was a mix of fear, innocence, and a desire to please him completely.
Tiberion, without losing his composure, smiled arrogantly and raised his hand.
"Don't worry."
He ordered a special wine cup to be brought in. A tall, slender cup.
He guided Shirahoshi on how to hold it gently, then simply touched her wrist, completing the symbol of interlocking. He drank from his cup with his right hand, and she tilted hers awkwardly.
"Hehehe… now I'm officially your wife, husband."
Shirahoshi said happily.
"I'll always obey you… But… will you abandon me someday?"
Her face glowed with joy, but there was a faint shadow of fear in her eyes.
Tiberion, staring at her intently, raised his chin and replied firmly:
"I won't. From now on, you will always be by my side."
"Thank you, husband… You're the best!"
And then, in an even softer voice, her cheeks blazing with a fiery blush, she murmured:
"Then… shall we begin the wedding night?"
"They told me that, on the wedding night, if the woman is lucky… she can obtain the fruit of love. Men like that. I want to have that fruit with you too… because I want you to always be happy."
"..."
Tiberion remained still for a second.
Was this girl… provoking him?
But no. Her face, her eyes, her gestures—everything about her was pure.
She didn't understand the depth of what she was saying. But she said it sincerely. From the very depths of her heart.
And in that moment, he understood that this innocent mermaid, as massive as a Leviathan and as fragile as a flower, was a true treasure. A gift.
A creature that didn't belong to the cruel world he intended to rule.
Suppressing his savage smile, he spoke to her.
"Shirahoshi, you know what to do next… right?"
"Yes… I've been studying these past few days. I listened carefully to all the lessons… I did everything they told me to," she replied, her cheeks flushed, though her voice still carried a noticeable innocence.
"Good." Tiberion nodded with a slight smile. "But first, I need to take care of something."
Outside, through his perception, he could feel a battle taking place. Gion.
'So she dared to rebel…?' he thought, his expression growing cold.
Unacceptable.
If a woman was his, she had to accept him in both body and spirit. Disobedience was not an option. If Gion still didn't understand that, it meant she hadn't been fully shaped yet… unlike Shyarly, who now behaved with the submission and devotion that pleased him.
"Stay here. Be obedient until I return. Don't worry—I won't be long."
Shirahoshi, still a bit shy, nodded. Sitting among the soft cushions of the gigantic bed, she lowered her gaze and murmured:
"Yes… alright, husband. But… please come back soon…"
"I will."
Tiberion caressed her gently. Then, turning on his heels, he walked toward the exit.
Tiberion stepped out with a firm stride, his hands tucked into his pockets.
The pressure in the air shifted the moment he appeared; the Marines, the wounded pirates, even the hidden onlookers… all felt it.
In front of him: a dozen captains and commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates were surrounded by the Marine Headquarters forces. There weren't many left. The rest had been arrested and neutralized by Vice Admirals Momousagi and Chaton.
Both officers looked impeccable. Together, their combined strength was close to that of an admiral, and under normal circumstances, they would have been a nightmare for any pirate crew… but this time, they were fighting enemies who had already been crushed by Tiberion Hanma.
The remaining captains, beaten both morally and physically, watched helplessly as their men fell one after another.
"Hmph… just surrender already," Gion ordered coldly.
Her face was a mask of ice, but her eyes burned with rage.
"The words of that beast, Tiberion Hanma, not even dogs would believe them," she continued. "How can you fall so easily for his deception?"
"Are you or are you not sons of Whitebeard? Where is your pride?"
Each of her sentences was like a dagger aimed at the hearts of the pirates present. She was pushing them, provoking them—not just out of duty, but from an emotional need to attack him.
Vista clenched his teeth, doubts gnawing at him from within.
Had he been a fool to trust the words of a monster?
Was it true that everything had been manipulation from the start?
But then… he remembered the moment. That expression had no falsehood, no mockery.
"No… even if he is our enemy, I believe his promises are as firm as his strength," he said at last, speaking loud enough for all to hear. "They must not be doubted."
His statement rang out with conviction.
And then, as if in response to that faith…
Tiberion appeared.
Standing a few meters from Gion, wearing a wide grin.
"Woman…" he said in a low voice, walking toward Gion, "we meet again."
Without asking for permission, he lifted his hand and raised her chin with his fingers.
And Gion didn't move away. But her gaze was cold. Beneath her smooth white skin, her muscles trembled with fury.
"Remove your filthy hand…" she muttered with venom. "Do you think you can touch me without consequence?"
"Hahahaha!" Tiberion laughed, throwing his head back. "Rebellion has a price, you know that. Ready for another round of training?"
Gion lowered her gaze for a second, trembling with rage.
He was a bastard.
He had only taken her body, and now he truly acted as if he owned her. As if he had the right to decide over her.
"Lord Tiberion…" Tokikake intervened, gritting his teeth. He couldn't stay silent any longer. "I beg you to calm down. Treating Vice Admiral Momousagi this way puts me in a very difficult position…"
That woman was the one he had always longed for. His desire, his secret dream. And now she was being displayed publicly by another man. How could he allow it?
Tiberion's smile vanished, and his eyes narrowed.
He turned his neck slightly, just enough to glance over his shoulder.
"What did you say?" he asked, his voice sharp as a blade.
________
# Encourage yourselves to leave your reviews, for that simple gesture becomes the strength I need to keep writing chapter after chapter #
Time: If you're craving more (and I know you are!), I have just what you need. On my Patreon, you'll find exclusive chapters. Join our community and be the first to discover what happens next!
👉 [patreon.com/Athome790]
Your support fuels me. Thank you for the support! 💖