I Choose In The One Piece Class, Do I Have A Choice?

Finn's task was simple: calm little Shirahoshi and stop her tears. But how do you console a mermaid princess who could easily crush you with a mere sneeze?

Standing beside the massive, teary-eyed Shirahoshi, Finn felt a mix of helplessness and resolve. Despite her size, Shirahoshi was still just a child, crying uncontrollably. Finn, wanting nothing more than to savor the delicacies of her world, sighed, swam over to her enormous cheek, and gently patted it.

"Shirahoshi, don't cry. Everything will be fine," he said softly.

Her response was immediate, and not the one Finn hoped for. The gentle touch from this tiny human seemed to remind her of something terrifying. Her sobs exploded into full-blown wails, reverberating through the ocean around them.

"Wow—!" Finn muttered, caught off guard by the volume.

Before he could react, a sudden whoosh sounded behind him. Instinctively, Finn whirled around, spotting a spinning ax cutting through the water, aimed directly at Shirahoshi like a deadly demon. It kicked up a trail of bubbles, tearing through the sea with terrifying speed. Without hesitation, Finn kicked the ax away, deflecting it just in time.

But it was too late for Shirahoshi. The sight of the weapon hurtling toward her triggered a flood of dark memories. She had endured years of harassment, weapons flying at her in her own home, guarded by men who had given their lives to protect her. Those tragic memories came rushing back.

The shell tower, where she had hidden herself for so long, no longer felt safe.

Trembling, she stared at the place where the ax had been. The color drained from her face as the nightmarish fear she'd tried to forget resurfaced. The once-gentle waves around her trembled with her.

Tears cascaded down her face like a waterfall, shaking her massive frame as her cries echoed through the ocean once again.

Finn clenched his fists. "Damn it! Who the hell threw that?"

With fury boiling inside him, Finn activated his Observation Haki, his awareness stretching through the ocean depths in search of the culprit. It didn't take long before a sneer curled his lips.

"Van der Daken," he muttered, sensing the familiar presence hiding deep in the ocean.

His ancient ally, the massive sea creature Emperor Ao, stirred. "Master, what are you searching for?" Ao's voice rumbled through Finn's mind.

"That coward Van der Daken is lurking somewhere, but I can't pinpoint him," Finn said, frustrated.

"Let me assist you, master," Emperor Ao offered. "We can trace the movement of the ocean current caused by the ax. It will lead us right to him, as long as he hasn't moved."

Finn smirked, feeling a surge of excitement. "Do it, old friend. Let's go get him!"

As Emperor Ao used his power to track the source, Finn relaxed, letting the current carry him. Shirahoshi remained in his arms, still sobbing softly, but Finn knew it would all be over soon. Van der Daken was near, and this time, there would be no escape.

Moments later, a pirate ship emerged from the dark depths. The Flying Pirates, Van der Daken's notorious crew, floated eerily in the water.

"Master, do you wish to destroy them?" Ao asked, his deep voice tinged with menace.

"No need," Finn replied. "Stay here and handle any who try to escape. I'll take care of this."

He swam swiftly toward the ship. As soon as his feet hit the deck, the pirates, who had been gambling without a care, jumped to their feet, startled by the sudden intrusion.

"Who are you?" one snarled.

With a smirk, Finn raised his hand. "Your worst nightmare."

He unleashed a barrage of Finger Pistols, thin, lethal waves of energy firing from his fingers like bullets. Within moments, the pirates collapsed, lifeless. Only one figure remained standing, frozen with fear—Van der Daken, the man who had terrorized Shirahoshi for years.

"You... what are you?" Van der Daken stammered, backing against the bulkhead, his eyes wide with terror.

Finn didn't bother answering. With a single punch, he knocked Van der Daken unconscious and dragged him out of the ship.

Outside, Shirahoshi was still sobbing, her massive form shaking the ocean around her.

Finn floated toward her, holding the limp form of Van der Daken. "Shirahoshi," he called softly. "Look. It's over."

Shirahoshi's tear-filled eyes widened as she recognized the man who had thrown the ax. Fear and anger flooded her, but there was something else now—a faint glimmer of hope. Could her nightmare truly be over?

"Van der Daken, show her what you've done," Finn commanded, waking the terrified pirate with a slap.

Trembling, Van der Daken obeyed, throwing several weapons into the ocean. As if cursed, the weapons turned in mid-water and flew directly toward Shirahoshi once again. She screamed in terror, her sobs turning violent.

But this time, Finn was ready. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the weapons flying harmlessly away.

"Now, little eel, it's your turn," Finn said to his companion, the Deep Sea Electric Eel King.

In a flash, the eel released thousands of volts of electricity, striking Van der Daken. The man's body seized, lighting up the dark ocean like a star before he disintegrated into nothing but ash.

"Shirahoshi," Finn said, swimming up to her. "It's over. Van der Daken is gone. No more weapons will fly at you, I promise."

Shirahoshi, still trembling, wiped her tears with a hand the size of a small island. "Really... it's over?"

"Really," Finn said with a gentle smile. "No one will hurt you again."

Her sobs slowed, though the scars Van der Daken had left on her heart would take time to heal. Finn could see that. But for now, she was safe, and that was enough.

As the ocean calmed around them, Finn couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. He had saved her, and though the road ahead might be long, Shirahoshi's nightmare was finally over.