10,000 meters below sea level.
Fish-Man Island, Ryugu Palace.
Leftward Minister stroked his long beard as he walked through the corridor with slightly hurried steps.
The scenery around him was adorned with giant pearls and coral.
He held a special video Den Den Mushi in his hands.
The closer he got to the massive sleeping quarters ahead, the tighter his brow furrowed.
Scattered along both sides of the corridor were several enormous axes, deeply embedded in the walls and floor.
The blades of the axes still carried the unique cold gleam of the deep sea, along with a hint of unpleasant presence belonging to the mad obsession of Vander Decken IX.
"How many times is this today?"
Leftward Minister stopped and asked the fish-man guards stationed on either side of the sleeping quarters' giant doors.
One of the guards immediately bowed and replied, "Leftward Minister, it has already happened once this morning. According to the usual pattern, today's axes have already been thrown."
The usual pattern.
Leftward Minister's face was filled with disgust.
If that filthy pirate had not kept pestering her like a rat in a gutter, Princess Shirahoshi would not have been trapped in Hard Shell Tower all day!
"Damn pirate!"
Leftward Minister looked up at the tens-of-meters-tall giant sleeping quarters door before him.
This was not a palace. It was more like a beautiful prison built for protection.
Inside that door was the princess he had watched grow up, a once-in-a-century treasure of the mermaid race. Yet because of a pervert's lust, she had lost the right to bathe in sunlight and swim freely.
The Leftward Minister took a deep breath, suppressing his indignation, and raised his hand to knock on the heavy door.
Thud, thud, thud.
The knock echoed in the empty corridor.
"Princess Shirahoshi, it is your old minister. I have brought the item you requested."
There was a brief silence from inside the door, followed by rustling sounds, and then a melodious, youthful female voice.
"Is that Leftward Minister? Please wait a moment."
Leftward Minister felt somewhat emotional.
Because of her isolation, Princess Shirahoshi had never been very willing to communicate with the outside world.
Ever since that human girl sent by Kuma had moved into Hard Shell Tower to keep the princess company, Princess Shirahoshi's personality had indeed become much more cheerful.
At first, when he learned that Jewelry Bonney was a pirate, and a Supernova at that, Leftward Minister had strongly opposed King Neptune's decision.
Wasn't she a dangerous criminal?!
But now, it seemed not all pirates were evil.
People were hypocritical.
He was a fish-man?
Fish-men were also people!
Thanks to Bonney, Princess Shirahoshi had become willing to talk to others, and even made requests of her own. For instance, today, the princess had suddenly sent word through a guard that she wanted a Den Den Mushi capable of receiving external video signals.
This was a good thing.
If there was one flaw about Bonney...
Creak!
The giant sleeping quarters door was pulled open from the inside, just a crack. An elegant, jade-white hand reached out, its fingers slightly curled with nervousness. "G-Give it to me."
Leftward Minister respectfully placed the special video Den Den Mushi in the princess's palm.
"Thank you, Leftward Minister!"
The voice inside became a little lighter, then paused. It seemed a bit embarrassed as it added, "A-And could you also prepare another serving of the lunch that was just brought? No, a few more servings!"
With that, the giant hand swiftly retreated, and the door quickly closed with a dull thud.
Leftward Minister stood there for a moment, silent. His forehead broke out in a faint sweat.
"A few more servings?"
He remembered the look on the kitchen head's face each time he saw the food list sent to Hard Shell Tower, as if he was about to faint. He broke out in a cold sweat. "Miss Bonney can really eat!"
She truly deserved to be a Supernova pirate of the Worst Generation. Even her appetite was extraordinary.
"Big Eater"?
As they said, there are no mistaken names, only mistaken people.
Leftward Minister shook his head. As he instructed the guards to notify the kitchen, he looked anxiously at the closed sleeping quarters door.
King Neptune had personally gone out to escort the Red Hair Pirates, who were passing through Fish-Man Island. The Ryugu Palace's guard force had also been significantly reduced.
He only hoped that nothing else would go wrong during this time.
Inside Hard Shell Tower.
Giant footsteps echoed, thud, thud, thud.
"Shirahoshi, I told you to walk more quietly!"
Bonney looked up and said fiercely, "If your damn father finds out I used my Devil Fruit ability on you, he'll complain again and never stop yelling. It's so annoying."
"S-Sorry, Bonney-sama!"
Shirahoshi quickly stopped and clasped her hands in apology. Her massive body wobbled slightly from the sudden halt.
Bonney looked at the swaying mountains before her, then silently looked down at her own chest.
This was truly world-class.
Merry would be so jealous if she saw this.
And so fair-skinned too.
Bonney's expression did not change as she grabbed a giant roasted Sea King leg and stuffed it into her mouth, continuing to eat. One day, she too would stand proudly above the rest!
For now, she was turning her sorrow into appetite.
That old man Neptune would not get her a ship back to the Sabaody Archipelago. It was infuriating.
And he called himself Neptune, the Sea Knight?
That being said, Bonney could not single-handedly take on the entire Fish-Man Island.
This was a country, after all. She was not Luffy... Remembering Luffy, Bonney kind of missed him.
Although they had not spent many days together, the feeling Luffy gave her was very different.
A few days ago, on the Sabaody Archipelago, she had faced a huge crisis. Everyone had been sent flying by Kuma. Bonney was no exception.
She had been slapped by her own father, Kuma.
And sent flying to Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island.
It had caused quite a panic at the time. The guards had initially thought Bonney had been brought in by Vander Decken IX's ability.
But Neptune had stepped in to stop the commotion and let Bonney stay temporarily at Ryugu Palace.
Some guards knew that Bonney was a Supernova, a pirate, but Neptune had overruled their objections.
Bonney immediately pressed him for the reason.
There had to be something behind this.
No one understood Kuma's ability better than she did.
Only then did Neptune reveal that Kuma had secretly visited Fish-Man Island a few months ago, and the two had a long conversation.
Neptune did not go into the details of their talk. He only told Bonney:
"Kuma asked me to look after anyone he might send to Ryugu Palace in the future."
Neptune and Kuma had some friendship. During the God Valley incident many years ago, Kuma had rescued some mermaids. Later, when Neptune learned of this, the two had met and become friends when Kuma came on a tourist trip to Fish-Man Island.
In fact, Neptune was friends with many great figures.
He was even sworn brothers with Whitebeard Edward Newgate.
He was also good friends with the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, and even had a good relationship with Hero Garp.
The social butterfly of the sea, one might say.
Bonney chose to stay at Ryugu Palace. She did not know why her father had sent her to Fish-Man Island, but there must be a reason.
Later, she met Princess Shirahoshi. At first, Shirahoshi had been timid and shy. After getting to know Bonney, she began calling her "Bonney-sama."
"Bonney-sama, I had Leftward Minister bring you extra food," Shirahoshi said, unable to resist excited poking Bonney's cheek.
The Shirahoshi of now was completely different from the timid, crybaby mermaid princess known to the outside world.
Especially after seeing Bonney's Devil Fruit ability, Shirahoshi had a thought.
Devil Fruits. She really wanted to eat one!
Under the influence of Bonney's Toshi Toshi no Mi, her giant pink fish tail had disappeared. In its place was a pair of long, slender human legs, fair-skinned and dazzlingly white. Each leg was several meters long, breathtakingly so.
She was loosely wearing only a white shirt, of course, custom-made in an oversized size.
The hem of the shirt barely reached her upper thighs, giving her, in addition to a mature sexiness, an air of innocent purity and awkwardness.
This was Bonney's handiwork.
When she learned that female mermaids could split their tails into legs after the age of thirty, she had become interested and started developing Princess Shirahoshi's potential.
Thirty years old?
Her ability could do it instantly!
Can't walk steadily?
Just fall a few times. It will be fine.
After all, mermaids had strong constitutions. They were tough.
"I know. Then... thank you," Bonney said a little awkwardly.
"Hee hee hee."
Shirahoshi smiled warmly. She was full of gratitude and dependence on Bonney.
Although this human girl had a bit of a temper and a sharp tongue, she had brought unprecedented waves and color to Shirahoshi's stagnant life.
She loved listening to Bonney's stories of adventure in the outside world.
"Oh, right, Bonney-sama. Here is the video Den Den Mushi you asked for!"
Shirahoshi gently walked to the bedside and handed the Den Den Mushi to Bonney with her giant hand. Then she naturally lay down on her stomach on the bed behind Bonney, propping her head on her hands, her watery blue eyes fixed curiously on the Den Den Mushi.
"What is this?" Shirahoshi asked.
"It is a magical thing that lets you see things happening far away from here."
Bonney wiped her mouth. Feeling a light breeze, she could not help but look back.
Shirahoshi's long legs were gently swinging in the air unconsciously, tracing enticing arcs.
"So... so long and so white."
Even Bonney, also a woman, could not help but click her tongue in wonder when she occasionally caught sight of this scene.
Shirahoshi had already learned to walk over the past few days. Although her body had matured, her personality had not changed.
That youthful, beautiful, somewhat naive and sweet appearance made even Bonney want to tease her.
However, Bonney fully acknowledged Shirahoshi's beauty. Even facing the Pirate Empress, she would not lose!
By human standards, Shirahoshi's beauty was astonishing. Her pink hair fell like a waterfall. Her blue eyes were pure, untainted by any dust. Her delicate features, combined with her natural, blank expression, had a unique charm.
Bonney had never seen the Pirate Empress, but she thought Shirahoshi's beauty could surely drive men wild.
This figure, this face, this combination of innocence and natural seductiveness was simply unfair.
"Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, huh?"
Bonney muttered to herself. "If Shirahoshi appeared on the surface, the title of World's Most Beautiful Woman might change hands."
"Bonney-sama, what did you say?" Shirahoshi tilted her head, looking confused.
"Nothing."
For some reason, Luffy's face suddenly flashed through Bonney's mind.
"Hmph. Would beauty even work on that blockheaded idiot?"
Bonney mumbled to herself, shook off the strange thoughts, and skillfully began operating the video Den Den Mushi.
"Is something happening outside?" Bonney asked.
News was limited on Fish-Man Island. The last newspaper had been a few days ago. She knew that the Straw Hat crew was fine. They had probably been sent flying like her.
She had also learned that Marine Headquarters was about to go to war with the Whitebeard Pirates.
Bonney was very concerned about this matter. By her estimation, Fire Fist Ace's execution should be happening around now. The Marines would likely have a video Den Den Mushi broadcast, so she had asked Shirahoshi to get the Den Den Mushi.
But earlier, she had heard that Neptune and the Ryugu Palace guards had all gone out. It seemed something was happening.
"I heard a pirate group called the Red Hair Pirates is passing through Fish-Man Island. Father said he wanted to go and meet them," Shirahoshi said.
Bonney's mouth fell open. She instinctively looked back.
"You said Neptune went out to meet the Red Hair Pirates?"
"Yes. When I asked Leftward Minister earlier, that is what he said."
The Red Hair Pirates?
Why now?
Bonney calmed down. A thoughtful look appeared in her eyes.
Wait. If the Whitebeard Pirates were already at war with Marine Headquarters, and Red Hair Shanks was passing through Fish-Man Island, did that mean he was planning to take a detour and join the battle?
If an Emperor like Red Hair also got drawn into this war, the scale would spiral completely out of control!
Her heart jumped. She did not dare to think further. She focused and activated the Den Den Mushi.
"Bonney-sama, do you know them?" Shirahoshi asked curiously.
"They are one of the Four Emperors' crews. In short, they are very powerful."
Bonney did not explain further. She quickly turned on the video Den Den Mushi.
The Four Emperors? Were they as powerful as the great figure who provided protection to Fish-Man Island?
Shirahoshi knew of that man, Whitebeard.
She covered her mouth, nervously holding her breath. Her massive body leaned forward involuntarily, and she stared intently at the Den Den Mushi alongside Bonney as it began to flicker and project a light screen.
The screen wobbled, somewhat blurry at first. Then it crackled with static, accompanied by the sounds of shouting and explosions.
The signal source was clearly in an extremely chaotic environment.
The image gradually became clear.
What first appeared was a red meteor, flying awkwardly and diagonally before crashing hard into the frozen sea in the distance, sending up clouds of ice chips and magma.
"Is that Akainu?"
Bonney narrowed her eyes, recognizing the figure.
Wasn't Akainu a Marine Admiral?
Why did he look so battered?
The camera seemed to be moving, following the figure.
Then Bonney saw where Akainu was flying toward.
A massive figure, wrapped in white flame clouds and black-red lightning.
Bonney shot to her feet. Her eyes were wide.
"Luffy?!"
Shirahoshi's eyes widened. "Is that the Luffy-sama you always talk about, Bonney-sama?"
Over this period of talking with Bonney, Shirahoshi had learned about the outside world. But the name she had heard most often from Bonney was Luffy.
Shirahoshi had naturally become curious about this Luffy-sama. Now, seeing him in person, her first reaction was... He is quite big?
Certainly not as big as Shirahoshi, but for an ordinary person, he was still quite large.
Bonney watched the scene in disbelief.
She knew Luffy was strong, but not this strong. To be fighting an Admiral face to face at this level?
Wait. Where was that place?
It was not Marine Headquarters at Marineford.
It was Impel Down?!
Meanwhile, on Impel Down in the image.
Akainu's body, under the terrifying impact of Whitebeard's Shinto: Kairetsu, was flying uncontrollably toward Luffy's direction.
The intense pain in his back nearly made him black out. Several of his ribs were probably broken, and his internal organs were also damaged from the shock.
That bastard Whitebeard!
Had he and Straw Hat communicated in some way in an instant?
Magma oozed from Akainu's body. He looked at the giant blade in Luffy's hand. The aura coming from it was very dangerous. He did not need to think twice. If he was hit by it, he was dead.
Magi in Luffy's hand had transformed into a giant blade. The pitch-black flick blade was wrapped with solid, liquid-like black-red Haki, and arcs of lightningered and hopped at its edge, making faint crackling sounds.
Even before the blade arrived, the sharpness of it, which could cut through all signs of life, already stung Akainu's skin.
The magma covering his body began to gather around his fist. After condensing into a single mass, even more magma surged outward.
Drip.
Magma dripped off during flight.
As he approached Luffy, Akainu let out a roar. The magma gathered on his fist shot forward at high speed, aiming straight for Luffy's head.
"Mogu!"
This attack was the strongest thrust he could muster in his current disoriented state. It was not Akainu's full power.
Yet, in the same moment he threw his punch, Luffy's stance was also ready. He used the same technique that had cut down Blackbeard.
"Mujo Dai Hatō!"
Luffy gripped the giant blade with both hands. It was a simple motion. No complicated moves. Just a vertical slash from top to bottom.
But it was extremely fast. It smashed hard against the incoming magma.
Hum!
The two attacks did not directly collide.
In the moment the blade fell, time seemed to slow down.
The black-red blade light was not particularly dazzling, but everything in its path was cut apart.
It had been launched after the attack, yet it arrived before it.
Akainu's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
His Mogu thrust was still mid-flight, but Luffy's blade was already at his head.
Fast. Too fast.
What terrified Akainu even more was that before the blade even arrived, at the moment of collision, the sharp sword pressure had already sliced into his fist.
His fist, covered in magma and Armament Haki, felt the sting.
"How is this possible?!"
Akainu's mind was in turmoil.
The strength of his Armament Haki and the density of his magma were among the highest in this sea.
Even Mihawk's slash should not have so easily given him the feeling that he could not block it.
But this slash before him seemed as if it were born to cut through anything, ignoring all defenses and striking at the essence.
If he was solidly hit by this blade, he would die!
This thought appeared with crystal clarity.
Akainu now understood Blackbeard's feelings at that moment.
Blackbeard had survived that kind of slash only through the bizarre properties of the Yami Yami no Mi and his monster-like vitality. He, Akainu, though strong, did not have that kind of near-immortal regenerative ability!
The power of magma, combined with Armament Haki, already had the world's greatest impact and explosive force. But this was a hurried counterattack, not his full power.
From the brief moment of defense, Akainu understood that even at full power, he could not block this sword.
He had to dodge!
***
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