Chapter 237
Vander Decken IX
"So… so amazing!" Shirahoshi watched the flame-fish swimming around her with sparkling eyes, joy bright on her enormous but delicate face.
Snap!
Ace snapped his fingers again, transforming the flame-fish into a miniature Shirahoshi, swimming gently in front of the real one.
"This is me? So cute!"
Shirahoshi reached out excitedly to catch the tiny flame-figure—
Snap!
Just before she touched it, Ace snapped again. The miniature Shirahoshi burst upward as a streak of fire.
"Eh? Why…? I haven't caught it yet…"
Her lips trembled, and she looked on the verge of tears—until Ace silently pointed upward with a smile.
Shirahoshi looked up—
BOOM—!!!
The flame exploded high above the Hard-Shell Tower, blooming into a brilliant firework.
"So beautiful!!"
She had never seen fireworks in her life. Her eyes widened in awe, and a bright, innocent smile spread across her face.
"Can we do it again?" she asked, tears shimmering—but this time from joy.
"Of course!"
How could Ace refuse such an adorable little sister?
Ace raised his hand. Dozens of flames shot upward, bursting into vibrant fireworks that illuminated the ocean above Ryugu Kingdom.
The fireworks show lasted a full ten minutes, drawing guards and ministers to watch in amazement.
---
"It was so beautiful…" Shirahoshi said emotionally. "Thank you, Brother Ace."
"No problem." Ace grinned. "Shirahoshi, you must be so bored staying in this tower all the time. Want to go out and have fun?"
"Go… out?"
Her face lit up, then instantly dimmed with fear.
"I… I want to, but… but… uwaaah~!!"
She burst into tears again, remembering the constant attacks.
"It's fine."
Ace placed a hand on her giant fingertip.
"With me here, nothing can hurt you. I promise."
Shirahoshi froze… then slowly looked up.
"R-Really…?"
"Of course!"
Ace flexed like Popeye.
"I'm super strong!"
"Y-Yes!" Shirahoshi nodded vigorously, then turned to her father. "F-Father… is it okay?"
Neptune looked at his daughter's hopeful eyes and softened.
"…Of course, my dear."
Even though Vander Decken IX was dangerous, Neptune trusted Ace. Especially after witnessing his power earlier, Neptune believed few on the entire sea could harm Shirahoshi if Ace stood beside her.
"Yay!!"
Shirahoshi swam out of the Hard-Shell Tower for the first time in eight years.
Ace finally saw her full size up close.
She was… ridiculously gigantic.
---
"Gyoooo~ gyoooo~!"
Her pet shark Megalo excitedly swam out as well, circling her a few times before lifting her onto his back.
"Come up, Brother Ace!" Shirahoshi stretched her hand toward him with a bright smile.
"Alright."
Ace jumped lightly onto Megalo's head and sat cross-legged.
"Where do you want to go?"
"Sea Forest! I've always wanted to go to the Sea Forest—uwaaaah~!!"
She started crying again.
"Hahahaha! You really do cry a lot. That's not a good habit!" Ace teased.
"S-Sorry…"
She wiped her tears.
"But this time I cried because I'm happy…"
"Hahahaha!"
Ace pointed forward.
"Then let's go! Destination: Sea Forest!"
"Yes!!"
Shirahoshi gently patted Megalo.
"Let's go, Megalo! To the Sea Forest!"
"Gyooo~!"
Megalo shot forward, swimming rapidly toward the Sea Forest with Ace and Shirahoshi.
---
"Your Majesty Neptune… is it truly alright for Princess Shirahoshi to leave the Hard-Shell Tower?"
The Right Minister asked nervously.
"It's fine."
Neptune watched the direction they swam.
"With Mr. Ace present, Vander Decken's attacks cannot harm her."
"But…"
The minister hesitated.
Yet he knew: if anyone could protect her, it was Ace.
---
Fish-Man District — Above Noah, the Ark of Oaths
Vander Decken IX gripped an axe, twirling it lazily.
Suddenly, he tossed it high—
and the moment it left his hand, the axe curved unnaturally midair, pulled toward a distant marked target.
"Huh?"
Vander Decken's eyes narrowed.
"That direction… it's different! Completely opposite of before…!"
A twisted smile spread across his face.
"Did Shirahoshi finally come out of Ryugu Palace…?"
For years, he had been unable to abduct her, no matter how many weapons he threw. Neptune's protection was too tight.
But now—
"Heh… heh… heh… This is my chance!"
He grabbed a wooden plank, activating the Mato Mato no Mi ability.
The plank shot forward, dragging Vander Decken IX through the water at high speed—
straight toward Shirahoshi.
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