Even though he had prepared himself, the sight of the Hard-Shell Tower was still enraging.
He imagined a little girl, no older than six, living in constant terror, her life held hostage by a madman's obsession.
What kind of person would she become after years of such psychological torture?
An adult would crumble under that pressure, let alone a child.
At that thought, Ron's resolve hardened into ice.
The man named Vander Decken IX was going to pay.
He walked silently toward the tower's gate, each step heavy with purpose.
Reaching the door, he took a deep breath, gripped the handle and turned.
With a soft click, the heavy door swung open.
"Huh? Is that you, Brothers?"
From inside, Shirahoshi's sweet and innocent voice drifted out.
"It's not lunchtime yet. Did you come just to chat with me?"
Her words were full of a simple joy that made the situation all the more tragic.
That innocence twisted something in Ron's gut, deepening his hatred for her tormentor.
If he could, he would drag that scum here and cut him down without a second thought.
"Hello, Shirahoshi," Ron said, his voice gentle. "My name is Ron. I'm a good friend of your brothers. Since it's not lunchtime, I was hoping you might come out and try some of the delicious food we brought."
Hearing a new voice, Shirahoshi seemed both puzzled and curious.
She peeked out from the shadows, revealing a cascade of pink hair, a delicate face, and impossibly large, beautiful eyes.
This was his first glimpse of the legendary Mermaid Princess.
"Ah? A friend of my brothers?" Shirahoshi's eyes flickered with uncertainty.
Despite the fear in her heart, she mustered her courage.
"H-Hello… I'm Shirahoshi."
Then, she shrank back.
"But… I can't go out. If I leave, I might be killed."
After saying this, Shirahoshi curled into a tight ball, trembling as she tried to make herself smaller.
Seeing such a beautiful creature crippled by fear made Ron's heart ache.
He spoke softly to reassure her. "Don't worry, Shirahoshi. I'm very strong. I promise I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."
By now, her three brothers had reached the doorway, their expressions a mixture of concern and encouragement.
"Sister, you can trust him. Ron is truly strong," Fukaboshi said, his voice filled with admiration.
"That's right! I saw it myself! He sliced that giant flying axe clean in two!" Ryuboshi chimed in, exaggerating with his hands, his eyes wide to assure her it was true.
"Come out, Shirahoshi. It's been so long since you've seen the sun," Manboshi added, his deeper voice a soothing balm.
Hearing her brothers' earnest words, a flicker of hope stirred in Shirahoshi's heart.
"R-Really?" she asked tentatively.
Her gaze shifted to Ron.
The quiet confidence in his eyes was disarming, and she felt an unfamiliar sense of trust blooming within her.
A moment passed, the feeling grew stronger, and finally, it gave her the courage to take a step. Then another.
When the first rays of sunlight touched her skin, a long-lost warmth enveloped her.
Shirahoshi looked up at the vast blue sky and the lazy white clouds drifting by.
The crisp, clean air filled her lungs.
A blissful smile spread across her face as she murmured, "It's wonderful... The sun feels so nice."
Though her voice was a whisper, it overflowed with hope.
Tears of gratitude glistened in her eyes as she looked at Ron, her fears seeming to melt away in that one perfect instant.
"Ron-sama, thank—" Her voice trembled with emotion.
Before she could finish, a sharp, piercing shriek tore through the air.
Everyone's head snapped up.
A massive, gleaming trident was hurtling down from the sky, radiating a suffocating killing intent.
It was aimed directly at Shirahoshi, who stood frozen on the spot.
The air grew thick with tension.
"No! That bastard is back!" Fukaboshi roared, a mix of terror and fury in his voice as years of conditioning took over.
"Stop it!"
The princes scrambled to react, but they were panicking.
Shirahoshi, terrified by the sudden attack, let out a small cry and instinctively hid behind Ron.
She clung to his back, her eyes wide with fright as she watched the enormous weapon speed toward them.
Feeling her tremble, Ron spoke softly without turning around.
"Don't be afraid. It's alright."
Then, he slowly raised his right hand.
A powerful surge of Armament Haki coated his arm as it suddenly elongated and expanded, growing into a colossal, impenetrable wall that rose to meet the incoming trident.
CLANG!
A deafening, metallic crash echoed through the air.
The unstoppable trident was brought to a dead halt against Ron's massive hand, its momentum completely absorbed.
Time itself seemed to freeze.
Ron tightened his grip, and the enchanted weapon hung powerless in the air before he secured it in his grasp.
Immediately, his arm shrank back to its normal size.
Holding the heavy trident, Ron turned to the three stunned princes beside him.
"I want to know where this came from and who threw it," he said, his voice dangerously calm.
"Find Vander Decken's hideout. We're going to wipe him off the map."
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