Marco was deeply moved by Jozu's words, nodding fiercely as a powerful sense of camaraderie welled up in his heart.
The other pirates fell silent, each man swearing a silent oath: no matter the cost, they would protect this family.
Ron watched the tough, resolute men, feeling the bond between them strengthening.
He nodded to himself, knowing that only a crew united in spirit could achieve the impossible.
…
Inside the Dragon Palace, the halls were brightly lit, alive with a joyous and celebratory atmosphere.
To express their gratitude to the Whitebeard Pirates, the three princes had organized a grand banquet.
The tables were laden with every imaginable delicacy and the finest wine, and the air was thick with the rich aroma of roasted Sea King.
Amid the boisterous gathering, Ron became the center of attention.
Not only had he earned their respect with his strength, but as the vice-captain who had resolved the Big Mom crisis, he was the guest of honor.
The three princes took turns toasting him, each trying to convey their immense gratitude.
If not for Ron's unique constitution—which grew stronger by the day, along with his tolerance for alcohol—he would have long since succumbed to their overwhelming hospitality.
Fukaboshi, the eldest, was the first to raise his glass, his face beaming.
"Ron-sama, we truly can't thank you enough! If you hadn't arrived, who knows how long that madwoman would have lingered. I will drain this glass in your honor; please, drink at your own pace."
With that, he downed his drink in one go, his eyes shining with sincerity.
Faced with such warmth, Ron didn't hold back.
He raised his own glass in response. "There's no need for such formalities. In truth, Big Mom was just using your island as bait to draw us out. I'm sorry you all got caught in the middle."
He tilted his head back and drained his glass in one smooth motion.
Not to be outdone, Manboshi raised his cup, his voice brimming with respect.
"From now on, I'll call you Brother Ron!"
Ron chuckled and nodded. "Sure, call me whatever you like. Just drop the 'Sama' this and 'Lord' that—it's a bit awkward."
Ryuboshi and Manboshi exchanged a look.
Ron seemed approachable and easy to talk to.
Perhaps this was the time to bring up their other problem. Ryuboshi then made his request.
"Ron, we have another sister who has been trapped in a fortified tower since she was a child. We beg you for your help."
Hearing their plea, Ron, who already knew the story, feigned a puzzled look.
"A fortified tower? What's going on?"
Ace, Jozu, and Marco drew closer, their curiosity piqued.
The three princes' expressions grew somber.
Fukaboshi broke the silence. "Let me explain. The root of this problem is the damned Vander Decken IX!"
Everyone listened quietly as Fukaboshi recounted the entire story, starting from when their sister, Shirahoshi, was just a child.
He explained Vander Decken's twisted obsession and the terrifying power of his Mark-Mark Fruit, which allowed him to relentlessly bombard her hiding place.
After hearing the full account, the Whitebeard Pirates were filled with outrage.
"What a bastard!" one of them cursed. "How can someone like that even exist?"
"He throws a tantrum because he was rejected and tries to destroy what he can't have? You can't even call him a man. He's nothing but scum!" another exclaimed indignantly.
"An ancient curse? That's just nonsense," someone else analyzed.
"It's clearly a Devil Fruit ability we've never seen before!"
"Ron, I can't stand it!" a younger pirate said passionately.
"To push an innocent girl into that kind of life… his actions are unforgivable. He has to be punished!"
...
As the heated discussion continued, the atmosphere grew tense.
Ron sensed the powerful emotions rippling through his crew.
He, too, was deeply angered by Vander Decken's actions.
"A monster like that..." Ron stated firmly.
"Doesn't deserve to keep living in this world."
He turned his gaze to the three princes and spoke decisively.
"Take us to your sister. I want to see her condition for myself."
His voice was laced with cold fury. "I promise you, from this moment on, no threat will ever harm her again."
The three princes showed no hesitation, replying in unison.
"Thank you, Ron! We know that with your help, this nightmare will finally be over."
Their hearts swelled with gratitude and trust.
Following the princes, Ron and the others were led to Shirahoshi's residence: the Hard-Shell Tower.
It was less a castle and more a fortress, its exterior entirely encased in an iron shell.
Inside this shell were even more robust walls built from massive, seemingly indestructible stone blocks.
Yet, despite these formidable defenses, the walls were studded with all manner of weapons—spears, swords, axes, and tridents.
They were embedded haphazardly, some shallowly, some driven deep into the stone.
Upon closer inspection, many were rusted and corroded, their sharpness long gone.
It was a clear testament to an attack that had persisted for years, never ceasing for a moment.
"Scum like this, really doesnt deserve to live...." Ron cursed under his breath.
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