Shirahoshi gently swayed her crystal-clear fishtail, the pearl-like scales refracting a rainbow of colors in the high altitude sunlight.
She clasped her hands over her chest, her pale pink hair lifted by the winds, a few strands entwining with snow-white wisps of passing clouds.
"Lord Ron…" she began hesitantly, her voice wavering in the howling wind. "Is this really alright? Those pirates… they're notoriously ruthless and brutal, stopping at nothing for profit. And the World Government is watching..."
Ron chuckled softly, raising a hand to gently ruffle Shirahoshi's soft hair.
The seemingly casual gesture instantly flushed Shirahoshi's cheeks, blooming red like a peach blossom.
The shell necklace around her neck swayed with her rapid breaths, emitting a clear, melodious chime as her heart raced.
"See those clouds?" Ron suddenly pointed into the distance.
At the horizon, storm clouds clashed sharply with the clear sky.
Lightning flickered intermittently within the darkness, each bolt like a blade slicing through the void, illuminating the turbulent world below.
Shirahoshi nodded obediently, her fishtail unconsciously curling around a tuft of cloud vapor.
"The New World is like this sky," Ron's voice was low, a wisp of starlight energy gathering at his fingertip.
The energy initially appeared as a faint glimmer, but as Ron poured his power into it, it gradually grew dazzling and brilliant, tracing a radiant arc through the air.
"The Yonko each hold their territories like warlords, while the Marines struggle to maintain a fragile balance..."
The starlight suddenly surged, transforming into countless distinct strands of sword energy.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
These energies intertwined like a colossal net, instantly enveloping the entire sky above the kingdom.
Crisscrossing and shimmering with a chilling radiance, they seemed capable of tearing the very heavens apart.
"And now, I am here..."
Ron's voice brimmed with domineering authority as he pressed his palm downward.
The myriad strands of starlight abruptly contracted, converging like a powerful vortex, gathering all their force into a singular directive.
Finally, these sword energies began rotating slowly around the hundred-mile restricted zone of the Eternal Kingdom, forming an impregnable, invisible barrier.
Wherever the sword energy raged, winds shifted and clouds churned.
The overwhelming aura seemed capable of crushing everything in its path, evoking an irresistible, heaven-cleaving might.
Shirahoshi gasped in astonishment, her large eyes reflecting this miraculous spectacle.
She suddenly noticed how the barrier's light gilded Ron's face in gold, and how his typically profound eyes now flowed with molten golden hues.
"Remember, Shirahoshi."
Ron withdrew his gaze, starlight lingering at his fingertips before scattering in the wind.
"On these seas..."
He turned to face the Mermaid Princess, his pupils seeming to contain countless rising and fading stars.
"Only those who dare establish rules... are qualified to shape the future."
....
A hundred miles away.
At the edge of the Restricted Zone.
Leaden-gray clouds hung oppressively low, like heavy blocks of steel nearly touching the sea's surface.
Within these waters marking the boundary of the Eternal Kingdom's restricted zone, the Beasts Pirates' fleet lay in wait like lurking predators.
Massive warships stood arranged in orderly formations across the sea—their sturdy, enormous hulls resembling steel fortresses, emanating an intimidating presence.
The flagship, the Mammoth, towered like a maritime leviathan at the fleet's center.
At this moment, Kaido, King, and Jack stood side-by-side on the deck, their gazes fixed intently on the floating islands ahead.
Those islands appeared like dreamlike fairylands suspended among the clouds, fading in and out of view, creating an aura of profound mystery.
Yet, the pirates' expressions remained grave.
Glug—glug—
Liquor poured from the tilted gourd spout as Kaido threw back his head, gulping down the strong sake.
The amber-colored spirits trickled from the corners of his mouth, dripping onto the deck where they instantly released an intense aroma.
The scent of liquor permeated the air, mingling with the sea breeze to create a distinctive, heavy fragrance.
Kaido's eyes remained locked on the distant Kingdom islands, burning with fervent determination.
"Lord Kaido! Lord Kaido!"
Accompanied by crisp metallic clicking sounds and a heavy, rhythmic stomp, Queen the Plague waddled rapidly forward on his stout legs.
The latest intelligence report clutched in his hand already showed damp corners from his sweat.
"The Tobi Roppo have successfully infiltrated! Just half an hour ago, Black Maria passed through the entry inspection as the final member—none were stopped!" Queen's voice carried a thread of excitement and disbelief.
"Muhahaha! It worked!"
Kaido slowly turned his head in surprise, his alcoholic breath mingled with dragon's heat spraying onto Queen's face.
"Oh? Not discovered?"
At this, Queen's mechanical eyewear zoomed in and out as his eyes rolled in puzzlement.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued, "No... not only were they recognized, but that swordsman Vista personally 'welcomed' them."
His voice was filled with confusion, as if he found the Eternal Divine Kingdom's reaction utterly bizarre.
He took a deep breath and went on, "But strangely, the people of the Eternal Kingdom just stared without any intention of taking action. They just... let them in."
This news left everyone present deeply puzzled.
They had expected fierce resistance, traps, or at least an interrogation.
Yet the other side remained eerily calm.
"No action?"
Kaido's voice suddenly dropped low, the gourd in his hand emitting an unnerving creak as his grip tightened.
His brows furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with vigilance and suspicion.
KRAKOOM!
A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, instantly illuminating the entire sea.
In that dazzling flash, the ferocious scars on Kaido's face appeared even more terrifying.
"Worororo..."
A chilling laugh escaped from deep within his throat.
"That brat Ron... is he looking down on me? Is he challenging me?!"
Kaido's voice brimmed with sudden rage, his fists clenched so tightly they produced cracking sounds.
The sea suddenly churned violently.
Massive waves, like enraged beasts, continuously battered against the warship's hull.
Seawater splashed upward, forming patches of white foam.
Kaido sneered coldly.
His Conqueror's Haki radiated from him unconsciously, causing the seawater within a hundred-meter radius to boil.
Numerous fish, affected by this domineering aura, floated to the surface with their eyes rolled back, their bodies twitching uncontrollably before going still.
On the mast, King spread his black wings, a flicker of alertness flashing in his eyes behind his mask.
"Kaido-san, should we order a retreat? This is clearly a trap."
King's voice carried a trace of concern and caution as he made a clear assessment of the current situation.
"Inviting the wolf into the house... implies the hunter is confident he can skin the wolf."
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