The Ark Maxim navigated through the layers of dark ocean currents and arrived smoothly at the Ryugu Palace. At the entrance, several mermaids were chatting.
"Your Highness, more pirates have arrived," a mermaid soldier warned, and everyone immediately grew tense. Since Whitebeard's death, many pirates with ill intentions had come to the palace. They had already driven away numerous groups in just a few days.
Beside them, a blue-scaled mermaid with a stern face, holding a trident, frowned as he looked over. The newcomers seemed somewhat familiar.
The next second, with a crackle of energy, Leo materialized before the grand entrance, his women arriving right behind him.
"So fast?!" Crown Prince Fukaboshi was startled.
"You... you are Leo?!" a mermaid recognized him, and expressions of terror gradually spread across their faces. Even 10,000 meters underwater, the name 'Leo' was known to all.
"Are they the mermaids?!" Conis's eyes sparkled with excitement as she examined them closely."Truly, the world is full of wonders," Kaya echoed in agreement.The other women also looked at Fukaboshi and the others with curious gazes.
Leo's eyes swept over the mermaid soldiers before finally settling on Fukaboshi. Recognizing the visitor, Fukaboshi subconsciously swallowed hard and stepped forward, mustering his courage.
"L-Leo... what business brings you to the Ryugu Palace?" He tried his best to remain calm.
"No need to be nervous," Leo said with a slight smile, looking at the soldiers who were on high alert. "I need to speak with Neptune. Lead the way."
Fukaboshi looked at Leo warily, remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Very well. I will take you to my father now." There was no other choice. With Fish-Man Island's current strength, provoking Leo was unwise. As he turned to lead them into the palace, he gave a nearly imperceptible signal to a soldier nearby, who immediately understood and hurried away.
Inside the opulent main hall of the Ryugu Palace, Charlotte Perospero sat with his legs crossed, his long tongue lolling out.
"Neptune," he said, his voice low and heavy. "As long as you provide all the sweets and treats we demand, the Big Mom Pirates will offer Fish-Man Island our protection. No one will dare trouble you again."
Upon hearing this, Neptune was overjoyed. Without Whitebeard's protection, Fish-Man Island was in a precarious position. He could already foresee the darkness and turmoil that would soon befall his home. Perospero's arrival was a godsend. Furthermore, all Big Mom wanted was a massive supply of sweets. To him, that was a small price to pay. The deal was more than worth it!
As for the Marines? Hah! If the Marines were reliable, Fish-Man Island wouldn't have needed to seek Whitebeard's protection in the first place.
"Agreed. I accept your terms—" Neptune began.
"Your Majesty!" Before he could finish, a mermaid soldier rushed in, frantic. "It's terrible! The pirate Leo has arrived! Prince Fukaboshi is leading him to the palace now!"
"What did you say?!" Neptune was shocked. Leo's fearsome reputation preceded him. A bounty of five billion berries. A man who killed without batting an eye. What was he doing here?
"Leo?!" Perospero was equally stunned. The very man Mama was so interested in was here?! He immediately unleashed his Observation Haki, spreading it outwards.
On the street a few hundred meters from the palace, Prince Fukaboshi walked in silence, leading the group. Leo suddenly frowned.
"So, it's him," Leo murmured, a cold smirk playing on his lips after sensing the other presence.
Banquet Hall.
Perospero quickly retracted his Observation Haki, his mind racing. Soon after, Fukaboshi led Leo and his entourage into the grand hall.
The moment he entered, Leo's eyes landed on a tall, slender man with a sharp face and heavy makeup. The most striking feature was the tongue that hung down to his chest.
Charlotte Perospero. Minister of Candy for the Big Mom Pirates, and Big Mom's eldest son. User of the Lick-Lick Fruit. Bounty: 700 million berries.
"Your Observation Haki just now... that was you, wasn't it?" Leo said, looking at Perospero with a mocking smile.
Hearing this, Perospero's heart sank. He hurriedly explained, "A simple misunderstanding! I meant no offense! I was just—"
"Kill him," Leo waved a hand, as if ordering the disposal of a piece of trash.
"Glint Barrage!""Rokushiki: Tempest Kick - Hundred Slashes!"
The moment he spoke, Doll and Kalifa shot forward from the group. They needed no reason. Leo's command was their will and the direction of their blades.
Perospero's pupils constricted. "Leo, have you lost your mind?!" he roared. "Do you want to make an enemy of the Big Mom Pirates?! If you kill me, Mama will never let you go!" His face paled, a shadow of fear falling over him.
He's a complete madman! he thought. Just for using Observation Haki, he wants me dead?! Even the legendary Rocks wasn't this tyrannical!
"Big Mom? You think I consider her a threat?" Leo sneered, utterly unmoved.
"Bastard! Candy Armor!""Candy Wave!"
Perospero cursed, but his hands moved swiftly. He activated his Lick-Lick Fruit power, first coating his body in a sturdy layer of candy armor, then unleashing a wave of sticky syrup towards the two women. Anyone touched by his syrup would be immobilized.
"Take it outside. I have business to discuss with King Neptune," Leo said, sounding slightly annoyed.
Seeing Leo's displeasure, Doll and Kalifa intensified their assault, forcing Perospero out of the main hall and into the open.
Neptune and his ministers watched the scene unfold, frozen in place. The rumors said Leo was unreasonable and murderous. Seeing it in person, the description was... utterly accurate. He was completely, terrifyingly unreasonable.
"W-Wait!" Neptune said, snapping out of his stupor. "Leo, if you truly kill him, Big Mom will never forgive you!" In his view, no matter how strong Leo was, there was no need to pointlessly make an enemy of an Emperor's crew. Of course, Neptune left one thing unsaid: given Big Mom's brutal nature, if Perospero died here in the Ryugu Palace, Fish-Man Island would inevitably suffer her wrath. He couldn't withstand the fury of an Emperor.
"You needn't worry about Big Mom's retaliation," Leo stated calmly, sipping a cup of black tea Robin had handed him. "Fish-Man Island is under my protection now."
Neptune and his ministers exchanged glances. After a moment of hesitation, they slowly sat back down. Leo's performance at the Summit War had been dazzling; his strength was undeniable. If they could secure his protection, the island's crisis would be solved. Most pirates were bullies who preyed on the weak. If they learned Fish-Man Island was under Leo's wing, they wouldn't dare cause trouble; they'd probably steer clear altogether. Even the most vicious pirates would think twice before harming a mermaid.
But there was a problem: Leo had killed Whitebeard.
"Someone! Bring out the finest food and wine!" Neptune commanded after a brief internal struggle, having reached a decision. As a friend, he was deeply grateful for everything Whitebeard had done for Fish-Man Island. When the island was plagued by pirates and thrown into turmoil, it was Whitebeard who stepped forward to protect it. But as a king, he was responsible for the future of millions of his people. He had to plan ahead and find a stronger patron for Fish-Man Island. In the current era, the only ones with that capability were the other Emperors... and Leo. Shanks and Kaido had no interest in Fish-Man Island. As for Big Mom... Neptune glanced outside where Perospero was on the verge of being overwhelmed. He couldn't stop it even if he wanted to. The only one left to rely on was Leo.
Following Neptune's order, mermaid servants soon brought out platters of distinctive local delicacies and set up more than twenty additional chairs. Nami, Robin, and the others took their seats.
"Leo, speak plainly. What do you want?" Neptune got straight to the point after the brief pleasantries. He knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. Big Mom wanted sweets and delicacies. Leo surely had his own objective.
"I enjoy dealing with smart people," Leo said, nodding in satisfaction at Neptune's directness. "I want Shirahoshi to join my crew." He didn't beat around the bush.
"What?!" Neptune's face changed instantly. He shot up from his chair.So that was it! His worst fear had come true. The moment he saw the two dozen beauties with Leo, he'd had a bad feeling. In all the rumors about Leo, his love for women was as infamous as his love for killing. Now, Shirahoshi was in his sights.
"L-Leo... c-could you perhaps change your condition?!" Neptune asked, his face etched with difficulty and fear. He knew this might anger Leo, but Shirahoshi... it was truly impossible.
"No. I will be taking Shirahoshi," Leo's voice left no room for argument.
The Left and Right Ministers paled, frantically signaling to Neptune with their eyes.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Prince Fukaboshi stepped forward to try and smooth things over. "Lord Leo, it's not that we are unwilling, but Shirahoshi simply cannot leave Fish-Man Island."
Prince Ryuboshi quickly added, "Yes, Lord Leo, we are forced into this situation."
A mocking smile curled Leo's lips. "Are you worried about Vander Decken?"
The princes and ministers were stunned. Leo knew about that too?!
Neptune could only nod helplessly with a sigh. "That's correct." It had been a constant source of worry for him. When Queen Otohime was assassinated, the scene was chaotic. Vander Decken IX took the opportunity to use his Mark-Mark Fruit ability, touching Shirahoshi... From that day on, Shirahoshi's nightmare began. At first, Decken only threw love letters to her. But after receiving no response, he grew increasingly extreme, hurling swords, axes, and all manner of weapons at her to express his twisted affection. Shirahoshi was forced to live inside the Hard Shell Tower to avoid his sniper attacks. She had lost her freedom, destined to a life of solitude.
Mentioning this, Prince Fukaboshi's mood also sank. "We have led armies to hunt down Vander Decken many times, but he always escapes. So, as long as Vander Decken lives, Shirahoshi cannot leave the Hard Shell Tower."
"Enough," Leo waved his hand impatiently, cutting off Fukaboshi's explanation. You couldn't catch him in eight years, and you have the nerve to bring it up, he thought. "Fine. I'll deal with Vander Decken first, then take Shirahoshi."
Neptune was taken aback, then a hopeful glint appeared in his eyes. "If you are willing to take action, then it should be no problem at all!" While Vander Decken was cunning and had repeatedly evaded them, who was Leo? He was the man who had killed Garp and Whitebeard! Capturing a small-time pirate like Vander Decken should be child's play for him!
"First, take me to see Shirahoshi." Leo was eager to lay eyes on one of the three great beauties of the pirate world, as designated by the original creator.
Neptune hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Fukaboshi, take Lord Leo to see Shirahoshi."
Fukaboshi quickly stood and led the way.
"Nami, you all stay here and wait for me," Leo said casually before following Fukaboshi out of the banquet hall. Outside, Perospero was drenched in blood, his breathing growing increasingly weak.
After Leo left, Nami and the others began to enjoy the spread of food. Robin turned her burning gaze to Neptune. "King Neptune, our captain mentioned there is a Poneglyph here on Fish-Man Island, is that correct?"
Neptune was startled, then nodded slightly. "Yes, it's in the Sea Forest. But no one can read the writing on it."
Robin's eyes immediately lit up, and she began questioning him further.
The Hard Shell Tower.
Leo followed Fukaboshi to a tall tower constructed of iron walls. Looking around, the area was covered in intersecting scars from blades and axes. Numerous swords and hatchets were still embedded in the structure.
"This is the Hard Shell Tower. Where Shirahoshi lives," Fukaboshi said, heaving a sigh as he looked at the various weapons stuck in the walls. It pained him every time he came here.
"The poor mermaid princess. So young, yet forced to live in a place devoid of sunlight," Leo remarked, feeling a pang of sympathy himself.
"Return to the palace. I'll go in alone," Leo stated, his tone brooking no argument. He then pushed the door open and strode inside.
Creak...
The sound of the door opening stirred the slumbering princess within.
"Who's there? It's not time for my meal yet, is it?" a soft, gentle, and somewhat timid voice called out.
"Your future husband," Leo replied with a roguish grin.
Click!
Lights flickered on, dispelling the darkness. The scene before him became clear.
Leo's eyes focused. On a large shell bed lay a giant mermaid nearly twelve meters long. This was the Mermaid Princess, Shirahoshi. Also known as one of the Ancient Weapons, Poseidon.
She had sapphire-blue eyes, exquisite features, and a generous bust held by a lace bra...
For a moment, even Leo's usually unshakable composure wavered at the sight of her.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?!" Seeing the unfamiliar man, Shirahoshi was frightened, her voice trembling on the verge of tears. "A-Are you here to kill me, sent by Vander Decken?!" It had to be. Her body began to tremble, tears welling in her enormous eyes.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not a bad person. I'm here to help you," Leo said, his voice surprisingly gentle. Shirahoshi wasn't like the others. She was like a child who could be frightened into tears by a raised voice.
"Help me?" she asked, her timid voice slowly receding, replaced by curiosity. "Might I ask who you are?"
"My name is Leo. I'm the captain of the Leo Pirates," Leo introduced himself with a smile.
As soon as he finished, Shirahoshi responded with impeccable manners, "I... I am Shirahoshi. L-Leo, sir... what did you mean when you said you would help me?"
Shirahoshi blinked her sapphire-like eyes, her delicate face filled with confusion.
"Shirahoshi, how would you like it if I took you away from here? To live on the outside?"
"N-No... I can't do that." Shirahoshi shook her head like a rattle-drum. "I cannot leave this place." As if remembering something truly terrifying, she shrank back fearfully. If she went out, her life would be in danger.
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T/N :
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