"Tesoro's Gold City has already taken shape. A city of entertainment, huh?" Nero bit her straw, blowing bubbles into her drink.
"Yes, that's right. Agent Carina is still on the line and sends her regards."
Hathaway stood respectfully to the side, reporting recent intelligence to Nero.
"The Judgement Court's proposal has also been officially passed. Minister Holio is personally overseeing it, and the current issue is its target audience."
"Should the trials be viewed by nobles or commoners? Holio leans towards commoners, as the Judgement Court's purpose is to represent the justice and nobility of Nicuss's laws."
"Mm-hmm, that's it! Let's go with that idea. Incorporate the security sector into the Judgement Court's system as well."
Nero's antenna-like hair swayed as she added a new suggestion.
"Understood. I will inform Holio shortly." Hathaway jotted down Nero's suggestion in her notebook. "Finally, I heard that Otohime is currently collecting signatures from the citizens. Thanks to the success of her visit to the Holy Land and the Celestial Dragons' signatures, things are progressing very smoothly."
"As expected. At least I won't have to listen to that guy grumble in my ear anymore." Nero's words conveyed annoyance, but Hathaway clearly saw the amusement in her eyes.
"Mm-hmm, the weather suddenly got much hotter today. It seems we're getting close to Alabasta. Judging by the wanted posters, little Robin has grown up well."
Nero tilted her head, resting it on her arm, a hint of anticipation in her expression.
"Her skin looks a bit too healthy, though. It seems she hasn't been taking good care of it all these years," Hathaway chuckled playfully.
"Mwahahaha, little Robin has never been a child who takes care of herself, has she!" Nero let out a soft laugh. "This time, prepare more skincare products, and give Crocodile a warning while you're at it."
"Understood. A New World loser, I didn't expect him to really settle down here. From the looks of it, he probably doesn't have much Haki left, does he?"
Hathaway's tone was disdainful. The 'Crocodile' she referred to was clearly Crocodile, and it was already impressive that Nero remembered even two characters of such a minor figure's name.
"Pururu… Pururu, Pururu!"
Just as Nero and Hathaway were chatting, the den den mushi suddenly rang.
"Mm-hmm, is this the special den den mushi I left for little Shirahoshi? It seems I'm quite popular with children, too. Answer it!"
Nero playfully winked at Hathaway, smug about her charm.
Hathaway chuckled as she picked up the den den mushi and placed it on the table, connecting the call.
But as soon as the call connected, Shirahoshi's crying could be heard from the other end, accompanied by broken words.
"Ne… Nero… Waaah… Mother… Mother is dying, can you… can you… Waaah… save her… Waaah waaah waaah!"
"Don't panic, little Shirahoshi. Give the den den mushi to your mother. Is she injured? Or sick?"
Nero's voice was calming, with a hint of tenderness amidst her usual vivacity.
However, the figure on the golden rose rapidly grew taller, her eyes stained crimson, ruby horns winding and growing, her limbs transforming into sharp dragon claws, and her scaly tail restlessly swaying in the air.
"Mo… Mother was… was shot by someone… Now, now I don't know… Waaah waaah waaah… Nero, you, you hurry! Please, please!!!"
"Mm-hmm, don't be afraid, little Shirahoshi. Put the den den mushi next to your mother."
Nero's voice remained calm as she walked straight out of the bedroom.
She arrived at Kuina's training room, where Kuzan, who had nothing better to do, was training Kuina, further deepening their relationship.
The door was kicked open, and the murderous Nero startled both of them, especially Kuzan, who thought Nero had come to kill him.
"Mo… Moshi, is… is that Nero? Shi… Shirahoshi, I entrust her to you."
The den den mushi's voice changed, and Otohime's faint whisper, barely a breath, came through. Her first act was to deliver her last words.
Besides Shirahoshi, the sobs of the other three princes could be heard, along with a chaotic and noisy background.
"Idiot! Hold on for five minutes, no matter what. I'll arrive in five minutes. Think about Shirahoshi and your other citizens, and your dream."
Nero's tone was steady and cold. After saying this, she casually tossed the den den mushi aside.
Her crimson dragon wings spread. Without another word, she grabbed Aokiji, confirmed their direction, and immediately soared into the sky.
Kuzan didn't resist. From Nero's phone conversation just now, he roughly understood what had happened.
Otohime must be the Queen of Fish-Man Island, and a close friend of Nero. It seemed the Queen was in serious trouble.
Reaching Fish-Man Island, thousands of meters beneath the sea, from Alabasta in five minutes was something even Borsalino's Glint-Glint Fruit couldn't achieve.
Moreover, Nero was carrying him, a deadweight. Kuzan felt that things were truly complicated.
He now wanted to inform Fleet Admiral Sengoku to prepare, as Nero might commit some violent acts out of anger… But the power Nero displayed next completely subverted Kuzan's worldview.
Nero, flying through the air, quickly transformed into a giant crimson dragon, with him clutched in her claws.
The surrounding scenery continuously twisted, distorted, and stretched, finally turning into neat, colorful lines that rapidly streaked backward.
The sound of fish swimming and waves crashing gradually faded, as if they had entered another world.
Vision was almost useless in this realm. Only by fully activating his Observation Haki did Kuzan realize just how exaggerated their current speed was.
'If Nero truly goes berserk one day, will anyone in this world still possess the power to restrain her?'
This thought suddenly emerged from the depths of his heart. Kuzan, with his keen eyesight, considered everyone: Admirals, Fleet Admiral, Whitebeard… Finally, he realized helplessly that even if all these world-class powerhouses combined, they probably wouldn't be enough to threaten the current Nero.
In the end, he could only hope that the World Government, which had ruled this sea for eight hundred years, possessed some hidden trump cards.
Suddenly, Kuzan realized something was amiss. The places they had moved through.
They passed through clouds. The clouds initially showed no change, but then were suddenly torn apart by an invisible storm. The sea surface cracked open, then transformed into towering tsunamis rushing to both sides.
Simply flying at full speed caused damage akin to a natural disaster. And Nero was flying in a straight line; they had passed over many landmasses and islands.
What state were they in now? Kuzan dared not dwell on it.
"Nero! Nero!"
He was speaking, yet no sound came out. Kuzan looked up and could only see Nero's tense dragon jaw and her crimson vertical pupils, barely suppressing her rage.
In an instant, Kuzan understood. Even if words could be conveyed, it would be meaningless.
Witness the origin of the Tyrant's name, only on this day of the King's wrath.
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