Monkey D. Luffy also released his Conqueror's Haki, attempting to contend with Shirahoshi's Haki.
Unfortunately, under Shirahoshi's oppression, his Haki couldn't even leave his body, becoming an extravagant hope.
"Pirates, I'm giving you one last chance. Give up Lia and leave the Merfolk Special Zone quietly."
Shirahoshi leaned back on the throne, her posture incredibly relaxed, yet exuding immense power.
Because it was arranged by Nero, she didn't want to be absolute on this matter, but she couldn't just stand by and watch Lia mingle with a group of pirates.
They were not the Roger Pirates of yesteryear. Lia would absolutely not grow by associating with such weaklings who struggled to move under her Haki.
These words made Artoria frown. Although she had just been with this group, they didn't have much affection for each other except for Robin.
But this was, after all, Nero's arrangement, and Artoria didn't want to give up just like that. However, with just the few of them, they certainly wouldn't be a match for Shirahoshi.
Artoria was in a dilemma. She didn't think Monkey D. Luffy and the others would refuse Shirahoshi's offer, but she was afraid that continuing like this would disappoint Nero.
However, Monkey D. Luffy's answer was beyond her expectations.
"I don't want to! Lia has been our companion for a long time!"
Without a second's hesitation, Monkey D. Luffy directly rejected Shirahoshi's proposal.
The other Straw Hat Pirates members all had an unsurprised expression. Faced with this desperate power gap, no one gave up.
It must be said that Monkey D. Luffy is indeed a very charismatic leader, even if he is an idiot with no authority.
But when it comes to choices, he will stand firmly by your side, without reason, without logic.
Artoria's lips curved into a smile. Since the Captain had already made a choice, it was now her turn to respond.
With the same imperial education, she and Mordred had come to different understandings.
Both admired Nero, but compared to Mordred's domineering nature, she valued the harmony between Nero and the nobles more. She truly loved Nicuss, where roles were clearly defined and everyone worked together.
Therefore, Artoria drew her sword of promised victory and pointed it at Shirahoshi, making her understand her seriousness and earnestness.
"Sister Shirahoshi, it's like this: initially, there was indeed an element of my Father Emperor's arrangement, and choosing to be with Sister Robin was only because there was no better place to go."
"But now I have become a member of this ship, so there's no way I can give up, no matter what."
Shirahoshi withdrew her Haki, staring at Artoria, without anger, and without sadness at being pointed at with a sword.
Her heart was filled with... how cute... a serious young version of Lord Nero... I want to pick her up and Rua!
But not yet, dignity... Shirahoshi, you are the Empress under Lord Nero!
Although 'Empress under' sounds a bit strange, she still had to remember her demeanor.
Only after Otohime and Neptune were peacefully asked to leave again did Shirahoshi suppress her urge to lose composure.
"Lia, you are still young. These pirates are not good people. Robin has already been brainwashed by them."
Shirahoshi argued logically, "Look, under my Conqueror's Haki just now, not a single person gave up. This is clearly abnormal. You should stand with me and save Robin together."
"Zoro, Robin, Chopper, Franky! My Mother Queen once spoke of the characters who appeared in my Father Emperor's grand adventure long ago."
Artoria shook her head, "The most important thing is that they have already made their choice. As a Princess of Nicuss, how could I choose to betray them?"
"Is that so? It seems that in the end, we still have to let our fists do the talking." Shirahoshi raised her trident and walked past Artoria towards Monkey D. Luffy.
Artoria didn't stop her. Are you kidding? The current Shirahoshi was not an opponent she could face at her age.
"Monkey D. Luffy? Your family is truly restless. Since you are so stubborn, then die!"
The trident swung, unleashing a slash no weaker than that of a Great Swordsman. Monkey D. Luffy didn't hesitate and immediately used his strongest form.
"Gear Four: Boundman!"
He chose not to take it head-on. The slash grazed the tip of his nose, leaving a deep gash in the ground.
On the other side, Fukaboshi welcomed his third opponent, Zoro. Sanji faced the former Second Prince, Kouboshi. Franky faced the former Third Prince, Manboshi.
Robin took Artoria and the others, and for some reason, they entered a running mode... "Gum-Gum: Kong Gun!"
Monkey D. Luffy, who had dodged Shirahoshi's attack, used Soru to flash beside Shirahoshi's face, preparing to land a punch on her head.
Shirahoshi was a bit bewildered. Although she had gained a lot of knowledge while studying in Nicuss, this was the first time she had encountered such a brute who went for the face with the very first move.
Without using her trident, Shirahoshi instinctively raised her fist, and a rarely used technique came to her mind.
"Deep Sea Drop!!!"
Without surprise, Monkey D. Luffy was sent flying with a fierce blow, and Shirahoshi suddenly understood the exhilaration of fist-to-fist combat.
Especially since the opponent was a Devil Fruit user with the Gum-Gum Fruit. Wasn't he the perfect punching bag?
Therefore, Shirahoshi abandoned her usual trident, covered both fists with Armament Haki, and taunted, "You can't be this weak, can you?"
Monkey D. Luffy climbed out of the collapsed ruins. In his Gear Four state, he couldn't stand properly and could only bounce in place.
"Of course! This is just the beginning!"
As Monkey D. Luffy said this, for some reason, he also smelled a familiar scent from Shirahoshi's attack.
"Gum-Gum: Rhino Schneider!"
Disappearing from his spot instantly, this time Monkey D. Luffy chose to attack with his feet.
But he was just as easily dodged by Shirahoshi: "Too slow. I can tell you do have some strength; you even have a place among the many experts in the New World."
"But unfortunately, you've met the top expert of the New World, the Empress of the Ocean—Shirahoshi!!!"
"Galaxy Impact!!"
"Gum-Gum: Lion Bazooka!!"
One of Shirahoshi's fists and Monkey D. Luffy's two hands collided, and an invisible shockwave spread out. Finally, there was some semblance of a fight between the two.
However, compared to Monkey D. Luffy's gritted teeth, Shirahoshi's expression was relaxed and at ease, clearly showing she was holding back a lot.
"If you think you can take Lia to roam the New World with this level of strength, you're a million years too early!"
Shirahoshi watched the opponent's expression change continuously, but his fists remained the same, and she felt a touch of boredom.
She taunted him verbally, then increased the force in her hand by three points, sending Monkey D. Luffy crashing into the ground with a punch.
Monkey D. Luffy didn't respond. He deflated like a punctured ball, rapidly shrinking into a chibi form.
That punch also knocked him out directly, and he only regained consciousness about five seconds later.
"G-Grandpa?" Five seconds later, Monkey D. Luffy, who had woken up, finally realized where the familiar feeling came from.
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