One Piece: With Sign-in System

At the Sea Forest..

While Ron and his companions explored the serene Sea Forest, a wave of commotion rippled through the royal palace above.

Inside Ryugu Palace, King Neptune sat frozen, his usually calm demeanor replaced by a rare sense of shock. Around him, his ministers and eldest son, Shark Prince Fukaboshi, wore equally astonished expressions.

"Traveler Ron… attacked Mary Geoise and Marineford?!"

Fukaboshi swallowed hard, his chest tightening with disbelief.

"1.4 billion Berries…" one of the ministers muttered, his voice trembling. "That's the bounty on his head!"

Neptune wiped the sweat from his brow, the reality of the situation sinking in.

Attacking both the Holy Land Mary Geoise and the Marine Headquarters Marineford in a single day… and escaping unscathed?

What kind of maniac is this traveler?

And now, this dangerous individual is on Fish-Man Island.

A cold shiver ran through Neptune's spine as his mind raced with possibilities. If something went wrong, if this traveler were provoked in any way, what would happen to Fish-Man Island?

"Father," Fukaboshi's voice broke through the tense silence. "Did you say he attacked Mary Geoise… by dropping an island?"

Neptune nodded solemnly. "That's what the reports say."

Fukaboshi's eyes sharpened. "Father… Mary Geoise is located at the very summit of the Red Line, correct?"

"Of course, Fukaboshi. What are you getting at?" Neptune asked, sensing a spark of determination in his son's tone.

"If the reports are true," Fukaboshi said, his voice firm, "then that traveler, Ron, dropped an island from a height even greater than the top of the Red Line. If he can accomplish that… isn't it possible for him to move Fish-Man Island to the surface?"

Neptune's eyes widened as the words sank in. A storm of emotions churned within him—shock, hope, and a flicker of fear.

"Move Fish-Man Island… to the surface?" one of the ministers stammered.

Another minister's eyes narrowed as a realization struck him. His voice shook as he looked toward Fukaboshi. "You… you're talking about Queen Otohime's dream, aren't you?"

The first minister froze, his face draining of color. "That dream… wasn't it always thought to be impossible?"

"It was a dream," Fukaboshi said, his expression resolute. "But now, I see a glimmer of hope."

He turned to Neptune, determination radiating from him. "Father, I want to personally invite this traveler, Ron, to Ryugu Palace for a banquet!"

Neptune pondered his son's words for a moment before nodding. "Regardless of the feasibility of this idea, befriending someone of his caliber can only benefit Fish-Man Island. I'll accompany you."

"But… Your Majesty…" one of the ministers began hesitantly.

Neptune raised a hand to silence him. "No need to say more. Prepare the banquet immediately."

…

An Invitation From the King.

As Ron and his companions emerged from the Sea Forest and strolled toward Gyoncorde Plaza, a golden light illuminated the skies above.

The Fish-Men and merfolk in the plaza stopped in their tracks, their gazes turning upward in awe.

"Look! It's King Neptune and Prince Fukaboshi!"

"They've descended to the lower levels?! This is unheard of!"

"I've never seen them this close before…"

The grand figures of King Neptune and Prince Fukaboshi descended majestically, riding atop a massive whale. Their appearance caused a stir among the crowd, who could only whisper in disbelief.

"Why would the King and Prince come here? Is it… because of those humans?"

But what happened next shocked everyone to their core.

King Neptune addressed the dark-haired youth standing amidst the group, his eyes steady and respectful. "You must be the traveler Ron, correct?"

Ron, having already deduced the identities of the newcomers from the commotion, raised his head calmly. "And you must be the king of Ryugu Kingdom. What business do you have with me?"

Neptune's voice carried a tone of humility, surprising the onlookers. "I have a favor to ask of you, Sir Ron. I've prepared a banquet at Ryugu Palace. Would you and your companions honor us with your presence?"

Gasps echoed throughout the plaza.

"The king personally descended… just to invite humans to the palace?!"

"What kind of people are they?!"

Ron's brow arched slightly, intrigued by the unexpected invitation. After a moment of thought, he turned to his companions. "What do you think? Should we take a look at the palace?"

Kuina shrugged. "I'm fine with anything."

Robin smiled. "If it's a banquet, I'd love to see it."

Conis beamed. "I'm curious too."

Enzo, however, stared intently at Neptune's magnificent beard and murmured, "That's one fluffy beard…"

Seeing the unanimous agreement, Ron smiled faintly and nodded at Neptune. "It seems my companions are interested. Very well, we'll accept your invitation."

As Ron turned toward Neptune with his unseeing eyes, he spoke calmly, "We still have a companion resting at our lodging. Would you mind waiting for us a bit?"

"Of course" Fukaboshi immediately replied, his tone courteous.

Ron nodded and led Robin and the others back toward the residence at Coral Hill, leaving Neptune and Fukaboshi waiting in the square.

This scene only served to deepen the shock among the surrounding fishmen and merfolk.

"He actually has the Dragon King Neptune and Shark Prince waiting for him right here…"

"The sheer influence he commands is unfathomable!"

"Can someone please tell me who these humans are?"

"Wait… could it be…?"

Among the crowd, a recently arrived human pirate on Fish-Man Island stared at Ron's retreating figure with trembling eyes, his heart pounding wildly.

"The Traveler… Ron!"

Beside him, a pirate captain with a bounty of eighty million Berries wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.

"W-Why is he here on Fish-Man Island…?"

"And weren't his companions all killed by the Tyrant? How… how are they…?"

This group of human pirates had heard about the earth-shattering events triggered by Ron even before they ventured beneath the sea.

The man who had assaulted both Mary Geoise and Marineford, throwing the seas into chaos, now stood before them, alive and well, accompanied by the very companions who were rumored to have perished!

The pirate captain's crewmate swallowed hard, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Is he planning to use Fish-Man Island as a passage to enter the New World…?"

His words sent a wave of realization rippling through the pirates, their hearts racing.

Could it be… that the seas were about to witness the rise of a Fifth Emperor?!

…

After calling for Bonney to join them, Ron and his group followed Neptune toward the upper levels of the Ryugu Palace. Meanwhile, news of their presence spread like wildfire across Fish-Man Island. The identity of Ron and his companions, exposed by the human pirates, sparked a frenzy of whispers and speculation.

A bounty of 1.4 billion Berries. The man who had attacked the Holy Land of Mary Geoise and the Marine Headquarters at Marineford. The infamous Traveler, Ron. His name reverberated across the island like a thunderclap.

As the realization dawned on the fishmen and merfolk, those who had interacted with him could hardly believe their ears.

The mild-mannered, blindfolded youth with an air of quiet composure… was actually a wanted criminal of unimaginable notoriety?

The starfish shopkeeper who had sold Ron the mansion was especially shaken.

That well-spoken, generous young man… turned out to be a terrifying figure with a bounty exceeding a billion Berries!

And worse yet… he had charged Ron 35 million Berries for the house—well above the standard price.

The more he thought about it, the more he trembled in fear.

"Maybe… maybe I should return the money," he muttered, his voice quivering as cold sweat dripped from his brow.