One Piece: With Sign-in System

Compared to the grandeur of Ryugu Palace, the Coral Hill Manor paled in comparison. Even though Coral Hill Manor was considered the most luxurious estate on Fish-Man Island, it was insignificant before the magnificence of Ryugu Palace.

As Ron and his group followed Neptune into the grand palace, they were led to an enormous banquet hall where an elaborate feast was already prepared.

At the center of the hall stood a stage shaped like a giant shell, designed for Fish-Man singers and musicians to perform.

"So, this is Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island. It's as magnificent and resplendent as the books described," Robin remarked, her eyes scanning the golden-hued surroundings with admiration.

Conis clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's truly luxurious! I've never been to a place like this before."

Even Bonney, who had been listless and low-spirited due to the events of the previous night, lit up instantly upon spotting the glowing delicacies laid out on the tables. Her eyes sparkled with renewed energy as she dove toward the food, her previous lethargy completely forgotten.

"Today, Sir Ron and everyone here are esteemed guests of Ryugu Palace. Please, make yourselves at home," said the Shark Prince Fukaboshi warmly, inviting them to take their seats.

Once Ron and his group were seated, the banquet began.

Apart from Ron and his companions, the grand hall housed only King Neptune, Prince Fukaboshi, and two ministers seated nearby.

Conis took a bite of the dish before her and couldn't help but exclaim, "Delicious!"

Robin sipped some fresh soup, nodding with approval. "As expected of Ryugu Palace's cuisine."

Meanwhile, Bonney and Enzo were devouring the food at an alarming rate, the plates around their respective tables stacking up rapidly.

"Hohohoho, I'm glad it suits your tastes," Neptune chuckled, stroking his beard in satisfaction.

Ron, blindfolded as always, raised a glass from the table and took a sip of the wine.

Hmm… aged for around thirty years, he mused. A unique flavor characteristic of Fish-Man Island.

Fukaboshi observed Ron with curiosity. The way Ron moved so effortlessly, as though his blindness was no hindrance, left the prince intrigued.

"Sir Ron, may I ask you a question?" Fukaboshi finally spoke up.

"Go ahead," Ron replied, setting his glass down.

"Your eyes… is it true that they were injured during your battle with Admiral Kizaru on Drum Island?"

"You seem to know quite a bit about the happenings on the surface," Ron replied with a faint smile. "But no, that's not it. As for my eyes, I'm afraid I can't answer your question."

Fukaboshi nodded, choosing not to press further.

Ron took another sip of his wine before turning toward Neptune. "Now, Your Majesty, would you care to explain what you need my help with?"

At his question, both Fukaboshi and the two ministers stiffened slightly.

Through his ability to sense the world's vibrations, Ron immediately picked up on their unease, which only piqued his curiosity further.

What exactly did they need his help with?

After a moment of contemplation, Neptune broke the silence. "Ron, if possible, I would like to ask for your help in finding someone."

Both Fukaboshi and the ministers seemed visibly taken aback by Neptune's request.

Someone?

Their reactions only deepened Ron's intrigue.

"Who is it?" Ron asked, his interest now fully captured.

"A troublemaker," Neptune said gravely. "His name is Vander Decken IX."

Ron's heart stirred slightly upon hearing the name. He had a faint impression of it—Vander Decken IX. If he remembered correctly, this was the guy from the original story who relentlessly stalked Princess Shirahoshi.

"I have a young daughter named Shirahoshi," Neptune began, his voice heavy with sorrow. "When she was six years old, she crossed paths with Vander Decken IX. Since then, he's been fixated on her. That bastard possesses the powers of the Mark-Mark Fruit (Mato Mato no Mi)..."

Neptune proceeded to recount the years of torment Shirahoshi had endured—years of threats and attacks launched by Vander Decken IX using his cursed Devil Fruit ability.

"Shirahoshi has been confined to the Hard Shell Tower for six years now, unable to even attend her mother's funeral," Neptune continued, his tone filled with anguish. "My sons, along with the Neptune Army, have been tirelessly hunting him down. But the scoundrel is both cunning and a Devil Fruit user. He's eluded us at every turn!"

Fukaboshi clenched his fists, his teeth gritting audibly as rage burned in his eyes.

Ron listened calmly, finishing the wine in his glass as Neptune and the others looked at him with hopeful anticipation. Finally, he set the glass down and spoke.

"I understand your request. I can help you."

Neptune and his entourage's faces lit up with joy, but Ron wasn't finished.

"However..."

He lifted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips as he gazed at Neptune. "I suspect there's more to this than you're telling me. Isn't there?"

Neptune and the others froze, their expressions stiffening.

"I imagine you're well aware of my recent actions—my attacks on Mary Geoise and Marineford. As a result, I'm undoubtedly a prime target of the World Government. Yet, despite this, you've chosen to extend your hand to me. That tells me this matter is of paramount importance to Fish-Man Island."

Ron's calm smile was unsettling, and beads of sweat began to form on Neptune's forehead. He struggled to find the right words.

"Attacks on Mary Geoise and Marineford?"

Robin, Kuina, and the others all turned to Ron in unison, their gazes filled with astonishment.

"Oh, I forgot to mention," Ron said, glancing at them nonchalantly. "Just before we left the Sabaody Archipelago, I dropped two islands. One into Mary Geoise, the other into Marineford."

A soft plop sounded as the bread in Bonney's hands fell to the table. Her jaw dropped, her partially chewed bread forgotten in her mouth.

Robin, Kuina, and Conis were equally dumbfounded, their expressions frozen in shock.

Enzo, on the other hand, remained blissfully unaware of the gravity of the revelation, nibbling away at his food.

The lavish banquet hall was so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard.

Ron broke the silence, his voice as casual as ever. "I suppose my bounty must've increased quite a bit. Any idea how much?"

Fukaboshi swallowed hard and nodded. "It's... reached 1.4 billion berries."

"One... point four billion..." Robin murmured, her head spinning from the staggering figure.

While the women were still processing this bombshell, Neptune took a deep breath and finally mustered the courage to speak again.

"Ron," Neptune began with an earnest tone, "aside from dealing with Vander Decken IX, there is indeed another matter we wish to ask of you. However, this request is... well, it's far more intangible. It's less of a practical task and more of an unattainable dream."

Neptune paused, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and sorrow. "It was the greatest dream of my late wife, Queen Otohime."

"And that dream," he continued, his voice trembling slightly, "was to move the entire Fish-Man race to the surface, where we could bask in the sunlight and build a new world where humans and Fish-Men could live together in peace."

Hearing this, Ron began to piece everything together.

"So, what you're asking," he said slowly, leaning back with a faint smile, "is for me to use the powers of the Float-Float Fruit to raise the entire Fish-Man Island to the surface?"

Hearing Ron's words, Conis, Bonney, Kuina, and Robin—who were still reeling from the shock of his earlier feats—simultaneously turned their gazes toward him, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"Is that really possible?!"

Neptune, Fukaboshi, and the ministers fixed their stares on Ron, their expressions a mix of hope and skepticism.

Under their collective gaze, Ron pondered for a moment before answering, "In theory, it's doable. However, my current strength isn't sufficient for such a task. Moving a small island a few kilometers in diameter is easy enough, but a medium-sized one requires a great deal of effort. As for Fish-Man Island, which is roughly medium-sized, I could use my ability to lift it temporarily, but I wouldn't be able to sustain it long enough to reach the surface."

"However," he added, a slight grin forming on his lips, "I can flip the entire island upside down if you'd like."

"Please, don't do that!!"

"Just kidding."

Only then did they let out relieved sighs.

Ron calmly used a silver fork to spear a piece of meat, taking a bite before continuing, "Besides, I have no obligation to help Fish-Man Island with this monumental task."

"That… makes sense," Neptune said with a heavy sigh, lowering his head in resignation.

Indeed, why would such a powerful individual lend his strength to Fish-Man Island without any gain? The treasures of Ryugu Palace, though abundant, were hardly enough to sway someone like Ron. Perhaps this dream was too far-fetched after all...

"Sir Ron!" Fukaboshi suddenly spoke up with an earnest tone as he addressed Ron. "If, one day, you acquire the strength needed to lift Fish-Man Island to the surface, may we humbly request that you return to help us?"

"Fukaboshi! This matter ends here," Neptune interjected sternly. "We cannot impose further on Ron…"

But Ron seemed intrigued. With a faint smile, he turned toward Fukaboshi. "If I were to return, what would you offer to persuade me?"

"I haven't thought of that yet," Fukaboshi admitted. "But even if there's only a glimmer of hope, we, the people of Fish-Man Island, must seize it."

"Well said."

Ron, still seated with his eyes closed, nodded lightly. "Fine. If the opportunity arises in the future, I'll return to Fish-Man Island."

Fukaboshi's face lit up with joy and gratitude. "Thank you!"

…

Later, after the banquet, Fukaboshi escorted Ron to the Hard-Shell Tower, where the Mermaid Princess Shirahoshi resided.

The steel door bore numerous dents and scars from weapons.

"This is it," Fukaboshi said as he pushed open the door.

Inside was a massive chamber, much of which was submerged underwater. At the center stood a grand bed draped with long canopies, flanked by a bedside table and two ornate lamps. A delicate chandelier adorned the ceiling above.

On the enormous bed lay a mermaid with flowing pink hair, her body dwarfed by her surroundings. Beside her was a shark companion.

"Shirahoshi," Fukaboshi called out, gripping his trident.

The young Shirahoshi turned her head, her face lighting up with joy upon seeing him. "Big brother?!"

Through his transparent world sensing ability, Ron could feel her pure, untainted aura—a purity unmatched by anyone he had encountered before.

The Poseidon of the Sea Kings... the Mermaid Princess...

"Big brother, who is this…?" Shirahoshi asked curiously, her gaze falling on the black-clad Ron standing beside Fukaboshi.

"Shirahoshi, this is Ron," Fukaboshi replied with a smile.

The Princess looked at Ron—dressed in black, with a black blade at his waist and his eyes closed—with innocent curiosity. "Ron?"

"Pleased to meet you, Princess Shirahoshi," Ron said, extending a hand toward her.

Shirahoshi stared at his outstretched hand, her face breaking into a bright, innocent smile. She reached out her delicate, snow-white fingers, touching his hand gently.

"Pleased to meet you too, Ron"

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