One Piece: With Sign-in System

Ron's hand parted from Shirahoshi's delicate finger.

The young mermaid princess blinked her wide, innocent eyes, gazing at him curiously. "Ron… are you human?"

With his eyes still closed, Ron nodded slightly, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Yes."

Standing nearby, Fukaboshi crossed his arms and addressed Shirahoshi. "Ron is an extraordinarily powerful human warrior and a distinguished guest of Ryugu Palace. He's here this time specifically because of you, so you mustn't act impolitely."

"For me…?"

Shirahoshi tilted her head, blinking in confusion. Her adorable demeanor made her appear even more endearing. "Brother… what is it about me?"

"It's about that Vander Decken who keeps harassing you. Ron has already agreed to help Father capture him."

Her wide eyes grew even larger at the mention of the name.

Fukaboshi turned to Ron. "Ron, is there anything you can discover from here?"

Ron didn't respond to Fukaboshi. Instead, he turned his attention directly to Shirahoshi and asked, "Princess Shirahoshi, would you like to go out for a walk?"

"Huh?"

The princess froze for a moment before her face lit up with surprise and excitement. "I… I can really go out?"

"Of course," Ron replied calmly.

"But… if I go out, more weapons will come flying at me…"

A trace of fear appeared on her face. Beside her, her loyal shark companion, Megalo, let out a nervous "gyo-gyo" sound.

"Shirahoshi." Fukaboshi's tone grew serious as he spoke. "You must summon the courage of the royal family. Since Ron has said it's possible—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air outside the heavy doors.

"Gyo-gyo!"

Megalo yelped in panic, flapping his fins frantically.

Like a startled bird, Shirahoshi buried her head under her blanket, her long tail trembling visibly.

"Again?!" Fukaboshi snarled, turning toward the sound. He gripped his trident tightly, his teeth clenched in anger.

A massive axe flew through the open doorway, hurtling straight toward Shirahoshi's bed with deadly precision.

Whoosh!

Before Fukaboshi could even react, Ron's figure disappeared from where he had been standing. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared mid-air, raising a single fist.

Boom!

With a casual strike, the enormous axe—larger than a grown man—shattered into countless fragments.

The effortless display left Fukaboshi stunned. But as the realization sank in, his shock turned to elation.

He immediately turned to the trembling Shirahoshi, who was still hiding under her blanket. "Shirahoshi, don't be afraid. It's over now. You're safe."

Hearing his reassurances, the young princess hesitated before peeking out from under the blanket. Her large, tearful eyes glistened with uncertainty as she glanced upward.

There stood Ron, his back to her, perched nonchalantly on her dining table. Scattered around him were countless fragments of the axe he had just destroyed.

"Gyo-gyo-gyo-gyo!"

Megalo let out an excited series of sounds, flapping its fins and looking toward Shirahoshi.

The princess blinked, trying to make sense of her shark companion's frantic signals. "Megalo… are you saying… Ron shattered that flying weapon… and saved me?"

"Gyo!"

Megalo nodded vigorously in confirmation.

Shirahoshi looked at Ron in awe, her large eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.

Shirahoshi wiped away the glistening tears from the corners of her eyes and turned to Ron with a gaze full of heartfelt gratitude.

"T-Thank you… Ron."

"It's too early to thank me," Ron replied with a gentle smile, tilting his head toward her. "Wait until I've caught that culprit. Let's go. I'll take you outside for a walk, and while we're at it, we'll catch that guy."

Shirahoshi stared at him, her large eyes wide with awe, and subconsciously nodded. "Y-Yes, Ron…"

With that, Ron led Shirahoshi out of the Hard-Shell Tower and departed Ryugu Palace, heading toward the depths of Fish-Man Island.

For the first time in nearly six years, Shirahoshi once again took in the breathtaking sights of Fish-Man Island as they arrived at the serene and luminous Sea Forest.

Under the sunlight filtering through the Sea Forest, Shirahoshi approached the grave of her late mother, Queen Otohime, buried within the heart of the forest. It was the fifth anniversary of her mother's passing, and Shirahoshi finally had the chance to pay her respects.

She had so much to say to her mother, words she'd held back for years due to being confined in the Hard-Shell Tower, unable even to attend the funeral because of Vander Decken's threats.

Ron and Megalo quietly gave her space, standing some distance away.

About an hour later, Shirahoshi returned to Ron and Megalo, her eyes still red from tears.

"Are you ready?" Ron asked gently.

"Mm." The eleven-year-old princess wiped her tear-streaked cheeks and looked up at Ron with a radiant smile. "Today is the happiest day I've had in years. Thank you… Ron."

Sitting atop Megalo's head, Ron responded with a faint smile. "Then let's move on."

"Mm!" Shirahoshi nodded enthusiastically.

She climbed onto Megalo's back, still smaller in size compared to her future form, while Ron remained seated atop the shark's head. The two of them sat one behind the other as Megalo wagged his tail and swam off toward Fish-Man District under Ron's guidance.

Seated on Megalo's head, Ron reached out into the air and summoned the Endless Wine Flask, tilting it to take a sip.

"Ron… is it true that you can't see?" Shirahoshi asked softly.

"Mm," Ron replied, lowering the flask. "Due to certain circumstances, I can't see right now."

"That's so sad… sniff… Ron, that's so sad…" Shirahoshi's lips quivered as tears welled up in her eyes again, her heart aching for Ron's condition.

Ron chuckled softly, both amused and exasperated. "Don't cry. Even though I can't see with my eyes, it doesn't affect me much. Besides, there's a chance I'll regain my sight in the future."

"R-Really?" Shirahoshi wiped her tears, her expression brightening slightly.

"Mm."

"That's wonderful to hear."

After a brief pause, Shirahoshi spoke again, her tone filled with sincerity. "Ron…"

"Mm?" Ron, who had been sipping his wine and extending his Observation Haki to locate Vander Decken, glanced back at her. "What is it this time?"

"Thank you…" she said softly, her voice carrying genuine emotion.

Ron let out a hearty laugh. "There's no need to keep saying thanks. I don't like hearing it too much."

"Is that so…?" Shirahoshi tilted her head, pondering his words.

"Mm."

As she gazed at Ron's back, a gentle smile spread across Shirahoshi's face, her already stunning features hinting at the extraordinary beauty she would grow into. Deep in her heart, she thought to herself, Meeting Ron is truly the best thing that's ever happened to me…

As Megalo swam above the bustling streets of Fish-Man District, carrying Ron and Shirahoshi, countless merfolk, fish-men, and even human pirates looked up in shock.

"That's… Princess Shirahoshi?!"

"Princess Shirahoshi left Ryugu Palace?!"

"And that human… who is he?!"

"Could it be… that human kidnapped the mermaid princess?!"

"Are you an idiot? Does Princess Shirahoshi look like she's been kidnapped?"

"Not at all! In fact, she looks… really happy."

"What in the world is going on?"

As the residents of Fish-Man Island watched in confusion, a massive spiked club suddenly hurled through the air, flying straight toward Shirahoshi on top of Megalo.

"Princess Shirahoshi!"

"Look out!"

Panic erupted below as the giant weapon closed in. Shirahoshi turned her head just in time to see the enormous spiked club rapidly approaching, her pupils shrinking in fear.

In that moment, a figure moved through the air with blinding speed, and with a single kick, shattered the weapon into countless fragments.

Down below, countless Fish-Men and merfolk stared in stunned silence at the scene above.

Shirahoshi, frozen in shock, stared at the figure shielding her. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "Ron… you're so strong."

Perched atop Megalo's head, Ron, still holding his endless flask in his left hand, smiled faintly. His closed eyes tilted slightly toward a particular direction. "Found you."

With that, he raised his right hand and, to Shirahoshi's astonishment, pulled a gleaming silver revolver seemingly out of thin air.

"What… What is that?" Shirahoshi asked, her voice filled with awe.

Ron offered no explanation. Aiming at a distant point in the vast city, he squeezed the trigger.

Bang!

A silver bullet, wrapped in an aura of Haki, pierced through the air like a streak of light. It soared with deadly precision, traveling over the sprawling Fish-Man District until it struck its target.

At a hidden location, inside a dark, concealed corner of the Fish-Man District, Vander Decken IX, wielder of the Target-Target Fruit, was in the middle of crafting another weapon. Suddenly, the roof above him shattered as the silver bullet descended upon him with unerring accuracy.

Before he could comprehend what was happening, the bullet pierced his forehead, leaving behind a gory trail and embedding itself deep into the ground.

"H-How…?"

Vander Decken's lifeless body slumped to the floor, his wide, terror-stricken eyes frozen in disbelief.

He died without ever understanding how someone had located him or how they managed to kill him so effortlessly.

…

Ron re-holstered the smoking revolver with a casual motion and turned to Shirahoshi with a light smile.

"It's done. Let's head back to Ryugu Palace."

Shirahoshi blinked in confusion. "Done? Ron… what do you mean, done?"

Ron chuckled softly. "That Vander Decken fellow who's been harassing and threatening you—he's no longer an issue. From now on, you're free to leave the Hard Shell Tower whenever you want."

Shirahoshi's eyes widened in disbelief, a mixture of joy, astonishment, and excitement overtaking her expression. "Really? I… I don't have to stay trapped in the tower anymore?"

"Of course not," Ron assured her.

…

After their return to Ryugu Palace, word quickly spread that Vander Decken IX had been eliminated. Neptune, accompanied by the princes and guards, confirmed the news upon discovering the lifeless body.

With this, Shirahoshi was finally liberated from her years of confinement in the Hard Shell Tower.

Neptune, overjoyed, organized a grand feast to celebrate. He, along with the princes and Shirahoshi, hosted Ron and his companions with the utmost hospitality.

During the banquet, Shirahoshi quickly grew close to Kuina and the others. The princess's pure-hearted nature and innocence made her a cherished friend among the group.

Ron and his crew spent a few memorable days at Ryugu Palace, sharing joyful moments with Shirahoshi that none would forget.

…

The Year Ends with a Bang

The tumultuous events of the year 1517 came to a close with Ron's exploits making waves across the seas.

From the North Blue incident to the Drum Island affair and the daring raids on both Mariejois and Marineford in a single day, Ron's actions shook the world. His legendary status as "The Wanderer" was solidified, his fame rivaling even the Four Emperors.

…

The Journey Resumes

As the calendar turned to 1518, Ron celebrated his 18th birthday, while Shirahoshi turned 12.

On their final day at Fish-Man Island, Shirahoshi bid farewell to Ron and his crew, her eyes filled with tears.

"Ron, Kuina, Robin, Conis, Bonney, Enzo… promise me you'll visit again!"

Ron gave her a reassuring smile. "We will, Shirahoshi. One day."

"You mean it?"

"I promise."

"Then let's pinky swear!"

With a chuckle, Ron extended his hand. Their fingers linked for a brief moment, and Shirahoshi broke into a radiant smile, her tears finally ceasing.

"I'll hold you to that, Ron!"

As the Traveler set sail once more, leaving Fish-Man Island behind, Shirahoshi stood at the water's edge, waving with all her might. Her voice echoed across the waves:

"Goodbye, Ron! Please stay safe!"

For Shirahoshi, the days spent with Ron and his companions were the happiest of her life—a memory she would cherish forever.

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