79. Princess Killer, The Promise With Shirahoshi

With a big laugh, Megalo dashed out from the gate of the hard-shell tower, swiftly swimming through the air with the aid of bubbles.

"Oops, Princess Shirahoshi slipped out of the shell tower."

As Megalo and the unmistakable Shirahoshi emerged into the air, some Fishman soldiers patrolling the Ryugu Palace couldn't help but shout in panic.

"Sorry, everyone! I went out with Lord Luffy. I'll be back for dinner," Shirahoshi quickly explained with a weak smile, though her voice was too soft for the Ryugu Officer soldiers below to hear clearly.

"Haha, let's go! This is so much fun," Luffy exclaimed, sitting atop Shirahoshi's chest, enjoying the sea breeze as they flew.

This flying shark gave him a thrill, more exciting and faster than the bubble car on Sabaody. Plus, sitting on Shirahoshi's chest, soft and fragrant, made him feel incredibly comfortable.

"Your Majesty, something's not right. Shirahoshi has been taken," the Minister of the Ryugu Palace burst into the palace, panicked, and loudly informed Neptune, who was seated on the throne.

"What?" Neptune was shocked. Shirahoshi was his beloved daughter, and he understood the immense power within her.

It was enough to shake the world. If she was abducted, it would be a huge problem. But after a moment, Neptune calmed down.

"Did she go out with Luffy? Then there's nothing to worry about," Neptune reassured himself, recalling Luffy's sincere smile. Despite just meeting him, he felt an inexplicable trust in the boy.

"But what about Vander Decken ?" the minister on the right worriedly interjected. Shirahoshi spent eight years in the Shell Tower because of that scoundrel.

"Don't worry. That's Straw Hat, kid. With him protecting Shirahoshi, nobody can harm her," Neptune chuckled. "If Vander Decken causes trouble now, he'll regret it."

Only then did the minister realize the gravity of the situation. Whoever took Princess Shirahoshi out wasn't an ordinary pirate. It was one of the new Yonko, Monkey D. Luffy, the Straw Hat Boy, who had caused chaos at the Naval Headquarters, leaving the Marines and the World Government powerless against him.

Outside the Fishman Island,

"Is this what sunshine feels like? It's warm, and the sea breeze is delightful, Lord Luffy," Shirahoshi said, sitting on Megalo's back, her face beaming with joy.

At just fourteen, she had spent most of her life inside the Shell Tower, forgetting about the outside world. Now, she felt like a curious kitten exploring everything anew.

"Look over there, Lord Luffy! And there, look!" Shirahoshi pointed excitedly from Megalo's back.

Her enormous movements caused Luffy, who lay on her soft chest, to bounce around.

"What are you doing, you crybaby?" Luffy struggled to get free.

"I'm sorry, Lord Luffy. I haven't been out for so long," Shirahoshi's voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes, drenching Luffy.

"You really are a softie," Luffy sighed, finding it a bit challenging to handle her compared to the tough folks he's used to.

"I'm sorry, Lord Luffy. I'm just scared," Shirahoshi said softly, wiping the tears from Luffy's body.

"Don't be afraid. I'll protect you. No one can hurt you while I'm around," Luffy reassured her, patting his chest confidently.

He sensed the girl's fragility, how any change in the outside world could fill her with fear, like delicate porcelain.

"Is Lord Luffy serious?" Shirahoshi looked at Luffy, detecting something in his vulnerable gaze.

"Of course, I never lie to my partner."

"Are we partners?" Shirahoshi asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Despite your tears and troubles, you're still a good person. Of course, we're partners," Luffy replied, brushing off tears from his straw hat with a hint of discomfort.

"Really?" Shirahoshi questioned.

"Absolutely true."

"Then, Pinky promise? My mother, the queen, says promises made on a Pinky won't fade for a hundred years." Shirahoshi extended her massive pinky, looking at Luffy expectantly.

"You're quite a handful, you crybaby," Luffy remarked but placed his palm on Shirahoshi's massive finger. "Alright, it's a deal. We're partners, and I'll protect you from any harm."

"Yay, Lord Luffy!" Shirahoshi cheered after they hooked Pinkies, lifting Luffy and sticking his face happily.

"Let go, crybaby! You've soaked me with your tears," Luffy protested, struggling in disgust. He now understood Nami's frustration when dealing with him. Shirahoshi was even more challenging.

"Oops, sorry, Lord Luffy. I'm just so happy," Shirahoshi apologized sincerely.

Below them, Megalo sighed with a hint of human-like exasperation at the scene unfolding on his back.

"That's Princess Shirahoshi," the Merfolk below recognized her as Megalo flew them to the bustling Coral Hills. Despite her seclusion in the shell tower, Shirahoshi's immense figure and breathtaking beauty made her easily identifiable.

"What's that?" Shirahoshi whimpered in fear at the voices from below, then timidly waved in greeting.

"You're quite popular in the Fishman Island," Luffy remarked, sitting atop Shirahoshi's chest.

"I don't know much about it. I've rarely been out since I was very young," Shirahoshi confessed, still overwhelmed by the lively atmosphere.

Having been isolated for so long, she found it hard to adjust to bustling crowds.

Understanding her unease, Luffy gently inquired, "Is there somewhere you'd like to go?"

"If there's anywhere, it's the Sea Forest," Shirahoshi answered with newfound determination. "No matter what, I want to go there."

"The Sea Forest? What's that? A forest underwater?"

Luffy asked, slightly puzzled.

"I don't know exactly how it looks, but it's like a cemetery for Fishman Island," Shirahoshi explained, pressing her hands against her chest. "It's where the empress rests."

"That's it, let's go," Luffy said with a smile, noticing the mistiness in Shirahoshi's eyes.

"Hey, isn't there somewhere you want to go, Lord Luffy?" Shirahoshi asked, her hands waving nervously. "Wouldn't it be too much trouble?"

"Hehe, I don't have a particular destination in mind. As long as I'm with my partner, anywhere is interesting," Luffy replied, sitting cross-legged. "Besides, you said it's important to you, right? Let's go take a look."

"Lord Luffy!" Shirahoshi cried loudly, moved by his kindness.

"Why are you crying again, you timid star?" Luffy dodged the tears falling from the sky.

"I'm just so happy, Lord Luffy. You're so kind," Shirahoshi sobbed.

Meanwhile, at the Coral Hill Mermaid Cafe entrance,

"That's Luffy," Usopp said, surprised by what he saw.

"What? You mean that man sitting on the mermaid's chest is Luffy?" Sanji grabbed Usopp's collar, his eyes burning with jealousy.

"Hey, Sanji, calm down," Usopp urged, sweating nervously.

"How can I calm down? That's the mermaid princess, as beautiful as the Pirate Empress herself. She's the most beautiful woman in the world, and Luffy gets to sit on her chest!" Sanji's voice echoed, attracting attention from nearby Merfolk.

"Embarrassing," Nami muttered, covering her face.

"Envy is a terrible emotion," Robin remarked calmly.

"Well, isn't Luffy always like this?" Usopp stammered, remembering Luffy's interactions with Princess Vivi and others.

"That's why I'm so envious," Sanji wailed, falling to his knees.

"Princess Vivi, Mermaid Princess, Luffy, are you a princess killer?" Sanji's jealousy was palpable.

"There's nothing to envy," Zoro said, taking a sip of his drink.

"That's just Luffy being Luffy. Being welcomed by beautiful women is par for the course," Usopp shrugged.

"Beauty's overrated. Give me a good boat any day," Franky chimed in, adjusting his sunglasses.

"I understand Sanji's mood, but as a skeleton, I can't relate," Brook laughed, tears streaming from his empty eye sockets. "I'm just bones."

"Let's go shopping, Nami," Robin interjected, leading Nami away from the scene.

"You bastards," Sanji muttered, feeling dejected as he watched them leave.

Zoro is obsessed with swords. Usopp, with his hometown and a rich lady waiting for him. Chopper, well, he's not human. Franky, with his little fans in Water Seven. And Brook, the wretched skeleton.

"Damn it, am I the saddest man in the Straw Hat Pirates?" Sanji's frustration grew.

Feeling overwhelmed, he stood up unsteadily. "Leave me alone. I need some time alone," he muttered as he walked away.

"Sanji..." Chopper reached out worriedly, but Zoro just watched in silence.

Meanwhile, in the Fishman Street, an illegal area submerged in seawater,

A four-legged Fishman with a top hat examined a photo of Shirahoshi.

"Captain Decken, we have news about Princess Shirahoshi," a muscular Fishman announced, bursting into the room.

"She's escaped from the Shell Tower and is heading towards the Sea Forest on a shark," he continued.

"Shirahoshi," Decken muttered excitedly, then composed himself.

"Where's Jinbei? Is he with you?" Vander Decken didn't fear many on Fishman Island, except for Jinbei. Jinbei's strength was unmatched, capable of easily crushing him. If it weren't for hiding places, even Jinbei couldn't find him. They had clashed with Neptune's leaders in the past. Although he desired to take Shirahoshi, Jinbei's presence deterred him.

"Jinbei isn't here. He's a guest at the Ryugu Palace at the moment. he hasn't seen Jinbei," the little Fishman replied. Unaware of the Straw Hat Crew's significance, the Fishman in Fishman Street weren't well-informed. They only knew someone was with Shirahoshi, but not who.

"Bring your weapons. Let's test from a distance first," Decken instructed his subordinates upon hearing Jinbei's absence. Excited yet cautious, he knew attacking Shirahoshi from afar was the safest approach, given her formidable powers as Poseidon, capable of commanding Sea Kings.

Armed and accompanied by his younger brother, Vander Daken rushed towards the Sea Forest.

The Sea Forest, located northeast of Fishman Island, was a place of abundant sunshine and beautiful corals. It served as a graveyard for Fishman, surrounded by shipwrecks from pirate vessels torn apart by the seabed's undercurrents.

"I'm sorry, Lord Luffy," Shirahoshi said, tears welling in her eyes as she gazed at the Sea Forest. Because of Vander Decken, she couldn't even attend her mother's funeral. Eight years had passed, yet she hadn't been able to visit her mother's grave.

"Lord Luffy, I want to go in alone. Is that okay?" Shirahoshi asked timidly, her resolve firm.

"Sure, go ahead. If you're in danger, just call me. I'll come to your rescue no matter where I am," Luffy assured her.

----------

You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion