Had It Begun?

From where Shirahoshi couldn't see, a long spear was still aimed at Shirahoshi, who had already emerged from the Hard-Shell Tower!

However, before the spear could even hit its target, it was shattered by a gold coin!

Of course, the power of this attack is controlled. Haku doesn't want to destroy the entire Fish-Man Island.

As Shirahoshi moved around, the residents of Fish-Man Island were quickly drawn to her.

There was no way around it; Shirahoshi's size was simply too eye-catching.

Seeing that he had no other choice, Haku could only put his hand on Shirahoshi's shoulder and ask, "Where do you want to go? Point me in the right direction."

Just then, some Fish-Man ran up and said, "Princess Shirahoshi, how did you escape from the Royal Palace? Did this human kidnap you?"

"No, no! Lady Haku didn't..." Shirahoshi hadn't finished speaking.

Haku interrupted helplessly, "Where do you want to go? If we don't leave soon, I think the people on the island will surround me."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Lady Haku!" There were faint tears in Shirahoshi's eyes, even though she hadn't left the Hard-Shell Tower for 10 years.

She still remembered the general direction.

Haku looked in the direction Shirahoshi was pointing and saw a distant area with countless shipwrecks lying there. Even the Thousand Sunny was among them, surrounded by beautiful coral reefs.

"The Sea Forest?" Haku recalled that it was the place where Shirahoshi's mother, Queen Otohime, was buried.

The next instant, Haku appeared at the entrance to the Sea Forest with Shirahoshi.

"What? How could this be? Wasn't I just here?" Shirahoshi was surprised that she had suddenly arrived at the Sea Forest.

At the same time, she was also very curious about how Haku had managed to do it.

Haku felt a little embarrassed, as this was the first time he had Teleportation with a creature much larger than himself.

The result was just a little off; it didn't take off!

"Haku? What are you doing here?" Robin, with a small bag slung over her shoulder, was surprised by Haku's sudden appearance.

Haku pointed at Shirahoshi and said, "I just had some time, so I took this little girl out for a walk."

"Little girl?" Robin looked at Shirahoshi, who was now several times larger than before, and for a moment she was stunned by Shirahoshi's beauty.

Shirahoshi also looked at Robin curiously, and said earnestly, "Hello, my name is Shirahoshi!"

Robin smiled and said, "My name is Robin. Since we're going to the same place, let's go in together."

As soon as Robin finished speaking, the three of them stepped into the sea area known as the "Sea Forest".

Sunlight streamed through the clear seawater, illuminating the colorful coral reefs around us, creating a dreamlike world.

Shirahoshi gazed at the scenery before her, her eyes filled with longing. Although she hadn't left the Hard-Shell Tower for ten years, her memories of this sea area remained vivid.

Haku shook her head as she looked at Shirahoshi's expression; the burden on Shirahoshi's heart was no lighter than that of some adults.

Robin glanced at Shirahoshi, then at Haku. She teased with interest, "Haku, this must be the Mermaid, right? You didn't kidnap her from the Royal Palace, did you?"

"No! Lady Haku didn't kidnap me. I came out with Lady Haku willingly," Shirahoshi said anxiously, afraid that Robin might misunderstand.

Robin covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Be careful, this guy isn't a good person."

"Hey, hey, hey! I'm still right here! Although, I admit I'm not exactly a good person!" Haku said speechlessly.

"But I think Lady Haku is a good person," Shirahoshi said with a slightly naive look in her eyes.

Robin covered her mouth and laughed!

Soon, the Thousand Sunny came into view ahead.

Franky, who had arrived earlier, could also hear Haku and the others laughing and talking on the ship.

Franky shouted in his characteristic loud voice, "Hey~ Haku, Robin, and this super big Mermaid girl, you're all here! Looks like the Sea Forest is going to be lively today!"

On board, Dan, a shipwright who had been invited by Franky to coat the Thousand Sunny, stared wide-eyed and exclaimed, "What is Princess Shirahoshi doing here?!"

"Franky, you and the Thousand Sunny are both here!" Robin replied with a smile.

"Yes, Robin!" Franky said, his eyes involuntarily drawn to Shirahoshi. "Wow, is this the legendary Princess Shirahoshi? She truly lives up to her reputation, she's so beautiful!"

Shirahoshi lowered her head shyly, but quickly looked up again, curiously watching Franky and the Thousand Sunny behind him.

However, her attention was quickly drawn to the Mausoleum not far from the Thousand Sunny, Shirahoshi ignored the others and headed towards the Mausoleum on her own.

Haku knew that Shirahoshi had a lot to say to her mother and wouldn't be leaving so quickly.

He pointed in a direction and said to Robin, "What you want to see is over there, not far away. Go and see for yourself. I need to protect Shirahoshi!"

As she spoke, Haku frowned and looked up at the sky. In the Fish-Man District, Haku's Observation Haki revealed many human Pirates flying in this direction!

"Is this the beginning?" Haku murmured.

According to the original plot, these Pirates who were thrown over by Vander Decken IX should have been flying to the Ryugu Palace.

But Haku, contrary to expectations, took Shirahoshi away prematurely, causing all the Pirates to fly towards the Sea Forest!

Looking at Haku's expression, Robin asked, "Did something happen?"

"A swarm of insects is coming," Haku said calmly.

He floated up behind Shirahoshi with his feet off the ground!

Robin had originally intended to look at the Poneglyph, but after seeing Haku's actions, she decided to stay and observe first.

In the distance, tiny black dots appeared in the sky. As the others followed Haku's gaze, they were surprised to find that the black dots seemed to be flying towards them.

"Those black dots aren't people, are they?" Franky finally saw clearly what those flying black dots were.

Shirahoshi turned to look back because of the commotion caused by Haku and the others.

Haku was floating right in front of her, and she whispered, "Lady Haku, is something wrong?"

When she saw the humans flying towards her, she was so frightened that tears welled up in her eyes.

She tried her best to hide behind Haku, but unfortunately found that the difference in their sizes was simply too great.

Haku didn't reply, because the flying figures were getting closer and closer, and they could hit Shirahoshi at any moment!

A surge of Spiritual Power erupted from Haku's body, causing his clothes to flutter loudly.

"Binding Arts Eighty-One: 'Broken Sky'!"

Haku's voice wasn't loud, but everyone present could hear it clearly.