" King Neptune, how is Princess Shirahoshi now? Is she still staying in the Hard-Shell Tower, afraid to come out as before?"
After the soldiers walked away, Jinbe hesitated, but after thinking for a moment, he asked Neptune about Shirahoshi's condition.
"... What else can I do? How can I let her risk her life before I've captured Vanda Decken?"
When Jinbe inquired about his most beloved daughter, Shirahoshi, Neptune's face immediately fell, and after a short while, he spoke with remorse.
"You still haven't got any news about that bastard Vanda Decken? I feel so guilty for letting Princess Shirahoshi, such a kind and pure girl, suffer so much. If you have any news about him, please let me know immediately. I must catch that bastard myself and make sure Princess Shirahoshi doesn't have to suffer in that cramped, Hard-Shell Tower anymore..."
Jinbe was very concerned about Princess Shirahoshi, the youngest daughter of Neptune and Queen Otohime. In his eyes, she was like a younger sister. He felt very distressed to see her forced to stay inside the Hard-Shell Tower for ten years and unable to step outside. He wished he could immediately arrest the culprit and torture him severely.
"Heh heh heh, so what if we know? You know about Boss Jinbe's situation too. Every time that guy shows up, it's like a feint, sending the soldiers back empty-handed. They can't catch him at all. In ten years, no one has ever been able to truly pinpoint his location!"
Before Neptune could speak, Fukaboshi interrupted from behind.
"Hey~ Anyway, if you need my help, just let me know. After all, I'm part of Fish-Man Island, so don't be shy!"
Clearly, Jinbe was aware of this situation as well. It was no ordinary person who could evade the royal family's pursuit for ten years. Thinking of this, he sighed, then stood up and bowed to them.
"Yes, we understand your intentions, Jinbe, but please allow us to handle the matter of Vanda Decken ourselves. As for that bastard, I wish I could skin him alive..."
Neptune's eyes flashed with intense hatred, the grief and resentment of a father unable to intervene when his child was wronged.
"Alright then... if there's nothing else, I'd like to take my leave now!"
Seeing this, Jinbe did not insist and bowed to Neptune, asking him to leave.
"No, Jinbe, if possible, please stay here for now. I'd like to invite you to the banquet that's about to begin. After all, you've met that Shichibukai Luo Chen once before. Please entertain them well for me..."
Neptune shook his head in refusal, then offered an explanation.
"Well... okay!!"
Jinbe hesitated for a moment, then agreed.
On the other side, inside a dilapidated Giant sailboat adrift on the seabed, a desolate and rugged voice rang out.
"Hey, guys, any news about my beloved Shirahoshi?"
The speaker sat in the main seat of a spacious and magnificent hall in the ship's cabin and asked his subordinates below.
He wore a small top hat, had spiky hair and a beard, wore multiple necklaces, and had four legs. He was none other than Vander Decken IX, the current captain of "The Flying Dutchman" whom Neptune and the others had just been discussing, a descendant of the first Vander Decken, Devil Fruit User.
"Boss, Princess Shirahoshi is currently imprisoned in the Hard-Shell Tower by Neptune because of your passionate pursuit, and she hasn't been released yet. Our men also have no updates on her..."
A Fish-Man subordinate waved his arms helplessly in response.
"Damn it, it's all Neptune's fault, that wretched father-in-law, for interfering with my love with Shirahoshi. If it weren't for him, we might already have a child now, that bastard Neptune!"
Vander Decken's somewhat ugly face twisted even more as he thought of this, staring at the ceiling as if he could see Neptune's repulsive appearance and cursing him.
"Uh~ Don't you know your own situation?"
His Fish-Man were speechless as they looked at their boss, secretly mocking him but daring not to show it.
"Hmph, tell me, what's the latest news from Fish-Man Island?"
After venting his anger, Vander Decken looked at his men and asked with a smirk.
"That's right, Captain. According to the intelligence we've gathered, Neptune seems to have extended an invitation to a pirate who once shared the same name as Jinbe, inviting him to a welcome banquet being held for him at the Ryugu Palace..."
Also, Hody Jones from Fish-Man District has sent you an invitation to participate in his planned scheme. Would you like to reply?
A man came up, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, and reported the information he had gathered to him.
" Hody Jones? I think he's the current boss of Fish-Man District. What good schemes could he possibly have to discuss with me? Never mind him, the most important thing right now is that..."
You mean Neptune extended an invitation to a pirate, right?
Vander Decken waved his hand in refusal, then asked the man again to confirm the invitation Neptune had previously extended.
"Yes, yes, according to them, it seems that it was because of his extraordinary status that he decided to invite a Luo Chen and his companions to the Ryugu Palace to attend a banquet hosted by Neptune for them!!"
The man wiped his sweat and continued.
"I see, very well then. My men, let's intercept those fools so they can impersonate them and get through the guards of the Ryugu Palace to propose to my beloved Princess Shirahoshi!!"
Vander Decken completely ignored the latter part of what his men were saying and loudly proclaimed it to them.
"Oh~"
The soldiers below had no choice but to agree.
"Hey, are you sure this is okay? I remember that guy's status is pretty high and mighty, do you really think the few of us can..."
One of them, somewhat lacking confidence, asked his companion in a low voice.
"Shh~ Keep your voice down, don't let Captain Vander Decken hear us. There's no way we can change his mind now. Rather than risk his scolding, we'd better obey his orders and do as he says..."
He had barely uttered the words when his companion covered his mouth with his hand, whispering a reminder in his ear with his finger pressed against his lips.
" Shirahoshi ~ my beloved, please wait for me. Soon I will be able to reach you and continue our blissful union..."
Now accept my sincerest love for you... Behold my courtship... the mighty axe!!
Swoosh...
brush!!
Vander Decken shouted at a certain place like a madman, then picked up a thick axe from under him and swung it out.
With his ability activated, the giant axe spun rapidly and swung towards the Hard-Shell Tower where Shirahoshi of the Ryugu Palace was located.
"Oh, oh, oh... I'm off. Shirahoshi, make sure you accept my gift of courtship!"
My men!
After speaking, Vander Decken turned to his men and shouted orders at them.
"Exist!!"
A group of people enthusiastically echoed this.
"Turn around and head towards the location of the Ryugu Palace. Try to stop them before Luo Chen arrives!!"
"Yes!!"
And so, the Flying Dutchman, under the control of the group, turned towards the sky Fish-Man Island, speeding along in preparation to intercept Luo Chen before he arrived at the Ryugu Palace and to reveal his identity and break in.