Strengthening Shirahoshi, the Power of Poseidon!

Ivan knew this, and he was also aware of the awkward geographical location of the Dragon Palace.

The Ryugu Kingdom is located at the dividing point between the New World and the first half of the Grand Line, and is a necessary passage to enter the New World.

Therefore, both pirates from the New World and the World Government pose a deadly threat to the Ryugu Kingdom.

This is why the Ryugu Kingdom differs from other countries; it must not only pay Heavenly Tribute to the World Government but also regularly offer sacrifices to one of the Four Emperors in exchange for protection.

If Whitebeard hadn't asked for so little, the Ryugu Kingdom's situation would have been a hundred times more difficult than it is now.

Just like when Whitebeard died in battle and the right of protection was transferred to Big Mom, the Ryugu Kingdom almost suffered a severe penalty for failing to pay the full amount of sweets.

From this perspective, even the Whitebeard Pirates are more benevolent than the World Government.

The Whitebeard Pirates only accepted a small amount of Beli and sent their captains to guard and protect Fish-Man Island. The World Government, however, extracted billions of Heavenly Tribute, turned a blind eye to the crisis on Fish-Man Island, and even sent slave ships to capture Fish-Man.

Shadow Garden, of course, responded to its partners' concerns.

Ivan patted his chest and assured him, "Rest assured, King Neptune, Shadow Garden will do everything in its power to protect our partners. From now on, you will not need to seek protection from any other force!"

King Neptune shook his head. "No, if we don't hand over the Heavenly Tribute, the World Government will definitely send its navy to attack the Ryugu Kingdom. We can't handle that kind of power!"

Ivan smiled mysteriously, brimming with confidence. "What if I could help Princess Shirahoshi completely master the power of Poseidon?"

King Neptune was not surprised that Ivan knew Shirahoshi's identity, but he was astonished that Ivan could enable Shirahoshi to completely master the Power of Poseidon: "If Shirahoshi can truly master the Power of Poseidon, then Fish-Man Island will be safe from any threat while it lies beneath the sea!"

But there has never been an example of Poseidon being Awakening through external forces.

King Neptune looked at Ivan hopefully, hoping he was telling the truth, but there was no record of anything like helping Poseidon Awakening in the kingdom's history.

"Don't worry, Shadow Garden won't do anything they're not sure of."

A moment later, Princess Shirahoshi, with her long pink hair, emerged from the "prison" where she had spent over a decade, looking at Ivan with a mixture of timidity and longing. "Father, was this the gentleman who saved me?"

King Neptune affectionately stroked Shirahoshi's hair. "That's right, it was Mr. Azure Dragon who saved you, and now he will help you activate the Power of Poseidon within you."

"Really? Thank you so much, Mr. Azure Dragon! Now that I 'Awakening the Power of Poseidon, I can protect Fish-Man Island!" Overwhelmed with excitement, Shirahoshi grabbed Ivan and hugged him tightly, rubbing against him. Ivan felt as if he were wrapped in two balls of cotton, unable to breathe.

Upon seeing this, King Neptune's expression changed drastically. He immediately reprimanded Shirahoshi for her rudeness, Shirahoshi quickly put Ivan down, allowing Ivan to breathe some fresh air.

Even so, he still had a faint milky scent.

Shaking his head helplessly, Ivan washed away the milky scent from his body with water and officially began to enhance Shirahoshi: "Princess Shirahoshi, do not resist in any way. My power will transform your body and help you unlock your inner potential."

"Yes!" Shirahoshi nodded seriously, her cheeks puffing out.

King Neptune prepared a large amount of food, Ivan teleported above Shirahoshi's head, placing his hand on her head.

The enhancement officially begins!

As soon as he started strengthening, Ivan discovered that his physical strength was being consumed at an alarming rate. If strengthening Nami was like a water pump drawing water, then strengthening Shirahoshi was like a dam bursting; he simply couldn't sustain it for long.

However, as long as there is enough food, physical strength is never a precious thing for the strong.

Ivan used his Transformation Technique to change his face, picked up the mask halfway, and began to eat voraciously, simultaneously sacrificing his Life Return digest it.

And so, until all the food was exhausted, Ivan finally activated the potential within Shirahoshi!

In the instant it ended, Shirahoshi felt her consciousness spreading outwards, gradually connecting with the many consciousnesses within the ocean.

If she wanted, she could easily command these consciousnesses and make them obey her commands.

She wasn't a domineering person, so she didn't issue any orders, but simply gradually withdrew her consciousness.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw her father looking at her expectantly. Shirahoshi smiled and nodded, "Father, thank you, Mr. Azure Dragon, I succeeded!"

King Neptune could no longer contain his smile; from that moment on, Fish-Man Island feared no threat whatsoever!

After spending a day on Fish-Man Island and fully recovering his strength, Ivan didn't plan to stay any longer. He prepared to go with Namur to the Whitebeard Pirates to visit Whitebeard.

Namur was pleasantly surprised. "Mr. Azure Dragon, are you planning to visit the Whitebeard Pirates?"

Ivan nodded. "That's right. I do want to witness the strength of the World's Strongest Man. More importantly, I want to represent Shadow Garden and hope that the Whitebeard Pirates will contribute to the attack on Mary Geoise."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Namur's face vanished, replaced by worry. "That might disappoint Mr. Azure Dragon. My Pops only cares about his family and doesn't care about the world's future; he most likely won't agree."

"It's alright. Even if you disagree, witnessing the strength of the World's Strongest Man is still a wonderful thing."

Namur looked at Ivan suspiciously. Although Ivan smiled brightly, he felt that Ivan had other purposes for visiting the Whitebeard Pirates.

Namur had traveled this sea route from Fish-Man Island to the New World countless times over the years, and knew it intimately.

Therefore, they moved very quickly and arrived in the New World in just a few days.

Just as they reached the waters of the Whitebeard commander, they suddenly saw smoke rising in the distance, clearly indicating that a battle had taken place.

Upon seeing Namur, Namur exclaimed in shock, "It's Jack the Drought from the Beasts Pirates! That damned guy, he's attacking us again! Brothers, accelerate at full speed and support the brothers still fighting!"

"Yes!"

In the distance, a warship resembling a mammoth was frantically unleashing cannon fire at the pirate ship ahead.

On the ship, a tall, blond man with a ponytail the Roar, "Brothers, charge! Crush these Whitebeard Pirates scum!"

His crew, a motley crew of pirates clad in black bodysuits, shouted excitedly, "Yes, we're about to win!"

Moments later, the pirate ship ahead was sunk by the Mammoth.

Jack the Drought stared at the burning wreckage on the sea, a cruel smile spreading across his face, and roared:

--

"A bunch of stray dogs, daring to block the way?!"

Tell Whitebeard that from this day forward, this island will be under the control of Jack the Drought!

Anyone who disagrees will be sunk to the bottom of the sea to feed the fish!

Below, the Whitebeard Pirates stared at Jack with bloodshot eyes.

PS: Princess Shirahoshi