Chapter 371: Chapter 371: Isn’t It a Bit Inappropriate to Run Off with Someone’s Daughter Right After Arriving...

"Ah..."

"I’m full!"

Luffy, having devoured everything on the table, lay back on it with a look of pure satisfaction. "The food on Fish-Man Island really is delicious~"

Even though there wasn’t any of his favorite large chunks of meat, the flavors here were still excellent.

"Mr. Luffy’s appetite is truly astonishing," Shirahoshi remarked.

He looked like a little person under two meters tall, yet he could eat everything on the table... That was just too impressive!

"This guy’s appetite really is something else," Meiser added.

Not only had Luffy polished off Shirahoshi’s lunch, but Meiser suspected he could easily handle another serving.

Luffy didn’t argue, just grinned widely, taking their words as compliments.

Then, Luffy said, "You’ve been stuck here for so many years, you must be going stir-crazy."

"Not really, I’ve gotten used to it, so..."

Looking at the girl putting on a brave face, Luffy laughed. "Don’t you have any places you want to go?"

"Well, there are a few, but..."

"Then let’s go out for a stroll!"

"Huh?"

Hearing Luffy’s words, Meiser was dumbfounded. "Wait... Luffy, isn’t this a bit inappropriate? Running off with someone’s daughter right after arriving on their turf... What kind of idea is that?"

"What’s the big deal?" Luffy grinned. "It’s not like we’re going to do anything to her. We’re just taking her out for a walk."

"Consider it a thank you for treating us to a meal."

Looking at Luffy’s big, cheerful smile, Meiser’s expression grew hesitant, clearly somewhat swayed by Luffy’s reasoning.

Thinking about it carefully... this girl who hadn’t left the Hard Shell Tower in ten years really was pitiful.

So... taking her out for a stroll wasn’t entirely out of the question.

But ultimately, they still needed to respect the person involved.

With that thought, Meiser nodded and turned to Shirahoshi. "What do you think?"

If she was willing, then he had nothing more to say.

"Going out for a walk..." A glimmer of anticipation appeared in Shirahoshi’s eyes, but thinking of the dangers outside, she hesitated again.

"Yeah, a walk!" Luffy nodded emphatically.

"But..."

"Shark!"

Megalo rushed over and shook his head at Luffy, indicating that it was dangerous outside and Princess Shirahoshi shouldn’t be taken out.

"It’s fine."

As if understanding Megalo’s words, Luffy said, "With me and Meiser here, even if something flies at her, she won’t get hurt."

"Huh?"

Meiser gave Luffy a somewhat surprised look. Could this guy actually understand Megalo’s words?

How did he manage that?

"Shark!"

"Don’t worry, leave it to us."

Luffy nodded at Megalo, then turned to look at Shirahoshi and said, "What’s your decision?"

"I haven’t prepared myself mentally yet..."

"It’s just a walk, why make it so complicated?" Luffy said, looking at Shirahoshi with a headache.

What kind of mental preparation does something like this even need?

"Probably because she’s been stuck here for too long, so she’s too scared to go out," Meiser guessed.

Maybe... this Princess Shirahoshi has turned into an ultimate social recluse?

It’s not impossible.

"What’s there to be afraid of when we’re here?" Luffy frowned and said, "What a coward!"

Shirahoshi: !!!

Hearing Luffy’s words, Shirahoshi burst into tears with a wail.

"Lord Luffy is so mean!!!"

Luffy: ???

Luffy looked at Shirahoshi with a face full of question marks. When had he been mean?

He always spoke to his crewmates with this same attitude.

"Shark!"

Megalo darted to Luffy’s side, excitedly waving its fins at him as if saying: Don’t scare Princess Shirahoshi!

Taking in everyone’s reactions, Meiser said helplessly, "That’s what happens when you stay cooped up for too long."

If you don’t interact with the outside world for years, it’s easy to become an ultimate social recluse.

Shaking his head, Meiser looked up and said, "Shirahoshi, Luffy is actually right. Staying here for so long really isn’t good for you."

"Now’s a rare opportunity, so just go out for a stroll."

"With us here, you won’t be in any danger anyway."

Once they went down, he could also send out a Shadow Clone to investigate the Merfolk kidnapping case.

As for Uncle Neptune’s side?

With Usopp and the others there... those guys have probably been dealt with already, so Meiser wasn’t in a hurry to go find them.

After hearing Meiser’s words, Shirahoshi stopped sobbing, then parted her fingers to reveal her large eyes and said, "Does Lord Meiser also want me to go out for a walk?"

"It’s not about what I want, but about what you want," Meiser said. "If there’s somewhere you’d like to go, the two of us will take you there."

"With us around, no one will be able to threaten you."

After a pause, he continued, "This is a rare chance. Think it over carefully."

Hearing this, Shirahoshi fell silent. Thinking about it carefully... besides these two lords, there really wasn’t anyone else who could safely take her out for a walk.

After all, Vander Decken’s ability was terrifying. Even her father couldn’t protect her every moment.

At this thought, Shirahoshi’s eyes began to waver.

"Don’t you have somewhere you want to go?" Luffy asked curiously.

"Somewhere I want to go..."

Hearing Luffy’s words, a name immediately surfaced in Shirahoshi’s mind.

Then, her eyes gradually grew moist as she said, "Sea... Sea Forest!"

"I’ve always dreamed of going there..."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Shirahoshi’s tears began to flow uncontrollably.

"But it’s just a place I said I wanted to go, why are you crying again?" Luffy said with a headache. "What a troublesome person."

"I’m sorry... please don’t be angry with me..."

Looking at Shirahoshi, who had started wailing again, Luffy scratched his head, truly at a loss for what to do.

Meiser also looked at Shirahoshi with some helplessness. This girl’s courage was even smaller than he had imagined.

Just then, a terrifying rumbling sound came from outside the Hard Shell Tower, as if something had crashed against it.

And this time, unlike before, the rumbling didn’t stop after just one impact!

"Again?" Luffy turned to look at the door, frowning. "What a bad guy."

"This time there are many more attacks than last time," Meiser also said with a frown. "He really intends to kill Shirahoshi."

If he can’t have her, he’ll destroy her?

Ah, that Vander Decken really is scum.

Seeing Shirahoshi, frightened, burrow under the covers, Megalo’s eyes filled with deep concern.

Glancing at the trembling Shirahoshi, Meiser sighed, then turned to Luffy and said, "It’s really hard on this girl."

If Vander Decken keeps this up from time to time... Shirahoshi probably can’t even sleep properly.

Over time, it could lead to a nervous breakdown, so... it’s understandable that her personality has become timid because of this.

Luffy, meanwhile, looked at Shirahoshi and said, "You really are a coward."

"Maybe I should just call you a scaredy-cat."

"Scaredy-cat?!"

Shirahoshi, who had just emerged from under the covers again, looked at Luffy with a confused expression. What did he mean by scaredy-cat?

"You’re so timid, what else would you be but a scaredy-cat?"

After staring at Luffy for a moment, Shirahoshi’s eyes grew moist again, looking as if she was about to cry.

Seeing this, Meiser immediately said, "Shirahoshi, don’t you want to go to the Sea Forest anymore?"

Distracted by Meiser’s change of topic, Shirahoshi held back her tears and lowered her head, saying, "Can I really go...?"

"Why not?" Meiser smiled. "You have the right to choose too, don’t you?"

"But Father told me it’s dangerous outside the tower, so I’m afraid to go out, so... so..."

Watching Shirahoshi’s voice grow softer and softer, Meiser shook his head and said, "Shirahoshi, just tell us, do you want to go to the Sea Forest you’ve been dreaming about or not!"

"If you want to, the two of us can take you there, and we’ll guarantee your safety throughout the journey!"

Looking into Meiser’s extremely serious eyes, Shirahoshi fell silent for a moment, then clenched her fists and said, "You... you two can really guarantee my safety?"

"You really, really can take me..."

"Of course!"

Meiser smiled. "Leave it to us with confidence!"

After receiving this definite answer from the hero of Fish-Man Island, Shirahoshi’s eyes grew moist again.

"Then... then please, both of you, take me there!"

After saying this, Shirahoshi began to cry again.

"You really are a crybaby," Luffy said. "If you keep crying, we won’t take you."

"I’m sorry... I’m just too happy."

Watching Shirahoshi wiping away her tears there, Meiser and Luffy both wore helpless expressions on their faces.

Her courage... really was a bit too small.

"But going out like this would draw too much attention," Meiser said, stroking his chin. "We need to think of a way."

After all, she was the princess of this country. If they took her out directly, some unexpected situations might arise, so—

Should he use Wood Release to hide her? Meiser thought to himself.

But before Meiser could speak, Luffy said, "I have a great idea!"

Seeing Luffy grinning with his teeth showing, a question mark popped up above Meiser’s head.

What great idea?

But when he noticed where Luffy was looking, he was immediately rendered speechless.

Then, Meiser pointed at Megalo and said, "You’re not planning to have Shirahoshi hide in Megalo’s mouth, are you?"

"That’s right!"

Luffy said with his hands on his hips, "That’s exactly what I was thinking!"

Hearing this, Meiser was once again rendered speechless, while Megalo showed an utterly horrified expression.

Put the princess in his mouth?

Wasn’t that a joke!

"Are you serious?" Meiser asked, tilting his head as he looked at Luffy.

"Of course."

Luffy said, "Don’t you think it’s a great idea!"

This time, Meiser didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he carefully examined Shirahoshi’s size, then turned to look at Megalo’s size.

After calculating in his mind, he nodded and said, "Hmm, this method should be feasible. It’s just that Megalo will have to suffer a bit."

Megalo:

Sirs, there’s no need for this!

"Then let’s do it this way," Shirahoshi said.

If she hid in Megalo’s mouth... she would feel more secure.

Megalo: ???

Seeing Princess Shirahoshi looking at him with such anticipation, Megalo was completely dumbfounded.

What was going on?

For a moment, Megalo felt like crying.

"Do you need my help?"

As he spoke, Meiser released the skeletal arm of Susanoo.

"No need, I can do it myself," Shirahoshi said, shaking her head.

Although she had never tried this method before... she thought she could do it!

"Alright, then I’ll leave it to you."

Meiser nodded, then canceled Susanoo.

After doing this, he glanced at Luffy and continued, "The two of us should also prepare."

"Prepare for what?"

Seeing Luffy looking at him with a question mark on his face, Meiser immediately felt annoyed.

"You idiot, you’re not planning to just follow Shirahoshi down like this, are you?" Meiser said irritably. "Have you forgotten that you’re a Devil Fruit Ability User?"

"Oh, right—"

Luffy suddenly realized—he was a Devil Fruit Ability User and couldn’t enter the sea!

Thinking of this, Luffy looked at Meiser and said, "Hey, Meiser, do that thing for me again."

"That thing?"

Shirahoshi, who was struggling to squeeze into Megalo’s mouth, paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "What thing?"

"You’ll know in a moment," Luffy said without turning his head.

"Dancing Fish, huh..."

Meiser thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Then let’s use that."

Although Fish-Man Island has bubbles that allow people to move in the deep sea, they are still not as convenient as the close-fitting Dancing Fish.

So, I’ll use the latter instead.

As for whether this technique might raise suspicion... I can just claim that this bubble is the latest technology from Ryugu Palace. That explanation shouldn’t cause any issues.

Thinking this, Meiser immediately took out the Red Tree Resin unique to Sabaody Archipelago and used it to cast a Ninjutsu on Luffy.

"Water Release - Special Edition: Swimming Fish Dance!"

"Hum."

In the next moment, a thin layer of bubble film appeared around Luffy’s body, firmly protecting him!

As for Meiser himself, he used Water Release: Dance of the Swimming Fish to protect his own body.

After doing this, Meiser said, "All set."

"Is this Lord Meiser’s Ninjutsu!"

Shirahoshi, who was lying inside Megalo’s mouth, looked in amazement at the bubble film covering the two and said, "It looks quite similar to the special bubble coating we have on Fish-Man Island. How incredible!"

"Hmm?"

Hearing Shirahoshi’s words, Meiser showed a surprised expression and said, "Your Fish-Man Island also has this kind of close-fitting bubble?"

"Yes."

Shirahoshi nodded and said, "But... I’ve heard that such bubbles require special techniques to achieve a similar effect."

"I see."

Meiser stroked his chin and said, "That makes things easier."

It’s much more convenient that Fish-Man Island already has such bubbles. This way, there’s no need to explain to others how this thing works.

"Can we set off now!" Luffy said.

Hearing this, Meiser didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Shirahoshi and said, "Are you okay in this state?"

"No problem." Shirahoshi nodded.

Although it’s a bit cramped inside Megalo’s mouth... hiding like this shouldn’t be an issue!

"Actually, I have a problem..." Megalo thought tearfully.

This state is really uncomfortable, but this is Princess Shirahoshi’s order. As a pet, I can’t disobey...

Thinking this, Megalo shed tears of pain.

"As long as it’s fine."

Meiser nodded, then looked at Megalo with amusement and said, "I know you’re uncomfortable now, but for Shirahoshi’s sake, bear with it a little longer."

What else could Megalo say?

He could only nod in agreement.

"Then let’s go!"

"To the Sea Forest!" Luffy laughed loudly.

"Alright!"

In the next moment, Megalo’s massive body moved, crashing fiercely into the door and forcibly breaking open the entrance of the Hard Shell Tower.

Then, he swiftly rushed out of Ryugu Palace!

"Huh?!!"

"Megalo?"

Seeing Megalo charging out from the door, the Minister of the Right, whom Brook had brought here, was utterly stunned.

Why did Megalo run out?

Meanwhile, Brook exclaimed in surprise, "So you were here after all!"

Their worries had truly been unnecessary...

"Oh, it’s Brook."

Noticing Brook and the Minister of the Right in his grasp, Meiser thought for a moment and understood the situation.

The Minister of the Right was tied up, which meant... Brook and the others had already subdued these people!

"It seems things have developed pretty much as I expected," Meiser thought to himself.

With that, there was no need for him to worry here anymore.

Thinking this, Meiser nodded and then shouted to Brook, "We’ll be back soon!"

"Charge, shark, to the Sea Forest!" Luffy grinned, showing his teeth.

"Shark!"

"Boom!!"

"They’re gone..."

Watching the rapidly disappearing figures, Brook was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped.

Where were those two going?

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Right angrily said, "Hey, Megalo, where are you going at such a critical time?!"

Didn’t this bastard know how scared Her Highness was right now?!

To just run off like that... what a jerk!

"Come to think of it, this guy looks a bit fatter than when I saw him earlier," Brook wondered inwardly.

Although the shark wasn’t exactly slim to begin with, now it was swollen like a pufferfish...

"Hey, skeleton, go check the situation inside the Hard Shell Tower!" The Minister of the Right glanced at the tower and said, "Honestly, that bastard Megalo just ran off with the gate wide open. Doesn’t he know what this means?"

If that scoundrel Vander Decken attacks Princess Shirahoshi now... she’ll be done for!

"Yohohohoho~ Her Highness the Princess?" Brook chuckled. "I’ll go right away."

That long-awaited question... was finally going to be asked!

Yohohohoho~ With that, Brook entered the Hard Shell Tower with the Minister of the Right.

But once inside, they were stunned.

"Wh-why is there no one here?"

"Your Highness!"

"Where has Her Highness gone?!"

Tears instantly welled up in the Minister of the Right’s eyes as he said in anguish, "Damn it, when was Princess Shirahoshi taken away...?"

Was it those two from the Straw Hat Pirates who left?

Your Highness!

"For the princess to mysteriously vanish is truly a strange thing," Brook murmured.

Could it be... Meiser and Luffy’s doing?

With that thought, Brook fell into contemplation.

Just then, a man lying on the ground got up, raised his weapon, and swung it at Brook.

"Clang!"

With a backhanded slash, Brook knocked him down and said irritably, "Who are you, and why did you ambush me?"

"This is bad..."

Looking at the humans gradually getting up around them, the Minister of the Right said with a grim expression, "Not only has Her Highness been kidnapped, but so many humans have also infiltrated Ryugu Palace..."

"Hurry, skeleton, take me back to His Majesty the King! We must report this to him as soon as possible!"

"But you’re already tied up. What good will telling him do?"

Hearing this, the Minister of the Right fell silent.

Indeed, what good would telling His Majesty do?

"Damn it..."

Your Highnesses, the three princes, please save Ryugu Palace soon!

"You guys are trying to capture us just for something like this..." Chopper said unhappily, kicking a Fish-man soldier to the ground. "Isn’t that a bit too unreasonable?"

"For the safety of Fish-Man Island, we have no choice!"

"Then let’s give it a try!"

As soon as the words fell, Chopper’s body rapidly transformed, and then he dashed before the Fish-man soldiers with astonishing speed,

quickly knocking many of them to the ground!

"Damn it, how is this guy so strong?" one of the Fish-man soldiers said with a headache. "Isn’t he just a pet with a Bounty of only 50 Berries?"

Chopper: —

Chopper, upon hearing the other’s words, was immediately struck down, turning ashen gray as his body uncontrollably slumped to the ground.

"5...50..."

Fishman Soldier:

"Why did he suddenly become so depressed?"

"It’s all because of you, you idiot!"

"Apologize quickly."

"Sorry..."

The Fish-man who had just spoken obediently apologized, then looked up with some confusion.

Why... did he have to apologize?

"Dammit, my Bounty will definitely go up sooner or later!" Chopper wiped the tears from his eyes and said angrily, "You guys better remember this!"

"So it really is because of the Bounty..."

Looking at the furious tanuki, expressions of pity simultaneously appeared on everyone’s faces.

Despite being so powerful, he only has a bounty of 50, not even worth as much as a newspaper... This guy is too pitiful.

"Dammit, don’t look at me with those eyes!"

Just then, Sanji pushed the door open and walked out, trembling slightly as he made his way to Chopper’s side.

After glancing around at the situation, Sanji roughly understood what had happened.

"Hey, Sanji, you shouldn’t be moving around so carelessly yet," Chopper said anxiously.

"It’s fine, I won’t die," Sanji waved his hand dismissively.

With that, the man calmly lit a cigarette for himself, his expression gradually becoming somewhat relaxed.

Then, he glanced at the Fishman Soldiers surrounding them and said, "Let me ask you, is there a place called Ryugu Palace around here?"

"And inside Ryugu Palace, is there a Mermaid Princess?!!"

The Fishman Soldiers exchanged glances, then replied, "Of course there is, but why are you asking?"

"Then I want to go see it," Sanji said without hesitation. "I’d die to go!"

"Hey!"

Chopper stared dumbfounded at Sanji and said, "You really never learn, do you?!"

"If the Mermaid Princess is a beauty, you might end up dead!"

"If she’s a beauty, then it’s even more reason to see her."

Then, Sanji looked at the Fishman Soldiers and asked, "She’s a beauty, right?"

"Although I’ve never seen what the Mermaid Princess looks like, I’ve heard she’s the number one beauty on Fish-Man Island."

Sanji: !!!

"What?!"

"She’s actually the number one beauty on Fish-Man Island?!!"

Sanji exclaimed excitedly, "Then I want to go to Ryugu Palace! Please take me there right now!"

The Fishman Soldiers exchanged glances again, then took out a pair of handcuffs and said, "We can take you, but we need to handcuff you first."

"No problem! As long as I can go to Ryugu Palace, I’ll do anything!"

Chopper: ???

Chopper stared at Sanji with a face full of question marks. Does this guy even understand the current situation?!

Thinking this, Chopper immediately ran toward Sanji, saying, "Hey, Sanji, don’t do anything reckless!"

"We’re currently...

Before Chopper could finish speaking, he saw Sanji decisively take action.

Bam bam bam

Raising his long legs, Sanji kicked all the surrounding Fishman Soldiers away, cursing, "You idiots! If my hands are cuffed, how am I supposed to cook for the Mermaid Princess?!"

Chopper:

Was that really the reason?

"This human is insane," said the Fishman Soldier as he got up.

He claimed he would surrender, yet he attacked them... What was he playing at?

"It seems this guy intends to resist to the end."

"Brothers, let’s go, capture them!"

"Right!"

As soon as the words fell, these Merfolk charged toward Sanji and Chopper.

Seeing this, Sanji acted without hesitation.

"You won’t get in my way!"

Bang, bang, bang!

In the blink of an eye, all the Fishman Soldiers surrounding Sanji were knocked down!

"Sanji..."

Chopper, who hadn’t had time to stop him, said with a headache, "We clearly haven’t done anything wrong, but why did you take them all out?"

"Who told them they wanted to handcuff us?"

Chopper: ...

Was there no hint of remorse at all?

"Look, they’re the Straw Hat Crew," said a nearby Fish-Man, watching Sanji and the others. "They’re the dangerous ones the royal army warned about."

"Everyone, stay away from them. Be careful not to get involved..."

"Look!"

Chopper glanced at the surrounding Fish-Men and said, "Everyone around us is glaring at us with white eyes, like deep-sea fish glaring at us!"

Sanji: ???

What a strange description.

Sanji shook his head, looking speechless, and then said, "What’s done is done. Regretting it now is useless."

Hearing Sanji’s words, Chopper was instantly dumbfounded.

"You should have thought about it before acting!"

"But you also took out half of them with Jujutsu!"

After saying this, Sanji paused briefly before praising, "You’re pretty impressive, you know."

"You... you... you!!!"

"Even if you praise me like that, I won’t be happy, you jerk."

Watching Chopper happily wriggling on the spot, Sanji remarked, "You seem pretty happy, though."

Just then, a startled cry came from the distance.

"Hey, there’s a person covered in blood floating near the shore!"

"Huh? Isn’t this someone from the Fish-Man District? How did this happen?"

"Quick, call a doctor!"

"Huh? A doctor?"

Hearing this keyword, Chopper froze for a moment before rushing over and saying, "I’m a doctor!"

Watching Chopper quickly disappear into the distance, a faint smile appeared on Sanji’s face as he said, "You’re still the same as ever." Then, Sanji strode over with his long legs, intending to see what was happening.

Just then, Chopper shouted from afar.

"Hey, Sanji, come take a look!"

"What’s wrong?"

Sensing something was off, Sanji immediately rushed toward Chopper.

When he reached his side, he realized something was wrong.

"You are..."

Looking at the man lying on the ground, Sanji widened his eyes and said, "Hachi?"

"Hey, how did you get hurt like this?"

Why were there so many arrows stuck in his back?

"Hey, Hachi, it’s us," Chopper said anxiously. "What happened to you?"

"It’s you..."

Seeing it was Chopper and Sanji, Hachi struggled to get up but was stopped by Chopper.

"You can’t move around in your condition. Let me treat you now," Chopper said.

After speaking, Chopper took out the medical supplies he carried with him and began treating Hachi’s wounds.

"My... my injuries aren’t important..." Hachi said with difficulty. "Right now, I have something more important to tell you!"

"Go ahead, I’m listening," Sanji nodded.

As he spoke, Sanji glanced at Chopper, signaling him to continue treating Hachi’s wounds.

Chopper nodded and then lowered his head to focus on his work.

Seeing that Chopper had no intention of stopping, Hachi didn’t insist further.

Then, he looked at Sanji and asked, "Is the Straw Hat Boy here?"

"Luffy isn’t here."

"Then go find him quickly!" Hachi struggled to reach out and grabbed Sanji’s clothes. "You must not get involved with this island! Gather your crew and leave immediately!"

"Why?"

"Because Hody is about to attack this island!" Hachi roared. "The Ryugu Kingdom is about to be destroyed!!"

"For your safety, hurry and lea—"

Before Hachi could finish, his consciousness began to fade, and his eyes rolled back as he lost consciousness.

"He’s unconscious..."

Looking at Hachi’s miserable state, Chopper’s expression turned grim. He then looked up at Sanji and asked, "Sanji, what do we do now?"

"Do what you need to do."

Sanji stood up and glanced toward the towering Ryugu Palace. "After that... we’ll find a way to locate Luffy and the others!"

"But Hachi just said..."

"Do you think we need to fear something like this with our strength?" Sanji retorted.

Hachi didn’t know that Meiser was still alive, but didn’t they know?

Chopper was momentarily stunned by Sanji’s words, then seemed to realize something and nodded. "Alright, I understand. I’ll heal Hachi as quickly as possible."

As for that so-called New Fish-Man Pirates?

If those fools really dared to attack their Straw Hat Pirates... then they’d show them what true power was!

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