"So this is the Sea Forest? It's pretty beautiful~"
Staring at the colorful coral forests stretching out ahead, Leno couldn't help but marvel. The scenery of the deep sea really was full of surprises at every turn.
When he noticed the wreckage of ships scattered around the massive bubble, he finally remembered—wasn't this place also called the Shipwreck Graveyard or something like that?
Robin, Nojiko, and the others traveling with him were just as stunned. Robin in particular lit up with excitement the moment she saw the remains of ancient structures.
A closer look revealed that everything here was steeped in the traces of history.
Leno's gaze shifted toward her at just that moment, making Robin's heart race even faster.
It seemed this place held exactly what she had been searching for.
Just as everyone was still admiring the scenery, the sound of Shirahoshi's sobbing suddenly came from behind them.
"It's so beautiful… I've always wanted to come here!" As she spoke, tears streamed down her face again. Crying, she continued, "Thank you, Lord Leno~"
"..."
Seeing little Shirahoshi crying so sadly, Leno had no idea how to comfort her. He turned his gaze toward her three older brothers.
Only to find that they were all downcast themselves, completely neglecting their sister.
Useless when it actually matters! Leno cursed inwardly.
Didn't you come here specifically to accompany your sister today? Couldn't one of you at least go comfort her?
After entering the bubble of the Sea Forest, Shirahoshi went alone to the gravestone to pay her respects, while the three brothers remained where they were.
Ace, who had been tagging along out of curiosity, spoke up at that moment, looking at the three princes.
"Isn't that your mother? Why aren't you going over together?"
"Let Shirahoshi be alone for a while," Fukaboshi said quietly. "She must have a lot she wants to say to Mother~"
The blue-haired Fukaboshi, holding a trident, now showed the dignity of an older brother, silently taking on the role of Shirahoshi's guardian.
"Not long after Mother passed away, that man—Vander Decken—started harassing Shirahoshi. Because of that, she couldn't even attend Mother's funeral…"
"She stayed inside the Hard-Shell Tower for nearly ten years. We failed her…"
Hearing this, the princes Fukaboshi and Ryuboshi both lowered their heads in shame, though a raging fury churned in their eyes.
It was all that damned bastard's fault, stealing their sister's freedom for so many years.
After listening, Ace stiffened slightly and said awkwardly, "Sorry… sorry… I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."
"It's fine. It's all in the past…"
"Hey~ Leno! You bastard, why'd you run all the way here? We had a hell of a time looking for you!"
Before Fukaboshi could finish speaking, Yamato's voice rang out from afar.
Looking over, Yamato, Nami, and the rest of the crew were riding a rental fish along the waterway, arriving together at the Sea Forest.
The newcomers couldn't help but gasp in amazement upon seeing Shirahoshi's beauty.
The once-quiet Sea Forest quickly became lively with everyone's arrival.
Elsewhere, in the pitch-black deep sea far from Fish-Man Island, a brilliant sphere of light was slowly moving forward.
Behind it loomed a massive humanoid silhouette, dragging an old pirate ship along by a thick rope.
On the tattered sails of the ship were the words "Flying Dutchman"—Vander Decken's pirate ship.
Inside the cabin, Vander Decken slammed the Den Den Mushi down with a livid expression, then leapt to his feet in fury.
His four legs, bound in overalls, stomped wildly across the floor as suppressed rage vibrated in his low voice.
"Princess Shirahoshi! I waited for you all these years, and this is what I get? You going on a date with another man?!"
"…It has to be that damn Neptune's doing. That bastard wants to use Princess Shirahoshi for a political marriage."
With nowhere to vent his anger, Vander Decken smashed his fist into the wall, blasting a hole straight through the wooden planks.
Clenching his fists, he snarled through gritted teeth, "That's got to be it! Her being locked in the Hard-Shell Tower all these years proves it!"
As he spoke, he strode toward the deck, the yellow 'cloak' behind him fluttering wildly.
"How hateful… We clearly loved each other so much! It has to be that!"
Suddenly, Vander Decken stopped in his tracks, his eyes turning vicious in an instant.
"I may love you, but you absolutely cannot be with another man!"
"Otherwise… you can only die!"
He raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist, making a silent decision in his heart.
If I can't have you, then I'll destroy you!
"Today, I'll use this rose-marked axe to send you to the afterlife!"
Stepping back, Vander Decken strained as he hoisted up a massive double-bladed axe and hurled it with all his might!
The spinning axe changed trajectory the moment it left his hand, streaking straight toward Fish-Man Island.
The scene shifted back to the Sea Forest.
Yamato was loudly insisting on having a man-to-man duel with Ace right there.
Fortunately, everyone present managed to talk her out of it—mainly because this place really wasn't suitable for fighting.
Meanwhile, Nami and Uta were being cradled in Shirahoshi's hands, chatting about everything under the sun.
From time to time, Shirahoshi's delighted cries could be heard, along with Nami's smug boasting.
After a brief exchange of glances with Leno, Robin headed off with Chopper to search for the Poneglyphs.
Leno, Jinbe, and the others sat down together and resumed drinking and chatting.
Just as the conversation turned to the Whitebeard Pirates, a flash of red light suddenly flickered in Leno's eyes as he clinked cups with Jinbe.
He only had time to leave behind a quick, "I'll be right back," before his figure transformed into a bolt of lightning and vanished on the spot.
Jinbe stared at the fallen cup on the ground, exchanging confused looks with the others, completely unable to understand what could have been so urgent.
At that moment, Leno had already casually stored the incoming axe into his inventory and then sped off along the trajectory it had flown from.
On the deck of the Flying Dutchman, Vander Decken sat in a chair, gently swirling the wine in his glass, his eyes unfocused as he pondered something.
His four legs were crossed in pairs, idly swinging back and forth.
Seeing their captain fall silent after throwing the axe, one of the crew couldn't help but ask, "Captain… are you alright?"
"Hm? What could possibly be wrong with me? I'm just a little heartbroken, that's all."
Draining the red wine in one gulp, Vander Decken stood up, planning to head back to the cabin to rest.
After waiting so many years only to have it all come to nothing, there was no way he wasn't upset. He needed time to think about how to deal with Neptune.
But after taking only two steps, he couldn't suppress his resentment and roared toward the sky:
"Damn you, Neptune! We could've gotten married!"
Seeing their captain lose control like this, the crew didn't dare provoke him and remained completely silent.
He'd had episodes like this before—after some time, he'd calm down on his own.
Yet in the midst of the oppressive silence, a mocking voice suddenly rang out at the worst possible moment.
"Looking as ugly as you do and still dreaming about marriage? What, did you forget to wake up?"
"!!!!!"
...
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