At the foot of the Red Line, directly beneath Mary Geoise, stood a massive town whose style resembled that of the Sabaody Archipelago. It was known as Bubble Port.
Bubble Port was built on a mix of solid land and gigantic Yarukiman Mangrove trees. From its ground also floated up those familiar soapy bubbles—just like on Sabaody.
The elevators leading to the top of the Red Line operated using the same principle—by harnessing these ascending bubbles along with massive gears that generated tremendous power.
This was the ingenious use of the bubble culture born from the Yarukiman Mangroves—applied masterfully in every field.
During the period of the World Conference, Bubble Port was bustling. Visitors and delegates from across the world filled its wide and bright streets.
On both sides of the roads stood various shops selling an endless variety of goods.
The long street was lined with dazzling merchandise that caught the eyes of countless passersby.
Aside from weapons, one could find all sorts of popular products from across the seas here.
When Shirahoshi and King Neptune, led by Rorschach, entered Bubble Port, they unsurprisingly became the center of attention.
The tall, sweet-faced Shirahoshi instantly became the brightest pearl amidst the crowd.
Whether it was wandering tourists, merchants trading in nearby shops, or soldiers maintaining order, all turned their fiery gazes toward her, making the shy princess avert her eyes nervously.
"Look! A mermaid! A huge mermaid!"
"She's so beautiful! I swear, she's the most gorgeous, most noble mermaid I've ever seen. Look at that long pink hair, those ocean-blue eyes, that huge pink tail and perfect figure—oh my god, I'm going to faint!"
"The most beautiful woman in the world! That's Princess Shirahoshi from Fish-Man Island!"
"And that's Princess Vivi of Alabasta! So cute! I saw her at the last World Conference—she was just a little girl back then, and now look at her!"
The enthusiastic stares around them made Shirahoshi flustered.
Some bolder men even ran forward, shouting flowery verses aloud in front of everyone to praise her beauty—some even proposed marriage on the spot! The poor little princess blushed so hard her face was as red as an apple, and steam almost came out of her head.
The Marine soldiers escorting them quickly formed a line to keep back the overenthusiastic crowd, preventing any chaos.
Though the scene was noisy, it actually helped ease the tension left from their earlier ordeal. Shirahoshi soon forgot her fear and was instead fascinated by the colorful sights around her, looking everywhere curiously.
Hibari, as light as a cloud, floated before Shirahoshi, her body turning into mist before a smiling face appeared."Shirahoshi, look—you're quite popular."
"I see so many strange people," Shirahoshi murmured as she looked around. In the crowd, she saw long-armed people, long-necked people, giants even taller than herself, and many others with peculiar features.
"Those are people from other races across the world," Hibari explained. "This World Conference also invited several unique races—like your Fish-Man tribe, the Long-Arm tribe, and the Long-Leg tribe. The World Government actually wanted to invite the Giants too, but since Elbaf isn't yet an allied nation, they didn't come."
Hibari drifted down from the air, transforming back into her human form.
Her natural Logia abilities, coupled with her youthful beauty, drew their own share of admiring eyes.
But before long, the crowd's attention shifted—away from Shirahoshi—to someone else entirely.
Camera lenses and flashbulbs turned toward the tall young man walking at the front of the group.
The air was filled with excited shrieks.
"It's Vice Admiral Rorschach! Oh my god, he's even more handsome than in the newspapers!"
"Not only strong enough to defeat a legendary pirate like Golden Lion, but also this handsome! Aah! I'm going to faint—I want to marry him!"
"I'm the princess of the Nigal Kingdom! Vice Admiral Rorschach, please be my prince—let's marry tonight!"
Hearing the surrounding screams, Cobra and the others couldn't help but exchange teasing looks at Rorschach.
Rorschach himself looked utterly baffled."When did I become so famous?"
Hearing his mutter, the plump King Popla, walking behind Cobra, wore a sly grin.
Famous? Of course he was famous.
What Rorschach didn't know was that the mastermind behind his sudden popularity among countless unmarried young women… was none other than this seemingly foolish fat king walking right behind him.
Thanks to inside information from old Jonathan, Popla V had seized the chance to turn Rorschach's exploits and photos into printed photobooks and serialized story collections—selling them across numerous islands, kingdoms, and towns in Paradise.
As the ruler of the prosperous Saint Bayang Kingdom—one of the major trading hubs along the Seven Routes of Paradise—Popla's business sense was second to none among world monarchs.
And while making money, he also managed to glorify the name of the young Marine hero who had saved his kingdom—a win-win situation.
What could be better than that?
Smiling smugly at his own brilliance, Popla discreetly winked at Sierra, one of his attendants.
Understanding immediately, Sierra gestured to several assistants.
What happened next left Rorschach, Cobra, and Neptune all dumbfounded.
Led by Sierra, a group of bounty hunters boldly began selling beautifully bound photo books of Rorschach right there among the crowd.
Even Zoro, who was reluctantly helping, had a huge pack of books on his back and was grumpily selling them—his expression blank and annoyed.
The scene was wildly popular.
Even Hibari and Vivi curiously stepped forward to buy two copies each.
Someone even handed Shirahoshi a free one.
When Rorschach finally saw the photo book's cover—featuring him posing in a series of "cool and elegant" yet utterly embarrassing pictures—he was completely speechless.
Slowing his steps, he cast a sharp look at Popla, who was grinning from ear to ear at the booming sales. Beads of sweat immediately began to form on the fat king's forehead.
"Dear King Popla," Rorschach said dangerously, "I think I deserve an explanation."
Feeling the tension, Popla swallowed hard and raised three pudgy fingers."Thirty percent. I'll give you thirty percent of the profits—as your exclusive authorization fee, alright?"
Rorschach extended all five fingers. "Fifty."
"No way! Fifty's too much! Vice Admiral Rorschach, maybe you don't understand what thirty percent means. Let me put it this way—you wouldn't have to lift a finger, and you'd still earn two billion Berries a year."
"That much?" Rorschach gasped. He had never imagined achieving financial freedom in such a ridiculous way.
Popla lifted his chin proudly."Of course! You don't realize how famous you are in Paradise right now."
"Old Hero Garp is getting on in years—no one wants to buy his photo books anymore."
"But you're different. I've already partnered with Jonathan to set up printing factories all over Paradise, dedicated to your stories, comics, and photo albums. Lots of places are begging to work with us!"
"Oh, and we even have one in Water 7! A few days ago, Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself came to me—he wanted to publish a new story: The Evil Legion vs. Hero Rorschach!"
"Oh, and he took twenty percent of the profits—said it was the Marines' exclusive authorization, and that you'd already agreed to it."
Rorschach's expression darkened instantly.
That old crook Sengoku—doing all this behind his back without even asking permission!
"Fine—thirty percent it is! But you'd better make sure none of those photos are too indecent, or else…" He clenched his fist, making the air crackle. Popla's neck shrank in fear.
"Heh, well… that might lose us some profits, you know. Lots of women like that kind of thing." Popla grinned lewdly, making Rorschach's fists twitch.
After their "agreement" was reached, Rorschach glanced at the fat king again, studying him from head to toe. "How did you even come up with this? And who's the guy in those photos? Some Devil Fruit user?"
"Heh, yes—he's a new bounty hunter who joined the Guild recently. A Paramecia-type, the Slime-Slime Fruit user. He can roughly mimic others' appearances using photos and data. Of course, compared to you, he lacks your charisma—but hey, since we're partners now, why don't you pose for a real photo shoot sometime?" Popla suggested shamelessly.
"No way. Not a chance."Rorschach rolled his eyes, leaving the grinning king behind as he strode toward the floating elevator ahead.
Soon, they passed through the bustling crowd and stepped into the spacious lift, joining several other royal delegations as they began their ascent toward the top of the Red Line—ten thousand meters above.
The journey was silent.
It took more than an hour before the elevator finally reached the summit.
Waiting for them on the grand avenue were a group of World Government officials in black suits, standing respectfully in formation.
"Honored guests of the Ryugu Kingdom, the Alabasta Kingdom, and the Saint Bayang Kingdom—welcome to Mary Geoise. Please follow us to Pangaea Castle's rest area. Your residences and lunch have been prepared, and the other kings will arrive soon."
Cobra and the other kings were already used to this ritual.
But for Shirahoshi, Hibari, and the others, it was their first time visiting Mary Geoise—and they were completely stunned by the magnificent sight before them.
It was also Rorschach's first visit.
When he looked up, his eyes were filled with wonder.
Before him stretched an endless vista of green trees, blooming flowers, and elegant architecture arranged in perfect order.
At the far end of a winding, cloud-piercing avenue stood a massive castle—its towering spires shrouded in mist, half-concealed within drifting clouds.
(End of Chapter)
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