"Princess Shirahoshi!"
Nami waved with a bright smile. She wore a form-fitting pink cheongsam that perfectly outlined her graceful curves.
"Lord Ron sent me to escort you to the top-level rest area."
Shirahoshi's enormous eyes widened in surprise, sparkling with excitement.
"Is it truly Ron-sama? He knows I've come? That's wonderful!"
Her massive body leaned forward slightly, her light pink hair cascading down like a waterfall, glittering with tiny light spots in the sunset.
Then, Shirahoshi seemed to remember something, looking at Nami somewhat apologetically.
"Sorry for being rude... I don't even know your name yet?" Shirahoshi looked at Nami curiously, her eyes filled with friendliness.
"You can call me Nami," Nami replied, looking at the beautiful Mermaid Princess with evident affection.
She affectionately pinched the giant princess's cheek, her movements gentle as if they were already close friends.
"Let's go. Lord Ron is waiting for you at the summit. And look at you, our princess has become even more beautiful~"
She turned to bow to the Sea King.
"Your Majesty Neptune, please follow our staff to the resting area. We have prepared the Crystal Palace, a specialized facility most suitable for mermaids and fishmen."
"Thank you, then." King Neptune nodded slightly before turning to Shirahoshi with another nod, signaling she could follow Nami.
Nami then transformed back into the Pink Dragon.
Her massive form soared into the air amid astonished gazes from the crowd.
Shirahoshi gently settled on the dragon's back, her eyes filled with delight and wonder.
Amid exclamations of awe, the pink dragon carried Shirahoshi directly toward the highest floating island.
....
The Peak Island.
The island hung suspended high in the sky like a brilliant pearl.
From a distance, Shirahoshi spotted Ron.
His white robe fluttered gently in the evening breeze, his black hair tied simply with a ribbon, and his deep eyes held a warm smile.
"Shirahoshi, long time no see."
Ron's voice flowed like clear spring water over jade. "It seems you're no longer that crybaby princess now."
Shirahoshi's cheeks immediately flushed pink.
She straightened her posture, trying to project grown-up confidence. She placed her hands on her hips, her pose appearing both playful and adorable.
"O-of course! Shirahoshi has grown up now!"
Her raised chin showed both pride and cuteness, the shell necklace at her chest swaying gently with her movement.
A barely perceptible smile flickered in Ron's eyes as he tilted his head slightly, carefully observing the Mermaid Princess.
Indeed, compared to the trembling girl hiding in the Hard-Shell Tower during their first meeting at Fishman Island, Shirahoshi had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Not only had her figure become more slender and graceful, but her demeanor had matured considerably.
The former youthful innocence had been replaced by a composed and confident charm.
"You've certainly grown up." Ron nodded meaningfully. "Very... very much."
Nami, watching from the side in her human form, couldn't suppress her amusement.
She playfully nudged Ron with her elbow, whispering, "Hey now, watch your gaze, Lord Ron~"
Only then did Shirahoshi realize how figure-emphasizing her previous pose had been.
Having recently studied various aspects of human world knowledge, she'd learned some... blush-inducing things.
Instantly, she became so embarrassed she seemed about to steam, quickly covering her flushed cheeks with both hands.
"Ahhh! Ron-sama, you're so mean!" Shirahoshi pouted, though her peeking eyes between her fingers sparkled with happiness.
Understanding her meaning, Ron raised his hand in an elegant gesture.
"Come along, little princess. Let me show you the night view of the Eternal Kingdom."
He snapped his fingers.
Hummmm—
A path paved with starlight materialized out of thin air.
The brilliant starlight cascaded like a galactic river pouring from the heavens, leading directly to the floating islands among the clouds.
Curious, Shirahoshi reached out to touch the shimmering light points, which wound around her fingertips like gentle fireflies.
Finally gathering her courage, she followed Ron onto the starry path.
Nami walked at the rear, watching Shirahoshi's skipping figure with a smile in her eyes.
She whispered to Ron, "Looks like you're gaining another admirer~"
Ron shook his head helplessly.
Just then, Shirahoshi suddenly turned around ahead of them.
Her pale pink hair flowed in the evening breeze, and her face bore an unprecedentedly radiant smile.
"Ron-sama! The stars here... they're truly beautiful!"
At that moment, it seemed as if all the lights of the Eternal Kingdom dimmed, and the entire world stood still.
Only Shirahoshi's pure, radiant smile and Ron's gentle gaze met in the air.
...
The Next Morning.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds and bathed the floating islands, an explosive piece of news swept across the sea like a hurricane, spreading with unstoppable force.
News Coos flapped their wings, scattering the latest edition of the World Economic Journal across the globe.
The front-page headline was emblazoned with bold, gilded letters:
ETERNAL KINGDOM DECLARES "HUNDRED-MILE RESTRICTED ZONE"!
VIOLATORS WILL FACE DIVINE PUNISHMENT!
The accompanying image was the awe-inspiring scene of Enel unleashing his judgment the previous day.
A colossal pillar of lightning, like a towering column supporting the heavens, crashed down from the dark, cloud-filled sky.
The power was so immense that even through the photograph, onlookers felt dumbfounded.
Under the overwhelming impact of the thunderous pillar, the pirate ship was captured in the moment of shattering into splinters, scattering like a scene from the apocalypse.
Blue-white bolts of lightning wildly intertwined within the gloomy clouds, forming a terrifying electric web.
In the corner of the photograph, the stunned profile of Princess Shirahoshi and the shocked expression of King Neptune could be clearly seen.
Morgans, the "Big News" King, stood at the center of the Eternal Kingdom's press conference hall.
He had been invited here, of course, under the condition that there was truly world-shattering, explosive news to report.
At this moment, he trembled with excitement, his wings fluttering as he announced to the journalists who had rushed from all corners of the globe.
"Everyone! This is a historic moment! The Eternal Kingdom officially declares that, centered on the Kingdom, a radius of one hundred nautical miles is now an absolute restricted zone! Any conflict occurring within this area will incur the severe sanctions of 'Divine Punishment'!"
The venue erupted into an uproar, buzzing with shock and disbelief.
How could a monarch dare to declare a restricted zone on the open sea?!
It was an unprecedented event.
The sea belonged to no one—not the Marines, not the Yonko. To claim jurisdiction over the ocean itself was an act of supreme arrogance.
Journalists from various countries rose from their seats, pens scribbling furiously on notepads, while camera flashes lit up the room like a sea of stars.
A bespectacled reporter raised a trembling hand, his voice hoarse with excitement.
"Mr. Morgans! Does this mean the Eternal Kingdom is establishing its own Maritime Jurisdiction? Is Ron challenging the World Government's authority over the seas?!"
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