300. Just A Plaything

More 30 power stones for +1 bonus

Bonus 11

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Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

A massive island ship, gleaming in silver-white, hovers above the crescent-shaped port. It proudly displays blue seagull flags on its towering mast, while exposed gun muzzles dot the ship's perimeter without any concealment. At the ship's bow, a majestic animal head roars into the sky.

——Admiral of Headquarters, Hakuryu's ship! ! !

At the port office, Atlas arrives punctually with Smoker and others.

Grus gazes at the airborne Ryu-Sen with a stunned expression. Unconsciously, he swallows, his angular Adam's apple moving up and down. Suddenly, he turns to Atlas.

"Boss, is this colossal beauty your ship?!!"

Even though he had heard rumors about Atlas's ship being the largest island ship globally, this was the first time he laid eyes on the true magnificence of Lushan, presented so vividly before him.

Isn't it incredibly impressive? No wonder Grus is making such a commotion. Except for its initial construction, every time Atlas traveled between the New World and headquarters, he kept the Ryu-Sen discreetly transparent to avoid drawing too much attention. It's not surprising that this is the first time Grus has seen it.

"Absolutely, the predecessor of the Ryu-Sen is the Thriller Bark located in West Blue, renowned as the world's largest ship!!!"

Smoker stepped in, expressing his pride.

"Hey~ What's this? I've heard of ships even more terrifying than this. Some can even soar through the skies."

Enel sneered in disdain.

Considering Enel's advanced physical abilities and mastery of Devil Fruit powers, coupled with the realization that there's little left for him to gain from staying at headquarters for training, Atlas decided to bring him to the New World for further skill refinement.

After all, without facing challenges, how can one truly appreciate the vividness of red flowers?

"Have you heard about it? That implies you haven't witnessed it firsthand?"

Grus glanced at this guy, even more arrogant than himself, and asked with a hint of displeasure.

He's clearly younger, but every day, his nose is stuck in the air, acting as if he's above everyone else.

Recalling his own youth, when he once aimed for the sky, Grus can't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia. Ah, it brings tears to his eyes just thinking about it.

"...But I've seen the blueprints. Give me the materials, and I can construct it!!!"

Enel's face suddenly turned red, his neck bulging as if he were pulling out the blueprints of Ark Maxim directly from his arms.

'Joke! I, Enel, aspire to become a formidable man in my life! !'

"Heh~~~" (disdainful sound)

Grus turned his head in disdain, ignoring Enel's intense gaze.

"However, I've heard that before heading to The Fish Men Island, you need to get coated first, right? And..."

Grus, looking sharp in his attire, eyed the massive Ryu-Sen with suspicion.

"And what?"

Smoker's interest piqued, and he couldn't resist taking out a cigar from his pocket. He placed it to the tip of his nose, took a sniff, and a look of sheer delight suddenly crossed his face.

"Considering the size of Ryu-Sen, I doubt there's a craftsman worldwide capable of coating it, right? So, how do we reach The Fish Men Island? Change the ship?"

"Haha!! Do you know why some people outside have started calling Brother Atlas The strongest creature on land, sea, and air?"

Smoker cast a glance at Atlas walking ahead, involuntarily puffing out his chest, filled with immense pride.

"Huh? Isn't it because he defeated Whitebeard?" Grus said uncertainly.

As the world's strongest man, it only seems fitting for Atlas to inherit the title of the strongest after defeating Whitebeard, right?

"You'll find out soon; even the darlings of the sea, the fishmen, can't match Brother Atlas in the water."

After uttering these words, Smoker hastened his pace and followed Atlas up the gangway.

Soon, all the troops gathered.

The massive Ryu-Sen gradually ascended into the sky and ultimately settled beyond the sea.

Boom--! ! !

As the ship's hull touched the water, it rapidly sank, creating an enormous surge of waves.

The Ryu-Sen's displacement is sufficient to instantly create a vacuum zone on the sea.

Just as all the Marines were pondering how the Ryu-Sen could penetrate the deep sea without coating, a strong sensation of weightlessness struck. Before they could grab onto anything stable, their bodies suddenly steadied.

"Whew! That was close..."

Grus took a deep breath, and his eyes widened suddenly. His heart skipped a beat, and a flash of blue caught his eye.

"We... are we heading straight into the deep sea?!"

Gruss looked around with an expression of disbelief. He was absolutely certain that there was no coating around the Ryu-Sen, yet all the seawater seemed to fear it, willingly parting to create a passage for the ship to sail through.

This power...

"Have you witnessed it? Mountains, seas, clouds, and rain... are mere playthings in the hands of powerful individuals."

Smoker glanced at the astonished Grus and chuckled.

...

The Fish Men Island, Ryugu Palace.

Princess Otohime entered the door with a disappointed expression, accompanied by palace guards armed on her left and right.

After all, being the princess of The Fish Men Island, even when strolling in the square, she needed a certain number of guards to ensure her safety.

"Mom~ are you okay?"

At that moment, a little girl with a pink ponytail and a spotted suspender approached. She gazed at Princess Otohime with a worried expression and seemed on the verge of tears.

"Yeah, are you alright?"

"Look at how tired you are."

The chubby shark merma and oarfish merm inquired with equally concerned expressions.

Even though they've long been accustomed to Princess Otohime's busy routine, as her children, they still can't help but feel a bit distressed seeing their mother running around and working so hard every day.

"I'm fine."

Princess Otohime waved her hand, then turned around, offering an apologetic smile to the guards behind her. "You can step back now. The palace is secure. I don't need to trouble you to protect me."

"Shirahoshi, my sweet little baby~~"

Once assured that the guards had departed, Princess Otohime sighed in relief and embraced Shirahoshi's enormous tail. She gently caressed the fine scales with her white cheeks, wearing a joyful expression as she looked at her beloved daughter.

"Mom~~"

Shirahoshi extended her hand, covering Princess Otohime's entire head, tenderly reciprocating this affection.

This scene creates a peculiar sense of reversed roles, with the substantial difference in body sizes making it appear as if the mother and daughter have switched identities.

"No one signed today. Ever since that incident occurred... but don't worry!"

Princess Otohime's expression took on a serious tone. She smiled and extended her little finger, placing it in front of everyone.

"I promise, your future will be better!!!"

"Yeah!! I believe in mother!!"

The brothers and sisters all nodded earnestly, joining their little fingers together as if the wheels of destiny were turning once more.

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