13

At the Flying Dutchman.

Vander Decken was doing a speech about his love for Princess Shirahoshi. Saying that It's fine if they end up together, but he can't allow for her to live someone else, he rather sees Shirahoshi dead than with someone else. Lastly, Shirahoshi's life is either dead or marriage.

Vander Decken grabs an ax with a rose painted on and saying. "Accept it, Shirahoshi! As proof of our marriage!" then throw it directing to the Ryugu Palace.

After Vander Decken throws it. At the Hard Shell Tower, Shirahoshi is still crying. Luffy is trying to calm her down, but no use, he was losing his patience as Shirahoshi is crying loud, turned serious as he felt something was flying toward them. Before it can reach to Shirahoshi. Luffy jumps and holds the ax in mid-air, then throws the ax at the wall.

At the Main Entrance of the Ryugu Palace.

Cero and others are currently surrounded by the Neptune army.

Cero: I'm sorry but what's the meaning of this?

Minister of the left: We've just received a call, You Straw Hats people, you are suspects in 2 ongoing investigations.

Usopp: S-Suspects?! What do you mean?!

Minister of the left: First, for multiple counts of Mermaid kidnapping! Second, you people are suspected of being a potential risk to Fish-Man Island due to Madam Shyarly's pre=vision! Therefore, we're here to take you people into custody!

Cero: I disagree. I was with the Straw Hats the whole time. I never have seen them kidnap a mermaid.

Minister of the left: Cero! even you are the esteemed guest here. You don't have any rights to intervene with us!

Cero: What If I do?

Minister of the left: Then you will be also be suspected to be their accomplice.

Cero: Then I'll intervene.

Nami: Cero... You don't need to help us.

Cero: I insist because I know you're not that kind of group to such dirty acts.

Minister of the left: So this what you choose huh... Never thought you were this kind of person. Catch them!

A few moments. We beat some of the soldiers. Afterward, Camie shouted.

Camie: Guys! If you resist more, you're really gonna become criminals!

Brook: But, there is no reason for us to obey them, Camie-san

Nami: I was looking forward to a banquet at the Ryugu Palace

Cero: Me too.

Usopp: They'll just arrest us if we don't resist! They made an unthinkable accusation against us first!

Brook: We will fight them if that's what they want!

Soldier: They're strong even without their captain, but Cero is stronger than we thought!

King Neptune: I need some time to think! Thus! you need to be in custody now!

Cero then coats his arm with Armament Haki, preparing to block King Neptune's attack. Zoro rushed to block the Trident. As he succeeded in blocking it.

Zoro: I heard the sound of this festival so I let myself out!

Minister of the left: He blocked King Neptune's attack easily!

King Neptune: If you resist. we'll have casualties on both sites. Surrender with good grace, Zori!

Zoro: It's Zoro!

Minister of the right: You guys! Rupture the bubbles around them at once! It's better for us to fight them in the water.

The soldiers raised their tridents

Brook: Ah, we've been driven to the wall.

Nami found a Bubbly Coral and used it to drain the water away.

Zoro: Now... let's continue where we left off.

After a few moments. Cero and the Straw Hats beat them up and tied everyone.

Pappag: What have you guys done?!

Usopp: No matter how I look at it, this is overkill!

Brook: He's right! You should regret your actions!

Zoro: You guys started this fight! So you're my accomplices, you idiots!

Cero: Well. At least they're alive than dead.

Usopp: You too Cero?!

Zoro and Usopp start to argue with each other. then a ring from the Den Den Mushi can be heard. Zoro picked it up and the person who was calling was one of the three princes, Fukaboshi. Zoro told him that everyone in the palace is held hostage by the Straw Hats, not mentioning Cero. Zoro then gives Fukaboshi conditions to let the hostages free. Find the remaining members of the Straw Hats and coat the Thousand Sunny to get out the Fish-Man Island. Fukaboshi accepted as long as no hostage will die. Fukaboshi then told the Straw Hats about the messages from Jinbe, saying that, Do not fight against Hody Jones and Straw Hats will meet him at the Sea Forest. The 3 princes left and ordered the soldiers to find the remaining Straw Hats member and bring them to the palace.

A few minutes later after the 3 princes left. An impact of a cannonball can be heard.

*Boom* *Boom* *Boom*

Usopp: What's this

King Neptune: What's this noise! Don't tell me it's Decken again! It's coming from the Hard Shell Tower! Shirahoshi must be in danger!

Desperate, King Neptune asked Cero

King Neptune: Cero! Please go to Shirahoshi! Save from her danger! Please I beg you!

Cero nodded at him turned the Straw Hats. "I need to go. Take Care." then disappeared on the spot.

Zoro looks at the place where Cero disappeared and then turned to Usopp and asked. "Who was he?"

Usopp: He's Cero, he will be the one to guide us to Sea Forest later.

Zoro thought about Cero. "He's strong!"

Cero arrived at the Hard Shelled Tower, he saw human captives on the ground. he then went inside the tower and saw Shirahoshi carrying Luffy on her hands.

Cero: Shirahoshi.

Shirahoshi/Luffy: Cero-sama!/Cero!

Cero: I'm glad both you are fine.

Luffy: Cero! Wanna go out with us!

Cero: To where!

Luffy: Outside! We'll take Shirahoshi out of this place!

Cero: Shirahoshi, Are you sure to go outside?

Shirahoshi: Luffy-sama will protect me, and with you coming I'm sure to be safe.

Cero: Luffy, then how would get her out unnoticed?

Luffy said. "I have an idea!" then looks at Megalo.

Shirahoshi is inside of Megalo's mouth, Cero uses and gives the Bubbly Coral to Luffy, They swam out the Ryugu Palace and heads to the Sea Forest.

Luffy: To the Sea Forest!