Former Marine Headquarters, G-5 Base.
Ever since six years ago, this Marine base had become part of the Beasts Pirates. Now, it was the most important base for the Beasts Pirates in the first half of the New World.
Its importance even surpassed that of the G-1 Base.
After all, G-1 Base was the true frontline, while G-5 Base was the real command center coordinating the entire first half of the New World.
At this moment, on the coast of the base…
"Otohime, Shirahoshi is in your hands!"
Neptune, having traveled all the way from Fish-Man Island, emerged halfway out of the sea, seriously instructing his wife who had already landed.
"This child is leaving Fish-Man Island for the first time. She might find it hard to adjust."
"Leave it to me, Neptune!"
Queen Otohime, only leaving Fish-Man Island for the second time, tapped her modest chest with confidence. "I'll take good care of Shirahoshi!"
After all, Shirahoshi was only eleven years old this year—a child who knew nothing of the world.
How could Neptune bear to let such a young daughter travel alone to Wano, thousands of miles away? Even though Wano now had hundreds of thousands of fish-men and merfolk settled there.
So, taking Ian's suggestion, Neptune decided that Shirahoshi's mother—his wife, Otohime—would accompany her.
After all, Otohime spent most of her days on Fish-Man Island doing nothing meaningful, either giving speeches or traveling to give speeches.
And, honestly, those speeches didn't have much impact.
Over the years, those who were meant to accept the Beasts Pirates had already done so. As for the hardliners who couldn't accept them, a few speeches wouldn't change their minds.
Unless Otohime was willing to use her abilities to change them one by one.
In any case, when Ian conquered the world, even those who resisted humans would eventually have the chance to embrace the blue skies of the sea. So Neptune didn't mind.
"Father…"
Though only eleven, the little princess, who was already nearly as tall as her father, sniffled. "Can't I come back?"
"How could that be! Of course you can, Shirahoshi!"
Neptune panicked for a moment, then quickly tried to comfort his beloved daughter. "The situation is special right now. You can only be safe if you go to Wano. Your mother will go with you—she'll stay by your side the whole time!"
Neptune raised his hand to rub his little daughter's head. "Don't worry. Once everything is over, I'll come to bring you and your mother back!"
"Don't worry, Shirahoshi," Queen Otohime also held her daughter's waist, speaking softly, "Mom will always be with you, so there's nothing to be afraid of."
"Mm."
The little princess finally wiped her eyes. One hand pressed against her mother's back, while the other held onto her father's hand above her head, as if finding reassurance in it.
"Such an adorable child… could she really be the legendary Poseidon?"
Not far from the family, along the shore, the Beasts Pirates were chatting casually. Kuina's gaze on Princess Shirahoshi was still filled with astonishment. "Could all Ancient Weapons really be living beings?"
"You'd better ask Ian about that," Ace, squatting at the edge of the shore, asked slowly. "He should know quite a bit about these things."
"The ability to control Sea Kings?"
Sanji licked his lips, unable to hide his amazement. "In a world that's mostly ocean… this is just terrifying."
Though people lived on islands, there was no doubt that the ocean was the dominant force in this world.
Beneath the vast blue surface, no one could say how many Sea Kings were truly hidden.
And anyone who could control all of them naturally deserved to be called the King of the Sea.
The power held by this eleven-year-old girl might even surpass the strongest figures on the ocean.
She truly possessed the power to destroy the entire world.
After all, at her command, Sea Kings across the globe would stir, then strike with a force that could obliterate every island in the world.
It was no wonder that Ian, upon receiving the news, immediately decided to bring the little princess to Wano.
Otherwise, if Princess Shirahoshi's abilities were exposed, ambitious people from all over the world would likely join the feast to claim her.
Especially the World Government. By that point, it would probably lead directly to the final battle.
"So, Ian actually already knew the whereabouts of Poseidon?"
The ruler of this base, King, dressed in his usual black leather outfit, spoke calmly.
"Not every generation of mermaid princess possesses such abilities," Kuzan said.
"Neptune mentioned that a special mermaid princess only appears once every few hundred years."
"Ian probably couldn't have predicted something that far into the future either."
It was simply too much of a coincidence.
By sheer chance, it was this generation's mermaid princess.
By sheer coincidence, she was born while Ian occupied Fish-Man Island.
Even more coincidentally, her powers awakened just after the Beast Pirates reached the peak of their strength.
Just thinking about it made Kuzan's scalp tingle.
Is this… fate?
As he was lost in thought, Kuzan suddenly lifted his head.
In the distant sky, a massive figure was approaching.
"Here it comes!"
Ace stood up, smiling as he watched the rapidly approaching creature. "Mr. Kaido is here!"
"Looks like my mission is already complete," Kuzan breathed a sigh of relief.
In the blink of an eye, the Azure Dragon flew above the base. Its enormous head hung down from the sky, and its two gigantic eyes quickly focused on Shirahoshi.
"So this girl is the Poseidon?"
Princess Shirahoshi was terrified by Kaido's imposing figure, instinctively trying to hide behind her mother.
But the difference in their sizes was too great. No matter how she tried, Otohime's frail body couldn't possibly shield her.
"Is that kid Ian for real?"
Kaido looked at the little princess, frowning.
This girl didn't seem impressive at all. Could she really be the incarnation of the ancient weapon said to have the power to destroy the world?
But no matter what, since he was already here…
"Then let's all head back with me!"
Like a tidal wave, a cloud of flames surged downward.
Almost at the same time, in New Mariejois, the Gorosei's office.
"Have the pirates really been wiped out so quickly?"
The Gorosei asked a figure in a white robe and mask, dressed in the typical CP0 style.
"Yes," the CP0 agent bowed respectfully. "The people we sent also perished in the deep sea, but they transmitted the full battle through the Den Den Mushi video link."
The agent paused slightly, then his tone grew more serious. "Unexpectedly, the ones who acted were not Jinbei's undersea forces, but a few young individuals."
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