Shirahoshi looked at Imai with hopeful eyes.
"I've been wanting to go to the Sea Forest for ten years, but everyone is kind enough to tell me it's too dangerous outside the tower. And I'm scared of going out too! Imai-sama, are you really going to take me out of here?"
Imai nodded. "Of course. I won't go back on my word."
"Are you really going to protect me?"
"I swear on this blade that I'll protect you. So for now, think of me as your knight in shining armor."
"But how are we going to get out of here?" Luffy asked. "She's going to be immediately recognized if she leaves this tower."
Imai smiled and pointed at the shark lurking beside Shirahoshi. "We're going to stuff the princess in that shark."
"..."
"Oi, are you sure this will work?" Luffy asked. "The shark looks like it's about to explode."
"Hopefully, it works."
After a bit of effort, Shirahoshi was stuffed inside the shark, which now appeared nearly three times its original size.
"Let's not waste any more time. Let's go!" Imai exclaimed, hopping onto the shark with Luffy following close behind. "Go!"
The shark charged through the gates, knocking out a few of the guards who had only just regained consciousness.
As they swam through the waters toward the Sea Forest, Shirahoshi peeked out from the shark and marveled at the underwater scenery.
"So, how do you like it out here after ten years?" Imai asked.
"It's really nice… My heart is racing too. This is very bad," Shirahoshi replied.
"How can it be bad? You just got out of the tower after ten years," Luffy said. "You're weird."
Imai chuckled, glancing at the vibrant underwater town. Though not as mesmerized as Shirahoshi, she felt a small sense of joy seeing the world change after three years. Perhaps this detour wasn't so bad after all.
Shirahoshi's eyes sparkled as she took in everything: the fish-men and mermaids below, the bustling town, the unique architecture.
"Wow…" Shirahoshi whispered. "So this is what they call an adventure."
"This is just a part of the whole journey. You'll have plenty more adventures once you can freely roam the world," Imai said.
"We're going to the Sea Forest, right? What is that place like?" Luffy asked.
"It's a graveyard. A place I haven't visited since they built it," Shirahoshi replied. "I've been wanting to go there for ten years."
"I see. Then it must be very important to you," Imai said.
"Un, it is." Shirahoshi smiled. "Can I ask you a question, Imai-sama?"
"Just call me Imai. It's weird hearing 'Imai-sama' from a princess," Imai replied. "So? What is it?"
"Why are you so strong?"
Imai blinked, caught off guard by the question. She gave it some thought before answering.
"Why am I so strong…?" she repeated. "Maybe it's because I want to rule the world someday."
"Oi, I'm going to be the King of Pirates! You're not getting it!" Luffy exclaimed.
Imai chuckled. "You can have that title; what we want is different. You see, I want to rule the entire world with power. I'm going to destroy this world and recreate it to be filled with peace."
She formed a small, imperfect bubble and crushed it before creating a perfect one. A strange glint appeared in her eyes.
"Just like that, the world will be reborn by my hand," she said with a wide smile. "My ideal world."
"That's not going to happen," Luffy said, standing up with a serious expression. "Recreating the world? That's not possible."
Imai laughed. "Nothing is impossible. Let me tell you something, Luffy. If you have absolute power, no one can defy you. I will rule over everyone."
"If that ever happens, I'll stop you," Luffy declared. "The people in this world are meant to be free, not controlled by someone."
By this point, Imai's smile faded, and her tone grew serious.
"Oh? Are you declaring war against me? It's still too early for you," she said, letting out a small sigh. "But still, if the day comes where you'll have to fight me, I hope you win."
"Hah?!" Luffy was bewildered. "What kind of person wants someone to stop them if their dreams come true?"
"You'll understand one day," Imai replied before glancing at the shark. "By the way, is the shark… okay? It looks like it's about to burst."
"Oi! Look!" Luffy shouted, pointing below. "I see Sanji and Chopper! Oi, Sharky! Let me go down for a bit."
Imai sighed, sensing another wave of trouble. As the shark descended, it finally coughed up Shirahoshi, landing her in the middle of the chaos. From her vantage point on a rooftop, Imai watched as Sanji turned to stone upon seeing the mermaid princess, and the Straw Hat crew somehow got tied up by a group of weaklings.
Her attention shifted to a large coral heading their way. Atop it was Vander Decken.
"It's Vander Decken!"
"You tried to kill her for ten years, and now you want to marry her?!"
"We'll kill you if you try to propose!"
Despite the threats, Vander Decken seemed unfazed until Shirahoshi spoke up.
"You're not my type!" she shouted.
The world seemed to freeze as the hearts around Vander Decken shattered into pieces.
"You trampled on my feelings for ten years! If you don't love me, your very existence irritates me!" Vander Decken yelled, his voice filled with killing intent.
"If she doesn't have anyone to marry, I'll personally volunteer."
All eyes turned skyward to see Imai standing confidently. Shirahoshi's face turned bright red as she covered her blushing cheeks with her hands.
"Hah?! Who are you?!" Vander Decken demanded.
Imai smiled. "I'm Miss Steal Your Girl."
With that, she descended, cutting Vander Decken down in one swift motion. He crashed to the ground, groaning in pain.
"Don't worry, you'll live," Imai said. "You'll face the punishment for ten years of harassment. Are you guys going to take him away?"
The fish-men finally snapped out of their trance and hurried to apprehend Vander Decken.
"Now then, we have to get going, Luffy," Imai said, hopping onto the shark. "Hurry up!"
Shirahoshi clung onto the shark and called out, "Everyone! I'll be back before dinner!"
Imai couldn't help but chuckle. The princess sounded like a child with a curfew.
But Vander Decken wasn't done yet.
"Wadatsumi! Don't let them get away!" he roared.
Suddenly, a massive pinkish figure emerged from the sea.
"He's the Sea Bronze who attacked Sunny! He works for Decken!" Chopper shouted.
"Stop them!" Vander Decken yelled.
Wadatsumi lunged forward, but Imai wasn't going to let him interfere.
"Bow before the emperor," Imai commanded, unleashing her Conqueror's Haki. Wadatsumi's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto the seafloor.
"Now then! Hurry to the Sea Forest!"