The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

"It seems so."

A flash of red light crossed Link's eyes, and he couldn't help but smile and say, "Perhaps we've come at the wrong time, just in time for an important day."

"Whatever happens, happens."

Luffy, on the other hand, was nonchalant and said enthusiastically, "As long as we can have a feast and eat meat, I don't care how long we have to wait!!"

"Looks like we'll have to wait a while longer."

Zoro found a pillar and sat down against it.

Sanji and Chopper, still reeling from the wanted posters, slumped back-to-back onto the ground.

The others didn't pay much attention either.

Anyway, it wouldn't be difficult for these two guys to cheer up.

All it takes is a few pretty female maids to bring you some sweet cotton candy~

　(cfbg) Then they would immediately wish they could be fully revived on the spot, with no more worries, and would be screaming with joy as they recovered.

"Such a huge Dragon Palace, it would be a shame not to visit it!"

Link patted his sleeves and laughed as he flicked his wrist.

"Is there anyone who wants to go out and see the world with me?"

"Anyway, we'll have to wait for their King Neptune to return before we can officially start the meal."

"However, they are still on their way back, and it will take some time."

He stretched slightly and glanced at everyone.

He basically doesn't consider Chopper and Sanji.

Zoro isn't the type to go out and wander around.

Well, the main problem is that if this guy goes out, he might get lost and never find his way back.

This is an incurable disease that even Observation Haki cannot cure!

"Go out and take a look? Like, explore this Dragon Palace?"

Nami's eyes flickered slightly. "I wonder where the treasure vault inside this Dragon Palace is located."

Her fingers were unconsciously rubbing together, clearly her old habit had flared up again.

"Yo-ho-ho-ho-ho, I can hear some melodious singing coming closer from outside this Dragon Palace!"

Brooke was also there, laughing, "Perhaps the king here invited a great musician from outside."

"Perfect! Let's see if I can have a little sparring session with him, yay ho ho ho ho!!"

He was also very curious and looking forward to the musicians from Fishman Island.

Well, mainly because he thought the singing sounded like a female voice.

If I had the chance, I'd really like to see their panties...

Brook harbored ulterior motives, while Nami gradually became somewhat tempted.

And Luffy~~

"Want to go out for a walk?"

He blinked. "It's not impossible."

"Perfect timing to explore this Dragon Palace Castle... *slurp*!!"

"You're obviously trying to sneak into the kitchen and steal some food, aren't you?!"

Usopp, standing nearby, watched Luffy wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth and said speechlessly.

"By the way, isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to just go out and tour someone else's palace like this?"

He offered his opinion from the side.

"If it's a valuable place and someone is guarding it, then just don't go near it."

Robin was also there, chuckling softly.

"But if it's something less important, like a garden or other places that people can visit and admire, it would be a shame not to go and see it."

"But if it's an important location like a guarded treasure vault, we definitely have to check it out, right, Nami?"

"You really do understand me, Robin! That's right!! Now that we're on Fishman Island, how can we not admire the treasures collected by the royal family in the palace?! Will you come with me, Robin?"

"I also want to see if there are any historical records preserved in this Dragon Palace."

"Well, I'm afraid that while you're admiring it, you might take someone else's treasure for yourself..."

"Usopp, what are you muttering about?!"

"No, it's nothing..."

After a brief discussion, the group split into four teams.

Zoro and Ayumi stayed behind to wait for King Neptune and his men to arrive, while also keeping watch over Chopper and Sanji.

That way, those two won't suffocate themselves with frustration.

Nami and Robin clearly intended to explore some hidden places within the palace, such as the treasure vault, the history room, or other places that might exist.

Usopp, along with Brook, planned to meet the talented musician.

Luffy, however, wanted to join Link and his two captains on another adventure.

Since the last time the two went to the kitchen at Nabaron Fortress, it gave Luffy a very good memory.

So~~~

"Hey Link, shall we go find the kitchen in this palace again?!"

Luffy followed Link, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Yes, that's his main purpose.

He wanted to go on another magical kitchen adventure with Link.

That previous experience was something he could never forget.

Hmm, this sounds like the two of them did something indescribable.

"The kitchen? Well, that's not entirely out of the question."

Link walked along the connecting corridor, gazing at the beautiful scenery within the Dragon Palace.

"However~".

Chapter 418 First Encounter with Shirahoshi! The Fish-Man Princess Inside the Hard-Shelled Tower!! One Piece, Props Maker...

Link paused slightly, raising his head to look at the distant sky.

"Before that, it seems like something extraordinary was happening here too~~~"

"Ok??"

Luffy was slightly taken aback, his eyes flashing red, and he immediately raised his head, looking in the same direction as Link.

"That is……"

Under their watchful eyes, a giant steel axe hurtled down from the horizon.

Spinning at high speed, it sped towards a corner of the Dragon Palace.

"A giant axe? Why did it suddenly fly here?!"

Luffy blinked and asked, somewhat puzzled.

Link looked at him: "Shouldn't you be curious why the axe was flying in the air?"

"……yes!!"

Luffy suddenly realized what was happening, and asked curiously while also understanding.

"Then why is the axe flying in the air?!"

Link: "..."

"Fine, whatever, let's go see for ourselves!"

Luffy chuckled to himself, "I smell adventure!!!"

As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on a certain direction.

"You clearly smelled the aroma of food, didn't you?"

Link looked at the huge food cart being pushed by the soldiers ahead and couldn't help but complain.

"They're all the same, they're all the same!!"

Luffy urged, "Let's hurry up and go check it out!!"

"It would be terrible if someone got hit by that giant axe!!"

The food cart was moving in the same direction as the giant axe that was being shot.

It can be said that Luffy's heart is known to Link.

So they took Luffy with them and headed towards the food truck...where the flying axe had fallen.

Soon, they arrived at a tall tower house made of iron walls.

A sign that reads "Hard Shell Tower" is also hanging on the door.

Around this hard-shelled tower, there are many marks of carving and chiseling.

There are even many huge swords, axes, maces, and other dangerous weapons stuck in there.

"It seems this place is being cleaned regularly, otherwise, after all these years, the weapons that Vanda Deacon threw over here would have long been embedded around the entire Hard Shell Tower."

Looking at the dazzling array of weapons stuck in there, one could sense that over the years, Dragon Palace had accumulated a considerable collection of weapons thrown over by Vander Deiken.

"This is the Hard Shell Tower, the place where the mermaid princess Shirahoshi lives..."

Link swept his Observation Haki over the hard-shelled tower, a slight smile appearing on his face.

Eight years ago, Princess Otohime was assassinated by Hody Jones while collecting signatures from the islanders at Geelong Korde Square to agree to a peaceful relationship with humans.

At only six years old, the heartbroken mermaid princess Shirahoshi burst into tears there.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Vanda Deikun activated his Target-Target Fruit ability and touched Shirahoshi, who then became his target.

Previously, the Celestial Dragon Donquixote Musgard came to this island and was rescued by Queen Otohime, but instead of being grateful, he shot Queen Otohime.

In her grief and tears, Shirahoshi activated Poseidon's power, attracting the Sea Kings, and Vander Decken IX witnessed this miracle firsthand.

It also reminded him that his ancestors came to the seabed in search of the legendary mermaid princess who commanded even the sea kings.

Therefore, in order to fulfill the long-cherished wish of his ancestors, he made up his mind to do whatever it took to marry Bai Xing.

At first, Vander Decken IX simply threw his marriage proposal letter at White Star, but later he intensified his so-called "pursuit" by resorting to intimidation.

This forced Neptune to order his capture, while White Star had been staying in the Hard Shell Tower for eight years to avoid being sniped.

He couldn't even attend his mother's funeral; he was usually served meals by soldiers or allowed to report to ministers for no more than five minutes.

"The lonely Little Mermaid, so young, has been imprisoned in this dark and sunless place..."

Link shook his head slightly and strode towards the front door.

Luffy arrived at the steel gate even before Link.

"Excuse me, we're coming in!"

After giving a polite greeting at the door, Luffy immediately pushed the iron gate forward with both hands.

"Squeak~!"

The door was slowly pushed open, revealing a completely dark room.

"Are you taking a break?"

Using his Observation Haki to sense the figure lying on the bed, Luffy knew there was someone else inside.

Having experienced the trials of the Marineford War, he was no longer so reckless as to barge in without considering the situation.

Well, it's only relatively better.