A loud whistle echoed as a massive, lavish ship with a carved lion's head on its prow powered forward through the congested waters.
"Move! Get out of the way, don't block the route!"
"Even if this ship sinks, never offend the owner!"
Every vessel nearby frantically turned their rudders, trying not to impede its path.
One merchant boat, afraid of offending the colossal vessel's owner, swerved so sharply it capsized, its crew scrambling in the water as the larger ship continued.
No one nearby doubted the reason for this fear — the enormous canvas sail of this luxurious ship bore the emblem of the World Government.
This was no ordinary warship; it was a lavish, high-end vessel, known throughout the seas.
Everyone knew one truth: aboard this intimidating colossal ship rode a World Noble — a Celestial Dragon — and they were not to be crossed.
Inside a spacious, warm, richly furnished cabin of the luxurious ship.
A large, high-definition portrait of a young man hung above a plush bed.
"This Princess has already sent people to gather information about Darling. We will be reunited very soon…"
A blonde woman, wearing a bubble headpiece, her figure alluring, clothed in a sheer nightgown, stood barefoot on the bed. She gently stroked the young man's lips in the portrait, her face flushed, occasionally kissing the photo with dreamy delight.
The young man in the photograph grinned joyfully.
This was Shirogai Yamikuro, whose bounty on the latest wanted posters reached 5 billion Berries. His grin was charismatic and confident.
Through her bubble headpiece, the blonde woman murmured sweetly to the image:
"Darling, my dear Darling…"
Thump, thump.
A soft knock sounded at the cabin door.
"My Lady! We have received accurate information!"
"Really? Come in!"
The blonde woman turned excitedly, eyes bright.
"Hehe, really? That Lord is heading toward Sabaody Archipelago? Are you sure the information is correct?"
She bounced on the soft bed, then reached to stroke Shirogai's photo, smiling widely.
"Reporting, the information is verified without error. The pirate crew led by the Straw Hat Pirates will reach these waters in two hours!"
At the doorway, six muscular men knelt respectfully.
Though strong and capable, their submission to this woman was absolute.
They dared not meet the gaze of the voluptuous woman in her revealing nightgown.
One of them had learned, at the cost of his eyes, that careless glancing invited pain.
"Hehehehe, this is simply perfect! Oh, Arrogant Emperor…"
The blonde woman caressed the portrait with heavy breathing, her fair skin flushed, body trembling with excitement as she swayed onto the bed.
"Shirogai…"
The woman tilted her head to gaze at the massive wanted poster of Shirogai Yamikuro hanging in the room, her eyes soft and dreamy:
"Ever since this Princess heard your voice, I have longed for you day and night…"
She was a Celestial Dragon who remembered that fateful day in Mary Geoise when she oversaw newly captured slaves.
"Hmph, boring. All they do is scream."
Just as she was growing bored, she heard an arresting voice — confident, domineering, and rich with Haki:
"I found you!!!"
Before she could react, the sound came with a blast of Haki that echoed violently.
"Celestial Dragons! I greet you all for the first time, please pardon my intrusion!"
Before she blacked out, Shalria saw guards and slaves collapse in the chaos.
That voice… so commanding.
Her heart raced, and just hearing it had made her head spin.
The next moment, she dropped unconscious.
When she awoke again, she realized someone had actually attacked Mary Geoise — the holiest place in the World Government!
And no one, not even her father Rosward Saint, could uncover the attacker's identity.
"No, this Princess must have that man! Without fail!"
From that day forward, Shalria seemed dazed, lost in nonstop thoughts of that voice, trembling with longing whenever she remembered it.
Sometimes she would even faint from excitement.
Her father, Rosward — also a Celestial Dragon — summoned a doctor, but the doctor's diagnosis cost him his life.
"Saint Rosward, Saint Shalria appears to be suffering from lovesickness, a longing she cannot control…"
"Quack! Go to hell!"
Bang!
The doctor was blasted away by an enraged Rosward Saint.
Shalria, flushed with fervor, looked at her father eagerly:
"Father, this Princess must get information about that Lord. I want to be his woman!"
"Bastard!!!"
Saint Rosward roared, aghast at his daughter's obsession.
If it weren't for her being his beloved daughter, he would have struck her.
A noble Celestial Dragon infatuated with a lowly pirate she had never met?
If the others found out, they would laugh at the Roswald family and ruin their reputation.
"You foolish child! You have so many male companions. Are you really going to abandon them all for a common pirate?"
Saint Rosward had intended to remind her that she was treasured by many, and shouldn't waste herself.
But Shalria blinked appreciatively:
"Oh, Father is right. This Princess should not betray Darling!"
From that moment, she discarded all her male companions, sending them away to her sisters.
In the days that followed, she spared no effort to gather information about the man who had struck Mary Geoise.
But all her searches were fruitless, leaving her disappointed.
Because of her unrequited obsession, her temper became unstable, and she often punished her maids severely.
"What right do you have, to have heard Darling's voice!"
She once killed several simply out of jealousy that they had heard the voice with her that day.
…
Then rumors spread that the Gorosei were considering marrying a Celestial Dragon woman to a lowly pirate.
Many Celestial Dragon women were furious at the disgrace.
But only Shalria sensed something deeper, and relentlessly pursued it.
Finally, she learned the identity of the dominating man who had attacked Mary Geoise that day.
Arrogant Emperor Shirogai Yamikuro!
To the other Celestial Dragons, he was merely a troublesome, powerful pirate.
But to Shalria, Shirogai was the treasure she most desired.
If she could have him, she would gladly surrender everything she had.