One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

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"Greetings, Saint Donquixote Mjosgard."

"Oh! So you're the newly promoted Vice Admiral making waves in the Navy recently? Good, hurry up and take off my—" Mjosgard's insolent tone faltered mid-sentence, his face twisting in confusion.

"Never mind… this is fine too." Mjosgard mumbled before turning and walking away. "Call me when we reach Mary Geoise!"

"…"

Wright and Smoker exchanged glances, the nearby Marines and Ryugu Kingdom guards looking as though they'd seen a ghost. Since when did a Celestial Dragon become so… mild-mannered?!

"Greetings, Queen Otohime. Welcome to the world above the sea—I am Vice Admiral Wright from Marine Headquarters. I'll be in charge of your protection until you return to the Ryugu Kingdom."

Ignoring Mjosgard's peculiar behavior, Wright knew the cause: Queen Otohime's extraordinary charisma and innate ability to influence emotions and thoughts through her speeches.

A feeble-minded Celestial Dragon like Mjosgard was undoubtedly affected.

Bowing respectfully to greet the queen, Wright couldn't shake a strange sensation—something probing at his consciousness.

Otohime's face briefly showed surprise. "Vice Admiral Wright… I've heard much about you. I entrust you with the task ahead."

"Of course. If it's convenient for you, Your Highness, I'd like to give you a brief overview of the upcoming itinerary and some precautions."

Activating his Observation Haki, Wright sensed Otohime's swirling emotions of astonishment, joy, and reflection.

"Let's talk privately," Wright silently suggested. As expected, Otohime's eyes widened momentarily before she quickly regained composure and smiled. "Vice Admiral, please guide me… Guards, arrange for a reception room. I need to discuss some matters with the Vice Admiral."

"Yes, Your Highness!" The guards quickly complied.

"Smoker, you handle briefing the Ryugu Kingdom's entourage on the precautions. I have some matters to discuss with Queen Otohime," Lighter instructed quietly.

"Understood. I'll keep an eye on Mjosgard," Smoker replied before leaving.

"Please, Your Highness."

"I appreciate it, Vice Admiral."

In the reception room, Queen Otohime arranged for the highest level of confidentiality.

"No one else is nearby," Otohime said as she sat down. Wright nodded—any notion of eavesdropping was laughable in the presence of two individuals capable of reading emotions and thoughts with their advanced Observation Haki.

"Your Highness Otohime, your reputation precedes you… Your talent is truly remarkable. The level of Observation Haki you possess could well be unparalleled in the world," Wright praised.

"Vice Admiral, are you referring to my ability to hear the 'voices' of people's hearts?" As a member of the royal family and wife of Neptune, Ryugu Kingdom's strongest knight, Otohime was no stranger to Haki.

"But you seem to possess a similar ability yourself… This is the first time I've encountered someone with such a gift." Otohime hesitated. "I must apologize—I attempted to sense your thoughts earlier, but it seems…"

"You could only feel my emotions, not my specific thoughts, correct? I'm the same, Your Highness," Wright chuckled. "There's no need to apologize—it's instinctual."

Otohime visibly relaxed. "To think that Vice Admiral Wright shares such a rare ability… I'm fortunate to meet you. At least you can sense my sincerity."

Wright nodded. "Your Highness, my Observation Haki is unique but doesn't quite reach your level. I can perceive emotions and thoughts but have no ability to influence others' emotions or minds. My 'speeches' have no such effect."

Shaking her head, Otohime smiled brightly. "That's already extraordinary, Vice Admiral."

"Before this, I'd never heard of anyone else possessing even a comparable ability. Since you specifically requested this private meeting, I assume there's something important you wish to discuss?"

"Indeed." Wright nodded, producing a small box. Inside was an exquisite golden crystal pendant—a Lightforged Beacon Crystal.

"You likely haven't seen this before…" Sliding the box toward Otohime, even her royal composure faltered as she marveled at the pendant's breathtaking beauty.

"This is…?"

"A small token of my goodwill. Consider it a memento of the human world—it's something I personally crafted. If you encounter danger, this will protect you, so I implore you to keep it on you at all times."

"Protect me? This… this is far too precious! I…"

"These are crafted using my abilities. I make several for Marine Headquarters each year, so it's no burden. Consider it… a keepsake for someone who shares a similar gift."

"A 'kindred spirit'..." Otohime murmured before sighing softly. "To hear such a term from a human… You must have experienced much with this ability, haven't you?"

"…" Wright fell silent for a moment. "Indeed, countless things. Perhaps, as royalty, you haven't encountered too many vile voices. But I…

"From my days as a bounty hunter to my time in the Navy, the voices I've heard most often are those of pirates—ugly, dark, and twisted. Thankfully, the good people I've met continue to inspire me.

"Your Highness, I requested this meeting to demonstrate my ability and share my thoughts.

"You can trust me. Negotiations with the World Government should pose no problem for you, but you must remain cautious around the Celestial Dragons…

"Mjosgard is already under the influence of your speeches. He's slowly transforming into… a person. Please continue to persist."

Otohime's eyes widened. "Vice Admiral Wright, for a Marine officer, your attitude toward the Celestial Dragons seems…"

"Heh… You're well aware of what the Celestial Dragons are like, aren't you? And I know it even better," Wright said, shaking his head. "But as a Vice Admiral… there's only so much I can do.

"That said, the World Government can still be reasoned with. For the sake of their own image, they won't act too harshly against the Fish-Men—especially with Jinbe joining the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

"Jinbe…" Otohime wiped her eyes and smiled. "Yes, with your guidance, Vice Admiral, I feel even more confident about this journey to the World Government!"

"But Your Highness… have you considered…"

Wright's expression grew serious as he lowered his voice. "Your ideals—the Ryugu Kingdom becoming a World Government member nation, Jinbe joining the Seven Warlords, and even the protection of the Yonko Edward Newgate, Whitebeard—can't change the prejudice and cruelty some humans harbor against Fish-Men.

"Has Fish-Man Island, or the Fish-Men and Merfolk, truly prepared for this? With Fisher Tiger's tragedy still fresh, can the hatred between the two races really dissolve so easily?"

"I…"

Otohime fell silent, her gaze heavy. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "I've considered this, but the Celestial Dragons' arrival presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I believe that with a good beginning, and with the approval documents from the World Government, time will eventually erase the hatred!"

Sighing inwardly, Wright offered a gentle smile. "Then, I wish you the best of luck."