It had been three days since Ash's trial run through a shrine where he inherited power to summon without consequence. His summons helped finished preparations for the festival uniting kingdoms. Ash had been a busybody as well. Lanterns strewn above streets, signs made bigger for those visiting, Grand Jipang was set. "I can't believe that it's already here," Ash gasped. "The day the royal families are visiting." He, Pikachu and Robin were at home when they started to prepare for the arrivals of the royal families.

"You sound anxious to meet them," Robin teased. Ash nervously laughed to the belief.

"Well, actually… not really."

"Are you nervous?" A sigh came out of Ash.

"I won't lie, Mom. I am a little… I know I've been practicing a lot since I completed the trials at the shrine, and that it's a really important moment for Grand Jipang. Still, I'm worried that I might mess up and make a fool out of… not just myself, but this kingdom as well. What if I mess things up and ruin partnerships with the other kingdoms?" Seeing Ash start to go into a little panic, Robin hugged her son from behind, embracing herself onto him. Ash was a little startled to feel his mother's warm embrace.

"Everything will be fine, my son. I know you'll do our kingdom proud." The warmth made Ash stop his losing train of thought.

"Mom…"

"Just stay calm, take deep breaths, remember what you've worked on and most important of all…" She turned Ash around to face her smile. "Smile… and be yourself, okay?" Ash awed Robin's words.

("You can do it, Ash!") chimed Pikachu. Ash saw the supportive smiles from Robin and Pikachu before inhaling and exhaling.

"Feeling better?" she hoped. Ash took another deep breath before smiling back to Robin.

"Yeah, I'm good," he assured. "I can do this." Robin nodded, knowing that Ash would be okay on the task at hand. "And mom…"

"Yes, dear?" Thanking her, Ash hugged Robin.

"Thanks. I'm grateful for the support." Touched, Robin returned the hug.

"It's what a mother does… but I'm always happy to help." She gave a kiss to Ash's forehead. Ash had a humored sigh.

"And thanks to you, buddy. I can always rely on you to have my back." Pikachu felt grateful, but even more when Ash petted him on the head. Robin sighed in relief, knowing Ash would be confident in carrying out his tasks.

Gathering! Royal Families to Grand Jipang

Ash and Pikachu left to reach the castle to get last instructions as they toured through the decorated streets. "We're going to be seeing a lot of new people come by here," Ash said.

("We can only wonder who we see,") Pikachu squeaked as they arrived at Cobra's castle. Entering the main room, Cobra and Vivi eyed Ash and Pikachu.

"Summoner, we've been anxious as to when you'd arrive," Cobra spoke. "I had been wondering if you had second thoughts as to the occasion." Pikachu ran up to Vivi, leaping into her arms.

"Hi, cutie!" she cooed before she kissed him. Pikachu cheered to the kiss. Ash turned to a stash of items like a trident and new fabrics.

"Are these the trades we're giving?" he asked.

"They are," Vivi confirmed. "This will provide the offerings to maintain peace and alliances among other kingdoms that visit." Another man ran in with a scroll. It was a raven-haired man wearing a white robe with purple linens and another robe, black, over the white robe.

"Lord Cobra!" he alerted. "I got a notification on one of the kingdoms visiting. They're claiming to be running late for their arrivals." He handed the scroll to Cobra before he unfurled it.

"From the Tontatta Kingdom," he read. "Apparently, their princess has been experiencing some questionable behavior about visiting." He looked to the messenger. "Thank you, Chakra. Let us know about those who do make it." The messenger bowed before leaving. Ash looked over the trading items and picked up the trident.

"What's this?" he asked.

"Franky created what he calls a trident for the Ryugu Kingdom's patriarch, King Neptune," Vivi brought up. Ash lifted the trident, noting the weight of it. Suddenly, another messenger came by.

"Lord Cobra!" he spoke. "They're here!" Learning about the arrival of the royal families arriving, Cobra made his decision.

"Let us meet them," he replied. "Bring the trades." Everyone filed out and carried the items. An hour later, they arrived at the gates of Grand Jipang as they viewed convoys of people coming. Approaching on horseback, A tall raven-haired man wearing a white robe with pink linens came to Cobra. His robe had fire on pink clouds under a red sun. There was a black robe over the white robe with gold rings printed. There was a black sash around the waist.

"Lord Cobra," he named as a cyan-haired woman came by, wearing a pink robe with flowers on the sleeves. She also donned a red robe and a green sash around her waist.

"Are you from the Wano Kingdom?" guessed Cobra.

"We are," the woman confirmed. "I am Hiyori Kouzuki. This is my brother and the shogun, Momonosuke." The brother dismounted before some of the siblings' followers helped Hiyori down.

"You have come for the celebration in the coming days," Cobra assumed.

"That we did," Momonosuke smiled. "There was also word that Grand Jipang has taken in the infamous Summoner."

"Some of that is true," Vivi voiced. "In fact, we have him joining on this occasion." They turned to Ash and Pikachu. "This is Ash, the infamous Summoner." Robin soon joined behind Vivi as her guardian. Hiyori came to Ash and Pikachu with fascination.

"Let me have a closer look at you, boy," she wished as Pikachu watched from the side. Hiyori held Ash's head before inching close to his face to look. Ash blushed to the little sister's face. Hiyori giggled to Ash's reaction before hugging him. "Oh, you are without a doubt the most adorable young boy I've ever seen! I'd want to adopt you to be my son!" Ash had a nervous giggle before Robin had a more humorous one.

"I'm sorry to say this, your grace," she spoke up. "But I'm afraid I've already beat you to it" Hiyori gasped to the news.

"You… have?" she stuttered before whining and puffing her cheeks. Just as quickly as she became upset, she relented before facing Ash again. "Still, you're an adorable boy. It does bother me that you've already been claimed, but I can still do this." She gave Ash a tender kiss to his forehead and cheeks, making him blush harder.

"Hiyori!" gawked Momonosuke.

"Oh, come now, brother…" smiled Hiyori. "Let your dear sister have her fun!" Finding Pikachu, she picked him up. "And you're just as adorable… even if you're a mouse." She kissed Pikachu on the cheeks and forehead, causing him to squeal. As that wrapped up, Ash recalled his duty.

"By the way, a gift of Grand Jipang to you," he presented. "Platinum, gold and silver." Seeing the coins with different luster and color.

"Thank you, Ash," Momonosuke praised. "And thank you, Lord Cobra." They accepted as they were allowed in town as the next group arrived, two men and two women leading on more horseback. One of the men was a gray-haired elderly man wearing a purple robe with light purple robe under a blue coat. The other man was a muscular raven-haired wearing a red cape over a green robe. One of the women was a light-skinned, dark brunette voluptuous tall woman wearing a purple-spotted robe. The other was a slightly shorter pink-haired girl who eyed Ash and Pikachu. She wore a gold robe with a scaly design.

"King Riku!" realized Cobra, naming the gray-haired. "And Kyros! It's been awhile."

"Welcome to Grand Jipang," Vivi greeted.

"Lord Cobra, you and your daughter are doing fine from what we're seeing," Riku noticed.

"It has been too long since we helped each other with Grand Jipang and Dressrosa," Kyros addressed. "Of course, you remember my neice, Princess Viola; and my daughter, Rebecca."

"They've indeed grown," Cobra bowed. He gulped as he viewed Viola's figure. 'Refrain…' he thought with his eyes closed while Rebecca hopped off with her horse before coming to Ash and Pikachu.

"So, are you the Summoner that was mentioned?" she asked.

"I've been told that… a lot actually," Ash nervously admitted. Viola saw the interaction between Rebecca, Ash and Pikachu.

"I heard about the Summoner and how he nearly died," she mentioned. "Still, seeing him that close to Rebecca, I'm curious." She made her right hand into a viewing scope and copied with her left hand. Looking through, Viola saw an x-ray of Ash's skull being normal. She came to Ash for a closer look. "Summoner, I have a special ability to better understand you." Rebecca seemed to question Viola's offer.

"Viola, why do you want to use your technique?" she asked.

"I want to understand his history and his thoughts," Viola offered. "Is it okay?" Ash nodded, though Pikachu seemed concerned.

("Are you sure?") he voiced. Rebecca hoisted Pikachu in her arms, allowing him to relax. Viola had her viewing fingers forming into hand glasses before meeting forehead-to-forehead.

"PEEPING MIND!" she called. A flash between Ash and Viola emerged before Viola learned about Ash's past and thoughts. She removed her face and hands while smiling. "I see…" She turned to Robin. "And that you've done a great job in raising him after his tragic past, it tells me that you came to the right place. If not, I would've adopted you." Robin smiled to the compliment.

"You're much too kind," she giggled.

"I don't know…" grinned Rebecca. "I might want him for something." Ash gulped before offering new robes.

"Well, first comes these as tokens to welcome you," he tried to stay on course. Viola nodded before she kissed Ash on the forehead. He blushed. As they were led in, a new group came in as mermen with various colored fins held a large redhead merman wearing a crown and a long beard. He wore a royal blue robe while being seated on a chair carried by the others. Aside from him, the mermen carrying him had flotation bubbles around the mid-sections. By them were three more mermen. One was a muscular blue-haired merman wearing a purple robe with a sky-blue sash. His fin was purple with a white front. The second merman looked like mostly a brown oarfish wearing a white robe and orange sash while his tail was purple and like an eel. One more merman was rotund with red pointy ears. He wore a teal robe with a yellow sash. The group of mermen stopped.

"Have we arrived -jamon?" the redhead merman wearing a gold crown.

"You have, King Neptune," Cobra offered. "Welcome to Grand Jipang. Your children have become strong."

"We're happy to see the merfolk visit," Vivi added. "Is this everyone?" The blue-haired merman turned to behind the throne.

'"Shirahoshi, come and show yourself to the Lord," he ordered. That's when a pink-haired young mermaid emerged. She was tall and voluptuous, but she had a girl-like face. She wore a sky-blue robe with a white and gold sash while she had coral pink fins.

"Yes, Princess Shirahoshi and King Neptune are far smaller than normal in this version, mainly to travel through Grand Jipang without destroying it," a disembodied voice spoke up. "After all, someone as tall as 39 feet would be impossible to move around in such a small area." Pikachu awed and his eyes became hearts. Ash gasped and stared in shock.

'My goodness…' he hushed. 'My heart… it's beating… and wildly.'

'My goodness…' gulped Shirahoshi. 'He's here… I'm not ready…' The two couldn't look away for a while.

"Summoner!" spoke Vivi. Ash snapped out of his gaze. He shook his head before grabbing the trident. He came to Neptune to present.

"Sorry about that," he apologized before offering the trident. "Honorable King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom, as a token of our kingdom's friendship, I present to you… this handcrafted trident." He bowed while holding up the trident to Neptune. "May it be a symbol of your nation, your people and continue to bring peace between our kingdoms and strengthen our friendship." The offer made; Neptune took the trident from Ash.

"I humbly and proudly accept this gift -jamon," he accepted. Following Robin and the previous interactions, Ash faced Neptune with the two smiling. "May the peace and friendship between our nations continue to last for eternity." Applauds came all over while Shirahoshi gushed. That evening, Rebecca fed Pikachu at dinner with the other guests. Robin reached Ash and palmed his shoulder.

"Without the Tontatta Kingdom present," Cobra addressed. "We cannot commence with the festival. Still, you are here as guests. Everyone acknowledged the decision.

"Ash, you did wonderfully greet the kingdoms," Robin mentioned.

"Thanks, Mom," Ash smiled. They ate while Vivi announced a toast with Sake. Ash had water. Shirahoshi looked to Ash, feeling her heart still beating wildly for him as Hiyori talked to Ash some more. She smiled to seeing how friendly Ash is, hoping that she could understand him more. Rebecca came to Ash.

"Say, Summoner," she spoke. "I know we just met, and it's still my first time holding one of your creatures, but is it okay if I have Pikachu for the night?"

("Can I?") wished Pikachu. Feeling trustworthy, Ash nodded.

"Sure," he accepted. "I'd like to know you more while the celebration plays out."

"So do I," Rebecca agreed. Ash looked to Shirahoshi and wondered.

"I'd also want to know… her more," he admitted. Rebecca and Pikachu looked to Shirahoshi who was with the three others.

"You mean besides her three older brothers?" she guessed. Ash gasped to Shirahoshi's family description.

"Oh, she's the youngest?" he guessed. Rebecca pointed to the muscled blue-haired.

"The eldest of the four is Fukaboshi," she identified. "There's Ryuboshi as the youngest and Manboshi as the middle with the long body."

"I see…" understood Ash. "I do hope we get along."

("Same with everyone,") Pikachu wished. After dinner, Ash and Robin returned to the flat for sleep. When Robin noticed Ash still wide awake, it stirred her.

"Are you worried about Pikachu?" she wondered. Ash heard his mother and shook his head.

"I got a weird feeling seeing Shirahoshi," he admitted. "It was… well… Seeing her, my heart raced, and I was paying a lot of attention to her. I started to mess up before you alerted me." Robin giggled to Ash's confession.

"Something tells me that it's love at first sight. It was the same feeling Ocarrot had about you."

"Really? It was… love?" Then, a smile. "I would want to protect her… and maybe teach Boss a thing or two about respect. 'Weakhoshi?' Come on, Boss… That attitude, I might be the Boss before he realizes his mistakes."

"Still, you did well in your job." She gave Ash a kiss to the cheek.

"Thanks, Mom…"

"No, thank you." They retired and entered sleep. Grand Jipang will have more visitors soon.

TO BE CONTINUED...