Invited to the palace to see the royal families, Robin, Ash and Pikachu seemed prepared to see them. "You can't wait for meeting the families, huh?" asked Robin.

"Well… it's all we can do while we wait for the last kingdom to arrive," Ash shrugged. "We feel bad that the Tontatta Kingdom's dealing with something they couldn't control." As he ate some egg, he wondered if he could see Shirahoshi without hesitation. It was apparent that the Summoner had fallen for the mermaid princess.

("I'm ready, Ash,") Pikachu squeaked. Ash seemed prepared to travel to the castle.

"By the way, I still feel sorry for what happened to you before you and Vivi became friends," Ash apologized.

"It's all in the past," Robin eased. "Let's get going." Ash and Pikachu nodded before they headed to Cobra's castle.

Princesses! Self-Made Tribunal!

The small family made their way to the castle where Vivi greeted them. "Ash, Robin, Pikachu," she welcomed.

"Princess…" greeted Ash. "How are you doing?" Vivi giggled before taking Pikachu from Ash.

"We're still concerned about the other kingdoms," Robin voiced. "We have plenty of hospitality to offer, but we don't know if they'll stay."

"Stay calm," Vivi giggled. "The families are willing to explore more of Grand Jipang like the Mink district." Hoping for it to be the case, Robin accepted before they all filed in. Riku came forward to address matters.

"I received a notice from the Tontatta Kingdom," he brought up as Momonosuke, Hiyori, Viola, Rebecca, Neptune and Fukaboshi tuned in while Cobra finally entered. "They are finally on the move and will be here in the next few days."

"I see…" hushed Cobra. "Anything else?"

"Yes, Princess Mansherry has apologized for her behavior," Kyros added. "It was mentioned in the letter that was delivered and brought over to our room."

"So, we'll expect the Tontatta Kingdom and prepare to start the celebration," Momonosuke understood. "It's better news than what I received. Are you familiar with the Imperial Dragons?"

"Of course, those nobles who deem themselves untouchable," Fukaboshi admitted. "But why tell us? What business do they have with Grand Jipang?" Cobra tilted his head in a thinking gesture.

"It does raise concern as to what the Dragons want coming here," he murmured. Vivi became worried to her father's muttering.

"Father?" she voiced. Cobra shook off the thought.

"When the Dragons do arrive, we have to maintain the peace around here," he advised. "Boss is among a favorite to make sure there's no mayhem." The others acknowledged that their protection was assured. At the Pinwheel, Luffy was back to eating there, much to Onami's and Sanji's chagrin.

"Man, do I miss this!" smiled Luffy. "I've wanted to try new stuff since its' remodeling!"

"While forgetting that he still has his tab," Onami mulled.

"There's nothing you can do, other than withhold the food he wants," Usopp shrugged. Onami and Sanji sighed in defeat. Omao came by to the rest after peering around the restaurant. "Omao, you look a little panicked." Omao turned to the standing two.

"Have you guys seen Ocarrot around?" she asked. The others stopped and looked around, no sign of the Mink co-worker in sight.

"Yeah, where did Ocarrot go?" wondered Sanji. Luffy put the bowl down.

"That's weird," he muttered. "Bunny girl wouldn't miss a shift that important."

"AS IF YOU'RE ONE TO TALK!" snapped Onami. "YOU'RE STUFFING YOUR FACE WHILE YOU SHOULD BE ON PATROL!" Undaunted, Luffy shrugged off the yelling before going back to the bowl. Onami ripped the bowl from Luffy's hands. "NOT ANOTHER BITE UNTIL YOU FIND HER!"

"COME ON!" snapped Luffy. "I WAS EATING THAT!" Sanji and Usopp bashed Luffy in the head to knock him to the ground.

"YOUR STOMACH'S THE LAST THING ON YOUR MIND!" they shouted. Luffy looked unconscious from the strike.

"His mind is a lot harder than the rest of his body," Brook joked. "If only I could have bones that can freely move however I want." He proceeded to sip on his tea. Ocarrot scurried around Grand Jipang as she wondered about her love. She couldn't help but notice Ash's time with the two pink-haired young women. She scurried over to the castle.

"I don't believe Ash would go after a princess, let alone two," she pondered. "Sure, they were extremely friendly…" She reached the castle before noticing Rebecca leading Shirahoshi, Ash and Pikachu down a walkway. She hid while watching. The others entered a new room and sat down at a table.

"Hearing about those Dragons makes me wonder about their purpose," Rebecca started. Ash and Pikachu nodded to the news.

"We heard something about them back at the temple," Ash spoke. "The Imperial Dragons are like gods, practically untouchable. No matter what, they seem to be above the law."

"That's what I heard as well," Shirahoshi recalled. "So, they could come in to any of our kingdoms and destroy it just for the thrill." Ash and Pikachu shivered at the concept of their plans.

"That's them to the letter," Ash confirmed. "Still, if what we heard is true, why would they want to come here?"

("Not for you, right?") guessed Pikachu.

"What if they came for you and your summoning powers?" wondered Rebecca. Ash shook his head in denial.

"What could they want from me, exactly?" he debated. "My scrolls? My abilities? Only I can perform those tasks."

"It could also be about the murder of Lord Nelson," Shirahoshi guessed. "I heard about it from my brothers, so it would be about that." Ash slowly nodded, thinking it was related.

"Speaking of murders, I was wondering," Rebecca voiced. "Have you ever had your life at risk before coming to Grand Jipang? Did someone want to end your life while you traveled?" Ash thought back to his travels, but he couldn't think of one item.

"Not at all," he denied. "I haven't seen my face on a wanted sign, nor have I been attacked while I traveled with Pikachu." Ocarrot climbed to a windowsill to see Ash with the girls. She smiled at the sight, ignoring Rebecca and Shirahoshi who were in the room.

"There goes that aspect…" mulled Rebecca.

"At least he wasn't as wanted as I was," Shirahoshi claimed. Everyone turned to the mermaid princess. "Many men have seen me and wanted my hand. They've wanted to marry me, but I've rejected each one. Here, it was more of the same." Ash and Pikachu felt apologetic to Shirahoshi as Pikachu palmed her hand.

("It's okay, Princess,") he squeaked. Shirahoshi noticed before smiling again.

"Thank you, Pikachu," she praised.

"That's much different than Ash's ordeal," Rebecca pointed out. Shirahoshi knew and nodded.

"My apologies," she excused. "I was telling him the concerns of being wanted by those around." Seeing no problem with the girls, Ocarrot leaped down from the windowsill. However, she kicked her foot for stability after landing on the ground, causing a spear to become dislodged. It fell onto the bubble ring that kept Shirahoshi a float. She felt the weight shift without the bubble ring before falling onto Ash with a yelp.

"I gotcha!" shouted Ash. It was useless as Shirahoshi flattened Ash with her body. Rebecca and Pikachu got worried about the other two.

"Princess, are you okay!?" gulped Rebecca.

("Ash, are you good!?") squeaked Pikachu. No one moved. Ash and Shirahoshi looked to find each other face-to-face, lip-to-lip. That's when Shirahoshi covered her mouth and rose back up, looking terrified and beet red. Ash touched his lips. Something happened.

'I… I just k-kissed A-Ash!' she trembled. 'I had wanted to know about him some more, but not like that! My heart- Why is my heart beating so hard?' Ash was somewhat similar to Shirahoshi.

'Okay, my heart is beating wildly to the kiss she gave me!' he thought. 'She's gorgeous, she's a princess… but this is new. Could she be… who I wanted to find?' Seeing Ash and Shirahoshi stand, Rebecca and Pikachu sighed in relief.

("You're okay…") huffed Pikachu.

"Darn, you beat me to kissing him!" teased Rebecca. Shirahoshi, Ash and Pikachu gasped to the notice.

"H-How did y-you know!?" trembled Shirahoshi.

"The way you're acting after that," Rebecca pointed out. "It seems you two had some love to come out. At least you two are fine." Ash and Shirahoshi looked to each other before a snicker. They laughed to assure everyone was okay. That night, Vivi had a large bath drawn. She had the other young women join in.

"This is a bath in Grand Jipang…" awed Rebecca. "At least Ash and Pikachu are going back home." She stretched, her large bosoms bouncing to the movement. Shirahoshi smiled, her breasts just as large as the other women.

"At least I can bathe with the two of you," Shirahoshi briefed. "I'm not ready to bathe with Ash just yet."

"Oh, why would you say that?" wondered Vivi. Shirahoshi gawked before becoming red in the face again.

"Something tells me the kiss before might have sealed it," Rebecca believed. Shirahoshi became flummoxed to answer while Vivi gasped.

"You kissed Ash, Shirahoshi?" awed Vivi. Shirahoshi became red in the face.

"I mean…" she tried to reply. "Those suitors that my father allowed me to see… I could not see anything that said they're my type. Then, I come here for the festivities that have been delayed… and I see him." Rebecca and Vivi believed that Shirahoshi had fallen for Ash.

"I see where you're going," Rebecca thought. Shirahoshi gasped before seeing Rebecca. "As a matter of fact… I, uh… might be thinking the same thing." Vivi and Shirahoshi blinked to Rebecca's confession.

"So, you're in love with Ash as well?" guessed Vivi. Rebecca's face became red.

"I'm not one to hold secrets much," she admitted. "I'd like to give it a shot with him. What about you?" Vivi blinked to being asked about her emotions. Quickly, she shook it off.

"Well, don't get me wrong, but I do as well," she confessed. "However, I'd rather see him as a little brother than a love interest." Rebecca and Shirahoshi smiled to the reply.

"I see..." awed Rebecca. "Sorry if we got a little too personal." Vivi shook her head softly.

"The fact that you care about him is enough comfort," Shirahoshi smiled. Everyone agreed as back in the flat, Robin noticed the gaze Ash had while holding Pikachu.

"So, did meeting the princesses while we were still discussing matters made you this happy?" asked Robin. Ash sighed, knowing that the girls he met in the private room kept him in good spirits.

"Well… I might have been lucky," he admitted. "How often do I get to kiss royalty?" The question made Robin awe her son's luck.

"You got kissed by one of the princesses?" All Ash did to reply was nod.

"I did admire Shirahoshi when we first met to greet King Neptune and his family to Grand Jipang. We got to know each other more over the past couple of days. Rebecca's also nice and I wouldn't mind being friends with her." Robin put Pikachu down before hugging Ash from behind.

"You're starting to grow up, my son…" The warm embrace made Ash blush.

"Mom…"

"You're gaining maturity. Love is something that isn't spontaneous. It needs to work itself through. Once that is achieved, there's nothing to stop you."

"Well, I wouldn't say that. After all, she's of royalty… and I'm nothing more than a commoner. An infamous commoner…"

"But you have made strides that even those who never believed in you are giving you respect. You have accomplished a lot in your short life. You can still achieve more." The notion made Ash smile. "I do mean more than Sanji or Brook. You wouldn't believe how often they've hit on me." The three laughed to the case.

"Thanks, Mom…" Robin replied with a kiss to his temple.

"I'm always here if you need anything, my son…" She left to allow Ash and Pikachu to sleep. As Grand Jipang rested, a set of silhouettes emerged. They seemed to vary in size as they peered at the royal city. Who were they, and what could they want? Were they the last kingdom to arrive to start the festivities? Or were they the Imperial Dragons that were rumored to ravage cities of their free will?

TO BE CONTINUED… IN 2025.

(This is the last chapter for the year. It will restart in January. One more Smartphone chapter after, I'm doing a Christmas one-shot to close out the year.)