Chapter 388: Chapter 388: The Sky-Blocking Shadow, Despair Spreads

"Are there so few among your Fish-Man race who can use Observation Haki?" Meiser said, looking through the gaps of the Wood Dragon at Jimbei not far away. "They all seem to be seeing that ability for the first time."

Upon hearing this, Jimbei fell silent for a moment before replying helplessly, "Indeed, there are very few."

If many people could use Haki, their Fish-Man race wouldn’t be so weak.

Meiser nodded upon hearing this. Now he understood why the Fish-Man race was struggling so much.

In the end, it all came down to insufficient strength...

Thinking this, Meiser shook his head helplessly.

Then, Meiser noticed the strange object appearing outside Fish-Man Island.

"Hmm?"

"That is..."

As Meiser saw clearly what it was, his pupils instantly contracted.

If he wasn’t mistaken... that was a massive ship!

"Hey, Jimbei, what’s going on with that ship?!"

"That ship?"

Jimbei was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then turned to look in the direction Meiser was pointing.

"This is... Noah?!"

As Jimbei saw clearly what it was, his eyes widened in shock, nearly bulging out.

Why was the Noah Ark, which was supposed to be in the Fish-Man District, appearing here?

"What is Noah?"

"It’s a ship with special significance..." Jimbei said, his expression turning grim as he continued, "I just don’t know why this ship has appeared here."

Even though the ship was in a state of disrepair, how could it move again?

"A ship with special significance, huh." Meiser pondered for a moment, then turned to Shirahoshi, who also wore a shocked expression, and asked, "Shirahoshi, do you know what’s going on?"

"I don’t know..."

Shirahoshi shook her head honestly and said, "This is the first time I’ve seen this ship, too."

She had only heard about the ship before; this was her first time actually seeing it.

Hearing this, Meiser furrowed his brows, feeling that something was off.

"What a joke," the Fish-men standing at higher ground said with terrified expressions. "Why is Noah appearing here?"

"It looks like it’s heading straight for the square..."

"Hey, Fish-Man Island’s Bubble is going to be shattered!" one Fish-man cried out in panic. "If the Bubble is shattered, Fish-Man Island is finished!"

"Not just the Bubble—if something that massive crashes into it, the entire Fish-Man Island will be shattered!"

"Damn it, who’s moving it? That ship has lost its power!"

"Damn it, we’re finished!"

Listening to the cries of the people around her, Madam Shyarly’s expression also turned grim.

"Could it be that Fish-Man Island was destroyed because of Noah?"

If that were truly the case... then no one could stop it!

Thinking this, a hint of despair welled up in Madam Shyarly’s heart.

"Madam Shyarly, what should we do?!"

"Madam Shyarly!"

Looking at the children seeking her help, Shakky fell silent for a moment before shaking her head and saying, "Sorry, kids, I don’t know what to do either."

She was merely a diviner capable of foreseeing certain futures, not someone with formidable combat strength.

So... there was nothing she could do.

"How can this be..."

The Fish-men nearby despaired. Was this truly the end for them?

"Hurry, leave Fish-Man Island and seek shelter!"

"Right!"

Upon hearing this, the Fish-men on both sides immediately ran into the distance, clearly intending to flee for their lives.

"Are you kidding me? That thing is way too big!" Brook looked up at the sky, exclaiming in shock, "I’m so shocked my jaw would drop if I had one!"

"Ah!"

"Though I don’t have a jaw to drop, yo ho ho ho ho!"

"How can you still laugh at a time like this..." Nami said with a grim expression, "Do you even know what we’re up against?"

Though she didn’t understand what this thing called Noah was all about, if it crashed down directly... even she would be finished.

After all, she couldn’t maintain her abilities in the sea.

"What do we do? What do we do?!" Usopp was nearly frantic. "We’re going to be crushed flat!"

He had thought this war would end quickly, but now a ship was falling from above?

How are we supposed to fight this?

"Are we going to be crushed flat?" Nico Robin calmly gazed at the high-altitude Noah and said, "Will the sea turn red?"

"Huh?!"

Seeing Robin utter such words with such composure, Usopp was utterly dumbfounded.

"Hey, Robin, could you not say such terrifying things so calmly?!"

"Yeah, Robin..."

Nami also looked at Robin with tearful eyes. Those words were far too frightening!

Turning the sea red... just thinking about it was terrifying!

To this, Nico Robin merely smiled and said nothing more.

"I think the probability is quite high," Perona, who had flown over to the group, said. "With so many people, the sea would definitely turn red."

Nami:

Why is Perona like this too?

Enough already!

"What should we do?" Merry looked up at the high-altitude Noah, her expression grim. "Should we attack that thing?"

Though she didn’t know if her attacks would have any effect, it was better than waiting to die.

"Attack?" Usopp stared at Merry in disbelief. "How could we possibly shatter such a massive ship?"

Even if he pushed his Devil Fruit ability to its limit, he couldn’t blow apart such a terrifying ship with a single shot.

"Perhaps he has a way," the composed Nico Robin said, turning to glance at Meiser, who was also looking up at the sky. "Haven’t you noticed he hasn’t panicked from start to finish?"

At these words, everyone paused for a moment before shifting their gaze to Meiser.

"That seems true..." Nami murmured.

If so, did Meiser have a way to deal with this thing?

"This really presents us with a huge problem," Meiser said, frowning as he looked up at the sky. "Vander Decken..."

Gazing at the figure standing on the ship, Meiser’s eyes, now activated with the Sharingan, gradually turned cold.

If only he had known this guy would do something like this, he would have gone to eliminate him in advance!

"Vander Decken?" Shirahoshi was stunned for a moment before exclaiming in surprise, "Big Brother, was it that man who threw Noah over?"

"Yes."

Meiser raised his hand and pointed upward, saying, "He’s standing on that ship right now."

Upon hearing this, Shirahoshi looked up at the sky, then asked in confusion, "Where is he?"

Why couldn’t she see that man anywhere?

"It’s too far away for you to see," Meiser said solemnly. "But I can see him."

Shirahoshi pursed her lips upon hearing this. Although she couldn’t clearly make out the situation high above, she chose to trust Meiser.

Just then, a figure fell from the sky, plummeting toward the ground at an incredible speed.

"Boom!!"

"Huh?"

"This is..."

Looking at Watatsumi, who had landed on the ground, a trace of confusion appeared in Shirahoshi’s eyes. Why did she feel like she had seen this person before?

"He’s Vander Decken’s subordinate," Meiser explained. "We’ve seen him before."

Then, a hint of confusion flickered in Meiser’s eyes. Why had this big guy jumped down?

Could it be that Vander Decken had some other plan in mind?

Thinking this, Meiser narrowed his eyes.

"Oww... it hurts so much..."

Watatsumi, with a huge bump on his head, cried out, "It hurts so much!"

"You’re Vander Decken’s subordinate, the Sea God, right?" Gecko frowned and asked, "Why are you here?"

"Of course..."

Before Watatsumi could finish speaking, as if remembering something, he looked up and shouted, "Captain Decken, I fell down! Stop the ship!"

"I don’t want to die."

"Decken?"

Gecko’s expression darkened. "What does this mean?"

"Could it be... that Noah was thrown here by Decken?"

As if realizing something, Gecko’s face turned grim.

It seemed they had been tricked.

"Captain Hody," a Fish-man ran up to Hody and shouted, "Decken brought Noah over."

"Is this some kind of special operation?"

"Shut up, you useless fools!"

Hody emerged from the rubble, then glared angrily at Luffy and said, "Damn Straw Hat Boy, you knocked me away again."

"Huh?"

"How are you so tough?" Luffy looked at Hody in confusion. "I even used Armament Haki to hit you."

"Hmph, I don’t know what that Armament Haki thing you mentioned is, but it’s impossible to defeat me with that kind of power!" Hody said coldly.

With that, he shattered the stone blocking his path and stepped out of the rubble one step at a time.

Then, he looked up at the sky and said, "Noah... Vander Decken, is it?"

"Yes, Captain Hody! That ship was thrown over by Vander Decken!"

"Throwing a ship like a weapon..." Hody said with a grim expression. "That crazy pirate..."

"This wasn’t part of the operation plan!"

Could it be that this bastard planned to take them all out together?

Thinking this, Hody’s expression grew even darker.

Damn Decken!

"Bwahahahaha!"

"Bwahahahaha!"

Standing atop Noah, Vander Decken laughed maniacally as he looked down at the plaza below, speaking through a loudspeaker: "Shirahoshi, prepare to receive my love~"

"Bwahahahaha!"

"Can you hear me, Shirahoshi?!"

"It’s actually that guy Vander Decken..." Jimbei said with a grim expression as he looked up at the sky. "That madman Decken actually threw Noah over here..."

"Is he trying to destroy Fish-Man Island?!"

This lunatic!

"Threw it over?"

Hearing this, Luffy was momentarily stunned, then frowned and said, "So that means we need to punch this thing away, right?"

"Huh?!"

"How is that possible?!"

Usopp stared dumbfounded at Luffy. How could a person possibly do something like that?

This was a massive ark comparable in size to Fish-Man Island!

"Do you have any other ideas, then?" Luffy asked seriously, looking at Usopp.

Usopp: —

Seeing Luffy’s earnest expression, Usopp fell silent.

Thinking about it carefully... there really weren’t any better alternatives.

"Can’t we just take out the ability user?" Nami pointed upward and said, "If we defeat Vander Decken, then the ship will..."

Before she could finish, Nami herself froze, as she realized a possibility.

"It seems you’ve realized it too," Jimbei said gravely. "In this situation, simply killing Vander Decken won’t help, because the moment his ability ceases, the ship will crash down directly!"

In that case, the situation might become even more terrifying than it is now!

The others, understanding Jimbei’s meaning, also turned pale.

So... does that mean there’s no way out?

"Bwahahahaha!"

"You should notice me now," Vander Decken laughed loudly. "Shirahoshi!"

"I’ve adored you for ten years!"

"Though the world is vast, no one in the entire world loves you as much as I do!"

"Bwahahahaha!"

"You’re talking nonsense!"

Hearing Vander Decken’s words, Neptune angrily looked up and shouted, "You’re nothing but a complete madman! What do you know of love?!"

If anyone should speak of love, it should be her family!

The other three princes also glared furiously at Vander Decken, wishing they could charge up and eliminate him right then and there.

Harassing Shirahoshi with his unreasonable demands was bad enough, but now he was bringing Noah to kill her... He truly deserved to die!

"You deserve to die, Vander Decken!"

The three princes roared in rage, but unfortunately... Vander Decken couldn’t hear them at all.

At that moment, he remained lost in his own world.

After a while, Vander Decken lowered his head and said, "But... but Shirahoshi, why won’t you accept my love?"

"Bwahahahaha..."

"Bwahahahaha!"

This time, Vander Decken’s voice had grown somewhat hoarse, clearly indicating his terrible mood.

"Since you refuse to accept my love... then vanish!" Vander Decken said with a crazed expression. "Shirahoshi, you and Fish-Man Island shall perish together under the Noah I’ve thrown your way!"

"Bwahahahaha!"

At that moment, Vander Decken’s face was filled with madness.

"Captain Decken, what about me?" Watatsumi pointed at himself and said, "What should I do?"

As a crew member, Watatsumi was well aware of Vander Decken’s abilities.

He really didn’t want to die along with Princess Shirahoshi.

"Bahahahaha!"

"Sorry, Sea God," Vander Decken said. "Once I throw something, it won’t stop until it hits its target, so I can’t save you either."

"How can this be?"

Watatsumi was dumbfounded. "Are you planning to kill me too?"

He had been loyally following Captain Decken for so many years—why did he have to die too?

"Bahahahaha!"

"That’s right!" Vander Decken laughed maniacally. "You can accompany Shirahoshi in death, along with Fish-Man Island!

"Bahahahaha!"

At this moment, Vander Decken no longer cared about subordinates or not. All he wanted was to kill everyone below.

Only then... would his conviction be fulfilled!

"He’s truly insane..." Meiser frowned.

Such a massive Noah... he wasn’t sure if a Water Release Technique could push this giant thing away.

Thinking this, Meiser turned his gaze to the enormous chain falling from above.

But before he could move, he heard Shirahoshi beside him say, "Big Brother..."

"Hmm?"

"What is it?"

"I’m going!"

Meiser was taken aback. What did she mean, she was going?

Where was she going?

As if sensing Meiser’s confusion, Shirahoshi said seriously, "Vander Decken’s target is me. If I stay on Fish-Man Island, Noah will crash down."

"So... I’m going to lure it away!"

As long as she wasn’t on Fish-Man Island, this giant thing wouldn’t be able to crash down, right?

With this thought, Shirahoshi’s eyes grew resolute.

Meiser fell silent for a moment before saying seriously, "Are you sure?"

"Even if it might mean death?"

"If I die, so be it!" Shirahoshi nodded without hesitation. "If my life alone can save the entire island, I’m willing to sacrifice myself!"

Looking into the young girl’s earnest eyes, Meiser was momentarily stunned.

Shirahoshi... was serious!

Then, Meiser smiled.

Royalty willing to go this far for their people... truly rare!

With this thought, Meiser looked at Shirahoshi seriously and said, "Then go ahead and do it boldly, Shirahoshi!"

"I’ll protect you!"

"Big... Brother?"

Shirahoshi was stunned. It would be dangerous for him to go with her—what if...

"We promised to protect you before. How could we break that promise now?"

Meiser smiled, then looked up at Noah high above and continued, "Besides... at a time like this, no one else can stop this thing anyway."

After a light chuckle, Meiser gently patted Shirahoshi’s cheek and said, "Alright, no more daydreaming. This thing will fall soon!"

"Okay!"

Snapping back to reality, Shirahoshi nodded, then looked up at the sky with determination and said, "Then... Big Brother, please indulge me this once!"

"Alright!"

The next moment, Shirahoshi, who had created a bubble around herself, flew out of the Wood Dragon and shot into the sky at incredible speed!

Meanwhile, Meiser stood firmly on Shirahoshi’s shoulder, his gaze fixed intently on Vander Decken high above.

"Vander Decken..."

"Dammit, what should we do now?!"

Watching Noah descend ever closer to the ground, the Fish-Men erupted in terrified cries.

The bubble is about to shatter... When that happens, everyone will die!

"What should we do? Should we all run?"

"How can we escape?" A shark Fish-Man knelt on the ground, saying, "At our speed, there’s no way we can outrun Noah."

At this rate of descent... they simply couldn’t get away!

"Damn it, if it weren’t for Princess Shirahoshi, how could we..."

"Huh?"

"Where’s Princess Shirahoshi?"

Seeing that Princess Shirahoshi had vanished, the Fish-Men were stunned. How could the person who was drawing Vander Decken’s attention just disappear?

"Nani?"

Jimbei was also bewildered. Why would Princess Shirahoshi disappear at a time like this?

Could someone have secretly abducted Shirahoshi?

"Shirahoshi is up in the sky," Nico Robin said, pointing upward. "Her big brother is with her."

"Big brother?"

Jimbei was momentarily confused. Why would Prince Fukaboshi—

Wait, it seemed like Nico Robin was referring to Meiser!

As if realizing something, Jimbei’s eyes immediately lit up.

"I understand! Princess Shirahoshi intends to take Meiser with her to capture Vander Decken!"

Well done, Princess Shirahoshi!

Although this is dangerous, as long as Meiser is there, that bastard Vander Decken won’t be able to harm Princess Shirahoshi.

"Your target is me, right?!" Shirahoshi, now in the air, spread her arms wide in a blocking gesture and declared, "Then don’t attack Fish-Man Island!"

"If you want my life, come and take it! But please, don’t involve the citizens of Ryugu Palace!"

As her words echoed, Shirahoshi began swimming upward bit by bit, and Noah started to follow her, gradually shifting its trajectory upward!

"I’m right here, come on!"

"Hey, look up there!"

The Fish-Men below, witnessing this scene, shouted excitedly, "Noah is really changing direction, following Her Highness!"

"Hey, is Her Highness planning to sacrifice herself to save us?"

"Damn it, someone save her!"

While being saved was something to be grateful for... they didn’t want the princess to die at the hands of that bastard either!

"What kind of joke is this?!"

Neptune angrily punched the ground, his expression twisted in fury as he roared, "Why must my daughter go through something like this?!"

Damn Vander Decken, damn it all!

"Father, please calm down," Prince Fukaboshi said anxiously. "Your wounds will reopen."

"I don’t care about myself, but Shirahoshi, she..."

"Pfft!"

Before Neptune could finish, blood spurted from his reopened wounds.

"Quick, a doctor!" Prince Ryuboshi cried out urgently. "Get a doctor, save my father!"

"Coming, coming!"

A Fish-Man dressed as a doctor rushed over and immediately began treating Neptune.

At the same time, he said, "Your Majesty, you must not get too agitated, or the wound will reopen and you could die!"

"But I..."

Neptune clenched his fists in anguish and said, "What about my daughter..."

In that moment, he deeply hated his own weakness.

If only he were strong enough, this situation would never have occurred!

At this thought, tears welled up in Neptune’s eyes.

"Otohime... I’ve failed you..."

"Father."

Prince Fukaboshi looked at his father with heartache, then turned to exchange glances with his two brothers. "We can’t just stand by and watch anymore. We must do something."

Otherwise, their father might become so agitated that he would start coughing up blood again!

Understanding their elder brother’s meaning, the two brothers immediately nodded in agreement.

"Then—"

Before Prince Manboshi could finish speaking, a fish-man nearby shouted, "Hey, look! There’s someone standing on Princess Shirahoshi’s shoulder!"

"Someone?"

Prince Manboshi was taken aback for a moment before taking out a telescope to look up at the heights.

After getting a clear view, his pupils contracted. "It’s that man who can reshape the terrain with a wave of his hand!"

Why is he with Shirahoshi?

"Perhaps Jimbei asked him to protect Shirahoshi," Prince Fukaboshi speculated.

Though they didn’t know the details, with that man present, Shirahoshi would be much safer.

"But the area above is seawater," Prince Ryuboshi said. "That man is a Devil Fruit Ability User. How much of his strength can he exert in the ocean?"

If that man were to be defeated in the sea...

"I know, which is why we must go too!" Prince Fukaboshi declared.

After all, this was a matter concerning their Fish-Man Island. They couldn’t just stand by and watch others help while doing nothing themselves. With this thought, Prince Fukaboshi immediately took out a Bubble Coral, intending to rush over at the fastest speed to provide support.

Just then, Prince Ryuboshi seemed to notice something and exclaimed in shock, "Hey, big brother, look over there!"

"Over there?"

Hearing Prince Ryuboshi’s words, Prince Fukaboshi followed his pointing finger and looked over. His pupils then contracted sharply. "That is... Hody?"

Staring at the man clinging to the chains, Prince Fukaboshi’s pupils shrank to their smallest size.

Why would the strongest member of the New Fish-Man Pirates appear in the air?

Didn’t he care about the people below?

"Though we don’t know what’s happening, we absolutely cannot let him approach the sunglasses guy in the sea," Prince Manboshi said. "Otherwise, both Shirahoshi and he might die in the ocean!"

"Indeed."

Prince Ryuboshi nodded in agreement, simultaneously preparing for battle.

"Then let’s go protect the two of them together!" Prince Fukaboshi declared.

Even if they were injured, it didn’t matter—as long as they could protect those two!

With this thought, the three of them immediately began swimming, charging toward the heights.

"You three!!"

Hearing Neptune’s voice, Prince Fukaboshi and his brothers halted their movements and turned to look at their father with worried expressions, fearing he might start coughing up blood again.

"I leave Shirahoshi to you," Neptune said, his body trembling. "You must..."

"We understand, Father!" Prince Fukaboshi nodded solemnly at Neptune. "Please rest assured!"

He knew what his father meant.

It wasn’t just about Shirahoshi and the sunglasses guy’s safety—it was also about... Noah!

"Then I leave it to you..."

"Right!"

Prince Fukaboshi nodded, then looked at his two brothers and said, "Let’s go, we’re moving out!"

"Right!"

The three of them swiftly flew into the air.

"Such unimaginable kindness, Shirahoshi," Vander Decken said. "Someone like you is truly the most suitable to be my wife!"

"Now, I’ll give you a chance!"

"Kill that guy on your shoulder, then say to me: I want to marry Vander Decken!"

"That way... I’ll spare your life!"

"Say it now!"

"Hurry—"

Before Vander Decken could finish, Shirahoshi shouted, "I’m sorry, you’re not my type!"

"Gah!"

Hearing Shirahoshi’s words, Vander Decken froze on the spot, then trembled and knelt on the ground, his entire body turning ashen gray.

"To reject me for such a reason..." Vander Decken, kneeling on the ground, trembled as he spoke. "For such a reason..."

At this moment, he felt as if the sky had collapsed.

He had considered every possible reason, but never this one.

"Because I really don’t like your type," Shirahoshi shouted. "And... I could never kill Brother Meiser for you!"

With that, Shirahoshi continued moving upward, striving to escape the range of Fish-Man Island.

"Damn it... damn it!"

Enraged, Vander Decken jumped up from the ground, his expression twisted as he said, "If that’s the case... then you two lovebirds can just die!"

As he spoke, Vander Decken pulled out several massive Plum Blossom Axes.

Then, aiming at Shirahoshi, he hurled them with all his might.

"All of you, die!"

Seeing this, Shirahoshi immediately closed her eyes in fear, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Just keep swimming upward!" Meiser said. "Leave him to me!"

With those words, Meiser leaped off Shirahoshi’s shoulder and, in the blink of an eye, appeared in front of the Plum Blossom Axes.

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

With a few punches, he shattered the axes into pieces!

After doing this, Meiser steadily flew back to Shirahoshi’s shoulder and stood firmly once more.

"Damn it, so it was you who shattered my axes before!" Vander Decken roared. "Why do you have to meddle?!"

If it weren’t for this bastard, Shirahoshi wouldn’t have rejected him, right?

Thinking this, Vander Decken’s expression twisted again.

"None of your damn business."

Vander Decken: "..."

Hearing this, Vander Decken was utterly silenced.

Was this bastard... looking down on him?

How dare a mere human act this way!

Didn’t he know that Fish-Man Island was the domain of the Fish-Man race?

This damn bastard!

"Don’t pay any attention to this guy, Shirahoshi," Meiser, standing on Shirahoshi’s shoulder, said. "Just do what you want to do. I’ll knock away every attack for you!"

"Okay!"

Shirahoshi nodded firmly, then turned and swam diagonally upward.

"It’s useless, Shirahoshi!"

Regaining his composure, Vander Decken sneered as he watched Shirahoshi. "Even if you reach the edge of Fish-Man Island, it’s pointless because you can’t pass through the Double-Layer Bubble to enter the sea!"

"In the end... Noah will still crush you to death on Fish-Man Island!"

"Bahahahaha!"

"Bwahahahaha!"

"I won’t give up just because of a few words from you!" Shirahoshi said, gritting her teeth. "I will definitely save Fish-Man Island!"

Then, Shirahoshi turned to Meiser and said, "Lord Big Brother, before your companions left Ryugu Palace, did they forget to close the Connecting Corridor?"

"Yes."

Meiser nodded, then seemed to understand Shirahoshi’s meaning and exclaimed in surprise, "You plan to use that to enter the sea?"

"Exactly!"

Shirahoshi nodded firmly and said, "Only by using the Connecting Corridor can I enter the sea."

"That is indeed a good method," Meiser said, stroking his chin.

At least this way, they could quickly enter the sea!

With that... Fish-Man Island would be safe!

"Lord Big Brother, please use this to make a bubble first," Shirahoshi said, taking out a huge Coral Bubble from her bosom. "Otherwise, you won’t be able to breathe underwater."

Meiser looked at the Coral Bubble, which was larger than his entire body, and fell silent for a moment. Then, his lips twitched as he said, "No need, I have my own way."

"You just charge ahead."

Shirahoshi was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then seemed to understand something and said, "Is it the one from before?"

"Exactly!" Meiser nodded.

Compared to this strange bubble, he preferred using Water Release: Dance of the Swimming Fish.

At least that Ninjutsu allowed him to move with great agility underwater.

"I understand!"

Knowing what Meiser meant, Shirahoshi nodded and then sped up, swimming toward Ryugu Palace.

Meanwhile, Meiser glanced at the figure below, then looked up at Vander Decken and said, "Just wait until we’re in the sea."

Vander Decken: ?

What does that mean?