LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 72: Chapter 69
"I heard from my mother that this place was prepared for the Fishman Island residents to migrate to the surface. There are so many rooms! Perhaps, my husband could let people live here as well," Shirahoshi mused thoughtfully.
Shirahoshi's idea truly was a last resort, but if nothing else came to mind, the people working under Noah could stay here for now.
Clearing his mind, Ethan focused on the Flying Pirates stationed in Noah, using his Observation Haki to locate them. Then, his Conqueror's Haki burst forth silently.
In a single moment, Vander Decken and his men buckled under the overwhelming pressure, collapsing unconscious. Too uninterested to go inside and gather the bodies, Ethan simply used the power of his Door-Door ability to create a portal. With a flash of raging lightning, the paralyzed men could not escape, slipping into eternal silence.
Ethan then seized Vander Decken's Target-Target Fruit, storing it in the form of a fruit for safekeeping.
Without even seeing the enemy, Shirahoshi's help had led him to victory.
As for the Target-Target Fruit itself, its ability wasn't particularly strong, but it allowed the user to aim and throw Noah itself if needed. When the fruit user marks a creature, they become a target; another creature can be marked by touching it, with the marks refreshing by contact and removing through washing. Most people with two hands can mark up to two targets. Any object thrown by the hands would automatically track the target until intercepted. This limitation, paired with the need for direct contact, rendered it less useful—far below Ethan's floating powers, which allowed him to lock onto and strike targets with Observation Haki alone.
With his thoughts clear, Ethan guided Shirahoshi toward the bow of Noah.
The floating power spread, lifting Noah at his command.
"Shirahoshi, do you sense the power within you?" Ethan's question was deliberate. Should Shirahoshi unlock her power as a Sea King earlier, it would significantly aid his goals.
"Eh~ Me?" Shirahoshi closed her eyes, focusing on her inner self, her brow furrowing. She responded, "I don't feel anything… My husband, am I… useless?"
"How could that be? You're incredibly important. It's just that I haven't fully unlocked the right to use that power… Don't worry. You'll awaken it one day," Ethan comforted her gently.
His words instantly put Shirahoshi at ease, her tension melting away. She pressed close to Ethan, unconcerned by the shifting landscape, waiting calmly for him to continue thinking.
Since the Sea Kings couldn't be summoned, he would try a new approach.
With that, Ethan commanded Noah to circle Fishman Island, searching for signs of a Sea King. However, just like the grand hippo he'd fought before, it seemed the aura of Shirahoshi kept lesser Sea Kings away.
He resolved to bring Shirahoshi to the Calm Belt next time; surely, they'd encounter more Sea Kings there.
Then he wondered—could he possibly use his White Thunder to copy the Sea King ability from Shirahoshi herself?
He acted immediately, turning to Shirahoshi with a burning gaze that made her blush shyly.
"Shirahoshi, could you give me your hand?"
"Eh? Yes, of course, my husband!" Shirahoshi, briefly surprised, extended her hand—then, feeling it insufficient, held out both hands.
Ethan held her hands, sending his White Thunder surging into her, searching carefully for traces of her Sea King ability. After a moment, he found nothing.
"Husband~ did you sense anything?" Shirahoshi asked.
Ethan shook his head slightly. For now, understanding the Sea King power would have to wait.
---
Meanwhile, at Fishman Island's Ryugu Kingdom, Jinbei had finally returned after years of secretly working on Whitebeard's ship, offering his loyalty.
All because, during a crisis for Fishman Island, Whitebeard had said, "Fishman Island is my territory!" Since then, few had dared to attack them.
Jinbei, not yet ready to renounce his title as a Warlord of the Sea, returned with the Whitebeard Pirates' Division Eight Captain, Namur. Because they both resembled sharks, Namur bore a striking similarity to Jinbei.
As a long-standing leader of Ryugu Kingdom's army, Jinbei was respectfully addressed as "Boss Jinbei." Upon returning, he quickly heard from soldiers he knew that a "big change" was in store for tomorrow.
After some probing, he got the details from Minister Left—the ruler of Fishman Island intended to pledge allegiance to the God-Emperor, Ethan?
Jinbei was floored, unsure how to respond. His knowledge of Ethan was scarce.
With haste, he made his way to the palace to speak with Neptune, though he failed to notice Namur's simmering anger beside him.
Neptune was hesitant to say much before Namur, a Whitebeard Pirates' captain, but felt obliged to explain to Jinbei. Thus, he briefly recounted the day's events, omitting specifics.
"I see… I understand your reasoning, Your Majesty."
Jinbei had no rebuttal, recognizing the practicality behind Neptune's decision, even though Fishman Island's safety had largely come from Whitebeard's protection.
Still, he needed to evaluate Ethan for himself. If Ethan proved worthy, he'd respect the change. But if not, he would act to preserve Fishman Island's legacy.
"Boss Jinbei! This is absurd!" Namur interrupted, his anger bubbling over as Neptune realized the trouble brewing.
"Fishman Island is Whitebeard's territory! That brat's actions are a direct challenge to my father!"
"This…" Jinbei paused, agreeing with Namur's reasoning. He took a firm stance and replied:
"Very well, I will meet Ethan myself. If he can truly bring peace to Fishman Island and rule honorably, I'll inform Whitebeard of the change. If not, I'll be the first to expel him."
Namur huffed, indifferent to Ethan's character. In his view, any affront to the Whitebeard Pirates called for a show of strength.
"Jinbei, there's no need to worry. I'm a man of my word," Neptune said, trying to ease the tension.
"Your Majesty, could I contact him directly?" Jinbei asked, resolved.
Ignoring Neptune, Namur interjected with the tone of a man unwilling to defer, "Yes, let's connect to him. It's time we dealt with this 'God-Emperor.'"