Aether caught the incoming spear with ease. Judging from the direction it had co from, he quickly calculated its origin and gently patted Shirahoshi's fishtail.
"Shirahoshi, we're leaving. Do you rember what I told you?"
Shirahoshi looked beyond Fish-Man Island, toward the distant darkness. A trace of fear crossed her face, but she steadied herself and nodded.
"Brother Aether said that if I want a beautiful future, I have to rely on myself. I'm ready."
Carrying a large bag of supplies, Shirahoshi swam out of Fish-Man Island. Aether stood on her shoulder, his body coated with a special seabed resin, holding a bubble of oxygen.
The enormous princess passed through the island's double protective coating under King Neptune's worried gaze. This was her first ti leaving the island, and no parent could feel at ease watching their child venture into such danger.
They soon arrived at the furthest point Aether had estimated. A faint glow from the Sunlight Tree Eve still reached this place. All they had to do now was wait for the next weapon thrown by Vander Decken IX.
Aether's plan was simple. By following each thrown weapon, they would eventually reach their target.
With ti to spare, they wandered through the deep sea. At ten thousand ters below the surface, aside from Sea Kings, countless strange creatures road. Without Fish-Man Island's coating technology to withstand the imnse pressure, even Aether would struggle to move freely here.
Shirahoshi, filled with curiosity, spun around happily, poking at a starfish and tapping a peculiar fish nearby.
The fish, barely four ters long, suddenly bared its fangs and snapped at her. Startled, Shirahoshi scread and darted behind Aether.
"Brother Aether, the fish here are so fierce."
Aether fell silent.
Poseidon, who could command Sea Kings, was frightened by a creature smaller than herself. There was little he could say. He simply drove the fish away and spoke reassuringly.
"Relax, I'm here."
To stay alert, Aether extended his Observation Haki across a wide range. The number of Sea Kings roaming the seabed was astonishing, far exceeding those in the Calm Belt.
[SSS-rank character Shirahoshi (Poseidon) has developed positive emotions toward the host. Reward: 400,000 EXP.]
The system notification appeared again. Their bond had clearly deepened.
Fortunately, they did not have to wait long. Within two hours, another weapon ca flying through the water. They imdiately followed its trajectory.
In the pitch-black depths, tracking like this would be nearly impossible without advanced Observation Haki.
Perhaps due to Shirahoshi's identity as Poseidon, most Sea Kings ignored them. Only a few driven purely by hunger attacked, and Aether cut them down effortlessly. Their blood quickly attracted other predators, turning the surrounding waters into a feeding frenzy.
Aether remained unfazed. He had ways to escape if needed, and even at this depth, his strength remained largely unaffected.
Ti lost aning in the deep sea. Two days passed in what felt like a blur.
While sleeping, Aether felt as if his body was wrapped in sothing soft, almost like sinking into a sponge. His hands moved instinctively, trying to free himself.
When his breathing beca slightly restricted, he opened his eyes.
Right in front of him was Shirahoshi's face. She had been watching him sleep. Over the past two days, she looked noticeably more tired.
As he tried to move, he realized where he was resting.
Between two soft mounds.
So that was why it felt like a sponge.
"Shirahoshi, how long was I asleep?"
"About an hour. I wanted you to be comfortable, so I held you close."
Aether paused.
He could only remind himself that she was still innocent and unaware. Otherwise, this situation would be far too much for most people to handle.
Before he could say anything further, another weapon ca spinning through the water.
They followed it.
This ti, their destination ca into view.
A tattered pirate ship drifted in the distance, resembling a ghost vessel.
The Flying Dutchman.
Beside it stood a massive figure, Wadatsumi, Vander Decken's pet. Towering at eighty ters, he dwarfed even giants.
Below the ship stretched a field of undersea volcanic vents. Molten lava flowed across the seabed, lighting the area with a crimson glow and raising the surrounding temperature. So fish were already cooked by the heat, attracting others into this deadly zone.
Standing on Shirahoshi's palm, Aether spoke.
"The one who's been targeting you is ahead. Do you want to see him one last ti, or should I end this now?"
A cold killing intent flickered in his eyes. After spending two days searching, his patience had worn thin.
Shirahoshi watched the ghostly ship. The fear in her heart slowly transford into resolve.
"Brother Aether, I want to see him."
Without hesitation, she pushed Aether back against her chest and swam straight toward the ship.
"Wait, Shirahoshi..."
Before he could protest, he was pressed tightly in place by both water pressure and her movent. The softness only made it harder to move.
At that mont, Vander Decken lay lazily on the deck of his ship. Suddenly, a large, pink-haired face appeared outside, startling him upright.
"Shi… Shirahoshi? How did you find ?"
"I ca to see you, Lord Vander Decken."
Hearing this, he imdiately assud she had co to accept his proposal, completely ignoring the far more important question of how she had found him.
Ever since discovering her identity as Poseidon when she was six, he had obsessively pursued her. When his letters failed, he resorted to threats and attacks.
Now, he believed his wish had finally been granted.
His delusion shattered instantly.
"I'm sorry. I will never marry you."
His expression twisted with rage.
"You dare refuse ? I'll—"
He froze mid-sentence.
Aether stepped out from Shirahoshi's chest.
A human male erging from what he considered his rightful possession triggered an uncontrollable fury within him.
Before he could react further, Aether had already moved.
In an instant, he appeared behind Vander Decken.
No conversation was needed.
Aether had no interest in speaking with a dead man.
A single slash cut through the water.
Vander Decken's vision spun wildly as his head separated from his body. For a brief mont, he saw his own corpse collapsing before everything faded into darkness.
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