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Chapter 158 Queen Otohime
Chapter 158 Queen Otohime
The slender, bioluminescent jellyfish spreads its translucent, umbrella-shaped body, its blue-purple light flickering in the seawater like a lantern hanging in the deep sea.
Giant, glowing anemones are rooted in the rocks, their tentacles swaying with the waves and emitting a soft green light.
Uchiha Hakuba watched this scene quietly, his Sharingan subtly shifting in the shadows, a rare ripple appearing in his usually calm eyes.
This deep sea, with its extreme darkness, has given birth to the most magnificent splendor.
As the depth exceeded 5,000 meters, the water pressure reached an alarming level. The coating on the ship's exterior tightened slightly, but it remained as stable as a mountain thanks to the Armament Haki injected by Rayleigh.
And here, truly giant sea monsters began to appear.
The first thing to appear was a giant deep-sea turtle that was over 100 meters long.
Its shell, like a black mountain covered in moss, slowly swam past the side of the ship, its heavy limbs cutting through the seawater and creating huge currents.
The giant tortoise's eyes were half-open and half-closed, appearing lazy and gentle. It merely glanced at the coated ship before slowly sinking into the deeper seabed, without any intention of attacking.
Artoria gripped the sword at her waist, but Bai Yu gently shook his head to stop her: "As long as we don't provoke them, these giant sea monsters won't attack our ships. Don't be too nervous."
""
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a huge shadow swept across the top of the ship.
The three looked up and saw a group of deep-sea manta rays with wingspans of over two hundred meters stretching their pectoral fins like wings, gliding gracefully in the seawater. Their bodies glowed with a pale blue luminescence, and their tails were long and thin like whips. When they swam by in groups, they looked like a flowing blue nebula, a spectacular sight that took their breath away.
"It's terrifying. In the deep sea, these giant sea monsters are undoubtedly a natural disaster."
As the ship descended to a depth of 8,000 meters and approached the underwater volcanic zone, even more ferocious sea monsters appeared.
A giant tiger shark-like sea monster suddenly burst out of the dark seawater, its body measuring a full three hundred meters in length. Its sharp teeth gleamed with a cold, chilling light as it bit down hard on the coated bubble.
The immense impact caused the entire ship to shake violently. Artoria instantly drew her sword, golden sword energy poised to be unleashed. Uchiha Shiroha took a slight step, his Sharingan instantly activating, the tomoe slowly rotating within his crimson pupils, an invisible Conqueror's Haki quietly spreading out.
However, Rayleigh's coating was far more robust than imagined. Even when torn apart by a giant sea king, the coating only emitted a faint white light, dissipating all the impact.
The tiger shark sea king took a few bites, but found it couldn't break through the defense. It was also intimidated by the Conqueror's Haki emanating from Bai Yu. It let out a unwilling roar and finally disappeared into the darkness with a flick of its tail.
"Mr. Raleigh's craftsmanship is indeed well-deserved."
Artoria sheathed her sword, her tone full of admiration.
As we continued to descend, the underwater landscape became even more peculiar.
The dark underwater volcanoes emitted faint steam, warming the surrounding seawater. Golden sulfurous substances gushed from the hydrothermal vents, forming streaks of golden light in the darkness.
The vast underwater canyons crisscross like scars on the earth, and from their depths come the low roars of unknown sea kings.
Occasionally, you can also see the wreckage of sunken ancient ships.
When the depth reached 10,000 meters, a dazzling light suddenly shone in the darkness ahead.
It was a dreamlike island floating in the deep sea, also known as Fishman Island.
The massive roots of the Sun Tree Eve pierce through the island, emitting a soft golden light that envelops the entire Fishman Island.
In the distance, one can vaguely see colorful coral pavilions rising from the ground, mermaids and fish-men moving freely in the seawater, and a huge bubble protective shield covering the entire island like a sky dome, shimmering and beautiful, truly a mythical kingdom in the deep sea.
The coated ship slowly approached the entrance to Fishman Island. The guards protecting the island immediately noticed the unfamiliar vessel but did not stop it, allowing it to pass through the special entrance and enter Fishman Island.
Uchiha Hakuba withdrew his gaze, looked at his companion beside him, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"We've arrived at Fishman Island."
"It's unbelievable that we got in so easily."
"Big brother, are we just going to let them in like this?"
"Those are the great pirates who killed the Celestial Dragons, are we really going to stop them?"
"That's true—"
The coated ship slowly sailed into the transparent channel at the entrance to Fishman Island. The shimmering white bubble film on the ship's hull gently touched the giant protective shield on the island's outer layer, creating ripples of fine rainbow light.
Artoria curiously leaned out the window, and the scene before her completely overturned all her understanding of the country.
The robust roots of the Sun Tree Eve, like golden pillars reaching from the surface of the sea, pierce the deep ocean. Its spreading branches cast a warm glow, illuminating the entire Fishman Island as if it were daytime. Colorful corals form pavilions of varying heights, seashell-inlaid windows open and close gently with the current, and pearl-strung curtains sway gracefully in the water. Schools of vibrant tropical fish dart through the streets and alleys, walking alongside mermaids and fish-men.
The ship docked smoothly at the Fishman Island's private pier. Only when her feet touched the warm, smooth coral slabs did Artoria truly feel the reality of this underwater kingdom.
On both sides of the pier, mermaid girls dressed in flowing gauze dresses swayed their colorful fish tails. Their silver-pink, sky-blue, and emerald-green tail fins shimmered like pearls in the sunlight. They carried bamboo baskets filled with deep-sea pearls and held freshly picked luminous seaweed. Their eyes were gentle and lively, and their occasional glances were full of curiosity, but without any fear.
Fishman Street is the liveliest street on Fishman Island. The winding coral road is lined with stalls selling all kinds of goods, and the air is filled with the unique sweet aroma of deep-sea specialties.
The stall displayed fist-sized, glowing pearls, crisp and juicy deep-sea coral fruits, jewelry carved from giant seashells, and clothing sewn from the scales of sea kings—each item possessing a unique, fantastical quality characteristic of the deep sea.
The robust mermaid vendors drank enthusiastically; some had the sharp teeth and backs of tiger sharks, some had the soft tentacles of octopuses, and others had the colorful patterns of starfish.
Artoria was drawn to a necklace made of seven-colored pearls at a stall. The moment her fingertips touched the cool pearls, the fish-woman beside her smiled and swayed her tail: "These are pearls polished under the light of Eve of the Sun Tree. Wearing them will keep you warm."
Passing through the bustling main street of Mermaid Street, an ancient seashell tower appears at the end of the field of vision. The outer wall of the tower is wrapped with glowing blue seaweed, and a wooden plaque with the words "Shirley's Residence" hangs on the lintel. This is the residence of Shirley, the most famous occupant of Mermaid Street on Mermaid Island.
Pushing open the seashell-shaped door, a faint scent of seawater wafts out. The interior is softly lit, and the walls are inlaid with countless smooth water mirrors, reflecting the light and shadow of the deep sea, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
Shirley sat gracefully on a stone chair covered with white velvet. She had long, dark blue hair and a deep navy blue fishtail. Her face was cold and beautiful. In front of her was a crystal ball that shimmered with a faint blue light. The moment her gaze fell on Uchiha Shiroha, her eyes narrowed slightly, and ripples appeared in her originally calm eyes.
"Your arrival has already rewritten the fate of Fishman Island."
Mrs. Shirley's gaze was fixed on Bai Yu, and the light and shadow in the crystal ball became clearer: "I see that you thwarted an assassination attempt and thwarted some people's plot."
"Your prediction won't be wrong, will it?"
Uchiha Hakuba spoke, his voice calm and unwavering.
Yes and no.
Shirley lowered her eyes: "Fate is a flowing river, and you are the boulder that plunged into it, changing all predetermined trajectories. You, who slew the Celestial Dragons, did not belong to any predetermined prophecy. What you brought may be an unpredictable future."
Just as Mrs. Shirley finished speaking, the door of the fortune-telling shop was suddenly pushed open, and a strong sense of malevolence swept in with the surging seawater.
Outside the door stood a group of fierce-looking fish-men. The leader had pale skin, shark gills and sharp teeth, and eyes as sinister as a venomous snake. He exuded extreme hatred and violence towards humans, the World Government, and the Celestial Dragons. He was Hody Jones, a thug from Fishman Street, who had not yet been driven out of the area.
Behind him followed a group of merman officers, each with a fierce look on their faces, holding sharp merman spears in their hands, and staring menacingly at Bai Yu and his group who had occupied the hall.
Hody Jones's gaze lingered on Uchiha Shiroha, and then a sinister smile crept onto his face.
"Uchiha Hakuha, the great pirate who slew the Celestial Dragons, I have finally met you."
Hody Jones slowly walked into the fortune-telling shop: "I am Hody Jones, the leader of Fishman Street."
Uchiha Shiraha stood to the side, blocking Artoria's path. His Sharingan narrowed slightly, and with just a glance at Hody, the fish-man minions behind him instinctively took a few steps back.
"What do you want?" Bai Yu's voice was devoid of any warmth.
Hody Jones threw his head back and laughed, his laughter filled with madness and fanaticism: "We are beings persecuted by the Celestial Dragons and by humans! You have killed the Celestial Dragons and ruined the World Government's reputation, making you the perfect companion for us."
He stepped forward, extending his veined hand, his eyes burning with fervor as he looked at Bai Yu: "Your strength, your reputation, are exactly what I need. Join my pirate crew, and together we'll raze Mary Geoise to the ground, slaughter all the Celestial Dragons, and make all those who once oppressed us grovel at our feet!"
These words were filled with extreme violence and fanaticism for revenge. Artoria frowned, a hint of disgust flashing in her golden eyes. She gripped the holy sword at her waist, about to speak, when Bai Yu raised his hand to stop her.
Uchiha Hakuba looked at Hody Jones, who was consumed by hatred, his eyes as calm as the darkness of a deep sea, without the slightest ripple: "I kill Celestial Dragons to eradicate evil, not to attack other ordinary people. You and I are not the same kind of people at all."
"What did you say?" Hody Jones' smile froze on his face, and his eyes turned sinister.
I do not agree with your path.
Bai Yu spoke slowly and deliberately, his tone firm: "My partners, my course, will not accompany you."
Artoria stepped forward, golden sword energy subtly swirling around her: "We cannot agree with your ideology."
Hody Jones's face darkened completely. He stared intently at Uchiha Shiroha, his fanaticism turning into icy coldness: "Alright, I understand."
Hody Jones abruptly flung his sleeves, turned around, and stormed off with his group of officers. The heavy shell door was slammed shut by the ruthless wolf, making a deafening noise that caused even the water mirrors inside the fortune-telling hall to tremble slightly.
Watching Hody Jones' departing figure, a trace of worry appeared on Shirley's usually cold face: "Hody Jones is blinded by hatred, and his methods are ruthless and vicious. He won't let this go. You rejected him, and he will definitely try his best to get rid of you. Jinbe isn't here, so no one can stop him. You should leave quickly."
Uchiha Shiraha gazed out the window at the bustling crowds of Fishman Street, watching the carefree mermaid girls and the simple fishman people. He gently raised his hand, brushing the dust from his shoulder, and said calmly, "Him? If Hody Jones dares to cause trouble, I don't mind cutting down evil once more."
After leaving Shirley's fortune-telling shop, the bustling atmosphere of Fishman Street was still palpable. The golden light of the Sun Tree Eve shone on the winding coral street, making the dazzling array of specialty stalls on both sides shine brightly.
Uchiha Shiraha walked ahead, the faint sense of oppression around him still present. The fishmen and mermaids passing by took the initiative to step aside to make way for him, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity. After all, the great pirate who killed the Celestial Dragon was a legendary figure throughout Fishman Island.
Mermaid children with rainbow-colored tails swam past laughing and playing, while merman guards with coral spears patrolled methodically. The air was filled with the sweet scent of deep-sea flowers and fruits, the coolness of seashell ornaments, and the unique freshness of the sea. Everything seemed peaceful and beautiful, a stark contrast to the hostile atmosphere brought by Hody Jones who had just occupied the pavilion.
In conclusion, due to its unique geographical conditions and the king's good governance, the overall atmosphere on Fishman Island is quite good.
Just as everyone arrived at a square filled with glowing sea flowers, a series of neat and gentle footsteps came from ahead.
A group of merman guards, dressed in silver-white armor and wielding gilded tridents, stood on both sides, their postures respectful. At the head of the group was a tall merman captain with golden seahorse markings. He wore a pearl-encrusted headdress and bowed slightly to Bai Yu, his posture humble yet dignified.
"Respected Lord Uchiha Shiroha, and everyone else, I am Tosu, the captain of the guards of the Ryugu Kingdom."
The head guard's gaze respectfully fell on Bai Yu: "Princess Otohime learned of your arrival at Fishman Island and knows that you are a hero who dares to face the Celestial Dragons and the evils of the world. The princess is grateful and specially ordered me to come here to sincerely invite you two to a gathering in the Dragon Palace Kingdom. The princess and the king have important matters to discuss with you in person."