บท 128: Chapter 128: Fish-man Island!
Edie's polite greeting, "Hello, mermaid," was met with anything but friendliness.
"...!!"
The Royal guards, tasked with Princess Otohime's protection, sprang into action. Startled by the sight of a human soaring through the air, they quickly surrounded their princess.
The soldiers were peculiar in appearance, each wielding a weapon poised high, their resolve steady despite their visible unease.
"Protect Otohime!" barked one of the captains.
To them, this was no ordinary human—if it was human at all. Some whispered it might be a monster from the ocean's abyss. Yet, no matter the fear in their hearts, the guards stood their ground, forming a protective barrier around the princess.
The citizens gathered in the square were no less unsettled. Mothers clutched their children tightly, while fathers shielded their families. A few, paralyzed by fear, contemplated fleeing.
"No need to panic!"
Otohime's firm voice resonated across the square, silencing the growing commotion. She turned to her guards, her tone unwavering yet kind.
"Lower your weapons. Do not show rudeness to a guest, even if they are human. Especially because they are human, we must extend our kindness."
"But, Princess Otohime..." one guard hesitated.
Despite their reluctance, the soldiers obeyed, lowering their weapons and stepping aside.
Otohime descended gracefully from the small stage at the podium, her steps light but deliberate. She passed through the line of guards, stopping in front of Edie, her expression warm yet cautious.
"Hello, human," she greeted with a radiant smile that masked the deep apprehension she felt within.
Princess Otohime possessed an extraordinary form of Observation Haki—one so advanced it allowed her to sense the thoughts and emotions of others. She could even influence their minds and foster empathy. This ability, innate and rare, had always been reliable... until now.
Before her stood Edie, shrouded in an unsettling void. Where she should have felt his emotions, there was nothing. The emptiness unnerved her more than any malice ever could.
"I've heard your name," Otohime said, masking her unease with poise. "You are the greatest scientist of the seas, Mr. Edie, correct?"
Edie raised a brow, intrigued. "Even 10,000 meters beneath the surface, my name precedes me? I'm flattered."
As he descended gracefully, his feet touched the ground before her.
"Thank you," Otohime said sincerely. "It is considerate to save one's neck from strain."
Edie chuckled. The princess's genuine politeness amused him. "You're quite courteous, Princess. I seem to have interrupted your speech, though. Please, continue."
"No," she replied with a shake of her head, "your arrival is timely."
Turning to the gathered citizens, Otohime raised her voice once more, her words impassioned and hopeful.
"This gentleman is the greatest scientist among mankind. Look closely—humans are not something to fear!
"Children, do not fear humanity.
"Parents, do not pass down the chains of hatred.
"We must foster kindness and respond with kindness in turn. With sincerity, we shall receive sincerity!
"Citizens of Ryugu Kingdom, I believe in a brighter future—a future where fishfolk and humans coexist in harmony.
"One day, we will no longer be confined to the dark depths of the ocean, chasing a mere reflection of the sun.
"One day, we will walk on land and connect with the world above!"
Her heartfelt words stirred the crowd. The once-fearful children peeked curiously from behind their parents, and the murmurs of unease began to subside.
Edie, observing the princess's unyielding optimism, remarked quietly, "Do you truly wish to step into the sun?"
His question broke Otohime's flow. She turned to him, momentarily stunned.
"I can bring you there," Edie continued, his voice calm yet charged with intrigue. "I can raise this entire island to the surface, shielding it from the sea."
Otohime's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Raise the island… to the surface?"
It was her dream—a vision of peace for her people. Yet why would he, a human scientist of infamous renown, offer such a monumental gift?
Her voice trembled as she stepped closer, her delicate hands grasping his. "You're serious? You must be! A man of your reputation wouldn't make such claims lightly."
Edie met her gaze with an enigmatic smile. "Perhaps I'm simply pointing out the possibilities."
Before Otohime could respond, a shadow loomed over the square.
A massive eel, encased in a floating bubble, descended from above. Seated atop its back was King Neptune, trident in hand, flanked by his three sons and young Shirahoshi.
"Mother!" the children called out.
"Otohime, I'm here to save you—" Neptune paused, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. His wife stood hand-in-hand with a human man, her expression one of excitement rather than distress.
The king's demeanor shifted from concern to confusion.
"Is that… the infamous scientist Edie?" Neptune muttered, his grip tightening on his trident. He recalled the rumors: tales of destruction, including the obliteration of the Holy Land Mariejois.
"Mr. Edie is not an enemy," Otohime interjected quickly, sensing her husband's unease.
"Please," she said, turning to Edie with unwavering resolve. "Come with us to Ryugu Palace."
Ryugu Palace Banquet Hall
The grand round banquet table overflowed with the finest delicacies of Fish-Man Island.
Neptune, with his massive frame and commanding presence, crossed his arms as he finally relaxed. He had listened carefully to Princess Otohime recount the story of Edie's sudden arrival and intentions. Realizing Edie wasn't here to bring harm to their island eased some of his tension—though one question still lingered in his mind:
Why had his wife been holding the infamous scientist's hand?
Turning to address the guest, Neptune asked, "Dr. Edie, your name precedes you even beneath the waves. On behalf of Fish-Man Island, I welcome you."
A household name, huh?
Edie found the notion amusing. Back in the square, few had recognized him. Polite pleasantries aside, he doubted such words carried much weight.
"I came to Fish-Man Island for one purpose," Edie stated plainly, his gaze steady.
Princess Otohime leaned forward, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "How may we assist you, Dr. Edie?"
Edie spoke slowly, his tone calculated. "Ordinary fish can communicate with their kind. Kings like Neptune can even converse with whales. But according to your royal lineage, a mermaid princess is born every few centuries who possesses the ability to speak with the Sea Kings themselves." His eyes narrowed, glinting with both curiosity and intent. "This power, they say, could move the world beneath the sea."
Neptune's expression darkened. Instinctively, his gaze flickered to the youngest of his children, four-year-old Shirahoshi, who was happily nibbling on food under the watchful eyes of her brothers.
Otohime's face lit up with understanding. "You mean Shirahoshi?"
Edie nodded. "She is this generation's mermaid princess—Poseidon, one of the three Ancient Weapons."
The revelation left Shirahoshi's brothers in stunned silence.
"Our little sister… has that kind of power?" one of them whispered.
Neptune's face twisted with unease. Finally, he clenched his fists and admitted, "Roger mentioned this before Shirahoshi was even born. We were forewarned by Mrs. Shyarly's prophecy, long before I became king."
Tension filled the room as Neptune's voice rose. "If your purpose here involves harming my daughter, you will face me first! Even if it costs my life, I will protect her!"
With that, Neptune turned to his eldest son. "Fukaboshi, protect your mother and sister. Leave this place at once!"
The command spurred the room into motion. Fukaboshi immediately ushered his family to the door, but Otohime interjected, her voice firm yet gentle.
"Stop, everyone," she said, holding up her hand. "Mr. Edie is not an enemy. He has shown no hostility toward us."
"But, Mother—!" Fukaboshi began, only for Otohime to silence him with a look.
"I can't sense emotions from Mr. Edie," she admitted. "But when we shook hands earlier, I felt a stable, calm presence. I trust my intuition, and I trust him."
Edie's lips curved into a sharp smile. "Shirahoshi hasn't awakened her powers yet," he said casually. "But if I killed all of you right now, she likely would. Trauma has a way of expediting such things."
The room froze in horror.
Neptune's face turned red with fury. "Otohime, you still think he's harmless?!"
Otohime raised a hand toward her husband, her tone placating. "That… must have been a joke. Mr. Edie, please don't scare us like that."
Fukaboshi and his brothers stood protectively in front of Shirahoshi, their faces grim.
"If you want to harm Shirahoshi, you'll have to go through us first!" Fukaboshi declared, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes.
Edie chuckled at their courage. "Relax, it was just a joke," he said, though his tone remained ambiguous. From his pocket, he produced a sterile blood collection needle, which he slid across the table toward Otohime.
"My request is simple," he continued. "I need a small sample of Shirahoshi's blood. In exchange..." He paused for effect, his eyes locking on Otohime. "I'll fulfill your dream of bringing Fish-Man Island to the surface, where it can bask under the sun."
Otohime hesitated, her gaze shifting between Edie and her daughter. "What do you need her blood for?" she asked warily. "Is it some kind of curse?"
Edie raised an eyebrow, visibly unimpressed. "Do you even hear yourself?" he replied flatly. "Taking a small vial of blood won't harm her. Humans recover from donating blood in two weeks, and mermaids are no different."
Neptune and his sons bristled under Edie's patronizing tone, but Otohime raised a calming hand. She turned to Shirahoshi, who was oblivious to the tension in the room.
Moments later, Otohime returned with a vial of Shirahoshi's blood. Handing it to Edie, she said softly, "This is not a trade, Mr. Edie. I give this to you freely, as a gesture of friendship between humans and fish-men."
Edie glanced at the vial, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Friendship, huh? Free things always come with the highest price."
With the blood in hand, Edie turned to leave but paused at the doorway. Looking over his shoulder, he addressed Otohime.
"If you truly want humans and fish-men to coexist peacefully, there's only one real solution: racial integration. Intermarriage is the simplest and most effective path forward."
Otohime blinked, caught off guard. "Intermarriage?"
Edie's eyes glimmered with mischief. "You might as well consider starting with yourself."
Before she could respond, he was gone.
Sea Forest
Edie's next destination was the tranquil Sea Forest, where ancient secrets lay hidden. Among them was a Poneglyph, its massive stone surface inscribed with the cryptic text of history.
Edie pulled out his Den Den Mushi camera and snapped a photo, muttering, "A nice little gift for Robin."
Satisfied, he glanced at the vial of Shirahoshi's blood in his hand. Opening his research system, he mused aloud:
"The power of Poseidon, combined with cloning technology... What kind of creation will emerge from this?"
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