Chapter 191: Otohime's Temporary Version of "Kotoamatsukami"
Inside the vast hall of Ryugu Palace, a grand feast was underway—held in honor of Luo Han and his group for resolving the crisis on Fish-Man Island.
At the center of the celebration, the six from Luo Han's group, the Ryugu King's family of four, and the maid Otohime sat together. It was clear from this seating that Otohime's position was far from ordinary, and that the king valued her deeply.
After all, being born with a special type of Observation Haki that could sense malice was a powerful tool for distinguishing friend from foe. Any force would treasure such a person—ideally, even make them one of their own.
...
"Quick! Keep up!"
Outside the hall, Ryugu Kingdom's left minister barked orders at soldiers carrying dishes. "Hurry and take away the empty plates too!"
"Yes, sir!"
Inside and out, soldiers moved briskly, hauling trays in and out.
"How long has Cole been eating now? Seven, eight hours?" Aishi stared, amazed. She turned to Luo Han, "Where's all that food going?"
"His stomach is bottomless. He can eat endlessly. But the more he eats, the more energy it drains—kind of like overusing a Devil Fruit ability," Luo Han replied from his spot on the floor, glancing at Cole, who had woken up and was quietly stuffing his face. "Once he's tired from eating, he'll be full."
"…"
Eating until you're exhausted—until it drains your stamina.
Everyone fell silent. They'd finally witnessed what "the world is full of wonders" really meant.
Seeing Cole still going strong, the Ryugu King couldn't hold back any longer.
He turned to Luo Han, saying solemnly, "Lord Blue Demon, thank you deeply for helping Fish-Man Island and saving my daughter, Akatsuki. Is there anything you desire in return? We will do our utmost to fulfill it."
His words sounded gracious—but the meaning behind them... was murky.
Luo Han narrowed his eyes slightly. Was he trying to stop Princess Akatsuki from leaving with him?
"What, you don't want the princess to come with me?" Luo Han asked sharply.
"That's…"
"Spit it out," Luo Han snapped. "I hate indirect nonsense."
The king froze, then said heavily, "If possible, I'd like you to name another condition—anything but taking Akatsuki away."
"I don't mind."
The king brightened, but Luo Han added coldly, "As long as Akatsuki says so herself. I don't force people."
I just kill them if they break their word. That's the simplest, most ancient rule.
"Akatsuki…"
The king was hopeful, Akatsuki remained calm—but Otohime looked terrified. She shouted, "Don't say it, Princess Akatsuki!"
She rushed to the princess's side, face pale, and glanced at Luo Han.
He still looked like he just wanted to nap after a meal—but that was what scared Otohime the most. His killing intent was weak but resolute. If Akatsuki broke her promise, she would die—just like the Celestial Dragon. Otohime had felt it through her Observation Haki the moment Luo Han spoke.
"What's wrong, Otohime?"
The king and Neptune noticed her fear, following her gaze—then fell silent.
"Is there truly no other condition? Lord Blue Demon, I'm willing to give you all of Ryugu's treasures!" the king pleaded.
Though sincere, some things can't be replaced—especially to a warrior. Honor and trust meant everything.
So Luo Han said nothing, waiting for Akatsuki's answer. She made the promise, not the king.
"Father," she spoke calmly. "This was my agreement with Lord Blue Demon. As a royal, I must keep my word."
"I don't agree!"
"I'll go in her place!" Neptune interrupted, pausing for a second to add, "She shouldn't serve someone else—let me go."
"Enough."
Luo Han cut in, coldly glaring at the royal family. "I don't care who goes in whose place. I only care who made the promise."
"If you can fulfill it, do it. If not, say so. Don't waste time!"
"You…" Neptune bristled with rage. The king fell silent. Akatsuki stepped forward, blocking them.
"Stop. I want to go with Lord Blue Demon. Don't try to stop me."
"No! I forbid it!"
"I object too!"
...
The king and Neptune kept arguing. The rest of Luo Han's group lost their relaxed smiles—Luo Han's expression was growing darker, his irritability palpable. His killing intent began to solidify.
Otohime's heart grew heavier—snap! Something broke within her. Power burst from her body and swept through the hall.
Luo Han's psychic armor activated instantly. Ellis's green natural aura flared up.
"Please, stop! Please! Let's just understand each other!" Otohime sobbed, her tears streaming like rivers.
...
"Otohime…"
Neptune stepped up, remorseful. "I'm sorry. I should've considered Akatsuki's wishes."
He turned to his sister. "Go pursue your dream, Akatsuki. I'll be waiting in Ryugu Palace for your return."
"Do as you wish," the king muttered, not meeting anyone's gaze.
Akatsuki's eyes flickered with emotion, but she said nothing.
"Brother Han, maybe just let it go…"
"They're really pitiful, Luo Han…"
"Luo Han…"
"Luo Han…"
Sister Spoon, Aishi , Sora, and Cole all tried to calm him, now gathered silently around him.
"…"
Luo Han remained still, feeling like a mountain had settled in his chest.
BOOM!
A wave of pure will exploded from him, sweeping through the entire island.
THUD THUD… The sound of bodies hitting the ground echoed.
Only Luo Han's group, the royal family, and Otohime remained conscious. Everyone else had fainted with white eyes.
Luo Han turned, icy gaze fixed on Otohime. The pressure of his murderous intent froze the room, focused entirely on her.
"You… dared…"
His calm eyes locked onto her. "You dared manipulate the will of my people."
"Luo Han…" Aishi whispered.
"Shut up, you weak-minded fool!" Luo Han's killing aura surged toward her, causing her to recoil.
"When we return, you're staying on Ark Island. Until you're no longer weak, don't follow me."
"You can also choose not to go. Just never come near me again."
Aishi froze, face turning pale as disappointment and fear flooded her heart.
"Why's he so angry…? I only felt sorry for the royal family. They love each other more than anyone else. Why must they be torn apart?"
Can't we just understand each other?
This foolish woman…
Her thoughts were as visible as a burning torch in Luo Han's spiritual sense, and that only infuriated him further.
"Don't act rashly!" Ellis stepped forward, warning him. "We don't even know what kind of ability she used. Find out first—then kill her."
"Lord Blue Demon!"
Thud!
The king dropped to his knees, bowing his head to Luo Han.
"Please spare Otohime! She's still a child. This is her first awakening. She couldn't control it!"
Is that so? Luo Han frowned. Otohime was just a maid—but her Observation Haki had already taught him not to underestimate anyone.
But this?
Suddenly, an unseen force tried to infiltrate his mind.
So that's how it is. You think changing Cole's mind made you unstoppable?
A mocking smile tugged at Luo Han's lips. His murderous intent soared.
He dropped his psychic armor—welcoming the invasion.
"Luo Han, you—"
"It's fine," he told Ellis, raising a hand. "I want to see how deep this power runs."
I should've been more alert. Time made me forget lessons from my past life.
He plunged into his inner world, tracking the foreign influence.
"Strange… It's like I'm reliving the fish-men's suffering—feeling their pain as if it were mine."
"The emotions are genuine. I feel like a fish-man. I want to protect them."
Just as this desire solidified into a core belief, Luo Han snapped to attention.
He seized control of his inner world, erupting with psychic power, and expelled Otohime's influence completely.
That was close!
He panted heavily. Had he not acted fast, the seed of will would have taken root. And once planted, even he wouldn't have been able to purge it easily—it would have shaped his thoughts endlessly, making him a slave to the fish-men's cause.
"You okay?" Ellis stepped forward, natural energy flaring.
"I'm fine."
Luo Han waved her off, turning toward the others.
The Ryugu King looked regretful.
Otohime, meanwhile, was sobbing uncontrollably—tears cascading down her cheeks.
"Mutual understanding…?"
Luo Han scoffed. "Sounds lovely. You'd better pray Cole hasn't been seeded too…"
If he has, I'll bury this whole island.
He turned his back on their horrified expressions and walked toward Cole.
From the start, Cole, Sister Spoon, and Sora had been uncharacteristically quiet.
Luo Han knew they'd been restraining themselves—and that meant they probably hadn't succumbed like Aishi .
He sank into his spiritual awareness and dove deep—probing the mental state of all three.
(END CHAPTER)
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