Chapter 192: The Secret of the Temporary "Kotoamatsukami"
"Huh!"
Luo Han was stunned.
"My mind… actually entered the spiritual worlds of Cole and the others—so easily. And it was through Otohime's type of wave."
Before, Luo Han had only been able to sense emotional flames from others, not directly enter their minds.
But now—with that peculiar wave—he could.
"That wave…" A spark of insight flickered in Luo Han's heart.
It felt as if Otohime's power was a manifestation of the Mind-Mind Fruit. Luo Han hadn't yet developed his own abilities to that level, but after experiencing her wave firsthand…
His mind naturally released the same energy as he approached Cole and the others—and entered their inner worlds effortlessly.
"Let's take a look at their spiritual condition first."
Luo Han stopped pondering and focused his mind on Cole, Sister Spoon, and Sora to see if any of them had been implanted with a will seed.
"Phew… thank goodness."
After checking, he sighed in relief. Cole and Sister Spoon's minds were clear. Only a tiny flame flickered in their spirits—fading away slowly, soon to return to normal.
"But this woman…"
Not simple at all. Luo Han looked at Sora.
She wasn't just sexy—her willpower was on another level. The last remnants of the implanted emotion had already burned away by the time Luo Han entered.
That kind of mental fortitude, coupled with her strong physique (as sensed by his spirit), easily placed her at admiral-tier.
He had previously assumed she was only vice admiral candidate-level. What a surprise. The Five Elders really had invested in her.
Another moment and she'd be his.
Luo Han's burning gaze made Sora twitch slightly, but she said nothing—still pretending to resist with her eyes closed.
"Are they alright, Luo Han?" Ellis asked with concern.
"They're fine."
"They'll be fully recovered soon."
He glanced toward Otohime and the others and explained, "Her ability is temporary. As long as your will is strong, you're safe."
"Then… can you check Aishi ? She's not looking good."
"…."
Luo Han sighed, rubbing his forehead as he delved into Aishi 's mind.
...
Speechless.
Her will was incredibly weak… or maybe her heart was just too open, without any mental defenses. Luo Han sighed inwardly.
Aishi looked at him with innocent eyes. Her feelings hadn't changed—she still loved him. The only thing that changed was her sympathy for the royal family.
"At least… the will seed planted in Aishi is just empathy for the royal family. It could've been worse."
That was all Luo Han could console himself with.
"Luo Han, what will you do with them?" Ellis asked coldly, eyes on Otohime and the others. "I say kill them all."
…
Luo Han gave her a sideways glance. He hadn't expected the usually soft-spoken, big-sisterly Ellis to be this ruthless.
It must be because of Cole. Through emotional sensing, Luo Han could tell Ellis saw Cole as family.
Family, it seemed, was her reverse scale—touch it, and you die.
"I… I… I'm sorry, Lord Blue Demon!" Otohime cried. "Please don't punish the fish-men for my mistake! I'll take full responsibility with my life!"
She was truly prepared to die—Luo Han could feel it. Her dedication to her people was moving.
"No."
Luo Han hadn't spoken yet when the Ryugu King stepped forward with resolve. "If someone must die, let it be me. I was the one who upset you first."
"Your Majesty, I—"
SMACK!
Before Otohime could say more, Akatsuki slapped her hard, sending her flying into a corner of the hall.
BAM!
She crashed to the floor, bleeding and unconscious.
Silence.
"…What just happened?"
Even Luo Han and Ellis exchanged looks of shock.
"Otohime!"
"Otohime!"
"Otohime!"
The king, the queen, and Neptune rushed over to her.
"Akatsuki!"
The king glared at her like he could devour her. "How could you strike her so hard?!"
His tone turned icy. "Since you want to go to sea so badly—then go. And never come back."
Akatsuki remained silent.
Luo Han, meanwhile, stared at the royal family, a spark of realization lighting in his eyes.
He'd just uncovered a major secret.
"Neptune," said the king.
"Father!"
"Carry Otohime to be treated."
"Ah—yes."
Neptune lifted Otohime and quickly departed. Before leaving, he cast a complicated look at Akatsuki—filled with resolution and finality.
"Lord Blue Demon."
The Ryugu King returned and said solemnly, "I won't interfere in your matter with Akatsuki anymore. Please forgive Otohime. Her power is unstable. She didn't mean any harm."
"Heh. I forgive her."
"…!" The king was stunned, but quickly smiled. "Thank you, Lord Blue Demon! Then, I'll check on Otohime now. You're welcome to explore the palace as you wish."
The king and queen departed—neither of them sparing Akatsuki a glance.
Akatsuki stood alone, tears in her eyes—but her face remained calm.
"Sorry, Brother Han."
Cole had fully recovered. He scratched his head. He didn't know why, but earlier, he'd wanted to persuade Luo Han—something he normally would never do.
"It's okay. I was careless," Luo Han replied, now completely calm.
"Luo Han!"
Sister Spoon spoke up. Thinking back to that strange moment, she shivered. "Was that some kind of special Devil Fruit power? It was way scarier than hypnosis!"
"Heh…"
Luo Han chuckled. Remembering what he had seen inside the minds of the royal family, he explained, "Don't worry. It's not a Devil Fruit. It's a rare form of Observation Haki."
"Observation Haki can do that?!" Sora exclaimed. It was her first time hearing about such an ability.
"That's why I said it's rare."
Luo Han smiled faintly and didn't explain further. He had already figured out the principle behind Otohime's ability.
In the world of One Piece, Observation Haki had many unique evolutions.
Some could even read minds—like Redfield, apparently. Luo Han had heard of it in his past life, though he couldn't confirm its truth.
"Otohime's strongest ability isn't sensing emotion—it's transferring pain she perceives into others, making them experience it personally."
"This connection is seamless—as if you truly lived through the trauma yourself. If your instinct doesn't reject it, a seed of will is planted in your mind."
And once planted, it slowly overtakes your thoughts. The deeper the pain, the more powerful the seed becomes—until it replaces your original will entirely. You'd act on its influence without even realizing it.
To give a simple analogy—imagine a novel protagonist with a happy family. Then the apocalypse hits, his parents are murdered, his beautiful sister is betrayed by a best friend, and… well, things go south.
His entire worldview shatters, and he's never the same again.
Otohime's terrifying power was recreating that kind of trauma—and transferring it into someone else.
Think about it. If you never had something worth protecting, and suddenly that emotion was forcibly implanted into your spirit—what would you do?
Earlier, her Haki had tried to make Luo Han devote his life to protecting the fish-men.
If not for his spiritual strength pushing it out, he would've fallen.
He'd also noticed the regret in the king's eyes at that moment—which proved he knew Otohime's ability.
And that was the strange part.
Knowing someone beside you could rewrite thoughts and wills—why keep them so close?
Why kneel before a pirate for her?
Luo Han pondered all this in an instant.
Glancing around, he saw the unconscious guards still hadn't woken. Only his group and Akatsuki remained.
No point staying.
"Akatsuki, take us to the Sea Forest. There's no reason to stay here."
"Alright."
Akatsuki turned and led the way. "Follow me."
They entered the sea again, wrapped in Luo Han's psychic barrier, and headed toward the Sea Forest.
On the way, Akatsuki remained silent. Sister Spoon asked, "What's wrong with her? She looks devastated."
"She…" Luo Han sighed. Recalling what he had seen in the royal family's minds, he replied, "Hard to explain. I'm just guessing now, but we'll find out eventually."
Then his expression hardened. "From now on, she's one of us. So don't take your anger toward that blonde fish-girl out on her."
"Alright, Brother Han," Cole said casually. Anyone Luo Han accepted, he accepted.
"Understood, Lord Luo Han," Sora said.
"Just call me Luo Han."
"Yes… Luo Han." She hesitated, then complied.
"Luo Han, I—" Aishi started.
"Shut up."
Luo Han's glare pierced her. "You're too weak. Go back to Ark Island and get stronger."
"And stop being so naïve. You're defenseless, empty-headed, and too trusting. You wouldn't even notice if someone sold you."
He still warned her—even though it might not matter. Aishi just looked back at him, wide-eyed and pitiful.
"Sigh…" Luo Han rubbed his forehead in frustration.
(END CHAPTER)
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