The shadow of the black submersible warship loomed over the outer seas of Fish-Man Island.
A storm of blood and violence swept across Fish-Man Island, washing away the past. From this moment on, Fish-Man Island could only be a possession in Brian's grasp.
The entire island would, from this point forward, gradually and completely transform into his shape.
After completing the transfer of power in Ryugu Palace, matters on Fish-Man Island were largely settled. Only a few minor tasks remained.
On the second day after the purge, Brian took Otohime deep into Fish-Man Island, arriving at the mermaid beach.
By his side were the Mythical Beast Species Griffon Girl Griffin, the Ancient Type Lamia Mia, and Otohime, who was visibly agitated.
This coral reef area was once the most peaceful and harmonious corner of Fish-Man Island.
Yet, the scene before them was like a living hell.
The seawater was stained a dark red with blood. Though diluted, the thick, pungent smell of blood still stung the nostrils.
Beautiful corals had been violently destroyed, and the once cozy shell houses were now ruins.
The Beast Girl Legion's purge had spared no place that might harbor potential rebels.
Otohime's body trembled violently. Her beautiful face instantly turned pale, like white pearls.
She swam along the path from her memory toward where her home once stood.
Beneath a pile of shattered shells and charred coral fragments, she found her family.
Her father, mother, and younger sister were tightly embraced together, long having lost their life force.
Judging by the state of the bodies, they had been dead for over half a month, already showing signs of decay.
Their bodies were covered with marks left by blades, fire, and poison.
All of this was the result of the rebellion previously instigated by Daken, especially after he brought in a large number of pirates, which made life for the mermaids even more miserable.
"Ah—"
Otohime's earlier agitation vanished instantly, replaced by a silent, piercing scream.
Mermaid tears fell like strings of glistening pearls, despairingly sinking into the deep sea.
She clung tightly to her family's bodies, the grief cutting so deep into her bones that she could barely breathe.
She had once been a messenger of peace. She had believed that love and tolerance could dissolve all hatred.
But the cruel reality, in the most bloody way, utterly crushed all her beliefs. Everything she cherished had died amidst her powerless pleas.
Brian hovered silently behind Otohime. He did not step forward to comfort her, nor did he urge her on.
He knew that the shattering of emotions was the necessary crucible for forging absolute loyalty.
Mia and Griffin remained alert, circling the area to ensure the space remained undisturbed.
After a long time, Otohime's sobs gradually subsided. She slowly raised her head. The face covered in tears no longer held the gentleness and kindness of the past. In its place was a resolve bordering on obsession.
"Master—" Otohime's voice was hoarse, like broken glass. She turned around, looking at Brian with a gaze that was both fanatical and intensely focused.
"I have nothing left." She trembled, yet her tone was resolute. "All my attachments, all my weaknesses, all my illusions—they died along with them."
"I beg of you, grant me power now!" Otohime knelt before Brian, prostrating herself in the most humble posture, voicing her most intense desire.
"I refuse to remain a powerless mermaid! I want to become your Beast Girl! I will use strength to protect my new faith, to crush all enemies who trample upon peace!"
A satisfied smile curled at the corner of Brian's lips. Otohime's complete awakening was even swifter and purer than he had anticipated.
"Very good, my Otohime." Brian leaned down, gently helping her to her feet, his gaze filled with a domineering possessiveness.
"You were always special. You possess talent and wisdom surpassing that of ordinary mermaids, and you were born with powerful Observation Haki in particular. Once you become a Beast Girl, you are destined to be a member of my core legion."
Just then, several mermaid figures emerged trembling from the surrounding wreckage.
They were Otohime's former neighbors and old friends, also among the few survivors of this purge.
They had believed Otohime had also perished, but when they saw her unharmed and intimately embraced by the leader of that terrifying Pirate Crew, their eyes filled with shock, confusion, and envy.
One young merman named Hyde, who had once pursued Otohime, mustered his courage and asked fearfully, "Otohime! You—how can you be with this—this butcher? Get away from him! He's the one responsible for killing your family!"
Hyde's voice carried righteous anger, yet it was also laced with immense fear of death.
Otohime turned her head coldly. Her gaze swept over Hyde and the other astonished mermaids, the indifference in it making Hyde's heart shudder.
She was no longer that gentle, humble mermaid girl from the beach. She was utterly unfamiliar.
"Silence!" Otohime's voice was not loud, yet it carried an absolute authority that instantly suppressed Hyde's words.
"Responsible?"
Otohime's eyes were filled with contempt for the past. "The true culprits are your own weakness, your blind faith! You relied on the hypocritical World Government to protect you, and what was the result?"
She pointed to the surrounding ruins. "Look at this entire wasteland. Daken committed countless atrocities, even brought in Pirates, causing such devastation. And all you can do is cling to a wretched existence."
Then she pointed at Brian. "He is strength! He is order! I follow him because he can grant me the right to live and seek vengeance! As for you, you are only fit to be eliminated while gasping for your last breaths!"
Otohime then turned back to Brian without hesitation and knelt on one knee.
"Master, please allow me to personally deal with these disrespectful and clamorous old friends!" Otohime's eyes blazed with a thirst for battle.
Brian smiled, his expression one of complete satisfaction.
"Otohime, my Beast Girl candidate." Brian raised his voice so the surrounding mermaids could hear clearly. "Though you have not yet consumed the fruit, your value to me far exceeds that of these lowly mermaids."
"Mia." He lightly raised a hand, his tone brooking no argument. "Dispose of these remnants of the past. Ensure Otohime's family is properly laid to rest. Their remains must not be desecrated."
"As for these noisy ones who don't know what's good for them, let Griffin handle them. No need to leave any survivors."
In front of all his old friends, Brian directly announced Otohime's special status, completely isolating her from the old circle.
"Understood, I accept the command."
Griffin excitedly accepted the order, her golden eagle eyes locking onto Hyde and the other shocked fish-men. The powerful aura of her Mythical Zoan instantly erupted, completely enveloping them.
Hyde looked at Otohime in terror, finally realizing that the mermaid he once admired had completely changed, ascending to a terrifying level he could never reach.
Otohime watched all this with a calm expression. Her heart was now filled with a thirst for power and a new faith.
The warmth of the old days had completely died.
Satisfied, Brian took Otohime's hand and led her away from this bloody homeland.
His goal had been perfectly achieved.