The Sky-Obscuring Shadow, Despair Spreads

"Do so few of your Fish-Man Race have Observation Haki?" Xi Yan said, peering through the gaps in the Wood Dragon at Jinbe not far away. "It's like they're seeing that ability for the first time."

Jinbe paused for a moment upon hearing this, then said helplessly, "Indeed, very few."

If there were many people with Haki, the Fish-Man Race wouldn't be so weak.

Xi Yan nodded upon hearing this; now he understood why the Fish-Man Race were having such a hard time.

Ultimately, it comes down to a lack of ability...

Thinking of this, Xi Yan shook his head helplessly.

Then, Xi Yan noticed the strange thing that had appeared outside Fish-Man Island.

"Um?"

That is...

Upon seeing what it was, Xi Yan's pupils immediately contracted.

If he wasn't mistaken... that was a huge ship!

"Hey, Jinbe, what's going on with that ship?!"

"That ship?"

Jinbe paused for a moment upon hearing this, then turned to look in the direction Xi Yan was pointing.

"This is... Noah?!?"

Upon seeing Jinbe it was, Jinbe's eyes bulged in shock.

Why would Noah's Ark, which is located in Fish-Man Street, appear here?

What is Noah?

"It's a ship with special significance..." Jinbe's expression turned grim after he finished speaking, and he continued, "I just don't know why this ship is here."

This ship is clearly in a state of disrepair, so why can it move again?

"A ship with special significance?" Xi Yan thought for a moment, then turned to Shirahoshi, who also looked shocked, and said, "Shirahoshi, do you know what's going on?"

"I don't know..."

Shirahoshi honestly shook his head and said, "This is also the first time I've seen this ship."

She had only heard of the ship before; this was the first time she had actually seen it.

Xi Yan frowned upon hearing this, sensing that something was amiss.

"Are you kidding me?" the Fish-Man standing on high said with horror, "Why is Noah's Ark here?"

"It looks like it's heading towards the square..."

"Hey, the bubble on Fish-Man Island is about to burst!" a Fish-Man cried out in terror. "If the bubble bursts, Fish-Man Island is doomed!"

"It's not just bubbles; if that behemoth were to hit, the entire Fish-Man Island would be shattered!"

"Damn it, who's moving it? This ship has clearly lost power!"

"Damn it, we're finished!"

Hearing the shouts of the crowd around her, Madame Shyarly's face also turned ugly.

"Was Fish-Man Island destroyed because of Noah's Ark?"

If that's really the case... then no one can stop it!

Thinking of this, a sense of despair rose in Madame Shyarly's heart.

"Madame Shyarly, what do we do?!"

"Madame Shyarly!"

Looking at the children who were seeking her help, Shyarly paused for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I'm sorry, children, I don't know what to do either."

She was merely a fortune teller who could foresee certain aspects of the future; she did not possess any significant combat abilities.

So... there was nothing she could do.

"How could this happen..."

The Fish-Man standing nearby were filled with despair. Was this the end for them?

"Quickly, leave Fish-Man Island and seek refuge!"

"Profound!"

Upon hearing this, the Fish-Man Race on both sides immediately ran away into the distance, clearly intending to escape and save their lives.

"Are you kidding me? That thing is huge!" Brook exclaimed in shock, looking up at the sky. "My jaw is about to drop!"

Ah~

"Although I don't have a chin that can drop, yo ho ho ho ho~"

"How can you still laugh at a time like this..." Nami said with a grim expression, "Do you even know what we're facing?"

Although she didn't know what this thing called Noah's Ark was all about, if it were to fall directly on her... even she would be killed.

After all, she couldn't maintain her abilities in the ocean.

"What are we going to do?! What are we going to do?!" Usopp cried out in a frantic voice, "We're going to be crushed!"

He initially thought the war would end quickly, but then a ship fell from above?

What a load of crap!

"Are we going to be crushed?" Nico Robin calmly looked up at Noah's Ark high above and said, "Will the sea be dyed red?"

"Huh?!"

Usopp was completely dumbfounded when he saw Robin calmly say those words.

"Hey, Robin, can you please not say such terrifying things with such a calm expression?!"

"Yeah, Robin..."

Nami looked at Robin with teary eyes; what Robin had said was terrifying.

Dyeing the ocean red... just thinking about it is terrifying!

Nico Robin simply smiled and said nothing more.

"I think the chances are pretty high," Perona said, flying over to the group. "With so many people, they could definitely turn the sea red."

Nami:...

Why is Perona like this too?

That's enough!

"What do we do?" Looking up at Merry high above, her face grim, she said, "Should we attack that thing?"

Although I don't know if my attack will be effective, it's better than waiting to die.

"Attack?" Usopp stared at Merry dumbfounded. "How can you attack something to smash such a huge ship?"

Even if he developed his Devil Fruit ability to its fullest potential, he still couldn't destroy such a terrifying ship with a single shot.

"Perhaps he has a way." The composed Nico Robin turned to look at Xi Yan, who was also looking up at the sky, and said, "Didn't you notice that he hasn't panicked at all from beginning to end?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, and then turned their attention to Xi Yan.

"It seems so..." Nami murmured.

So, does Xi Yan have a way to solve this problem?

"This is truly a difficult problem for us." Looking up at Xi Yan in the sky, he frowned and said, "Vander Decken..."

Looking at the figure standing on the boat, Xi Yan's eyes, now wielding his Sharinggan, gradually turned cold.

If I had known this guy would do something like this, I would have gone to find him and killed him beforehand!

"Vander Decken?" Shirahoshi paused for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "Big Brother, was it that man who threw Noah over here?"

"Yes."

Xi Yan pointed to a high place and said, "He's standing on that ship right now."

Upon hearing this, Shirahoshi looked up at the sky and then asked in confusion, "Where is it?"

Why didn't she see that man?

"You're too far away to see," Xi Yan said in a deep voice. "But I can see."

Shirahoshi pursed her lips upon hearing this. Although she couldn't see clearly what was happening up there, she still chose to trust Xi Yan.

Just then, a figure fell from the sky, plummeting towards the ground at an extremely fast speed.

"Boom!!"

"Huh?"

"This is..."

Looking at Ryūgū lying on the ground, a hint of doubt appeared in Shirahoshi's eyes. Why did she feel like she had seen this person before?

"He's one of Vander Decken's men," Xi Yan said. "We've seen him before."

Then, a look of doubt appeared in Xi Yan's eyes. Why would this big guy jump down?

Could it be that Vander Decken has some other plan?

Thinking of this, Xi Yan narrowed his eyes.

"Ouch... it hurts so much..."

With a large Ryūgū on her head, Watatsumi cried out, "It hurts so much!"

"You're one of Vander Decken's men, Poseidon, right?" Jeo said, frowning. "Why are you here?"

"Of course..."

Ryūgū could finish speaking, as if remembering something, she looked up and cried out, "Captain Decken, I've fallen! Stop the ship!"

"I don't want to die."

"Decken?"

Jeo's expression darkened. "What does this mean?" he asked.

"Could it be... that this Noah's Ark was thrown over there by Decken?"

As if he had realized something, Jeo's expression turned somewhat grim.

It seems they've been tricked.

"Captain Hody!" a Fish-Man shouted as he ran near Hody, "Decken has brought Noah's Ark over!"

"Is this some kind of special operation?"

"Shut up, you bunch of useless trash!"

Hody emerged from the rubble, then glared angrily at Luffy, saying, "Damn Straw Hat, you knocked me away again!"

"Um?"

"How come you're so tough?" Luffy asked Hody, puzzled. "I used Armament Haki to fight you."

"Hmph, although I don't know what this Armament Haki you're talking about is, it's impossible to defeat me with such power!" Hody said coldly.

After saying this, he smashed the stone blocking his way and walked out of the ruins step by step.

Then, he looked up at the sky and said, "Noah's Ark... Vander Decken?"

"Yes, Captain Hody, this ship was thrown overboard by Vander Decken!"

"They just threw the ship at us like it was a weapon?" Hody said, his face grim. "That mad pirate... that wasn't part of the battle plan!"

Could it be that this bastard is planning to kill them all?

Thinking of this, Hody's expression turned even more grim.

That wretched Decken!

"Target hohohohoho~"

"Target roar roar roar!"

Standing atop Noah's Ark, Vander Decken laughed maniacally as he looked down at the plaza, proclaiming through a megaphone, "Shirahoshi, prepare to accept my love!"

"Target hohohohoho~"

"Did you hear that, Shirahoshi!"

"It's actually that guy, Decken..." Jinbe looked up at the sky with a grim expression and said, "That madman Decken actually threw Noah's Ark here..."

Is he planning to destroy Fish-Man Island?

That madman!

"Throw it over?"

Luffy paused for a moment upon hearing this, then frowned and said, "So, we need to knock this thing away first?"

"Huh?!"

"How is this possible!"

Usopp stared at Luffy in disbelief. How could a human possibly do something like that?

This is a colossal ark comparable to Fish-Man Island!

"Do you have any other ideas?" Luffy asked Usopp seriously.

Usopp:...

Looking at Luffy's serious Luffy, Usopp fell silent.

Upon careful consideration... there really isn't any better alternative.

"Can't we just take down that ability user?" Nami pointed to a high place and said, "If we take down Vander Decken, the ship will..."

Nami hadn't finished speaking when she froze, because she realized a possibility.

"So you've realized that too," Jinbe said in a deep voice. "In this situation, simply killing Vander Decken won't work, because the ship will crash down the moment the ability expires!"

In that case, the situation could be even worse than it is now!

The others, who understood Jinbe's meaning, also turned pale.

If that's the case... then there's no way out?

"Target hohohohoho~"

"Now you should notice me, right?" Vander Decken said with a loud laugh, "Shirahoshi!"

"I've been in love with you for ten years!"

"Although the world is vast, I am the only one in the entire world who loves you this much!"

"Target hohohohoho~"

"You're talking nonsense!"

Hearing Vander Decken's words, Neptune angrily looked up and shouted, "You're a complete lunatic! What are you talking about love for?!"

If we're talking about love, it should be directed at their family!

The other three princes also glared angrily at Vander Decken, wishing they could rush up and kill him right now.

It's bad enough that he's been bullying Shirahoshi so unreasonably, but now he's even bringing Noah's Ark to kill Shirahoshi... He absolutely deserves to die!

"You're going to die, Vander Decken!"

The Three Princes roared angrily, but unfortunately... Vander Decken couldn't hear them at all.

At this moment, he remained lost in his own world.

After a moment, Vander Decken lowered his head and said, "But... but Shirahoshi, why won't you accept my love?"

"Target hohohohoho~"

"Target roar roar roar!"

This time, Vander Decken's voice was somewhat hoarse, clearly indicating that he was in a very bad mood.

"Since you refuse my love... then disappear!" Vander Decken said maniacally, "Shirahoshi, you will be destroyed along with Fish-Man Island by the Noah's Ark I've thrown here!"

"Target hohohohoho~"

At this moment, Vander Decken's face was filled with madness.

"Captain Decken, what about me?" Ryūgū pointed to himself and said, "What am I supposed to do?"

As a crew member, Ryūgū was well aware of Vander Decken's capabilities.

He didn't want to die alongside Princess Shirahoshi.

"Target hohohohoho~"

"I'm sorry, Poseidon," Vander Decken said, "What I throw won't stop until it takes down its target, so I can't save you."

Why is this happening?

Ryūgū dumbfounded and said, "Are you planning to kill me too?"

He had been a loyal follower of Captain Decken for many years, why did he have to die with him?

"Target hohohohoho~"

"That's right!" Vander Decken laughed maniacally, "You'll go down with Fish-Man Island and be buried with Shirahoshi!"

"Target roar roar roar!"

At this point, Vander Decken didn't care about his subordinates at all; all he wanted to do was kill them all.

Only in this way... can his beliefs be truly fulfilled!

"That's really crazy..." Xi Yan frowned.

Such a massive Noah's Ark... I wonder if Water Release Technique could even be used to push this behemoth out.

With that in mind, Xi Yan turned his gaze to the massive chains that had fallen.

Before he could even move, he heard Shirahoshi say from the side, "Big Brother..."

"Um?"

"What's wrong?"

"I want to go!"

Xi Yan was taken aback upon hearing this. What? She's going?

What is she going to do?

As if sensing Xi Yan's confusion, Shirahoshi said seriously, "Vander Decken's target is me. If I continue to stay on Fish-Man Island, Noah's Ark will crash down."

"So... I'm going to lure it away!"

As long as she's not on Fish-Man Island, then this huge thing can't possibly crash down, right?

With this in mind, Shirahoshi's eyes hardened.

Xi Yan paused for a moment upon hearing this, then said seriously, "Are you sure?"

"Even so, there's a possibility of death?"

"So be it!" Shirahoshi nodded without hesitation and said, "If my life can save Zheng Zuo Island, I'm willing to sacrifice myself!"

Looking into the earnest eyes of the little girl, Xi Yan was stunned.

Shirahoshi... she's serious!

Then, Xi Yan smiled.

There are very few Royal Family who would go to such lengths for their people!

Thinking of this, Xi Yan looked at Shirahoshi seriously and said, "Then go ahead and do it with confidence, Shirahoshi!"

I will protect you!

"Big brother... sir?"

Shirahoshi was stunned. It was very dangerous for the other person to go with her; what if...?

"We promised to protect you, how could we go back on our word at a time like this?"

Xi Yan smiled, then looked up at Noah's Ark high above and continued, "Besides... at a time like this, no one but me can stop this thing, right?"

After chuckling, Xi Yan gently patted Shirahoshi's cheek and said, "Alright, stop spacing out, this thing will fall down in a minute!"

"Good!"

Coming to her senses, Shirahoshi nodded, then looked resolutely into the sky and said, "Then... Big Brother, please indulge me this once!"

"Profound!"

The next moment, Shirahoshi, who had created a bubble on her body, flew out of the Wood Dragon and shot into the air at an extremely fast speed!

Xi Yan stood firmly on Shirahoshi's shoulder, staring intently at Vander Decken high above.

"Vander Decken ..."

"Damn it, what do we do now?!"

As Noah's Ark drew ever closer to the ground, the Fish-Man cried out in terror.

The bubble is about to burst... then we'll all die!

"What should we do? Should we all run away?"

"How can we escape..." a shark -Fish-Man knelt on the ground and said, "At our speed, how could we possibly escape Noah's Ark?"

At that rate of descent... they have no chance of escaping!

"Damn it, if it weren't for Princess Shirahoshi, how could we have ended up like this..."

"Huh?"

Where is Princess Shirahoshi?

Seeing Princess Shirahoshi vanish, the Fish-Man were immediately taken aback. Where had this person who had attracted Vander Decken disappeared?

"What?"

Jinbe was also dumbfounded. Why had Princess Shirahoshi disappeared at this crucial moment?

Could it be that someone secretly kidnapped Shirahoshi?

"Shirahoshi is up in the sky," Nico Robin said, pointing to the sky. "Her older brother is with her."

"Big brother?"

Jinbe was stunned for a moment. Why was Prince Shark...?

No, Nico Robin seems to be talking about Xi Yan!

As if he had understood something, Jinbe's eyes immediately lit up.

'I understand. Princess Shirahoshi is planning to take Xi Yan to capture Vander Decken!'

Well done, Princess Shirahoshi!

Although it's dangerous, as long as Xi Yan is there, that guy Decken won't be able to hurt Princess Shirahoshi.

"Your target is me, isn't it!" Shirahoshi, now airborne, spread her arms in a blocking gesture and said, "Then don't attack Fish-Man Island!"

"Take my life if you want, but please don't drag the people of the Ryugu Kingdom into this!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Shirahoshi began to slowly swim upwards into the sky, and Noah's Ark also began to move upwards following Shirahoshi!

"I'm right here, come on!"

"Hey, look!"

Upon seeing this, the Fish-Man Race below excitedly shouted, "Noah's Ark has really changed direction with Her Highness the Princess!"

"Hey, Your Highness, are you planning to sacrifice yourself to save us?"

"Damn it, someone save her!"

Although they were fortunate to be rescued, they still didn't want their princess to die at the hands of that bastard!

"Are you kidding me?!"

Neptune slammed his fist into the ground in anger, his face contorted with rage, and said, "Why did you have to make my daughter go through this!"

Van Decken, you bastard!

"Father, please don't agitate," Sharks said anxiously, "Your wound will reopen."

"I don't care about myself, but Shirahoshi..."

"Puff!"

Before Neptune could finish speaking, blood gushed from the gaping wound.

"Quick, doctor!" the Sunfish Star cried anxiously. "Doctor, please save my father!"

"They're here! They're here!"

A Fish-Man dressed as a doctor rushed over and immediately began treating Neptune.

At the same time, he said, "Your His Majesty the King, you mustn't get too excited, or you'll die if your wounds break down!"

"But I..."

Neptune clenched his fists in anguish and said, "What will happen to my daughter...?"

At that moment, he felt an intense hatred for his own weakness.

If he were strong enough, this situation would never have occurred!

Thinking of this, tears welled up in Neptune's eyes.

' Otohime... I'm so sorry...'

"Father."

Sharks looked at his father with heartache, then turned to exchange a glance with his two brothers and said, "We can't just stand by and watch anymore; we have to do something."

Otherwise, their father might get so excited that he vomits blood again!

Understanding their elder brother's meaning, the two brothers immediately nodded in agreement.

"Then..."

Before Star Emperor could finish speaking, a Fish-Man not far away shouted, "Hey, look! There's someone standing on Princess Shirahoshi's shoulder!"

"One person?"

Star Emperor was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then took out a telescope and looked up at the high place.

After seeing it clearly, his pupils contracted and he exclaimed, "It's that man who changed the terrain with a wave of his hand!"

Why is he with Shirahoshi?

"Perhaps Jinbe asked him to protect Shirahoshi," Sharks guessed.

Although I don't know what happened, with that man around, Shirahoshi should be much safer.

"But it's seawater up there," said the Sunfish Star. "That man is Devil Fruit User. How much power can he exert in the ocean?"

If that man were to die in the ocean...

"I know, that's why we're going too!" Sharks said.

This is, after all, a matter for their Fish-Man Island, so they can't just stand by and watch others help without doing anything.

Thinking of this, Sharks immediately took out the Bubble Coral, intending to rush over to provide support as quickly as possible.

Just then, Sunfish Star seemed to notice something and exclaimed in horror, "Hey, big brother, look over there!"

"There?"

Upon hearing what the Sunfish Star said, Sharks looked in the direction he was pointing, then his pupils contracted and he exclaimed, "That's... Hody?"

Looking at the man lying on the chains, Sharks's pupils shrank to their minimum.

Why is the strongest member of the New Fish-Man Pirates appearing in the air?

Doesn't he care about those people below him?

"Although we don't know what happened, we absolutely cannot let him get close to the Young man with sunglasses in the ocean," Star Emperor said. "Otherwise, both Shirahoshi and he might die in the sea!"

"That's true."

Sunfish Star nodded, and at the same time prepared for battle.

"Then let's go protect them both!" Sharks said.

It doesn't matter if they are injured now, as long as they can protect those two people!

Thinking of this, the three of them immediately began to swim, rushing towards higher ground.

"You three!!!"

Upon hearing Neptune's words, the three Sharks immediately stopped what they were doing, then turned to look at their elderly father with worried eyes, fearing that he might suffer another hemorrhage.

"I'm entrusting Shirahoshi to you all," Neptune said, his body trembling. "You must..."

"We understand, Father!" Sharks nodded solemnly to Neptune and said, "Please rest assured!"

He knew what his father meant.

Not only are Shirahoshi and the Young man with sunglasses safe, but also... Noah's Ark!

"Then I'll leave it to you..."

"Profound!"

Sharks nodded, then looked at his two brothers and said, "Let's go, let's set off!"

"Profound!"

The three of them then quickly flew into the air.

"What unbelievable kindness, Shirahoshi," Vander Decken said. "Someone like you is truly the perfect wife for me!"

"Now, I'm giving you a chance!"

"Kill the guy on your shoulder, then say to me: I want to marry Vander Decken!"

"In that case... I'll spare your life!"

"Speak quickly!"

"Quick..."

Before Vander Decken could finish speaking, Shirahoshi shouted, "Sorry, you're not my type!"

"Click~"

Upon hearing Shirahoshi's words, Vander Decken froze on the spot, then trembled and knelt on the ground, his entire body turning ashen.

"To reject me for such a reason..." Vander Decken, kneeling on the ground, said tremblingly, "To such a reason..."

At that moment, he felt like the sky had fallen.

He considered all sorts of reasons, but never this one.

"Because I really don't like your type," Shirahoshi shouted. "And... I could never kill my brother for you!"

After saying that, Shirahoshi continued to move upwards, trying her best to get herself out of the Fish-Man Island's area.

"Damn it... damn it!"

Enraged, Vander Decken leaped to his feet, his face contorted in a grimace, and declared, "In that case... you two scoundrels, just die!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Vander Decken produced several enormous Plum Blossom Axe.

Then, he aimed at Shirahoshi and threw it hard.

"Die, all of you!"

Upon seeing this, Shirahoshi immediately closed her eyes in fright, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.

"Keep going upstream like this!" Xi Yan said. "Leave him to me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xi Yan jumped off Shirahoshi's body and arrived in front of the Plum Blossom Axe in the blink of an eye.

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

With a few punches, he shattered those axes!

After finishing this task, Xi Yan flew steadily back onto Shirahoshi's shoulder and stood up again.

"Damn it, you really were the one who broke the axe!" Vander Decken roared. "Why did you have to meddle?!"

If it weren't for that jerk, Shirahoshi wouldn't have rejected him.

Thinking of this, Vander Decken's expression twisted again.

"None of your business."

Vander Decken:...

Upon hearing this, Vander Decken was immediately rendered speechless.

Is this bastard... looking down on him?

How dare he, a mere human being!

Doesn't he know that Fish-Man Island is the domain of the Fish-Man Race?

That despicable bastard!

"Ignore this guy, Shirahoshi." Xi Yan, perched on Shirahoshi's shoulder, said, "Just do what you want, and I'll deflect all the attacks for you!"

"Good!"

Shirahoshi nodded vigorously, then turned and swam diagonally upwards.

"It's no use, Shirahoshi!"

Coming to his senses, Vander Decken looked at Shirahoshi with a cold smile and said, "Even if you rush to the edge of Fish-Man Island, it won't matter, because you can't pass through the double-layered bubbles to enter the sea!"

"In the end... Noah's Ark will still crash into you and kill you on Fish-Man Island!"

"Target hohohohoho~"

"Target roar roar roar!"

"I won't give up just because of a few words from you!" Shirahoshi said through gritted teeth, "I must save Fish-Man Island!"

Then, Shirahoshi turned to Xi Yan and said, "Big Brother, did your companions not close the Connecting Corridor before leaving Ryugu Kingdom?"

"Right."

Xi Yan nodded, then, as if understanding Shirahoshi's meaning, asked in surprise, "You plan to use that to enter the sea?"

"That's right!"

Shirahoshi nodded vigorously and said, "Only by using the connecting corridor can I enter the sea."

"That's indeed a good idea," Xi Yan said, stroking his chin.

At least this way we can get to the sea quickly!

That way... Fish-Man Island will be safe!

"Big brother, please make a bubble with this first," Shirahoshi said, taking out a huge coral bubble from her pocket. "Otherwise, you won't be able to breathe underwater."

Xi Yan stared at the coral bubble, which was larger than his entire body, for a moment in silence, then his lips twitched as he said, "No need, I have my own way."

"Just keep charging forward."

Shirahoshi was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then seemed to understand something and said, "Is it the one from before?"

"That's right!" Xi Yan nodded and said.

He preferred Water Release: Dance of the Swimming Fish to this strange bubble.

At least that Ninjutsu would give him tremendous mobility underwater.

"I see!"

Knowing what Xi Yan meant, Shirahoshi nodded and then swam faster towards the Ryugu Kingdom.

Xi Yan glanced at the figures below, then looked up at Vander Decken and said, "You wait until you reach the sea."

Vander Decken:???

What's the meaning?