Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
By the time Otohime noticed, it was already too late. Under normal circumstances, she could detect even the slightest hostility immediately. But this time, having received the Celestial Dragons' signed promise, she was overwhelmed with joy and let her guard down.
Her Observation Haki instantly spread out, catching the bullet's trajectory. She clearly "saw" the bullet flying toward her. She wanted to dodge, but her body was too frail, leaving her no strength to evade. She sensed the breath of death—unwillingness and sorrow, but not a trace of resentment. She was a woman whose heart held great love.
The fish-men had powerful warriors as well, such as Jinbe. He too noticed the bullet aimed at Otohime, but because the shot was not directed at him, his senses were far less alert. He realized it even later than the distracted Otohime.
He opened his mouth in a silent roar. He wanted to save her, but it was already too late. He hated that the murderer had harmed the beloved princess, and hated that the shot had not been aimed at him instead.
However, just because he had no time to react and save her did not mean Zhong Hao could not.
The bullet was less than five meters from Otohime when a black shadow suddenly appeared before her.
Clang!
The bullet struck a scabbard with a crisp ring.
Only then did the people around them react. After the entire plaza fell silent for a second, an uproar broke out, plunging the scene into chaos.
"An assassin! Protect the princess!"
It was clear that Otohime was held in high esteem and deeply respected by the fish-men. More than a dozen fish-man civilians closest to her rushed onto the platform without hesitation, forming a circle and linking arms