"Come with me. Vander Decken IX is dead."
Shirahoshi stared at Werther in disbelief.
"The man who kept trying to kill me is dead? What's your name?"
"Werther."
Shirahoshi hesitated, then followed him.
The commotion inside the Hard-Shell Tower had drawn the guards of Ryugu Palace. A large number rushed toward Werther.
Conqueror's Haki surged outward. Before the guards could reach him, they collapsed to the ground.
Werther led Shirahoshi to the edge of Fish-Man Island.
Once outside Ryugu Palace, Shirahoshi grew visibly excited and looked around with curiosity. Her appearance drew a crowd of Fish-Man civilians, but Werther dealt with them all using Conqueror's Haki.
"Werther... Mr. Werther... Lord Werther, um..."
Shirahoshi was no longer as afraid of him as she had been.
"Just call me Werther."
"Th-then, all right, Lord Werther. Thank you for bringing me out."
"No. I'm only using you."
Werther chose not to deceive Shirahoshi. He was about to start hunting Sea Kings; there was no point pretending to be a good man.
"I have no other demands. Just keep summoning giant Sea Kings. Preferably one at a time."
With that, Werther shot through the bubble surrounding Fish-Man Island and into the nearby waters. Two giant Sea Kings had already appeared there.
Giant Sea Kings were powerful, but Werther was a swordsman, well suited to fighting creatures of their size. Intent Blood could also absorb their life force.
The hunt began.
It took Werther thirty minutes to kill the first giant Sea King. Then he turned to the second.
Sword Aura flew in every direction, churning the sea. The water around Werther soon turned pale red with blood.
Werther glanced at Shirahoshi inside Fish-Man Island, signaling her to continue.
Shirahoshi sank to the ground in fright. But when she thought of what would happen if