121 Fukaboshi's Urgent Message #121

Cedric, Den, and Shirahoshi approached the grand Royal Palace of the Ryugu Kingdom. The palace stood majestic and imposing, its intricate architecture reflecting the grandeur of the underwater kingdom.

As they neared the entrance, Shirahoshi spoke up, her voice filled with determination.

"We're almost home... you can use the writing room in the palace to discuss the ship," she suggested, her eyes alternating between Cedric and Den. "It's a secluded and quiet space, perfect for our conversation."

Before Cedric or Den could reply, a familiar flutter of wings interrupted their discussion. Chuchun, the giant Super Sparrow, appeared out of nowhere, landing gracefully before Cedric.

"Chuchun! Did you miss me, boy?" Cedric exclaimed, extending his hand to pat the bird's head affectionately. Chuchun chirped happily in response, clearly delighted by Cedric's greeting.

Cedric's attention was momentarily captivated by the arrival of his feathery friend, Chuchun. He couldn't help but smile as he engaged in a playful exchange with the Super Sparrow. Meanwhile, Shirahoshi's brother, Fukaboshi, the shark merman prince, and a contingent of a dozen royal soldiers approached the group.

Fukaboshi's gaze shifted from Cedric and Chuchun to his sister and their guests. His regal demeanor softened with a warm smile as he extended a courteous greeting. "Welcome, esteemed visitors. I am Fukaboshi, a prince of the Ryugu Kingdom," he introduced himself, bowing respectfully. "I regret that I couldn't attend the banquet earlier. Matters of the kingdom kept me occupied."

Cedric smiled in understanding at the blue-haired merman. "I understand. There's nothing to apologize for," He replied with a careless shrug.

Fukaboshi's expression turned serious as he continued. "Still, I apologize for the sudden interruption, but I asked your feathery friend here to find you both because we have a pressing matter at hand," he explained, his voice laced with urgency.

Cedric's brows furrowed with concern as he regarded Fukaboshi. "What's the matter? Is everything alright?" he asked, tilting his head in confusion at the prince's words.

Fukaboshi's gaze shifted to the royal soldiers standing behind him, their disciplined presence reinforcing the gravity of the situation. "Vander Deckens has escaped while you were away," he revealed, his voice tinged with frustration and annoyance. "He no longer marks my sister with his devil fruit power, but he remains a threat..."

Cedric's expression sighed in exasperation at Fukaboshi's words and shook his head. He muttered to no one in particular, "I knew it wouldn't be that easy."

Fukaboshi turned his attention to Shirahoshi, his voice firm yet protective. "Shirahoshi, for your safety, I must ask you to return to the palace and remain in your room until we find and capture Vander Deckens again," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Shirahoshi sadly sighed as she clenched her fists, her voice tinged with disappointment. "Back to my room...?" She asked, giving her brother a glum look. "At least I got to visit Mother..." She added, looking down at the floor.

Cedric interjected, much to everyone's confusion. "There's no need for the princess to confine herself to her room. It won't do any good anyway since Deckens doesn't have Shirahoshi's mark," he declared, his eyes meeting Fukaboshi's as he shook his head.

Confused by Cedric's statement, Fukaboshi furrowed his brows and asked, "It's true that the guards forcefully removed the mark upon Decknes arrest, but that--"

Cedric met Fukaboshi's gaze, his voice steady as he interrupted the merman. "That's right. he doesn't know her exact location Without the mark, so there's no point in taking the princess back to her room."

"On the other hand, if you take her to her room, then Deckens will likely see it coming and attempt to target her there instead..." He explained, his words carrying a sense of certainty.

Fukaboshi's confusion transformed into frustration as he gestured toward the palace. "So, what do you suggest? Should we sit on our behinds and wait for Vander Deckens to appear and threaten my sister?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience.

Cedric chuckled at Fukaboshi's question, shaking his head in response. "No, that's not what I'm suggesting," he replied calmly. "I'm just saying that it wouldn't matter if Shirahoshi is locked up in her room or not.."

Cedric took a deep breath, his tone still calm but with a newfound sense of urgency. His words resonated in the open area, carrying a weight that mirrored the gravity of their situation.

"Vander Deckens is desperate now that he's lost his hold over Shirahoshi. He won't waste time with precision attacks since he no longer has the mark..." Cedric's voice held a somber tone, his eyes scanning those present, gauging the reactions of those present.

His words hung in the air, and the atmosphere grew heavy with impending danger. Cedric took a moment to gather his thoughts, his expression grave as he continued, "However, the fact that Deckens doesn't know Shirahoshi's exact location isn't necessarily a good thing. Because He still knows her general location."

"He'll likely target the entirety of Fishman Island in hopes of taking down the princess alongside it...." Cedric finished his explanation. "At least that's what I would do if I were in his shoe..."

Fukaboshi's eyes widened with a mixture of shock and horror, his mind struggling to comprehend the extent of the threat they faced. The realization crashed over him like a tidal wave, threatening to drown him in despair.

He found his voice after a moment, trembling with concern and in disbelief, as he asked, "How... How would Deckens even manage to destroy Fishman Island?"

Cedric met Fukaboshi's gaze, his expression somber and determined. "Deckens devil fruit power enables him to throw anything and everything at a predetermined mark, regardless of shape, size, and weight," he explained, his voice laced with a hint of certainty.

"All he needs is to find something substantial enough to cause significant damage and throw it towards Fishman Island..."

Everyone into a heavy silence as the gravity of their situation settled upon them. Fukaboshi stood frozen, the weight of their impending doom pressing upon him. Thoughts raced through his mind, contemplating the magnitude of the threat and the urgency of finding a solution.

"Noah..." Fukaboshi muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. The name of the ancient ship carried a sense of foreboding, and it echoed through the chamber, filled with fear and unease.

Cedric nodded in confirmation, his composure unwavering. "Yup," he replied, his voice calm and devoid of concerns as if everything happening had nothing to do with him.

Fukaboshi's panic escalated, fueled by a surge of determination. His voice trembled with urgency as he pressed on, "We need to find Vander Deckens and stop him before it's too late! We must protect our home at all costs!"

Cedric shook his head solemnly, his gaze fixed on the edges of the air bubble towering over the island. "I'm afraid that ship has long sailed, your highness," he stated with a chuckle as he looked up.

As Fukaboshi followed Cedric's gaze, his eyes widened in horror. There, loomed a colossal shadow over them descending from the surface above. The imposing form of Noah grew clearer with each passing moment, much to everyone's horror.

As Noah drew nearer, its gargantuan size became more evident, casting an ominous shadow over Fishman Island. The sheer scale of the ancient ship was enough to send chills down the spines of those witnessing its approach.

Shirahoshi's heart sank as she watched Noah loom closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "No... It can't be..." Her eyes filled with fear and disbelief as she recognized the ship that threatened to destroy everything she held dear.

Fukaboshi's eyes widened in horror, his mind racing to come up with a plan. "We have to evacuate the island immediately!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. "There's no time to waste!"

The royal soldiers scattered, relaying the orders to evacuate to the residents of Fishman Island. The sirens blared, their piercing sound echoing through the underwater kingdom, alerting everyone to the impending danger.

Cedric remained calm amidst the chaos, his gaze fixed on Noah as Deckens, surrounded by a protective bubble, walked to the bow of the rapidly descending ship.

"I'm back, Princess Shiraqhoshi, just as I promised!" Deckens exclaimed, crossing his fingers and resting his hands over his chest. "I've given you many opportunities to accept my affection, but you refused time and time again!" He went, his tone seething with anger and echoing all over the island.

"Well, now it's too late! I'll destroy and bury you alongside everything you hold dear as a final parting gift!"

...

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