Rosen felt something strange—a tongue, along with some seawater, entered his mouth. He tasted blood, yet his breathing suddenly became much easier. Even the blood lingering in his mouth seemed to contain traces of oxygen.
"What's going on?" Rosen was bewildered. Hathaway's blood had this function? Not only that, she had been transferring oxygen from her own body to him.
For an ordinary person, this method would be nearly useless. Exhaled air is mostly carbon dioxide; unless it's stored in the mouth without circulating through the body, it provides almost no benefit.
Of course, Hathaway's body was extraordinary, capable of things normal humans couldn't manage.
But if she was giving him oxygen, how much did she have left for herself? Even with her unique physiology, the ocean environment was far harsher than land.
Sure enough, after transferring air to Rosen through her mouth, Hathaway slowed considerably, almost bitten by a wide-mouthed Sea Beast.
Rosen's feelings were conflicted. He had always regarded Hathaway more as a partner than a true crewmate. She was undeniably a terrifyingly powerful warrior—far more impressive than her appearance. For a while, he didn't even see her as a woman.
Now, though, she was not only a woman but also stubborn and endearing.
If she had left him earlier—by her own will at Marine Headquarters—there would have been no need to suffer, no need to risk herself for him.
With her skills, even without him, Rosen was confident she could survive with Robin and the others. Her talent was extraordinary; given time, she could even vie for a Yonko's position.
Yet she stayed, risking her life simply to save him. It was moving, and Rosen felt deep gratitude.
Hathaway had not released her mouth yet. Her oxygen came from blood vapor generated within her body, and her adaptability was remarkable.
Though slowed, she was still faster than most Sea Beasts. Rosen had to hold her to keep pace, face-to-face, a strangely intimate sensation.
He felt slightly uneasy, looking up at the sea. Why was he always in a passive position? It seemed unfair.
His instincts kicked in; he reached out with his tongue—and immediately regretted it. Hathaway widened her eyes, staring blankly. What was the clumsy captain doing?
She had pried open his teeth to give him oxygen—obviously. But he didn't understand and moved aimlessly in her mouth.
Now his fidgeting risked wasting precious oxygen. Blood may be extraordinary, but the air it contained was limited. Any sudden breathing would accelerate its depletion.
Rosen realized this, but he also knew Hathaway probably never considered herself as merely a woman. She was more beautiful than the Empress, and anyone kissed by such a woman would naturally react—unless utterly devoid of desire.
Rosen noticed her expression and offered an apologetic look. Honestly, he was innocent.
Holding such a body, submerged in water, clothing clinging tightly, yet still resisting… any lack of reaction would have been monstrous.
Hathaway was surprised at first, but once Rosen calmed, she didn't overreact. She didn't fully understand these matters, which was normal.
After all, what mattered more than survival? She didn't dislike the captain either, so it was fine.
They swam underwater for a while, but soon sensed something wrong. The Sea Beasts were larger, and the water grew darker. Looking down, the ocean seemed eerily black, filling them with unease.
Though both were strong, with excellent vision and self-preservation skills, even they struggled. In clear water, they could see everything nearby, but this felt different.
Hathaway paused. Rosen's heart sank—had they entered a Calm Belt? If so, it was worse than fighting two Admirals to the death.
Suddenly, a massive Sea King, part crocodile, part snake, shot out from the dark depths. Its speed was blinding, impossible to predict from its enormous body.
Hathaway sensed it with Observation Haki, frowned, but it was too late to dodge. She drew her sword, slicing through the creature, splitting it in two. Blood spilled, soon to attract other Sea Beasts.
Hiding was no longer possible, and the area felt wrong. Hathaway surfaced rapidly with Rosen, hoping the Marines were not nearby.
She believed they had escaped a fair distance.
They broke the surface. Mist covered the entire sea; everywhere they looked, white fog obscured vision. Even pushing Observation Haki to the extreme revealed nothing but endless white.
No wonder the depths were bright before, but now it was pitch black. They had entered an opaque sea, but how far?
"Can we go back?" Rosen had no idea about this fog sea but preferred clearer waters.
"No. I tried. Once inside, the water is pitch black; you lose all sense of direction. Let's go up—visibility is better, and I feel less danger." Hathaway nodded.
"Okay. Throw me out above water—there's wind here, not a Calm Belt. That's better." Rosen said, temporarily relieved. They appeared to have left the Marines' encirclement.
How long they had been underwater was unclear; Rosen had lost track in the haze of near-asphyxiation.
Hathaway tossed Rosen out of the water, but fatigue pulled her down. Seeing this, Rosen dove and caught her, holding her in a princess carry.
Freed from water, Rosen was no longer weak; his vitality returned, and his injuries stabilized. Hathaway, however, was heavily exhausted.
Fortunately, her wounds from Sea Beasts hadn't worsened, or she wouldn't have survived prolonged underwater travel.
Rosen's condition was now better than during the chase—he had been a "hanging accessory" all the way.
"Rest now. I'll take over." Rosen spoke to Hathaway in his arms.
"Mm." She nodded and fell asleep.
Holding the obedient Hathaway Queen, Rosen couldn't help stealing a few more glances.
But where were they now?
Rosen used Moon Step, picked a direction, and sped forward. If they could leave the fog, finding pirate ships would be easier—then they could truly rest.
After half a day, Rosen frowned. At this speed, they were still in the fog sea.
How vast was this fog sea? Had he already lost his way? Rosen spotted a drifting, dilapidated pirate ship to the right—it looked familiar.
Though he felt he moved straight, the fog played tricks on perception. After a loop, one could still think they went straight—a common disorientation in thick fog.
Even with Observation Haki, its range couldn't pierce such a vast fog—unless extremely powerful, able to see through the entire sea at once.
"Better rest first, then figure it out." Rosen moved toward the battered ship, hoping logic would come clearer later.
(End of chapter)
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