"Marshadow."
Under the light of the cabin, Natsuhiko looked at his shadow and called out.
But Marshadow did not respond.
Natsuhiko pursed his lips, squatted down, and took out a box of Energy Blocks.
Clatter-clatter—
The Energy Blocks inside the box clinked against the metal walls, emitting a crisp sound.
Opening the box, a faint but enticing fragrance gently wafted out.
"Marshadow—"
A pair of orange eyes opened in Natsuhiko's shadow.
As the black mist gathered, a small head popped out.
It was indeed Marshadow.
Natsuhiko understood Marshadow's habits and preferences a bit more.
Natsuhiko took out an Energy Block and stuffed it into Marshadow's arms, smilingly said, "Marshadow, we have a bit of a problem now..."
Abra and Togetic exchanged a glance and discreetly stepped back.
"Marshadow?" Marshadow tilted its head.
"Some really strong people have come outside, and their target is likely the island you don't want to leave. They have many people and are very strong, potentially causing irreparable damage to the island..." Natsuhiko said slowly.
Telling Marshadow directly that strong people were outside and having it protect itself was certainly unrealistic.
This required "the art of conversation."
The same meaning, expressed differently, might sound entirely different.
Just like how "frequently defeated after battles" and "persistently fighting despite defeats" use the same words but convey different meanings.
"Marshadow!"
Hearing that someone intended to destroy the island, Marshadow puffed its cheeks and emerged entirely from the shadow, shrouded in black mist.
Natsuhiko also showed an angry expression, grumbling, "And they might not just destroy the island, but also come for me..."
"Marsha, Marsha."
Marshadow shook its head repeatedly and waved its hands.
Natsuhiko paused, "You're saying there's something preventing you from freely helping humans?"
Marshadow nodded lightly.
Who was stopping Marshadow from doing so was unknown for the time being.
Natsuhiko didn't want to know for now, squinted slightly, and continued, "If they come after me, that's fine. After all, we've been together for so long that we're already friends, and it's nothing to give a bit for a friend."
"Marsha?"
What is a friend?
"Right, you see, you like eating Energy Blocks, right? I was the first to let you try it, wasn't I? And gave you a box, right? In return, you helped Togepi evolve into Togetic."
Marshadow seemed thoughtful.
Natsuhiko continued, "Give and take, that's friendship. You don't want to leave the island, so I came back. Otherwise, I wouldn't have run into these people, right?"
"Marsha..." Marshadow pondered.
It was because of it that Natsuhiko faced this trouble.
"I don't want you to do anything; I just think that since we're friends, I should help you protect this island!" Natsuhiko said solemnly.
Before Marshadow could speak, Natsuhiko continued, "But it's okay, since you can't conveniently make a move, you don't need to. I will do my best to stop them for you, that's what friends should do."
Clap, clap.
Marshadow blinked its eyes.
For me?
"Marsha..."
Marshadow lowered its head, pondering Natsuhiko's words.
After a while.
The long-silent Marshadow firmly shook its head.
No.
Natsuhiko exhaled a long breath.
As expected, couldn't fool...ahem, persuade it?
There was no choice, in this case, Natsuhiko had to choose to return to the island. As long as he followed Marshadow, safety shouldn't be an issue.
Just that he didn't know when he could leave the island.
But at least this avoided confronting Ocean Team's members; with Marshadow around, they shouldn't behave recklessly on the island.
Suddenly.
Marshadow lifted its head, smiling with eyes curved.
"Marsha, Marsha."
I can't make a move, but I can get someone to help you...uh, no, help me? No no, still help you… who exactly am I helping?
Natsuhiko was surprised by what he heard.
"Someone else? Who?"
Rumble—
A low rumble came from afar, barely audible, but up close it would be quite loud.
"Marsha."
We're friends, aren't we?
Marshadow said playfully.
Natsuhiko heard the rumbling outside.
But he didn't know who Marshadow called for "help." However, considering Marshadow's strength and abilities, they shouldn't be weak, right?
He nodded, "Yes, we are friends."
Saying this, Natsuhiko handed a box of Energy Blocks to Marshadow.
Marshadow tilted its head.
"Whether you help me or I help you, as friends, good things should be shared, this is a token of my appreciation," Natsuhiko said sincerely.
"Marsha, Marsha!" Marshadow nodded vigorously.
Great, it understood a lot more about the word 'friend' now.
Togetic behind Natsuhiko covered its eyes, unable to watch, while Abra kept fiddling with its Buddha Beads, muttering confusingly.
If listened carefully, its meaning could be understood.
"Routine operation, routine operation."
Natsuhiko strode out of the cabin, finding Binina and Henry had stopped fighting.
And another larger sailboat was approaching.
On the bow like a huge blue flying fish stood a man in a black vest and shorts, exposing large, sinewy muscles.
"Black King" Black Tide!
Natsuhiko moved near Binina; currently, she was the only one who might hold her own until Marshadow's help arrived.
"Natsuka!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, using the false name Natsuhiko had casually made up.
Turning towards the voice.
"Gerwin? When did you arrive?"
"I should be asking you that; when did you board the ship? How come I didn't know?" Gerwin approached Natsuhiko, asking in a low voice.
Gerwin had no choice either, she had agreed with Binina to pick her up at the usual place, but after waiting for days, there was no sign of her.
Helpless, she had to go looking herself.
Fortunately, their ship had its own unique way of marking on the sea.
But unfortunately, she had just boarded when she saw the approach of Black Tide's men.
It was a good thing they didn't come from the same direction as Black Tide, or they might not have even gotten on the ship.
"Just now," Natsuhiko replied calmly.
"Gerwin." Binina also spotted Gerwin and called softly.
"Sister Binina, why didn't you come to pick me up?"
A hint of embarrassment flitted across Binina's face, but it was quickly replaced by a somber look, and she gently sighed, "You shouldn't have come; now you're in danger."
Gerwin puffed out her cheeks, "Even if it's dangerous, I want to be with you, sister!"
It was quite a heartwarming sisterly scene.
Meanwhile, Black Tide, standing at the bow, grinned, looking down at the people on the two ships.
"Henry, Binina, long time no see."
The voice reached everyone's ears.
"Hmph!" Henry snorted coldly.
Binina replied, "Black Tide, what do you want?"
"Nothing much," Black Tide waved his hand as if cheerfully, "it's just that my ship is too big, and we have too few people; it feels a bit empty. I'd like to invite everyone to be my guests on it."
Upon hearing this, Henry and Binina's faces darkened.
"Black Tide, you want to recruit us? Aren't you afraid of biting off more than you can chew?" Henry said coldly.
Black Tide spread his hands, "Henry, look how you're talking. I genuinely want you on board to play, and once on board, we're friends, we're brothers."
Turning to Binina, "What do you think, Binina?"
Binina's face remained cold, but her attitude was clear.
"No need for this..." Black Tide picked his ear.
"Black Tide, think it through, even if we're not your match, if you force it, you'll definitely lose some meat." Henry threatened.
"Really?" Black Tide raised an eyebrow, half-smiling, addressing Henry's crew, "Does anyone want to come aboard as a guest? I promise to treat you like my own."
He deliberately emphasized the words "my own."
Henry's crew exchanged glances, feeling some hesitation.
But, there always has to be the first person willing to take the plunge.
On the "Star of Blood," the first person moved.
And then, like dominoes, they all moved.
Seeing this, the smile on Black Tide's face grew even more unbridled.
Natsuhiko across the way frowned.
'Is the Ocean Team planning on a massive recruitment?' he wondered.