Just then, Shirahoshi suddenly sensed something, causing her heart to thump rapidly, and she looked back toward the window.
"Shirahoshi, what's wrong?"
Shirahoshi's turning motion caused her hair to nearly sweep Taro right off her shoulder.
"Lord Taro, I feel like someone is very eager to see me!"
Shirahoshi's tone was hurried and confused.
Taro was stunned for a moment. He spread out his Observation Haki and Internal Energy, but detected nothing unusual.
Was it someone outside the range of Shirahoshi's super strong Observation Haki, or...?
Taro suddenly recalled the news he had just heard about large undercurrents appearing in the Calm Belt, and he gradually realized what was happening.
Holy crap, isn't the Calm Belt the nesting ground for those giant Sea Kings?
Are they the ones who want to see Shirahoshi?
"Shirahoshi, come with me!"
Thinking this, Taro jumped down from Shirahoshi's shoulder, speaking quickly, and then instructed Neptune and the others,
"You guys eat first. I'm taking Shirahoshi out for a bit. Don't worry, we'll be right back!"
Shirahoshi was even more anxious than Taro; before Taro finished speaking, she had already swum out ahead.
As the two left the dining hall, Shirahoshi scooped up Taro and headed towards the source of her sensing.
"Lord Taro, they are in the deep sea outside!"
Shirahoshi rapidly moved her tail, her tone growing more urgent!
A coral bubble enveloped Taro, helping him counteract the pressure of the seawater. Taro held tightly onto Shirahoshi's finger,
"Shirahoshi, don't rush! It's okay, it's okay!"
Merfolk are the fastest swimmers. Coupled with Shirahoshi's anxiety, her tail constantly propelled her forward, creating a white streak in the sea.
In the pitch-black seabed, where one couldn't see their own hand, Taro's Observation Haki instantly spread out, searching the surroundings, but he found no sign of the Sea Kings.
But Shirahoshi suddenly stopped. "Lord Taro, they are here!"
"Hmm?" Taro paused, and only after a while did his Observation Haki finally sense "them."
The next second, those giant Sea Kings had crossed thousands of meters and appeared before Taro's eyes.
A giant Sea King shaped like an anglerfish opened the "light" on its head with a "patta" sound, illuminating the nearby sea area.
Ho...ly crap!
Taro was dumbfounded. Even though he had mentally prepared himself to face giant Sea Kings, damn it, there were too many of them!
Being surrounded by a massive group of giant Sea Kings, resembling city walls, caused Taro's heart to stop for a second.
This was far more numerous and diverse than the ones seen dragging the noah a few days ago!
What astonished him even more was that Shirahoshi's connection with these giant Sea Kings seemed to be gradually strengthening?
Does this mean Shirahoshi's ability is slowly Awakening?
"You are looking for me?"
While Taro was pondering, Shirahoshi clasped her hands together, shielding him against her chest, and then asked the Sea Kings in a soft voice.
"Our 'King', unknown changes have occurred to the situation, which confuses us. What should we do?"
"We require your guidance, our 'King'!"
The giant Sea Kings made strange noises, expressing their anxiety, their bodies constantly wriggling slightly as they awaited Shirahoshi's instructions.
Shirahoshi seemed not to understand. She looked at Taro with confusion.
Taro looked utterly bewildered. If you can't understand them, how can I?
I only want to be the "Sea King" (a play on words), but you are the genuine Sea King!
In the end, they were locked in a stalemate, staring at each other.
However, the Sea Kings appeared increasingly restless. Although they made no major movements, Taro could tell from Shirahoshi's increasingly distressed expression.
Taro felt he had to do something to break the deadlock.
He slipped out of Shirahoshi's hands, floated in the sea, and shouted:
"I don't understand what you're saying. Can you understand what I'm saying?"
"If you can understand, blink once!"
Taro looked at a zebra-striped Sea King in front of him, staring intently at its massive eye.
However, that Sea King didn't even twitch its eyeball, either because it didn't understand or because it simply ignored Taro.
Awkward!
"Lord Taro, maybe they don't understand?"
After another moment of deadlock, Shirahoshi spoke up to break the awkward situation. Then she looked at the Sea Kings, "If you can understand, blink once!"
Then, the giant Sea Kings all blinked simultaneously.
This seemingly minor blinking movement, which was tiny to them, generated currents that nearly swept Taro away instantly.
Holy crap, you damn well understand human language! Are you deliberately ignoring me?
"It is this human who usurped the 'King's' throne!"
"It is him, indeed! Our 'King' calls him 'Lord'!"
"..."
The Sea Kings began to hum again, and strange, incomprehensible sounds reached his ears once more.
Are they discussing something?
This time, Taro finally sensed that something was amiss. These big guys seemed very dissatisfied with him?
"Uh, is there some misunderstanding between us?"
But this time, Taro still received no response from the Sea Kings.
Helplessly, he glanced back at Shirahoshi and repeated, "Shirahoshi is fine; you don't need to worry!"
Shirahoshi had initially been a little afraid facing these Sea Kings, but now she seemed more at ease.
She nodded in agreement. "I'm fine, and Fish-Man Island is fine too. Don't stir up the ocean currents anymore, okay?"
"Ooooh Hmm"
The Sea Kings simultaneously made a sound and lowered their bodies slightly, seemingly agreeing with Shirahoshi.
"Don't worry, with Lord Taro here, nothing bad will happen."
"Rest assured, go back now!"
A smile appeared on Shirahoshi's face; she was actually comforting these Sea Kings!
Since the "King" had given the command, the Sea Kings naturally obeyed. They gave Taro one last look before reluctantly turning and leaving, returning to the Calm Belt.
Taro watched them leave blankly. Only when his Observation Haki could no longer sense their location did he snap back to reality,
"Shirahoshi, what were they worried about?"
Shirahoshi gently frowned, tilted her head, and sounded somewhat bewildered.
"I don't quite understand either. They said I shouldn't meet a certain person so soon, and they mentioned unknown changes happening, but overall, they were very worried!"
Taro's heart sank.
Holy crap! From Madam Shirley's prophecy to the Sea Kings directly stating that unknown changes have occurred...
This confirms that I really messed up history?
"Th-this, what should I do now?" Taro muttered softly, wearing a constipated expression.
"If it's Lord Taro, there must be a way!"
Shirahoshi wasn't worried at all, smiling brightly, and even flipped over in the sea. She had complete confidence in Taro.
Taro felt like crying but couldn't, forcing a smile. "That's right!"
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