bookbashuk Chapter 54 The Fluttering of My Heart
Chapter 54 The Fluttering of My Heart
With samples, the group quickly found a lot of Nora coral. They sat in a circle, each holding a knife and polishing the coral in their hands. The originally irregular coral gradually took on the shape of beads.
While Shanks might not be good at making dolls, carving is relatively easy for him. After all, he personally carved most of Moko's jewelry and doll ornaments. Without spending too much time, a lifelike coral rice flower was carved out.
Moko held the coral rice flower with great delight and handed the coral beads she had carved to Shanks. Apart from the rice flower that Shanks had specially carved, everyone else had been polished into beads.
The custom on Fishman Island is to grind the beads into beads and string them into bracelets or necklaces. Others also polished them without much effort. In no time, Moko had a lot of bracelets on her wrists and neck.
Originally, she intended to surprise everyone, but in the end, everyone surprised her instead. Looking at the coral bead necklace on her body, Moko felt her heart overflowing with happiness.
Seeing the happiness in Moko's eyes, Otohime's gaze softened even more. She loved children and, because of her innate Observation Haki, she could easily sense the hearts of others. But just as easily, the sadness of others could also affect her.
Fishman Island is improving, but not perfectly. Not everyone on Fishman Island is happy. Internal conflicts between fishmen and mermaids, and the fear of land dwellers, are still hindering Fishman Island's happiness. Resolving internal conflicts isn't difficult, but what about external ones? If a peace treaty could be successfully signed with land dwellers, could everyone go to the sea, to see the real sun and forests? Clearly, everyone can live together peacefully.
Recently, Otohime has been troubled by these problems, and the promotion of peaceful coexistence with land people has not been going smoothly. That's why she came to the Sea Forest, thinking she just wanted to have some peace and quiet. But she didn't expect that a cute little sea sprite would appear.
Moko wasn't a mermaid, so she didn't feel it, but Otohime could clearly sense that the sea was embracing the child before her. Despite not being a mermaid, the child was deeply loved by the sea. The child was overflowing with happiness, which made Otohime unconsciously sink into this warm happiness as well. Her recent troubles also vanished as she approached this warmth.
"This is for Otohime-neechan. Thank you, Otohime-neechan, for helping me find coral today."
Moko placed a freshly polished coral bead into Otohime's hand. Otohime was slightly taken aback, but quickly recovered and smiled.
"Thank you, Xiao Moke, I accept your blessing."
Looking at Moko, whose aura was pure and gentle, Otohime cupped Moko's face and gently kissed her forehead. Accompanied by the surging and humming of the ocean currents, Otohime spoke softly, giving Moko her most sincere blessings.
"Children loved by the sea, may the sea's blessings protect you, and may you be happy, peaceful, and carefree."
The light shone through the waves, casting dappled shadows on the entire forest. Dots of white foam shimmered with an eerie glow, and fluorescent jellyfish appeared from time to time, flitting among the endless waves of the Milky Way like sprites. It was as if an ancient chant was playing in my ears, accompanying my pounding heartbeat and penetrating deep into my heart, leaving an unforgettable impression.
Neptune felt as if he were ill; he could no longer take his eyes off Otohime. Whether his eyes were open or closed, all he could see was Otohime's image. Even a faint smile made his heart pound like a drum, unable to calm down.
Lost in their thoughts, everyone had returned from the Sea Forest to the banquet venue to continue the unfinished banquet. Moko and Otohime sat on a sofa to the side, watching Roger and the others making a ruckus, and were occasionally amused.
At first, Otohime and Moko would exchange a few words from time to time, but gradually they fell silent. Moko turned her head in confusion and saw Otohime with drunken eyes.
Princess Otohime's eyes were hazy, her clear blue eyes gently moistened with tears. Under the influence of her intoxication, the scenery she saw changed, becoming bizarre and fantastical like a dream. She seemed to be thinking of the grievances she had suffered these past few days, and looked as if she was about to cry.
"Little Moko!"
Moko was tightly held by the waist by the completely drunk Otohime. Moko looked at the glass of fruit wine that had been drunk, which was not too strong, and then at the drunken Otohime. She couldn't help but laugh. She didn't expect that Otohime's alcohol tolerance was even worse than hers. She was truly a one-cup wonder.
"Waaah, Moko, why doesn't anyone want to live with land people? Wouldn't it be better if we all lived on the sea? Hiccup~ But, hiccup~ We've never even tried it. Staying on the seabed means we'll never get an equal position..."
Otohime kept rambling on about her recent grievances, while Moko listened quietly without interrupting, gently stroking Otohime's head to comfort her older sister who was drunk and acting like a child.
Moko has some understanding of the conflict between fish-men and land people. Due to their habits and appearances, the conflict between the two races is much greater than that between other races. However, since Fish-Man Island is located underwater, the two have maintained a wait-and-see attitude until now, and usually resolve small conflicts in private.
However, this is not a long-term solution. The World Government is dominated by the Celestial Dragons, and the rights guaranteed are also the privileges of the Celestial Dragons. But it is undeniable that as long as a country is recognized by the World Government and has so-called equal rights, it can at least protect the country's safety and not have to be on guard against sudden attacks all the time.
Although Fishman Island joined the World Government's member states a long time ago, it has long been at odds with the mainland. Most mainlanders consider fishmen to be inferior to them, and fishmen are also very resistant to mainlanders. If this continues, who knows what bizarre reason the World Government might use to attack Fishman Island when it feels threatened.
Just as people on land yearn for sea adventures and the search for all kinds of treasures, the fish-men of the sea yearn for the real sky and the sun, which represent not just scenery, but freedom. Otohime wants everyone on Fishman Island to have the right to freedom and the right to be a person, instead of being regarded as a beautiful commodity to be sold at auction. However, changing the inherent mindset of Fishman Island is too difficult, and it is destined to be a long and arduous road.
The tipsy Princess Otohime had already fallen asleep, cuddling with Moko and whimpering. She didn't seem to be sleeping soundly. Moko smiled helplessly, and the specks of white light that shone from her palm merged into Princess Otohime's body, smoothing out Princess Otohime's furrowed brows.
Bathed in the shimmering light, Moko gently patted Otohime, her expression tender, her soft murmurs soothing her lost heart in rhythm with the gentle waves.
"Sleep well, everything will be alright... You'll definitely see the sun again..."
Roger didn't have much time left. By the time the sky began to lighten and they reached the surface, it would be just the right time. So, the group didn't linger and, after organizing their supplies, prepared to set off.
Otohime held Moko in her arms, gently stroking her long hair. She slept exceptionally soundly, dreaming of the happy smiles of everyone on Fishman Island, of the dazzling sun and the truly lush forest. It was all so beautiful. With each passing scene from her dream, Otohime's resolve grew stronger. She was determined to bring everyone on Fishman Island to live on land. Even if not now, what about the future? The children of Fishman Island would surely see it. They would live under the true sunlight, no longer submerged in the desolate seabed.
"Little Moko, you must come to Fishman Island again next time. I will take you to see the most beautiful scenery on Fishman Island then."
"Mmm!" Under Otohime's gaze, Moko leaned closer to Otohime and whispered in her ear, "Otohime-neechan, you can definitely do it. Everyone on Fishman Island will definitely be able to live on the surface of the sea. Do your best."
Moko didn't think that Otohime's ideal was far-fetched. A person who was willing to dedicate himself to the future of the country was worthy of respect. Perhaps the road ahead would be difficult, but such determination would surely inspire others and be passed down from generation to generation. Moko looked forward to seeing the day when they succeeded.
Moko's trust and isolation almost brought Otohime to tears. She was an extremely easily moved person, and Moko's words made her realize that her ideals and beliefs were not just wishful thinking. Even if no one was willing to support her now, who could say what the future held? Even if the road was difficult, she would definitely persevere.
Okay, keep it up!
Moko and Otohime whispered to each other, their faces occasionally breaking into happy smiles, clearly very close. Meanwhile, Neptune's gaze never left Otohime. Roger, who seemed to understand everything, curled his lips into a smile and patted Neptune's arm.
"You say you don't like her, but your heart is probably already attached to Otohime."
"Tsk, weren't you leaving? Hurry up and leave!"
Feeling ashamed and angry that his secret had been exposed, Neptune chased Roger away. Roger laughed loudly, ignoring Neptune's feigned anger.
"Hahaha, looks like I might see your afro-haired kid next time I come back."
"I already told you, it's not an afro!"
"Yes, yes, yes, hahaha..."
Despite her reluctance, she had to leave eventually. The Jackson gradually sailed away from this underwater Atlantis, and the underwater kingdom, enveloped in bubbles, gradually disappeared into darkness. Moko stood at the stern, watching the scenery before her change from light to darkness. She pursed her lips, thinking, "It won't be long. We'll definitely meet again soon."
"seed……"
"Who?"
The sudden sound startled Moko, who looked around warily. It wasn't a hallucination; she really heard it. It wasn't a sound from the ship; the source of the sound was... Moko's sharp eyes gazed into the unfathomable depths of the sea.
"The seed has been found..."
The sound grew louder and louder, as if it were ringing right next to her ears. The pitch-black seabed beside her seemed like a gaping maw of abyss. Moko felt that the darkness was getting closer and closer to her, but she couldn't move her body. A huge panic swept over her, and she couldn't even make a sound.
"Moko-chan, Moko-chan..."
"Moko-chan!"
Moko snapped back to reality, staring blankly at Shanks in front of her. Apart from the lights on the ship, the surroundings were still dark, but it was not the unsettling darkness she had just felt.
"What's wrong, Moko-chan? Why are you sweating so much? Are you not feeling well?"
Shanks, his eyes filled with worry, looked at the pale-faced Moko and, disregarding everything else, picked her up and carried her towards the cabin. Moko looked out at the dark depths of the sea, where there was not a glimmer of light, and seemed to hear that strange voice again. She couldn't help but hug Shanks' neck tightly in fear.
Feeling the little one trembling in his arms, Shanks' worry deepened, and he hugged Moko even tighter.
After Crocus's examination, it was discovered that Moko was simply frightened, but it was unclear what exactly frightened her. Roger frowned, wondering what could have scared his precious daughter. After all, he would definitely be able to sense anything approaching the ship, and Moko had never been particularly afraid of anyone or any animal since she was a child. It was obvious that she had seen something terrifying.
On the deck, everyone searched the ship thoroughly but found nothing strange. They were all furious, their beards bristling and eyes wide with anger. If they found out what had frightened their little princess, they would cut it into pieces and use it as fertilizer.
Seeing that they hadn't found anything, Roger and Rayleigh discussed it and decided that since they couldn't find the source, they should leave the seabed as soon as possible, and maybe things would be better once they reached the surface.
After making the decision, Roger grabbed the dumpling pile that had returned to the ship and used them as laborers. He tied the ship and the dumpling with ropes and made a bunch of dumpling pull the ship away from the seabed at a faster speed. The dumpling also noticed that something was wrong with their cute little ones and pulled the ship with all their might to swim towards the surface of the sea.
In the room, Moko had already taken her medicine and fallen asleep. She was probably terribly frightened, because even in her sleep she clung tightly to Shanks' clothes, curling up into a tiny ball in Shanks' arms, which made Shanks' heart clench.
Sensing Moko's unease, Mika lay close to her to keep her from feeling empty. Shanks lay on Moko's other side, gently patting her back with his free hand until Moko fell into a deep sleep.
The warm yellow light enveloped the entire room, and through the soft light, the room seemed to be immersed in the boundary between reality and fantasy, dispelling all unease and fear, leaving only a room full of warmth.