Chapter 75
He waved his hand helplessly and said, "Shirahoshi, tell them that you are leaving the sea. Ask them to help guide Fishman Island and Noah to the surface, and leave one Sea King to guard the area near Fishman Island."
A Sea King of over 5,000 meters—such a powerful entity! It would be a shame not to make use of it.
With Shirahoshi's presence, even if her Sea King abilities haven't fully awakened, she can still give orders to them.
Shirahoshi nodded and conveyed Ethan's intentions in her soft voice.
The Sea Kings responded obediently, moving Fishman Island and Noah toward the surface.
Seeing this, Ethan took Shirahoshi back to Fishman Island immediately.
Before long, over a dozen Sea Kings emerged from the sea, carrying Fishman Island and Noah on their backs.
This kind of scene often appears in the Calm Belt but is seldom witnessed in the unpredictable New World waters.
Unfortunately, only the residents of Fishman Island could appreciate this grand spectacle.
Since Ethan was guiding Fishman Island to ascend at a diagonal, it gradually drifted away from the Red Line, moving closer to the sea around Thunder God Island.
"Say goodbye, everyone (Sea Kings)~"
With Shirahoshi's gentle farewell, Ethan directed Fishman Island and Noah to rise to about 7,000 meters above the White Sea before pausing.
As Fishman Island ascended from the depths, all the Navy and pirates planning to cross to the New World via Fishman Island lost a vital staging point.
This means that reaching the New World from beneath the sea will now have a significantly higher risk.
Moreover, they would now have to secure the required Log Pose for the New World at the Sabaody Archipelago in advance to navigate safely.
Who would be the first to notice the sudden absence of Fishman Island? If unprepared, their chances of survival could be slim…
…
After getting everyone settled, Ethan spent two days with the mermaids in Shyarly's private manor, then ventured to Thunder God Island.
As a Lightning Fruit user, Thunder God Island was a must-see location, just in case he could find something to enhance his abilities.
Sadly, despite circling Thunder God Island multiple times and even absorbing some lightning, he found nothing unusual.
He had half-expected a fantasy-like inheritance site, but it seemed he had just been daydreaming.
However, this setback didn't dampen his spirits. Following his plan, he crossed the Red Line from the Calm Belt on the left side of the New World and soared back to Sky Island.
Soon after crossing the Red Line, he spotted an island on the sea below that piqued his interest.
Close to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, he immediately thought of the Lulusia Kingdom.
This kingdom would be destroyed by Im's ancient weapon years from now, driven by the mother flame Vegapunk had developed after the World Conference.
It was also the place where Belo Betty and other Revolutionary Army leaders had previously saved Milk Maiden Moda from pirates.
But for now, all was calm…
The Revolutionary Army remains elusive, and locating Belo Betty and Koala would take time.
Still, he could "rescue" Milk Maiden Moda from a fate that might lead her to join the Revolutionary Army.
No hesitation—Ethan teleported directly to the island's largest port.
The bustling sounds of shouting, trading, and market life filled the air.
Ignoring the startled gazes around him, he approached a "lucky guy" nearby. A single glance from Ethan made the man feel as if his heart was gripped by an invisible hand.
"Where is this place?"
The man stammered, "O-Ostana Port!"
"I meant, which kingdom is this?"
"L-Lulusia Kingdom!"
Ethan nodded. People's instinctive responses often reveal the truth without them realizing it.
Having confirmed the location, he expanded his Observation Haki across the kingdom, carefully searching for Moda and her small dairy farm.
Eventually, he found her near a stream.
Without delay, he disappeared, leaving the astonished bystanders frozen in shock.
Moda was by the stream, her golden hair covered by a cow hat, hugging her knees with a forlorn expression.
Beside her sat a large milk bottle, her prized possession for survival.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, a gentle flash of blue lightning appeared before her, and Ethan materialized from it.
Moda looked up timidly at this stranger.
"Don't be afraid," he reassured her, "I'm not a threat."
Moda's wariness deepened, but she forced a calm response. "I… I'm not scared!"
"My name's Shen… Ethan. What's yours?"
"I… I'm Moda."
Moda had never seen someone who could appear out of thin air. Hearing "Shen," she really thought he might be a god.
Ethan nodded. She was indeed the one he was looking for. Her solitude and sadness gave him the perfect way to break the ice.
"I noticed you alone and looking sad from above, and I feared you might… well, jump into the river."
After explaining, he gently prodded, "Keeping your sadness bottled up too long can make you sick. Your parents wouldn't want that. If it helps, feel free to share with a stranger."
[Parents…]
The word hit her deeply. "Thank you for your concern, sir! But… it seems my parents abandoned me years ago. Even if I got sick, no one would care…"
"What!?"
Ethan frowned. He remembered that when Moda reunited with her parents, it was a joyous moment. Could there be more to this story?
After all, this brief side story in the manga might not have captured the full picture.
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**Moda**: A kind-hearted, brave milk maiden with golden hair, who carries a huge milk bottle for a living.