RNP Chapter 263 Facing Death, the Sage Has No Desires
Chapter 263 Facing Death, the Sage Has No Desires
Chapter 263 Facing Death, the Sage Has No Desires
The dull thud of the dagger piercing the chest was like a boulder crashing into frozen air.
Time seemed to be stretched out, each frame brutally clear.
Dead silence.
Absolute silence.
The square, which had been teeming with murderous intent and rage just moments before, now seemed to have been instantly silenced.
The expressions on the faces of the fish-man islanders, who were brandishing harpoons and looking furious, froze, then peeled away like shattered mirrors, revealing blank bewilderment and a sudden, icy chill.
What did they see? What exactly did they just do?!
The boy they cursed with the most vicious words, who was led to the guillotine, and whom they demanded be executed—
He used his body to shield their beloved king from a fatal blow.
"Luffy—!!!"
The Straw Hat crew's roar broke the silence.
Zoro's sword was drawn instantly, and Sanji's figure disappeared from the spot. Nami, Usopp, and Chopper tried to rush over without thinking, but were subconsciously stopped by more guards who were in a daze.
King Neptune's massive body shuddered violently, and he instinctively reached out his hands to support Luffy as he slowly fell.
When his palm touched the warm, rapidly spreading, viscous liquid, he felt as if he had been burned, yet he dared not let go.
He looked down at the boy's face, which was rapidly losing its color, and at his still bright but somewhat weary eyes. The gentle yet resolute face of Queen Otohime had never appeared so clearly in his mind, overlapping with the young face before him.
Otohime—you're right—humans, like the sun, truly exist—and I—I almost—
Boundless regret and shame, like a deep ocean trench, instantly engulfed the king.
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
After the brief silence and the Straw Hat crew's mournful cries, the crowd in the square did not erupt in cheers.
How could they possibly make a sound? Something deeper and colder gripped their hearts.
Someone, I don't know who, fell to the ground with a "clang".
The sound seemed to spread like wildfire, and then a second, a third—more and more weapons slipped from powerless hands.
There was no crying, because the immense shock had temporarily drained them of even the strength to cry.
There was no apology; those two words seemed pale and laughable in the face of such a cruel reality.
They simply collapsed, one after another, as if struck by an invisible hammer, either slumping to the ground or slowly and heavily kneeling down.
Thousands upon thousands of fishmen and mermaids knelt down in a dark mass.
They lowered their heads, not daring to look at the execution platform or the bleeding figure; they remained silent.
The deathly silence was even more suffocating than the commotion that had just taken place.
This is guilt, shock, and a silence of utter shame.
"Chopper! Hurry!!!" Sanji was the first to rush forward, his eyes bloodshot, and he roared at the little reindeer who was still trying to break through the crowd.
Chopper finally scrambled onto the execution platform and instantly switched into doctor mode.
But when he saw the dagger in Luffy's chest and the faint trace of purple blood, his hooves trembled.
"This...this poison—I've never seen anything like it before! The dagger's material is strange too; it seems capable of penetrating Luffy's rubber body!"
Chopper frantically pulled out various instruments and herbs, tears already welling up in his big eyes.
"The wound needs immediate treatment to stop the spread of the toxin, but—but—"
His voice was choked with sobs.
Ordinary poisons have limited effect on Luffy after he awakened the power of the Sun God, but this potent poison from a Heroic Spirit and the specially crafted dagger are clearly extraordinary. "Let me see." Roger stepped forward, his expression more solemn than ever before.
He crouched down, carefully examining Luffy's injuries, his brow furrowed. "Troublesome thing—kid, you'd better hang in there!"
Just then, Roger's body blurred very slightly at the edges.
He was like a poorly signaled image, with extremely tiny, golden specks of light that seemed about to drift away.
Although things stabilized immediately, this subtle change was noticed by Zoro, Sanji, and King Neptune, who were very close by.
"Mr. Roger?" Sanji's pupils contracted.
Roger clicked his tongue, looked down at his hand that had just blurred, and his tone turned serious.
"Tsk—just as I expected. My existence in this world is thanks to the power provided by Luffy and the Holy Grail."
"His life force is rapidly declining, he is critically injured and on the verge of death, and the foundation of the contract is shaking. My own body—is also beginning to become unstable."
These words struck the Straw Hat crew like another heavy blow.
Luffy is critically injured and on the verge of death; even Roger, who is like a pillar of strength, might disappear because of this.
"How could this happen—at Skypiea, Luffy also—Uncle Roger didn't—" Nami covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes.
She recalled the terrifying experience of Luffy dying from exhaustion when facing Indra on Skypiea.
"Tescatlipoca was there that time, and he used a strange method to save Luffy. He even used his power to stabilize Roger halfway through."
Robin clenched his fist, his glasses rattling in his hand.
"But this time, neither that guy nor Crocodile came! There aren't many Servants of his caliber—"
Everyone's gaze instinctively fell on the corner of the execution platform.
Brooke stood there quietly, while beside him, King Hassan, who was like part of the shadows, remained as silent as a mountain.
Brooke sensed the gaze and turned to King Hassan, his bones making a slight grinding sound.
"Your Excellency—you possess the power to touch the boundary between life and death, could you—"
Wang Hassan slowly, extremely slowly, shook his head.
His voice resonated directly in the minds of Brooke and several other core members nearby, hoarse, deep, and carrying an ancient chill.
"I am an old man of the mountains, who holds the authority to kill, not to live."
"This poison is no ordinary poison; it damages the very foundation of life. To reverse life and death requires higher authority or the power of a sage who governs the realm of life."
"A saint—?" Robin keenly caught the word.
"Not bad." King Hassan's hood turned slightly toward King Neptune and Jinbe.
"Isn't a saint being summoned here?"
King Neptune and Jinbe both shuddered.
"You mean—Lord Noah?" Jinbe felt a burning sensation on the back of his right hand again, but his face showed deep distress and pain.
King Neptune took a deep breath, as if he had made an extremely difficult decision. He looked at the anxious Straw Hat crew, his voice hoarse.
"Noah—he is indeed on Fishman Island. But—"
"But what?! Uncle! Luffy is dying!" Chopper cried out, desperately pressing the bandage against the wound, but the purple marks were still slowly spreading.
King Neptune closed his eyes, then opened them again, his eyes filled with weariness and a deep-seated sorrow.
"Now that things have come to this, I have nothing left to hide. Lord Noah is not simply asleep or gone—"
"Upon his arrival, he used his immense power to stabilize the Fishman Island barrier, which was on the verge of collapse due to the attack by the Knights of God."
"Then—he sank himself into a special sea—the Abyss of Promises."
"The Abyss of Promises?" Nami asked, puzzled.
"That's a strange trench located deep within the coral forest directly beneath Fishman Island, guarding—important historical texts," the Right Minister explained in a low voice.
"When Lord Noah sank, he left a divine message: He embodies the principles of redemption and rebirth, and his power must be used in the right direction."
"Only when the Key of Destiny and the Pure Heart appear together, leading Fishman Island toward true reconciliation with humanity and a brighter tomorrow, will he awaken from his vow and unleash his full power."
"Otherwise, forcibly awakening or abusing its power may cause the Ark to deviate from its course, or even bring about unpredictable disasters."
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This passage contains a wealth of information.
Zoro gripped his sword hilt tightly, looking exasperated. "Damn it, do all these Heroic Spirits enjoy playing these riddles? It's the same as Skypiea!"
Robin immediately analyzed: "The Key of Destiny—a pure heart—reconciliation with humanity, and a new tomorrow? This sounds like a prophecy or a condition."
Neptune interjected, his tone heavy: "According to the information in Jinbe's mind, Lord Noah is the legendary saint who preserved fire for all living beings during the Great Flood."
"His ark, in the mythology of that world, was the hope of sailing to a new world."
"He sees Fishman Island and the future of humanity as a new route that needs careful navigation. We—we cannot easily disturb him, and we are even less certain whether treating Luffy's injuries is in line with the right and benevolent direction he speaks of."
"What right direction? What twisted logic of good!" Zoro roared, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Saving lives is the most important thing to do now! Where is that saint? Lead us there! If he refuses to save us, I'll use my knife to beg him to!"
"Green Moss Head! Calm down!" Sanji shouted, but his eyes were also filled with urgency as he looked at King Neptune and Jinbe.
"King, Boss Jinbe! Luffy became like this to protect Fishman Island and to protect you! Now only Noah can save him!"
'
"Are you still hesitating about some rules and prophecies?!"
King Neptune looked at Luffy, whose breath was growing weaker and weaker, and at the Straw Hat crew's eyes, which were almost burning with passion.
Looking down at his subjects kneeling in silent repentance, and then at Princess Otohime's dream—he gritted his teeth.
"Enough! Rules are made by people! Kindness is greater than heaven!" King Neptune finally made up his mind.
"The Abyss of the Covenant where Lord Noah resides is somewhat different from before—but more importantly, a key is required to safely enter and reach its slumbering core area."
"The key?" Franky asked.
"It is the key of destiny prophesied by Lord Noah," Jinbe said slowly, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
"I suspect it's closely related to the ancient weapon Poseidon. And this generation's Poseidon—"
"Princess Shirahoshi," King Neptune replied, his voice trembling slightly.
"That's my daughter, Shirahoshi. She's the Poseidon of this generation."
"Lord Noah once said that she is one of the keys to leading the future. Perhaps—she is the key to destiny, or at least the key to finding the key."
"Only she can communicate with Lord Noah, or open the path to the depths of the Abyss of the Covenant."
The search for Noah has become a matter of first finding Princess Shirahoshi.
Almost at the same moment, in the deepest shadows of Fishman Island, almost inaudible whispers echoed.
The assassins heard it too. Their eyes and ears were everywhere.
Ryugu Castle made a swift decision.
King Neptune publicly announced that, after investigation, the Straw Hat crew was found innocent and the assassination attempt was a conspiracy by a third party.
Fishman Island will immediately form a temporary alliance with the Straw Hat Pirates and the Cross Society to jointly deal with the enemy lurking in the shadows.
On the flagship of the Cross Guild, Doflamingo's image stroked his chin: "Fufufu—things are getting interesting. Kojiro, what do you think?"
Kojiro stood with his sword in hand and calmly said, "The aura of the Assassins lurking in the shadows has not dissipated; their goal is likely not just to create chaos."
"If the true Aquaman gets involved, the situation will become even more complicated. I am willing to go, firstly to protect the path to finding the key, and secondly—"
A glint of sword light flashed in his eyes.
"Let's meet those colleagues who are hiding their true colors."
Mihawk's image nodded slightly: "Alright."
Thus, a temporary team was quickly formed.
The Straw Hat crew consists of Zoro, Sanji, Robin, and Chopper.
They carried the unconscious Luffy, who was guarded by Franky on the Sunny, while Roger, whose health was unstable, also stayed behind to oversee the situation.
Brooke accompanied King Hassan in secret, but would not reveal himself except at crucial moments.
Their goal was clear: to travel deep into the Dragon Palace, to the hard-shelled tower where Princess Shirahoshi resided, and to find this crucial mermaid princess.
The passageways deep within the Dragon Palace are dark and winding, with pearls that emit a soft glow embedded in the massive coral rock walls, illuminating the way ahead but unable to dispel the heaviness that permeates everyone's hearts.
Luffy floated in a bubble specially made by Jinbe, gently propelled by Sanji. Chopper lay on the hull, his ears pressed tightly against the shell, constantly listening to Luffy's faint heartbeat inside.
Zoro and Robin stood guard on either side of him, their eyes scanning every shadowy corner with vigilance.
Kojiro, clutching his excessively long nodachi, followed silently behind the group, his presence almost blending into the surroundings. Only in his half-closed eyes did a sharp, hawk-like glint occasionally flash.
The atmosphere was so oppressive it felt like you could wring water out of it. The only sounds were the strange, low murmurs around them and the suppressed breathing of the crowd.
"Not there yet?" Zoro asked impatiently in a low voice, his hand still on the hilt of his sword.
Luffy's life is like a candle flickering in the wind, and every passing second makes him anxious.
"Almost there, just ahead." Jinbe's voice was deeper than usual. His massive body seemed somewhat cramped in the passage, but his steps were firm.
"Princess Shirahoshi has been living inside the Hard-Shelled Tower for some reason. It is the most secure sanctuary in Ryugu Castle."
Robin pondered, "Is it to protect Aquaman's secret?"
Jinbe nodded heavily: "Princess Otohime's dying wish, and Princess Shirahoshi's own overwhelming power—made her a target coveted by all sides. The Hard Shell Tower is both protection and—a cage."
"
They turned a corner, and suddenly the view ahead opened up.
In the center of an extremely wide circular hall stood a tower-like building cast from countless layers of hard seashells and a special alloy.
The tower is sealed off, with only one door that looks incredibly heavy.
Around the tower stood two rows of elite Ryugu Palace guards. When they saw Jinbe, they all bowed, but their eyes swept over the humans behind him with wary intent.
"Lord Jinbe, His Majesty the King has given the order. But these few—" The captain of the guard looked at Zoro and the others, especially the unconscious Luffy, and his face showed difficulty.
"They are the hope for saving Fishman Island, and they are allies I would swear to with my life," Jinbe said without a doubt.
"Open the door immediately, we need to see Princess Shirahoshi."