[129] : Otohime

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A faint smile played on Arthur's lips.

He knew Otohime could hear his thoughts, but he didn't care.

Secrets were useless unless they translated into action. What did it matter if she knew his plans? They were just thoughts—meaningless without the power to execute them.

Besides, he could simply... not think. If she could hear his thoughts even when he wasn't actively thinking, that would be truly impressive—and slightly terrifying.

But regardless, having someone listen in on your private thoughts wasn't exactly pleasant.

——

"Otohime, If you keep listening to my thoughts—I'll kill Neptune—right here, right now!" He projected the thought with malicious intent, his face remaining impassive, a serene mask that hid the turmoil within.

Images of utter destruction flashed through his mind—Raigo, obliterating Fish-Man Island, the screams of dying Fish-Men and merfolk, the carnage, the blood...

Otohime gasped, stumbling backward, her face pale, her eyes darting away from Arthur's. She couldn't meet his gaze.

Her kind heart, her optimistic nature, her unwavering belief in the good in everyone—it couldn't withstand the sudden onslaught of such horrific images, such brutal violence. She was strong—just to remain standing.

"IS THIS HOW FISH-MAN ISLAND TREATS ITS GUESTS??" Arthur's voice was cold, his eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them, as he turned to Neptune.

Tiger and Jinbe stepped forward instantly, shielding Neptune, their hands raised in Fish-Man Karate stances, ready to defend their king.

The palace guards swarmed, their weapons aimed at Arthur.

Arthur's smile widened, his tongue darting across his lips. "Planning to attack? Excellent. Let's see what Fish-Man Island has to offer."

"WAIT! A misunderstanding! Please!" Neptune rushed forward, trying to defuse the situation.

A battle here would destroy Ryugu Palace—And they weren't prepared for a fight with Arthur.

"Seabury D. Arthur, Fish-Man Island is not your playground!" Fisher Tiger's voice was low, dangerous. "A Devil Fruit user, challenging Fish-Men in the deep sea? That's not wise."

Tiger's temper was also legendary. He'd been remarkably restrained so far, not unleashing his fury on the human who'd threatened his people.

As an adventurer, he wouldn't back down from a challenge.

Arthur threw his head back and laughed.

"AHAHAHAHAHA! I do as I please! You fool!"

"Wise? Rational? I don't need those. A life lived cautiously, always second-guessing yourself? What's the point?"

"If Fish-Man Island doesn't give me a satisfactory answer today—you all die—here and now!" Despite the smile on his face, his words were cold, absolute.

"Arthur, do you really think you can defeat Fish-Men in the deep sea?" Jinbe stepped forward, his eyes narrowed.

He hadn't yet developed the pacifism that would one day define him, his loyalty to Fish-Man Island was fierce and unwavering.

Lightning crackled around Arthur, growing more intense. "Whether I can or not—We'll find out, won't we?"

"NOO! This is my fault!" Otohime, her arms outstretched, rushed forward, placing herself between Arthur and Jinbe.

"I'm the one who angered him. I listened to his thoughts, trying to determine if he posed a threat to Fish-Man Island."

"Otohime, get back here!" Neptune, despite his fear, wouldn't hide behind his wife. "I ordered Otohime to use her abilities. I take full responsibility. What will it take to appease you, Mr. Arthur?"

He'd yielded, recognizing the danger. He wasn't sure he could protect his people from Arthur's power.

"Appease me...?" The lightning around Arthur subsided. He pointed at Otohime.

"You'll do."

"What?!"

"Impossible!"

Neptune roared, the guards raising their weapons again, their faces grim.

"Don't get me wrong—I'm not interested in her." Arthur said bluntly.

Shirahoshi, her future daughter, was beautiful, but Otohime, with her round face and kind eyes—she wasn't his type.

"I just have one question. Answer it truthfully, and I'll leave Fish-Man Island in peace." He turned his gaze back to Otohime.

Otohime, relieved, her usual cheerful demeanor returning, seemingly unfazed by Arthur's insult, said, "As long as it doesn't involve violence, I'll answer anything."

"Your Observation Haki—this ability to hear people's thoughts—how far does it reach? Have you always had it?" Arthur asked.

He wanted to understand the breadth and depth of her abilities. She possessed an innate form of Observation Haki, but did her ability to hear thoughts grow stronger with use? What were its limits?

He was curious about the different applications of Observation Haki.

His range was unmatched, but he couldn't see the future—or hear people's thoughts.

On Skypiea—Enel's "Mantra" training manual had outlined these possibilities. Arthur, at the time, had thought he could simply follow the instructions and master those advanced techniques.

But he'd been naive. The manual only offered vague concepts, lacking the true core principles—a realization that came only after he'd deepened his own understanding of Haki.

He was confident he could eventually see glimpses of the future. He had the potential—those flashes of premonition were proof. With enough training, he'd master it.

And then there was Future Sight, the ability to perceive not just auras and emotions—but detailed images of the future, like watching a movie. It was the ultimate surveillance tool.

He'd only scratched the surface of that ability, seeing blurry figures, sensing auras and emotions, using the flow of air and subtle shifts in the environment to make predictions. True Future Sight—that was a level of mastery he hadn't yet achieved.

As for hearing thoughts?

He had no idea how to develop that—Only a single theory.

Could he manipulate brainwaves with his Electromagnetism—giving him access to others' thoughts?

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