CHAPTER 132

Wei Na was taken aback—she hadn't expected such a charming mermaid to be a barista.

"That coffee shop must be packed," she mused.

"Belisa… that name sounds nice, very fitting for a mermaid," Regina remarked lightly.

"Now, you're completely safe. As long as you're with the Caesar Pirates, no one can take you away—not even the Navy."

Hades smiled slightly, his mood clearly lifted. Seeing his fellow fishman rescued brought back memories of the time he left the human auction house. For a brief moment, he was deeply moved. He felt genuine happiness for Belisa.

"Thank you, Hades."

Belisa nodded with a gentle smile. It was obvious that she recognized Hades. However, from his reaction, it was clear that he didn't know her. She must have learned about him only after he made a name for himself.

As the crew conversed, the Rex plunged deeper into the sea at high speed. They had already descended about seven or eight kilometers when, suddenly, in the pitch-black depths, an enormous tentacle emerged from the darkness, sweeping toward the ship.

Overlord's Haki—Taming the Depths! Arrival at Fish-Man Island

The tentacle was massive—several times larger than the Rex. The dim lighting of the deep sea only added to the crew's shock. Their faces turned pale, and their scalps tingled with fear.

Lily let out a terrified scream, her face deathly white. Wei Na's legs trembled, but she managed to maintain some composure, though her usual grace was absent. Even Regina, usually cold and unshaken, had a flicker of panic in her eyes.

Even Gnaly, the seasoned vice-captain, felt his heart tighten. They were nearly 8,000 meters below the surface, where the water pressure was crushing. If the bubble-coating surrounding the Rex were to be pierced, they would be doomed.

At this depth, if the ship was destroyed, only Hades and Belisa, being fishmen, and perhaps Caesar, could survive. The others would be either crippled or killed—especially the Devil Fruit users. Even Gnaly, as strong as he was, would be unlikely to endure the crushing pressure.

The difference between sinking in the open sea and being trapped in the deep was astronomical. Even a powerhouse might survive above water for some time, but down here? The pressure alone could kill them instantly.

Hades' expression turned grim as he locked eyes on the monstrous tentacles. Amidst the crew's growing panic, he spoke a name that sent chills down their spines.

"…That's Kurakon. The Giant Terror of the North Sea."

Gasps echoed across the deck.

"What? The Giant Terror of the North Sea?!"

Eli's face went pale with horror. He had grown up hearing tales of this legendary sea monster but never thought it truly existed.

"What's the deal with this Kurakon?" Brad asked, alarmed by Eli's reaction.

Hades' tone was heavy. "Countless pirate ships have been lost to its tentacles while heading toward Fish-Man Island. If we're not careful, we'll be next—swallowed whole."

Eli wasted no time. He rushed to the bow, switching the ship's searchlights to wide-beam mode. The darkness in front of them was suddenly illuminated.

Then they saw it.

A colossal octopus lurked in the depths ahead. Its body spanned over a thousand meters, its tentacles curling around the ship like the grip of a titan. The sight was overwhelming, leaving the crew in stunned silence.

The beast's tentacles tightened around the Rex. The bubble-coating could withstand the deep-sea pressure, but uneven force could still rupture it. If that happened, the crushing weight of the ocean would obliterate them.

Though the Rex's frame was made from Treasure Tree Adam, one of the strongest woods in the world, even that might not be enough to save them. They were at a critical moment—life or death hung in the balance.

Hades prepared to leap into the water. As a fishman, he had the best chance of fighting underwater, along with Caesar.

"Don't panic, I'll handle this!"

With a determined growl, he strode toward the ship's edge, ready to dive in. But truthfully, he wasn't sure if he could win.

If this were right after he had left Fish-Man Island, he wouldn't stand a chance. But after two years at sea, countless battles, and rigorous training under Caesar, his strength had grown tremendously. He had even learned advanced combat techniques.

Maybe—just maybe—he could take Kurakon down.

But as Hades tensed, preparing to leap, a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

"…Caesar?"

Hades turned, startled, to see Caesar standing behind him.

"There's no need for you to fight," Caesar said calmly.

A moment later, an invisible force radiated from his body.

Conqueror's Haki.

But this wasn't an ordinary burst. Instead of an uncontrolled shockwave, Caesar focused his Haki into a sharp, condensed stream. It shot toward Kurakon like an arrow, striking directly at its mind.

The effect was immediate.

Kurakon's massive eyes widened in sheer terror. Its entire body trembled violently, though it dared not move. Fear locked it in place.

The tentacles gripping the Rex froze mid-motion.

Silence.

Only now did the crew realize what had happened. A wave of relief washed over them. Eli, still shaking, wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"That… that was too close. I thought I was dead…"

Even Brad, usually unfazed, let out a nervous laugh.

"Right… I almost forgot. Caesar's Conqueror's Haki is on another level. No sea king in the world would dare to challenge him."

Caesar remained silent, his piercing gaze locked onto Kurakon.

Then, using his mental powers, he projected a simple but commanding thought directly into the creature's mind.

"Take…our…ship…to…Fish-Man Island."

Kurakon's huge eyes blinked in confusion. It understood the command, but how had those words entered its thoughts?

Slowly, it turned its gaze toward Caesar. The aura of dominance emanating from the pirate was overwhelming. The moment their eyes met, the beast knew—this was an order.

It nodded.

Then, to the crew's shock, Kurakon gently wrapped two tentacles around the Rex—not to crush it, but to carry it.

Hades tensed again, but Caesar lifted a hand.

"Relax," he said. "We're fine."

Sure enough, instead of attacking, Kurakon carefully placed the Rex atop its massive head. Then, with slow but powerful strokes, it began swimming toward Fish-Man Island, carrying them through the deep.

The crew watched in awe.

"…Eh?"

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