It took a lot of effort to explain to Wadatsumi that Vander Decken, who had abandoned him, was a bad guy, and that they could help him find a good person to take him in—someone who would provide food and shelter.
Wadatsumi couldn't really tell the difference between good and bad people, nor did he care much. In that sense, he was a bit like Tom: despite having great strength, he feared being alone with no one to look after him.
So when he heard the words "take you in," "food and shelter," his crying slowly stopped. On one side was the bad guy who abandoned him, on the other, people who were willing to accept him. The choice wasn't hard.
But Wadatsumi wasn't stupid. He wouldn't believe Zhang Da Ye so easily unless Zhang Da Ye helped bandage his wounds.
So Zhang Da Ye wrapped himself in a bubble, grabbed Tom, and swam over to Wadatsumi's injured calf, fretting over how he was supposed to bandage a leg that thick.
Helping Wadatsumi was partly to prove they were good people, but also because hauling such a massive body back would be troublesome.
Wadatsumi's calf was easily four or five meters in diameter. Zhang Da Ye looked at the tiny medical kit in his hand and seriously considered tearing the ship's sails to use as bandages.
And that's when Tom showed his worth. Seeing Zhang Da Ye frowning, Tom smoothly pulled out a roll of bandages from the kit.
He handed one end to Zhang Da Ye to hold, then darted off with the roll, circling Wadatsumi's calf dozens, maybe even hundreds of times, wrapping it tightly.
Finally, Tom took the end from Zhang Da Ye, tied a knot, and looked at him expectantly.
Zhang Da Ye thought for a moment, pressed his hand on the knot. Tom happily tied a second one. Zhang Da Ye cooperated by pulling his hand out as Tom tightened the knot, allowing him to finish perfectly.
Because Zhang Da Ye was so slow, the whole process—knots included—took about thirty seconds.
As for how Tom swam so fast?
Why he didn't suffocate without a bubble?
How such a small roll of bandages was enough to wrap such a massive leg dozens of times?
And why his fur was still dry when he came back?
These questions flashed through Zhang Da Ye's mind, but he swallowed them down. As Tom's master, he shouldn't be asking such pointless things.
Zhang Da Ye and Tom used the same method to bandage Wadatsumi's palm, finishing with a neat little bowtie.
Normally, this kind of work would be considered a monumental task. But in the middle of that monumental task, Zhang Da Ye had managed to make a remarkable contribution.
Just like how he would one day, alongside the Golden Emperor Tesoro, control 20% of the world's wealth.
When they returned to the ship, Wadatsumi stared at the bandages on his hand and leg with amazement. "It's healed! It doesn't hurt at all!"
"No way it works that fast!" Zhang Da Ye blurted out. The description clearly said:
[Bandage: Tom's favorite bandages when he's injured, but his incredible recovery speed doesn't seem related to them.]
So how could it heal so quickly? And besides, Tom had only wrapped the bandages—he hadn't even applied any disinfectant or medicine!
"But it really doesn't hurt anymore, thank you little kitty," Wadatsumi said, sounding honest and simple. "Turns out you really are good people."
Tom puffed out his chest proudly. Being thanked put him in a great mood.
Shark Chili, however, felt a pang of guilt. He was the one who caused that wound. Now, after his companions had helped with the bandaging, even he—the culprit—was being lumped in as a good guy. That didn't feel right…
Rui Meng Meng said, "His way of judging good and bad people feels a little too simple."
"That's exactly why he's worth saving," Zhang Da Ye replied. Then he called out to Wadatsumi, "So, can you move now?"
Wadatsumi tested his limbs. "Seems fine."
"Then come back with us."
Artoria steered the ship. They had Fishman Island's Eternal Pose, so even though they'd drifted far away, they wouldn't get lost.
She handed the compass infused with the Peace Star back to Zhang Da Ye.
"Still active?" Zhang Da Ye muttered, taking it. "What if I ask it where the Final Island is?"
The compass seemed to take his words as a command. The pointer spun rapidly.
"It actually worked?"
But after two spins, the compass shrank back to its original size. The Peace Star attached to it crumbled into white dust and scattered like it had been blown away by wind.
"Tch." Zhang Da Ye wasn't too disappointed. He was simply curious about the secrets hidden on the Final Island. Not knowing them made little difference.
He figured when he drew another Peace Star in the future, he could try again if he wanted.
Wadatsumi swam alongside the ship, asking left and right about who his new boss was, whether they'd bully him, and other childlike questions. Zhang Da Ye patiently answered one by one.
He didn't mention anything about letting Wadatsumi push the ship along. He was worried the giant might accidentally pop the bubble with his strength.
Shark Chili took the chance to apologize. He didn't really feel there was anything wrong with attacking an enemy, but Wadatsumi was still a child—and now, kind of a friend.
Wadatsumi forgave him easily, on the condition that he perform his transformation again for him sometime.
On the way, Zhang Da Ye used the ship's Den Den Mushi to contact Neptune and explained the situation.
"Take in a giant child? No problem, I'll raise him well," Neptune agreed readily. Guiding people toward kindness was always a good thing. As long as Vander Decken was captured, everything else could be arranged.
The soldiers guarding the entrance to Fishman Island recognized Zhang Da Ye's ship. But when they saw Wadatsumi, they jumped. "Isn't that the legendary bald sea monster? Could it be that Mister Da Ye has been taken hostage?"
They hurried to Dragon Palace to confirm orders. All they'd been told was "Mister Da Ye will be bringing back a child, don't stop them." But Wadatsumi's size far exceeded their idea of what a child looked like.
Still, they were let through. Neptune himself arrived at the shore with an army, afraid Wadatsumi's sudden appearance might spark panic.
Queen Otohime came too, worried that Neptune was preparing like it was a battle.
"Why are the King and Queen here?"
"Is there an enemy?"
"No, looks more like they're welcoming someone…"
The people along the coast whispered. The Queen was often seen, but the King was rare. To them, his presence carried real weight.
Zhang Da Ye's ship surfaced first, with Wadatsumi poking his head up behind it.
As expected, his appearance immediately drew gasps.
"What is that? So scary!"
"Is it the bald sea monster?"
"Did they bring it here on purpose?"
(End of Chapter)
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