If it weren't for Arceus's presence, she would have been dead over ten years ago, or rather, in Misu's heart, she already considered herself dead.
Arceus became her new faith and her new solace. In the Arceus Sect, she seemed to be the most rational one, yet her faith was the closest to madness.
For her, faith was greater than life, and she was willing to die for it, having already lost all attachments to the world. Such a state allowed her to unleash the full power of the Bitter Blade.
Misu's aura became unfamiliar, and even Tiger felt a chill.
Though it was a fire attribute technique, Tiger felt no warmth, and the demonic fire emanating from the Seven-Star Sword was already covered by the flame of Ceruledge, and Saka was pierced by the blade on Misu's arm.
Though pierced by the blade, there was no trace of blood at the wound, only the emblem of the Seven-Star Sword was completely shattered.
"Sister Misu... didn't you promise Miss Maya not to harm this person?"
"I didn't harm him, it's just that it looks frightening."
Misu took two steps back, and Saka slumped to the ground as if drained, with no visible wounds on his chest.
This was a capability of Ceruledge's own Ghost Type abilities; many Ghost Types could do this, using their spirit body to evade physical harm. Misu had just used this ability.
Of course, she also had ways to harm the flesh, but she hadn't used them just now.
Then Misu swung her sword a few times into the air, cutting down the will that escaped from Saka's body, absorbing the energy dissipated by the Seven-Star Sword.
This meant that the Seven-Star Sword, this Demon Blade, had vanished from this world, and the incidents of its temptation would never occur again.
Then Tiger carried Saka, and Misu took the fragments of the Seven-Star Sword back to Maya and the others' camp.
...
"Granny, we have fulfilled the agreement, now about that matter?"
"There's no need for you to worry, just now, those three gemstones shattered on their own, and with the disappearance of the Seven-Star Sword, perhaps they no longer had a purpose."
Ever since Misu dealt with the Seven-Star Sword, those three gemstones had shattered on their own, leaving their true mystery unknown.
And with the shattering of the gemstones, the radar in Misu's hand finally returned to normal. Following the radar's signal, Misu and Tiger arrived at a lake.
"It should be below, Lord Tiger, I leave it to you."
"Understood."
With the precise location, Tiger quickly found a very special Plate at the lake's bottom, his search method being quite simple—just punching underwater.
Being a Fishman, his punching strength wasn't impaired by water, and with this traditional method, Tiger quickly found the Plate-like object from the lakebed muck.
Then Misu and the others had a discussion about the new faith matter and left with Tiger, taking the members of the Knight Order.
What Saka's life will be post-recovery, and what the island's future holds, was no longer their concern for the time being.
While deciding their next destination, they occasionally resorted to dart throwing to choose where to go, simplifying their return journey significantly.
Despite having traveled far, returning to Ghost Island required a considerable amount of time.
During this period, Tesoro completed a new setup, having Cavendish eliminate numerous pirates as proof of his "repentance," attributing all his actions to his inner character through contacts with news agencies.
Cavendish was painted as a pitiful "mentally unstable individual," resolving the issue of his bounty through upper-echelon economic maneuvers, yet beginning Cavendish's own hellish experience.
Once known chief for his looks, he couldn't afford to be unskilled as he embarked on an entertainer career, learning arts from various teachers to start a new trainee journey.
Meanwhile, significant gains were made in the Fishman Mining Company.
During a seabed excavation, Wadatsumi discovered a Poneglyph from an underwater ruin.
Since the disposal of Vander Decken IX, large-sized Fishman Wadatsumi was recruited to repay past wrongs through "labor."
His size allowed immense workload capability, often solo-managing an entire mining district.
Upon clearing a foot-obstructive stone, Wadatsumi discovered the enigmatic Poneglyph.
Finally, it was sent to New Fishman Island, and upon Tiger's return, transferred to him, who took it and the discovered Plate to Wano Kuni.
...
"Lord, your followers have finally brought you what you need, may our actions lay the foundation for New World's arrival, and let your glory reappear soon."
As the Plate neared Wano Kuni, it was summoned by its master, returning into Arceus, who upon this occurrence, exuded a much deeper presence.
The return of every Plate brought about a shift in aura, with this steadiness and weight precisely owing to the privilege of the Earth Plate.
It also implied that the fourteenth Plate's attribute was Ground.
"Well done, you all rightfully deserve a reward. Misu, what do you want?"
"Lord, I desire nothing. The search for your needs is our mission, a mere insignificant contribution, and the only thing we can do."
"Alright, I understand. Should you need anything in the future, let me know. This promise stands indefinitely."
Misu chose nothing, but Arceus couldn't refuse to give—years of established rules couldn't go to waste, and the Holy Temple Knights, including Tiger, were to receive their due rewards.
"Tiger, you have proven your capability, and you're entitled to a new ability."
Misu already possessed abilities, hence beyond enhancement, there were additional promises, but Tiger was different.
In years prior, he felt unworthy for lack of achievement, yet now, having found crucial items alongside Misu, he qualified for abilities.
Besides Plates, Tiger brought the Poneglyph, significant but not a Roadsign Poneglyph.
"You are now Fishman Island's mightiest, do you have the resolve to protect Fishman Island?"
"Of course, enabling my people to stand equally in the sunlight has always been my goal."
"Excellent, then this power is yours, the power befitting a Hero of the Sea."