Chapter 212: I've Made My Decision
Luo Han had no idea what was going on inside Akatsuki 's mind. All he knew was—this woman… no, this fish—must be running a fever.
She needed treatment.
So Luo Han prescribed the cure with righteous conviction. "Stop dreaming. Our physiology isn't even compatible. It's never going to happen between us."
Akatsuki replied softly, "I'm 28 years old."
"Twenty-eight… so what?" Luo Han blinked. "You think turning 28 magically makes you human?"
"You didn't know?" Akatsuki looked genuinely surprised.
"Know what?" Luo Han was confused. Was he supposed to?
"I thought a bookworm like you knew everything," she said with a sidelong glance, blinking at him.
Luo Han's face darkened. The mockery was subtle but clear.
Will I ever live down this 'I love reading' lie? It always came back to bite him.
Seeing that Luo Han really didn't know, Akatsuki explained, "When female mermaids turn 30, their tails naturally split into two legs. They evolve from mermaid to fishman."
Then she added, completely deadpan, "By then, we can do all the things you and Aishi like doing."
"…Uh."
A few images flashed through Luo Han's mind.
He had to admit—for a split second—his thoughts did drift into forbidden territory.
But more than that, he was stunned. He had never known mermaids' tails could split into legs at age 30.
What shocked him more was how calmly Akatsuki , with her stiff face, could talk about… clapping with him.
How bold is she?!
Too bad she was just too big. Luo Han could technically make himself her size using his psychic abilities…
…but he didn't want to!
Was she actually serious? Luo Han peered into her eyes, trying to read her.
"What's wrong? Not willing?" Akatsuki asked. "I can tell from your eyes—you do want me."
She had always been sharp-minded. And due to her stiff expressionless face, she'd become highly analytical—able to read micro-expressions with precision.
She had clearly seen the brief hesitation in Luo Han's eyes when she'd suggested becoming his woman.
It proved that Luo Han had considered it, even if just for a moment.
And that was enough.
She believed that once she became Luo Han's woman, he would surely help her people establish a place on land.
If it meant aiding her people, she was willing to give everything.
While Akatsuki 's mind ran wild with conviction, Luo Han was having his own internal debate.
"Should I be a little flirty? Or stay faithful?"
In the end, he reassured himself—he wasn't some playboy. Since setting out to sea, he'd only shown a flicker of interest toward Sister Shao, and she'd promptly shot him down with, "I already have a man."
After that, he had never pursued anyone. He hadn't forced himself on anyone or used psychic powers to manipulate women.
"Yeah, this is all on Aishi and Akatsuki . I've just been passively accepting. I'm not a playboy."
Resolved, Luo Han turned serious and faced Akatsuki .
"Akatsuki , one more time—are you really sure about this?"
He could sense her resolve. Even if she didn't love him romantically, her desire to become his woman—for the sake of her people—was genuine.
Could an ordinary guy refuse a beautiful woman throwing herself at him?
Luo Han couldn't. Even if they couldn't do things right away, having her around was easy on the eyes.
In a world ruled by strength, being a little indulgent wasn't too unreasonable.
"I'm sure," Akatsuki replied earnestly. "Maybe I do have a purpose—you helping the fishmen—but my life belongs to you now. That won't change."
Just to be sure, she added, "Once I become your woman, I'll never betray you."
Not that betrayal is even an issue, Luo Han thought. With his psychic powers, no one could betray him. They'd just become loyal subjects.
"Even though you've made your choice, I want to make one thing clear."
His tone softened. "Originally, I wanted to invite you to join us after we found the Lantern Fish and fulfilled our deal."
"I've already included the fishmen in my Ark Island reconstruction plans. I even told you before—I wanted to invite fishmen to live there."
Then he looked her in the eyes.
"If you become my companion, it's only right that I help you. On my turf, no one will ever discriminate against or bully fishmen."
A powerful aura burst from Luo Han's body, covering the entire island.
"Because that's the law—I make the rules."
The moment those words left his mouth, every person on the island passed out cold, eyes rolled back.
…
"What's Luo Han doing?" Ellis frowned. That outburst of willpower was as intense as the one he unleashed back on Fishman Island.
Did Akatsuki do something to piss him off?
"Did something happen between Luo Han and Akatsuki ?" Sora asked casually.
"No," Ellis shook her head. "But it looks like they had a tough conversation."
From what she sensed, Luo Han's energy had stabilized again. It must've just been a brief emotional release.
…
Back with Luo Han—
After unleashing his willpower, he told Akatsuki , "So you don't need to be my woman to help your people. Just becoming my comrade is enough."
"That said… are you still sure about your decision?"
He stared at her.
"I'm still sure. I want to be your woman," Akatsuki answered without hesitation.
She knew there was a difference. A comrade was temporary—a woman was for life.
Only as Luo Han's woman could she truly protect her people, perhaps even forever.
She had read about the Lantern Fish and the effects of Pure Gold. If Luo Han got his hands on it, the benefit to the fishmen would be even greater.
After weighing everything, she'd made her choice—it was the most logical one.
"Since you've made up your mind, then I won't argue."
Luo Han nodded. "From today on, you're my woman."
Akatsuki gave a quiet nod.
"Then let's go back." Luo Han turned toward where Ellis was waiting. Akatsuki followed.
"Oh, right," he said midway. "Don't mention the Lantern Fish. And don't tell anyone about us either—for now."
"Understood."
…
"What happened?" Ellis asked as soon as they returned.
"Nothing major," Luo Han replied. "Akatsuki just couldn't help me find what I was looking for, so I got a little frustrated."
"Really?" Ellis raised an eyebrow. She wasn't convinced. Akatsuki was walking way too close to Luo Han—just like Aishi used to. A little too close.
"We've had a change of plans," Luo Han announced. "Do as you wish for now. I've masked all of us from the islanders."
"I'll be working on a new ability."
He didn't explain anything about Akatsuki or the Knock-Up Stream. He just mentioned what he'd be doing during the wait.
The three women were numb to this by now. Luo Han had developed so many powers it was hard to keep count.
"Whatever you want," they replied.
At this point, nothing surprised them anymore.
So, for the time being, Ellis and Sora roamed the island at their leisure.
Akatsuki spent her time in the ocean, trying to relay Luo Han's request to any whales that might understand—even if it was a long shot.
A week passed.
"Still no CP0 activity?" Luo Han wondered.
It was odd. He was out in the open, completely exposed. After attacking Mary Geoise, the least they should've done was report his location.
And yet—nothing.
Over the week, Sora had simply wandered around the island, even buying food and cooking for everyone. It was as if she'd forgotten she was a spy.
If Luo Han didn't already know her true identity, he might've been fooled. She showed zero initiative, collected no intel, and sent no reports.
The only explanation is that CP0 gave her a more critical mission—one so important she abandoned routine spying and focused solely on that.
But what could it be? Luo Han was curious, but didn't overthink it.
Right now, improving Kyoka suigetsu was more important.
How to enhance it?
He frowned.
Up until now, the ability worked by altering incoming sensory signals—like sight or touch—so the person perceived only what Luo Han allowed.
For example: if someone saw Akatsuki , their visual signal would normally register a giant fish-woman.
Luo Han intercepted that signal before it reached their brain, modifying it into the image of a two-meter-tall ordinary woman.
But this method had flaws.
While vision was altered, the physical presence of Akatsuki remained. So when pirates walked by and tripped over her tail, the illusion broke.
If this were Aizen's complete hypnosis from Bleach, this wouldn't happen, Luo Han thought.
He remembered the manga vividly—when captains thought they saw Aizen dead, what they actually saw was just his zanpakuto. Their subconscious even avoided touching the blade.
That's what made his hypnosis so complete. Even if they accidentally touched Aizen, they wouldn't realize something was wrong.
But Luo Han lacked that "subconscious avoidance" factor. The pirates hadn't instinctively avoided Akatsuki 's tail. So they tripped—and started doubting everything.
If he could implant a subconscious behavioral cue, people would automatically avoid suspicious areas, maintaining the illusion.
Sigh. Luo Han exhaled.
He understood the problem now. Implementing the solution would take time.
To reach Aizen's level of complete hypnosis, I need to start from the inside—tap into their psychology.
…
Over the next several days, Luo Han stopped paying attention to the girls and focused entirely on developing Kyoka suigetsu .
As a result, the pirates and residents of Jaya began experiencing strange events.
One day—
On the main road of a small town, a wealthy young man clung lovingly to a street sign.
He held it with both arms, eyes full of passion.
"Xiao Yueyue! Please, be mine. I'm the richest man on Jaya!"
He gestured down the street. "See that entire road? Every house down there—it's mine!"
"If you're with me, you won't need to perform in taverns anymore. Just collect rent every day."
His eyes burned with intensity. He hugged the sign tighter and leaned in. "Isn't that a beautiful life? Hahaha!"
"Mm… ah!"
"Mm… mm… ah…"
He was completely lost in delusion.
To him, the pole was a beautiful woman—and she wasn't resisting.
"Hey, isn't that Young Master Qikang from the Kaist family?"
"Who's Xiao Yueyue?"
"She must be gorgeous if Qikang is this obsessed!"
Locals stared with fascination rather than concern.
Luo Han observed with spiritual sense, speechless.
Is everyone on this island brain-dead? Nobody notices something's off?
In truth, they had noticed. They just didn't dare say anything. Anyone who mocked Young Master Qikang ended up at the bottom of the sea.
That was the Kaist family's power on Jaya.
"Huh? Why is my mouth bleeding?" Qikang finally noticed. He let go of the sign, frowning.
"Did you bite me, Xiao Yueyue?"
"No," the sign replied.
"No?" Qikang raised an eyebrow and leaned in to kiss again.
Later, he wiped his lips and checked his hand. Just spit.
"Why is it still drooling?" He felt something was off… but dismissed it.
Looking at his "gorgeous" Xiao Yueyue, he dove in again.
Eventually, Qikang grew dizzy and weak, collapsing backward.
Thud! As he fell, a flash of clarity struck—
"Wait… why does Xiao Yueyue look like a street sign… with lipstick marks on it?!"
Are those mine…?
And with that final thought, Qikang passed out cold.
(END CHAPTER)
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