#374 - Chapter 374 Cat and Mouse
Queen Otohime watched as Jin An disappeared in an instant, a hint of helplessness and disappointment welling up in her heart.
Before she could express her gratitude, he had already gone far away.
She sighed softly, silently praying that Jin An would be safe and successful.
Standing beside her, the little mermaid Shirahoshi stared intently at the spot where Jin An had vanished, her eyes sparkling with endless admiration and longing.
Her big eyes shone like stars in the night sky, as if she had witnessed an incredible miracle.
She couldn't help but exclaim softly:
"So amazing."
Her voice was filled with respect and admiration for Jin An.
Queen Otohime looked down at her daughter, and seeing her adoring expression, she couldn't help but smile gently.
Shirahoshi's innocence and purity brought her comfort, and she became even more determined to protect this pure daughter and the sea she cherished.
Jin An's departure left Queen Otohime feeling somewhat disappointed, but she understood that someone like him had more important things to accomplish.
She watched him disappear into the distance, silently praying for his safe journey and for the sea to be more peaceful because of his presence.
Meanwhile, as Jin An rapidly traversed through space, his mind flashed back to what he had sensed with his Observation Haki regarding what Baskerville Jaws had done.
He finally remembered why Baskerville Jaws seemed so familiar; it turned out he was an old acquaintance.
"I didn't expect this guy to avoid being caught and thrown into Impel Down, and instead join some organization."
"I wonder if Blackbeard will be disappointed to lose this subordinate."
When he reappeared, Fish-Man Island was nowhere to be seen.
Jin An stood on a high ground, overlooking the surrounding scenery, his eyes reflecting the view before him.
He narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercing through layers of sea fog, watching the distance.
His gaze landed on a pirate ship that had just emerged from beneath the sea, the ship covered in a thick coating, as if leaping from the shadows of the deep sea into the light.
The water droplets on the ship reflected silver light in the sunlight, and Baskerville Jaws stood on the deck, looking a bit tired, but even more relieved.
He took a deep breath, as if trying to fill his chest with the air of freedom, and after a long sigh, a twisted smile appeared on his face.
"The scent of freedom is so sweet."
He murmured to himself, his voice revealing a sense of satisfaction and intoxication after experiencing life and death.
Having gone through trials where he almost died, he could better appreciate the joy of living in this world.
He then took out a Den Den Mushi from his worn pocket, gently stroking the strange patterns on the Den Den Mushi, a hint of coldness and determination in his eyes.
"This is Baskerville Jaws,"
he said softly to the Den Den Mushi, his tone carrying a hint of unwillingness and helplessness,
"This time the sea mission has failed, I am willing to go back and accept the punishment."
A low response came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, and Baskerville Jaws narrowed his eyes slightly, listening carefully to every word.
When the other party's voice stopped, Baskerville Jaws nodded, his expression stern, as if he had accepted his fate.
"I'll head back right away."
After he finished speaking, he put the Den Den Mushi back in his pocket, his fingers tightly gripping the pocket, as if he wanted to hold on to that bit of cold determination.
He stood alone on the deck, with no one around, only the sound of the sea breeze and waves echoing in his ears.
Although he was alone now, it was not the first time he had sailed alone on this vast sea.
Years of pirate life had long accustomed him to loneliness and danger.
He turned and walked to the helm, skillfully adjusted the direction, and began to steer the ship towards its distant destination.
At the same time, Jin An stood in the distance, quietly watching the pirate ship sailing away, a sneer rising in his heart.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze as sharp as a hawk, locking onto the ship.
Although Baskerville Jaws had escaped Fish-Man Island, he couldn't escape Jin An's control at all.
Jin An did not strike immediately; he quietly followed behind the ship, like a silent shadow, stealthily tailing behind.
For him, this chase was a game of cat and mouse, and he had enough patience to wait for the best opportunity to completely capture this prey trying to escape.
His footsteps were light, as if he was one with the air, every movement precise and silent.
He knew that Baskerville Jaws' escape was only temporary, he would not let this guy escape easily, and now he didn't expect the other party to go back and inform that mysterious organization.
The sea breeze blew gently, carrying the salty scent of the sea, Jin An's eyes flashed with cold light, and the corners of his mouth slightly curved into a cold arc.
The prey was getting farther and farther away in his sight, and in this silent chase, he always maintained the distance between himself and Baskerville Jaws.
Baskerville Jaws sat on the deck of the pirate ship, leaning lazily against the ship's side, one hand casually picking up a piece of grilled fish next to him, his mouth gleaming with oil.
His tongue restlessly licked his lips, contentedly enjoying the food before him.
The sea breeze gently brushed his face, bringing a hint of salty moisture, the sunlight shone on his rough skin, the whole scene seemed like a piece of tranquil serenity.
But even as he enjoyed this moment of leisure, the clouds in his heart lingered.
Baskerville Jaws slowly chewed the fish, his eyes gradually dimming.
Remembering his failure on Fish-Man Island just now, his smug expression was immediately replaced by anger and remorse.
That beautiful mermaid who was originally within his grasp, he could almost feel her tender touch, even imagining the praise he would receive when he presented her to the leader, but it was all ruined.
"Damn it!"
He gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the wooden deck, making a dull sound.
Thinking of the leader's cold and ruthless eyes, his heart tightened, and a chill ran up his spine.
Although he always seemed arrogant on the surface, only he knew that the fear in the depths of his heart had never disappeared when facing the leader of that organization.
"This mission was originally a good opportunity to expand the organization's strength..."
He muttered to himself, his voice low, with a hint of helplessness and self-blame.
The organization was in urgent need of expansion, but it was really too difficult to find suitable newcomers.
He casually tore off a piece of fish and put it in his mouth, but found that the food had lost its original flavor.
He knew too well the leader's punishment for failure, cruel and merciless.
Every time he thought of those ruthless methods, his stomach felt as uncomfortable as if it were churning.
He irritably threw the grilled fish in his hand aside, and looked up at the distant sea, trying to use this boundless blue to calm the unease in his heart.
But that trace of anxiety and fear was like a poisonous snake tightly wrapped around him, unable to be dispelled.
However, Baskerville Jaws was completely unaware that danger was quietly approaching.
Behind him, on that peaceful sea, Jin An's figure was silently following him.
Baskerville Jaws was still regretting his greed and failure, but he was completely unaware that a silent hunt had quietly unfolded in a place he couldn't see.
And that person was the powerful enemy he had just escaped from.
