Retake the Dragon Palace!

We've got to get to the Dragon Palace and stop the half-naked guy!

What does he hope to gain by opening the Jewel Casket, I wonder...

Who knows? But disaster and calamity are said to be sealed within! Even if this is a hundred years in the future, I can't let it be opened.

Otohime is obsessed with vengeance.

Vengeance?

Before coming to these waters, Otohime lived in the western sea. But the ruler of the western sea got mad at him and threw him out. It's always bothered him.

'N' that's why he came here. That's why he looks so strange to us.

Oh, I see...

It's terrible!

Turtle! What are you panicking about?

Did you find out what's going on?

Well, you see, there was this big earthquake like, and everyone was trembling and shaking.

Does that mean...?

Yeah, Otohime's trying to open the Jewel Casket! There's a strict guard up on all levels, so I couldn't find out all that much, but, I dunno... Maybe you can do something about 'im?

The reason the half-naked guy was able to capture the Dragon Palace is ultimately down to me.

I've gotta clean up my own mess!

I reckoned you'd say that, boss. Now, get on me back. I'll 'ave you at the Dragon Palace in no time!

Okay, then let's go to the Central Keep, where the Princess is!

Who are you? I'm not letting you through here! Otohime's orders!

It's a strict guard, just as Turtle said. I guess we've gotta force our way through.

If we cause a ruckus, the main guard might come out. We should search for another way.

Another way?

Wanna go down the fishing hole agin?

Give me a break...

Well, I will...as a last resort. But let's try something else first.

We're on lockdown. I can't letcha pass. Otohime's orders.

I swear I've seen this sentry before...

Who are you guys...

Step aside. I want to speak with Otohime.

You're Nagi, the Red Squid! Now I really can't let you pass!

Can you really not let us through?

I really, really can't.

Ya really, really can't?

I really, really can't!

You really, really, really can't?

Argh! What a peskily persistent party! If yer wanna pass, you know the drill!

We do?!

Grease my palm, grease my palm. I'm not talking to you until you bring me {1} Atlantis Pearls.

That's one greedy sentry!

But it looks like we've got enough. Let's get through and stop the half-naked guy.

Is this still not enough? We've got to gather some more Atlantis Pearls.

You ain't learned yer lesson! I can't letcha through no matter how much ya...

Yes.

Huh?

Woohoo! That's an amazing number of pearls!

Urgh! I-I think I'm gonna faint. I'll remember this!

He's gone... And he's left the Atlantis Pearls.

But now we can get inside.

Now we can go and stop Otohime...

We gotta stop him doin' whatever he wants with the Dragon Palace!

Okay then, let's go!

As I thought, the final piece is missing. Power is leaking out, but the seal remains in place...

Hold it right there! You're not gonna open that Jewel Casket!

So, you survived your brush with death by barrel, I see! Who would have believed it? But this is most fortunate. You there, woman, I welcome you here. As I do those who have brought you to me! Welcome all!

Welcome? You don't fool us, we know you've got something up your sleeve!

Haha, but I have no sleeves, impudent whelp! No matter how much you howl, you won't stop me.

By what right do you address me?! I am Otohime, ruler of the Dragon Palace! Pandora's Box is rightfully mine. I can do with it as I see fit!

Have you lost your mind! Your duty as Otohime is to guard it! What kind of Otohime are you?! I won't let you open the casket and release the disaster within!

Disaster?

Muahahaha! It is clear from your words that you have no idea of the contents of the box!

Inside is...nothing but calamity and disaster!

Enough already, before my sides split with laughter! In any case, the stars of fortune have shined on me. You are Sheila, are you not?

I have learned that I have need of you. Discard your weapon and pledge yourself, and I will spare your companions.

Spare them, you say?

Sheila!

Too bad. I'm an idiot, so I'm just gonna tell you what I think.

I don't think my friends are going to lose to the likes of you!

You damn right about that, Lady Sheila!

What a shame... You leave me no choice but to force you to submit!

Feel then the three-fanged bite of my beloved trident!

Inconceivable! My ambitions cannot end here!

Give it up, false Otohime! If you think everything's gonna go your way, you've got another thing coming!

Then you leave me no other option... Even if we must both perish!

Prepare yourselves!

Guh!

Urgh... I think I messed up.

Lady Sheila!

I'm fine. It's just a scratch. You should see the half-naked guy! Now, quit worrying and finish him off!

Muh...huh huh...

Muahahahaha!

Wh-What?

You've made your last mistake, Sheila! And now your lifeblood is mine!

My blood? What of it?

Of course, I was forgetting what a failure you were as Otohime! Your ignorance should not surprise me...

Well, it seems we need some...thing to remove the seal on Pandora's Box.

Some thing?! Stop beating around the bush. What thing?

You see...

We need the lifeblood of a direct descendant of the First Otohime.

Direct descendant?

The 28th Otohime, who ruled here ten years ago is no more! I got rid of her! Does this mean that I spoiled my chances with my own hand?

Sire, I consulted the archive and I discovered a most interesting fact. The woman, Sheila, who was here the other day... The more I research, the more convinced I become that she is the infamous 25th Otohime.

Wh-Wh-What?!

But I fed her to the fishes, too. So, once again I foiled my own plans!

So, when you appeared before me again, I had to laugh... Your stubbornness has presented me the miracle I required.

Wh-What? It can't be!

The blood of the 25th...and this the blood of the 28th on the teeth of my trident. It must be fate... A benediction of the goddesses...

You're not gonna get away with this!

The stars have aligned. Take me to Pandora's Box Hippocampus, my brave steed!

No! He's going to open the box!

The Jewel Casket!

That was the Jewel Casket?! And the giant sea serpent that has emerged from it, what's that?

That's the Disaster that was sealed within the Jewel Casket!

Look!

So the legends were true! The god of destruction that lays within Pandora's Box... Leviathan! Muahahaha... Now none can stand against me! Now I shall claim this power for my own!

Heheheh... Muahahaha!

NO! Did he...absorb the Disaster?

Yes, yes! I feel the power course through me! I feel as the God of Destruction must have felt! Fear me, as I rejoice in this power, mortals!

Would you care to see my power? Would you?!

Muahahahaaa! Such power! I revel in it, I rejoice in it! I have sought Pandora's Box ever since I was banished from the western sea, but... This power is greater than I ever imagined! I shall rule the waves! No, the seven seas alone are not enough... Yes, I know! The great iceberg floating in the far North... I shall break it and melt it... What a sight that will be! Ahh, but Leviathan's power has only just awoken. I shall linger here a while, until it fully awakes!

What is that?!

Is it a tear in spacetime?! Did he just tear a hole in spacetime with a single stab of his trident?!

Hehe... With Leviathan's power, it is the simplest of tasks! I must better acquaint myself with this power, if I am to rule this world. Now, farewell. You have my gratitude for all that you have given me. Muahahaha!

Dammit! He got away! He was saying something about seas in the far North... What is he planning?

He was talking about destroying and melting a giant iceberg there!

If he does that, the seas will engulf the world!

What?! No! There must be some way to stop him!

This is gettin' tuh be a problem... This ain't jus' the Dragon Palace's problem no more!

We have to stop him.

But how are we suppose to follow him?

Is this what I think it is?