The moment Neutral Grounds had all of its doors locked, everyone was ready to go. All of the cooking staff, including Orotsu, decided to head back to their homes. Orotsu would be able to help protect the home in City Z if anything else happened. He knew he could have helped them search, but he was too much in a cooking mindset for now. Once the crowds had fully dispersed, Blue Ripple suggested to transport those ready to search to the beach on the far southern side of the continent, but he didn't want to do the usual means of travel.
"Wind Crane, it's time we started to reveal our true selves," Blue Ripple said. "I know. You don't like it. But it's time. You knew this was bound to happen when you found me again."
Wind Crane clapped her beak with complete disagreement, and Zenchu now looked at her with surprise. "Babe? Were you holding out on me?"
"If Wind Crane Clan Mother does not want to do this, then she shouldn't have to," Mitsumi said. Saitama took Overgrown Rover from her and let Wind Crane press her beak into her arms for comfort. "I know. You don't like to show off how strong you are."
"But she must. I sort of…lied on a few things. It was for safety and to make a false trail," Blue Ripple admitted. Kamikaze now looked at him with shock. "Wind Crane, please escort all of us to this place to start our search…"
Wind Crane sighed with irritation, but she knew he was right. With a bit of focus on the mental coordinates, the wind swept around all of them into the form of a small tornado before dropping them off gently at the beach Blue Ripple had mentally given. Inichi was in shock. Fubuki's jaw was dropped with complete surprise at the sheer amount of power that was shown with little to no effort. Even Sweet Mask was with them and had no words to describe the power he was just shown. Did we just do a form of mass teleportation?!
"You could do that whenever you wanted?!" Saitama gaped. Wind Crane gave a bit of a sheepish, guilty look. "But…well…why were you locked away when you can do that?"
"It was her choice," Mitsumi frowned. "She was also very weak from lack of food. Remember?"
"Oh. That's right," Saitama said and gently pat Wind Crane's neck. "It's okay. You're humble. Like me. I like that."
Wind Crane warbled softly and rested her beak on his shoulder with appreciation for understanding. Kamikaze now walked over to Blue Ripple with Iaian, Spring Mustachio and Golden Ball following him. Tacki was in his arms, though, to keep her close. Blue Ripple looked at Kamikaze when he asked, "Okay. You lied about things?"
"I did," Blue Ripple said. "I have an idea of where your artifact is. I may have seen it on the ocean floor long ago, but I'm not sure where. And that's just the entrance to the temple it is held in. So, I propose a team of four search parties."
"Four?" Garou asked with Lily standing at his side.
"Yes. Tatsumaki, Inichi and Wind Crane can easily escort to the north, west and east to search above the land by air. I can traverse below the water south. Everyone will start their search south here to cover this southern side while branching out in other directions. However, I would like Mitsumi and Saitama to come with me. I can keep them safe in the water. Hmm…Zenchu, you are able to go anywhere in shadows. Stay with Wind Crane for tight searches. It's important to have at least one monster that can do such a thing with each group."
"I help!" Black Sperm said and made two more clones of itself to help with the search. "I am strong! Much stronger with food!"
"Good! Hmm. Fumio, come with me, too. I shall have you and Black Sperm with us. Keep the clones with the other two groups for quick searching," Blue Ripple said. Kamikaze was completely amazed by all of this.
"How do we form the groups? I mean…are all of us needed?" King asked.
"I can safely take King, Kianna, Genos and Kamiko. Of course, I shall also have Fubuki and a clone from Black Sperm," Inichi said. "Sweet Mask, you should return home."
"You think so?" Sweet Mask frowned.
"Yes. The artifact we search for is solely for Kamikaze," Inichi warned. "If we know we need further support, I shall reach out to you."
"That works," Sweet Mask nodded and looked at Tajima. "Shall we return home?"
"I think we can. Although, the night is a bit young," Tajima chuckled. "I'd love to see some intricate places."
"Oh? I have some ideas," Sweet Mask chuckled back and got transported back home with Inichi's bubble with her.
"Good. I don't think we need the super powered monkey club, either," Saitama muttered when he saw Eyelashes and Mountain Ape waiting for instructions. "They should go home."
"What?!" Eyelashes asked angrily.
"He's right. We are more than enough. Just like Sweet Mask, should we need support, I'll call you," Fubuki nodded.
"My girl is exempt," Garou said and held Lily close. Inichi was quick to start sending the other heroes back to their home in City Z.
"Wind Crane, are you able to take Garou, Lily, Bane and Zenchu?" Blue Ripple asked when it was just the primary group left. Wind Crane nodded lightly to show it was fine. "Good. Tatsumaki, you can search with Rendor, Flashy Flash, Iwasaki and the other clone from Black Sperm. This will keep the groups small for faster searches."
"Wait! What about me?" Kamikaze frowned. "My disciple and the other two? Even Tacki?"
"The problem is the artifact knows you are searching for it. If it is as sentient as the Sun Blade you carry, then you know of its true intellect," Blue Ripple said. "If you join the search, it will be harder for us. It will hide itself that much more. I am quite sure that the Sun Blade's prior owner had to act like he was simply exploring and came upon the blade by chance to fool it. You need to wait here. Once we find where the entrance is…"
"You'll get us. That's fine. I need to finish Lady Mitsumi's fans, anyways. Metal Knight has his robot here, too, and he's gonna bring me a crafting table. Child Emperor also has some ideas to make the production quicker," Tacki said.
"That I do! I'll help make the rest of the fans," Child Emperor nodded.
"What about me?" Suiryu asked.
"Wait here with them. Less for us to carry," Inichi said.
"I am honored to assist. Oh, ah, Blue Ripple, please accept Siren in your search. She can open many locked places and is virtually undetectable, too. If you find the temple, she will be invaluable," Metal Knight said with insistence.
"Ah. Yes. We can wait for her to appear," Blue Ripple agreed. "She can definitely travel with us. I need to get into the ocean. It is time."
"Okay," Tatsumaki nodded and lifted him from the tub with her powers to gently set him in the soft waves. He seemed to sigh with relief and exhilaration before ducking down into the deeper waters to grow to his full size. When he lifted his massive muzzle back up, those that didn't see him yet were shocked.
"So long…" he rumbled out and enjoyed the feel of salt water over his skin. "It has been so long since I last felt such water on my scales! Mitsumi! Come!"
"Okay," she nodded. "Do I keep your fans with me?"
"Yes. And you have my spine. Good," he said and let one of his fins act as a bridge. Then he paused when her crane fans levitated her up. Saitama was about to jump up, but her fans were strong enough to simply levitate him up with Fumio and Black Sperm. Now Saitama looked at Wind Crane's chuckling form. Once Mitsumi was settled on Blue Ripple, her fans moved back to the belts at her side. She was able to tuck her new fans into her belt with her the controlling fans.
"You and I need to have a talk. With Blue Ripple. All GOD monsters should have ground rules," Saitama said when he got settled on Blue Ripples back. Wind Crane clapped her beak with understanding. Blue Ripple adjusted his back fin spine to accommodate for seating arrangements. At this, Saitama asked, "Can you make yourself have legs?"
"I could, but I don't. I don't like land that much. I tried walking once. Too much dirt!" Blue Ripple snorted. "My scales were covered in it!"
"So…you could have caught that bear yourself?" Saitama had to ask.
"I was about to, but then you all showed up. It was a good way to test and see what you could do," Blue Ripple chuckled. "Hmm. Okay. I am giving gifts of water breathing to those that don't yet have it. Also, do not leave my side. The currents are very strong in certain areas. I know how to navigate through them. Just stay on my back."
"Can't you make something to help with that?" Fumio asked.
"I help!" Black Sperm said and stretched out all of his limbs to encompass Blue Ripple's body. Then he carefully wrapped his arms and legs around them to lock them down. "Okay!"
"You're comfortable like that?" Mitsumi frowned and let Overgrown Rover snuggle her and Saitama in its tiny form.
"I am good!" Black Sperm confirmed.
"I don't feel anything. We are fine," Blue Ripple said. "Inichi, make a group mental lock on myself, Wind Crane and Tatsumaki. This way we can share images of what we see together."
"Ah! Hmm. Miss Tatsumaki? Is this good for you? I can have Rendor do this on your behalf," Inichi asked.
"Hmm. Yeah. This way I can focus on flight and stuff," Tatsumaki nodded.
"That's fine by me," Rendor agreed.
"Communicators won't work?" Child Emperor asked.
"Not with the depths of water I may need to go to," Blue Ripple said.
"Oh! Okay," Child Emperor nodded with agreement. Metal Knight let out a small signal from the robot to show that Siren was almost there. Within another minute, she showed up in her normal body and flying over to sit behind Fumio. Black Sperm was able to wrap around her now to lock her down.
"I missed you all!" Siren beamed. "Metal Knight gave me a locator to make it easier for us to be found if something goes wrong. It's been proven to work at intense ocean depths. It's built into my ring."
"Very good. Let's go!" Blue Ripple rumbled eagerly and dove down into the depths with his passengers. Mitsumi blinked with shock, but she realized she was kept quite dry. She looked down and gasped that her gifted fin spine was glowing. Then Blue Ripple spoke from it. "This is another reason why I gifted this to you. You'll be kept dry with anyone close to you, and I can talk to you through this while I swim."
"GOD monster. I knew it," Saitama grimaced and got laughter in return.
"I do need to make a stop, though," Blue Ripple said and boosted his speed with a powerful side-to-side motion of his tail.
"Where to?" Mitsumi asked and pressed herself into Saitama's protective embrace. Overgrown Rover snuggled into them both with complete contentment.
"I mentioned before that I had a group of followers. They became denizens of the ocean. I wish to check on them," Blue Ripple said.
"I thought you gave them up," Saitama said. "Oh. I think I killed the leader. He invaded us and tried to take over places."
"What?!" Blue Ripple growled. "I told them to never touch the surface! They likely felt I was no longer one to follow when I took away various gifts on being so abused. This was also a few centuries ago, so knowledge of me may be lost. Or in old texts they may have."
"What do you plan to do? I mean…wouldn't it be best to leave them alone if they may have forgotten you?" Mitsumi asked and ran a caring hand over his neck. She heard him sigh in thought now.
"I may not approach them. I may only wish to evaluate them. If I sense anything of malice, I will make myself known. If all is well, then we shall leave them undisturbed," Blue Ripple said. Mitsumi smiled and felt him stop swimming long enough to reach his muzzle over to her and accept an affectionate caress. He sighed and resumed swimming again to an even deeper part of the ocean.
"Whoa…" Fumio blinked at the sight of towers filled with softly glowing lights. Siren wanted to investigate, but Black Sperm locked her down a bit more. Even he was unsure what could happen, and he wasn't going to risk anyone getting lost while he promised to protect them.
"I will lightly scan their minds. Remain silent," Blue Ripple rumbled and let out a low, sonic call for echo location. While this happened, the residents in the homes didn't feel anything. He was disguising his search like a usual harsh pull of the waves around them. He was about to leave until he caught one thought in particular. That was enough for him. "I must make myself known again."
"What happened?" Mitsumi asked and cuddled the tiny monster dog in her arms. "Blue Ripple?"
"Another siege is being plotted," Blue Ripple growled.
"Okay. Who do I have to punch?" Saitama asked.
"No one. Because I plan to eat whoever is starting it," he growled and swam in a rather silent way to where a massive gong was. There was no way to hit it, but Blue Ripple knew how to sound it. He let out a sonic boom that rattled the gong loud enough to sweep over the entire city before them. The result was all hell breaking loose.
"The Gong! It was sounded! The Great One has returned!" a fishy denizen squealed with complete alarm.
"No! That's a legend!" another shouted.
"Um…" a female denizen swallowed and pointed at Blue Ripple's massive bulk hovering over them all.
"Who is leading all of you now?" Blue Ripple asked calmly. His voice carried like a harsh echo over everything and everyone there. "It is true I took away gifts. They were being abused. I had left one rule to stand in place at all times. To not go to the surface. To stay here and prosper. Instead…I find out that rule was broken! Lives were lost! Nothing but death and destruction all over! Now that I am freed from a prison that kept me away, I came back to see if you can be gifted once again by me…and I hear thoughts of another invasion?!"
"Those are mine," a rather robust male of royal stature rose up to meet him boldly now. His face almost resembled that of a piranha with red lips and intense fangs in his mouth. His body was ripped with muscle and green skin with lighter belly skin was seen in the moonlit waters. Fins were all over his back, arms and legs to help with swimming. A small crown with a royal cloak of red fur adorned him as another had adorned his line of royalty before. "My sire went there and got killed! I vowed to find his killer!"
"Oh. That was me," Saitama nodded. "I punched him. His hits were weak. And he talked way too much. It was annoying."
"What?!" the male gasped.
"Yeah. He almost took out Genos, though. That was impressive. But…I couldn't let him hurt a bunch of innocent people. It wasn't right. There were kids there, too! It wasn't good. So…I had to kill him. I mean, that's what you would do if your people were threatened. Right?" Saitama asked with a small shrug. The lone figure of seafolk royalty could just stare with complete disbelief.
"And do you plan to threaten my people?" the royal figure asked.
"If you attempt to go to the surface, I will eat you. The others do not wish to go. But, if you force your hand, you know they will follow you. There is no need to avenge your sire. He was foolish. He should have stayed here to rule in what peace he had," Blue Ripple grumbled.
"But the humans have been polluting our waters!" the royal figure argued.
"Now that I am free and here…does the water not feel…cleaner?" Blue Ripple asked with amusement. Now there was a quiet hush from all over. "I thought so. Therefore, I shall make a small pact. Now that I know I am free of where I was trapped for so long, I will make it a point to swim over the city once a month for as long as it stands. I will purify the surrounding water and ensure food is plentiful. Will this work?"
"Ah…well…I mean…" the male denizen frowned.
"Please take his offer. I mean…he's my pet now, but I'll always ensure he does this important duty for you," Mitsumi chuckled and laughed at Blue Ripple's nuzzle of affection. "And I did not ask him to be my pet. He insisted. I have a very intricate past. Very hurtful. It's something that's still very hard for me to deal with. It's why I have so many wonderful friends and family now."
"What's this?" the male asked curiously.
"You know, you actually seem to make more sense of things than your dad did. That's a good thing," Saitama said with a nod. "It shows you may actually care about your people and not about war."
"Ah…" the male paused at the realization.
"We don't have much time. I have a monster brother by the name of Inichi. I will have him mentally speak with you. I would love to make an alliance with you and your people," Mitsumi smiled.
"An alliance? With humans?!" the water monster said with disbelief.
"I like that. Mandatory. Or I get to eat you," Blue Ripple seemed to grin with his catfish-like muzzle. "As you can see, the ones on my back are breathing in water like air. I gave them the gift of water breathing. I am still the same as I was then. Study your old scripts of me. I have returned for now. But I will keep to my promise of ensuring this city thrives."
"Just don't abuse his gifts!" Fumio said with a nod.
"I…was just now reached by the one with the name of Inichi. I see…I…oh…" the male blinked his large fish eyes and was quick to learn about Mitsumi's life. "Humans would destroy and foul each other?!"
"Yes…" Mitsumi frowned.
"Not even my people would…hmm…" the male seemed to frown. "I have much to think on. Um…"
"I will give you the gift to reach out to me for dire emergencies directly," Blue Ripple said. "I shall offer to extend a gift of invitation to where I stay with Mitsumi. Other monsters stay with her. They're not bad at all."
"That's great!" Mitsumi beamed.
"Yeah. And, eh…sorry for killing your dad. And stuff. But he started it," Saitama said. "I had to help finish it."
"Oh…well…in truth, I did tell him I had a bad feeling on the whole thing. He was adamant on taking over the land above us. He only saw humans as cattle. I told him to be more aware! Just to know that a human…the very one that is before me now has slain him…I just…ugh. Well...for now…I'll accept your apology," the male fish monster nodded.
"Okay," Saitama said with a neutral, blank stare. "Anyways, we gotta go."
"Where are you going?" he asked with full curiosity.
"We search for a lost building. I know where it may be. You lead your people to prosperous times again in ways of a far more peaceful time," Blue Ripple said and started to turn away from the city.
"Wait! Let me help you!" the male said and swam over quickly.
"Oh?" Blue Ripple asked calmly.
"If I am to form an alliance, I need to know who I will become allies with," the male said. "My people can tend to themselves for a time."
"What's your name?" Saitama asked.
"As my father was the Deep Sea King, I am the Deep Sea Prince," he said. "My father was the strongest of us all. I am second to him, but…if he was slain…"
"Yeah. One punch took him out. I wasn't impressed," Saitama said while they swam off quickly.
"A single…?!" Deep Sea Prince started to gape with shock.
"I said it before. I have no reason to lie about it," Saitama shrugged lightly and accepted a kiss by Mitsumi. He rested a hand on her belly and continued to watch the ocean floor move swiftly past them.
"When he punched, the very waves shivered with his force!" Deep Sea Prince said. "Did he not do anything to you?"
"Nope. He was just annoying. Talked too much. He tried to hit me in the head. I didn't feel anything and told him so. I think that made him mad," Saitama blinked at the thought. Deep Sea Prince was in too much shock to think and refocused on swimming with them.
"He can break my scales," Blue Ripple smirked to get the fish man even more shaken up with disbelief. "Trust me when I say it is best to be allies with this one. Don't question it."
"It's so dark around here," Mitsumi said when she looked around.
"I can see everything. Don't worry, Lady Mitsumi. You're not missing much at all," Siren chuckled and blinked her glowing green eyes.
"Where did your sire attack?" Blue Ripple asked while swimming over mountains sections of coral and schools of fish.
"I think he planned on a weak section of one of the cities…" Deep Sea Prince thought back to what was discussed.
"It was City J," Siren said. "I remember it."
"City J was where your parents were, Saitama," Mitsumi said softly.
"Ah. Yeah. Glad they were nowhere near that. I'd probably have wiped out your entire race if anything hurt them," Saitama said neutrally.
"What?!" Deep Sea Prince said with shock. "Well…"
"Be our ally," Mitsumi smiled and took out her controlling crane fan set. "I'm not sure how smells are here, but what do you smell on these fans?"
"Hmm…" Deep Sea Prince swam close to sniff carefully and found himself stunned. He had to recollect himself and swim fast to catch up to them again. "For a brief moment…I actually felt a sense of peace!"
"Yay! You woke up! Awesome!" Fumio grinned. He looked at Black Sperm's masked face and said, "I'd scratch your back, but it might disturb you. I'll do that later, okay?"
"Okay!" Black Sperm nodded.
"I woke up?!" Deep Sea Prince blinked.
"You're a true monster, but you only have thoughts of peace on your mind. Nothing about war and destruction. That is a golden quality of a true ruler," Mitsumi smiled and put her fans back.
"I suppose it came from my matriarch. She always did try to convince my sire to stay and lead his people properly. She perished some time ago. That was likely when my sire decided it was time. I tried to convince him, but…" Deep Sea Prince swallowed lightly.
"It wasn't enough. Was it?" Mitsumi asked.
"No. It was not," he admitted.
"Was anything found up above?" Saitama asked Blue Ripple.
"Not yet. Some beautiful landscapes, but not what we seek. I do believe we need to activate it under the waves…here!" Blue Ripple said and hovered over a coral encrusted mountain. "Saitama, I need you to swim in front of me and punch. I shall focus my sonic roar behind it."
"Got it!" Saitama said and kissed Mitsumi's cheek before moving to swim in front of Blue Ripple. He pulled his fist back and punched right when Blue Ripple let out his vocal shockwave. Deep Sea Prince could only stare with shock at the sight of all the coral deteriorating away from the intense blasts done. Pristine white marble was now freed from the prison of coral that held it from a top-most spire to show even more beneath the deep seabed of sand and silt.
"Punch towards the ocean's surface! Make a path for the moon!" Blue Ripple ordered. Saitama's eyes started to gain a fiery flicker from his pupils to show he was charged. He punched again towards the surface to make a vortex with Blue Ripple's next vocal roar. The water monster was quick to reach out and snag Saitama's cape before the created whirlpool could pull him away from the strong current.
"Thanks!" Saitama blinked and pulled himself along Blue Ripple's body to secure himself back down behind Mitsumi. Now they all watched the moon's direct path of light bathe the temple in full. It rumbled and rose up from the depths of the seabed to finally tower over the ocean in full, moonlit splendor.
It looked like pillars of carefully polished marble with flecks of silver all through it. Much like various unicorn shells, the tallest pillar had a single pinnacle of glowing light to reveal a bit of a beacon for any to dare to reach it.
"It's beautiful!" Mitsumi gasped.
"And now it's ready for us to explore it," Blue Ripple nodded. "Kamikaze will be fetched with the others now. It will sink back down into the depths when the moon is gone. We must hurry!"
"How will you travel with us?" Fumio asked.
"I can be carried," Blue Ripple nodded. "Inichi will bring my tub."
"I've never seen this…" Deep Sea Prince said with awe.
"Same!" Siren chuckled. "I can't wait to explore it!"
"Not until Kamikaze gets here," Mitsumi said with a small smile. "Let him have the honor of walking in first. He's been searching a long time for this artifact. Let him walk in with his disciple."
"Of course," Siren said and finally got a hug from her. "I missed you!"
"I missed you, too," Mitsumi chuckled.
"They'll be here within ten minutes. The water has settled all the way around the temple now," Blue Ripple said and let himself float up until he surfaced in full with his passengers. He swam over to where the large entrance was to the central shell spire, and he was able to side up to it to let them safely dismount.
"This would explain why the temple couldn't be found," Saitama mused.
"It was in the ocean! Such a wondrous thing," Mitsumi smiled.
"I feel it wasn't always like this," Deep Sea Prince said when he stepped out of the water. Now that his skin was drying, he reformed into a strong, muscled male with the same green skin and paler undertones. He wore a blue speedo, and his face now appeared to be far more human in appearance. Fin wedges lined his face, two small pink ovals were his eyebrows and he almost appeared to be wearing a white face mask with makeup. His lips were tinted a dark red, and his chest sported two small pink hearts on it. His red cloak settled neatly over his back, and his crown never left his head.
"Huh. You look almost like your dad. Not very tall. Probably still weak," Saitama said. When Mitsumi glared at him, he only grinned back.
"Stop that!" she scowled. "Be nice to him!"
"I am being nice!" he said.
"Not like that," she frowned and shook her head. Now she looked at Deep Sea Prince and said, "I'm sorry for my husband's lack of manners. He's still learning. A lot."
"What?!" Saitama blinked at her and got Blue Ripple snickering.
"Husband?" Deep Sea Prince asked.
"They are mated," Blue Ripple said.
"Oh! Ah…I see. It's fine. I still live, so I guess it counts for something," Deep Sea Prince chuckled. Saitama was holding Mitsumi close and studying the massive, ornate doors of the tower. As much as he wanted to punch them down, he also knew that Mitsumi would forbid it. She'll likely want to purchase this land and ensure this temple is safe. It could be used as another home, too. Maybe, if the Moon Blade recognizes this, we can do that. We just have to reach it first and convince it that it would be the best thing to do. Hopefully it already knows.