__________ POV Ashton__________
Is this one really a cub? I mean, it's extremely large and everything.
It might just be a specimen that has reached its adolescence. That would make more sense, I simply can't really see it growing even further.
Still, those nuclear weapons really did a number on the whale. It's pretty clearly blinded on one eye now, and I doubt it has any energy left to pursue us.
Well, I don't even know if it will survive from these injuries. I mean, the ancestral whale isn't supposed to have much regeneration.
"I think that settles it!" I shouted to Maha as the Tsunami went underneath the Ark and carried us even further from the whale that was still squirming in pain.
"... That was highly unexpected and extremely reckless... But I guess I should loosen up a bit, it could've been wors-" Maha was just taking a sigh of relief as another loud rumble stopped us in our tracks.
... What?
In the waters behind the Ancestral Whale that we had nuked, appeared two more shadows of similar size. No... They look even larger.
They rose to the surface, creating tsunamis just as large as the ones that the nukes created. I could see Maha's lower lip tremble as he looked at the situation unfolding in the distance.
I am honestly in no better state. I don't actually have any other nukes to use against them, I'm also unsure if it would even work on these now... They are supposed to be intelligent... Using the same trick twice... It wouldn't work properly.
"Well... Me and my big mouth." I said while showing Maha and Zeno a bleak smile.
"... Yeah. I regret coming here now." Said Zeno while releasing a sigh of frustration.
Now that I think about it, the Zoldycks got involved in this solely because of me. Therefore, it is my responsibility to make sure that they will survive this ordeal.
Maha didn't say anything, he only stared at the enraged beasts with a wary gaze. Then, a look of resolution appeared on his face.
"Ashton... Could you please take the younger members of the Zoldyck family in the same place as those civilians?" He said while still staring at the whales.
"If it's you, I'm sure you can outrun them on your own. I think I can at least serve as a distraction for a few short minutes." The old man showed no signs of hesitation as he prepared to sacrifice himself.
Zeno looked at his grandfather with a shocked gaze. He just gritted his teeth and said. "I can also help hold them back... I am no youngling after all..." He said with the same determination that Maha had just shown.
At this point, neither of them seem to care much for the rest of the people on board, but they are going to protect their family. Honestly, I can respect that. I think Silva would've insisted on remaining too if he was still here. But someone does need to calm down the civilians in the Ark.
Their willingness to sacrifice themselves is quite endearing. But...
"No can do. I've got you all involved in this mess. It is mine to fix." I said with a reassuring tone. But it seems they aren't really buying it. I just heaved a sigh and looked at the whales that had already started making their way towards the Ark.
__________ POV Narration__________
"This body of mine is old, it has been through enough. I guess it's time I finally let go of my longevity for good." Ashton's words seemed to astonish Maha.
He looked in horror as a black aura seemed to cover Ashton's body completely. He was unsure of what he was seeing, but then it clicked to him.
He could feel it. A large spike in aura, a frightening amount of strength was projected from the body of the old hunter. One much greater than what he had before... At least at first glance.
But Maha hadn't really felt the entirety of Ashton's Nen in the past. At least not to this extent.
All Maha and Zeno could see a silhouette, long hair floating towards the sky, a beard that seemed to be trying to follow it too.
Then, it just stopped. The Black Aura vanished revealing an aged up version of Ashton. One that they had seen in the past. The only difference was the white hairs that could be spotted in Ashton's long beard.
Both his hair and beard seemed to reach the ground, they somewhat hid his handsome features and gave him an aged, worn-out look.
"W-What have you done?!" Maha was no stranger to the way Nen responded to feelings, he had heard of people using it for momentary power like this... But to actually witness it himself.
Zeno was also left speechless. Looking at both his grandfather and Ashton with a serious gaze.
Ashton however, was calm. He looked at his hand, he had outgrown his suit, torn it apart, muscles were visible all over his body.
'This is slightly different from my previous transformation...' He mused as he clenched his fist and saw how his well-defined muscles twitched.
'With this strength... I could even reach my teacher...' He thought to himself as he stared at the sea in front of him.
There was no turning back now. He had been confident and arrogant in the past when he had first done this because he knew that he could regain his youth.
But now there was no spring of life to save him.
'I only have a few drops left... But I want to give them to Momoze and Pitou... I don't actually think they'd make a difference at this point.
He had just the same amount of Nen in his body, but his aura was much more volatile, it gave the people around him a different feeling than before.
Now, Ashton looked at the whales with a serious gaze.
"I guess I should test this out..." Using wind aspect, he rode the air and flew above the sea, he was standing right on top of one of the whales in less than a second.
He looked down at the being that had just put the lives of those he was protecting in peril. His gaze didn't show any disdain, it didn't show any arrogance. It just showed a cold mask.
That mask hid a rage that the family of ancestral whales were about to feel in its entirety.
He heaved a sigh, spreading his Nen around in that small part of the sea with every breath he took.
Then, with one last sigh, followed by a smile, ~BOOM~ The air itself combusted in searing hot flames, razing and evaporating the sea all around the whales...
Maha and Zeno watched with wide eyes and bated breath as steam covered the entirety of the sea, it was a frightening sight, but even then. The thick steam couldn't hide the raging flames behind it.
They could feel the stench of burned flesh then the distinct smell of overcooked meat, charcoal.
After a few minutes, the steam dispersed in an unnatural way, revealing a stationary Ashton standing in the middle of a whirlpool, as the sea tried to fill in the spots that had evaporated due to the flames.
There was no sight of the whales... Then they reached the surface, carcass after carcass, bits and pieces of black flesh and bones.
There was no life left to speak of in that small pocket of the sea. And there were no ancestral whales left to speak of.
As for Ashton...
Well, he used Wind Aspect to cut off the excess hair and then flew back to the ship.
On his mind a single thought was present... 'I guess I need to accelerate my plans now... This body won't hold out for much longer...'
_______________________________________________
Hope you liked the chapter!
If u want to support me look up VeganMaster on Patre_on:
Discord: