Jabun

"Promise? You suggest that I leave the fate of Hyrule up to mere chance?"

- Jabun

Jabun is a water and sea spirit in the shape of an enormous fish in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, implied to be descended from Lord Jabu-Jabu in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. He is the holder of Nayru's Pearl and originally lived at Greatfish Island. He only speaks the ancient Hylian language, though he understands the modern language as well. This makes it impossible for most people to understand what he says, but allows him to have conversations with others that know the language without anyone else listening in. As with other examples of the language, it is translated in the Second Quest.

Jabun is first mentioned as the spirit of Greatfish Island while the King of Red Lions is taking Link to find the pearls. However, once they reach the island, they find it in ruins and covered by a dark cloud, while the time suddenly becomes midnight. The King is worried they have arrived too late to stop Ganon from destroying Jabun as well, but Quill flies in and tells them that Jabun was able to earlier relocate to Outset Island, hidden behind a stone slab that can only be broken through repeated hits with bombs from a cannon.

Once Link obtains the bombs, he is able to destroy the slab. Similar to sea-based minibosses, the King slowly a large whirlpool while the same frantic music plays. Many bombs are required to destroy it, and it comes off in three segments. Once it is destroyed, the whirlpool disappears and the King sails in.

Inside the cave, Jabun surfaces and greets the King of Red Lions as "Hyrule King" in Hylian. The two solemnly acknowledge Ganon's return, and Jabun then asks if the King has found the Hero of Time. The King responds that he has not, but the Link accompanying him shows great promise. Jabun is initially dissatisfied with this, considering it a potentially unsafe bet, but after the King points out he's the only chance they have, Jabun concedes and says the gods shall decide his worthiness. From his angler lantern, he drops Nayru's Pearl, telling the King it shall act as a guidepost to the gods and dispel the endless night Ganon's magic created. Finally, Jabun asks the King if he has figured out the whereabouts and identity of the descendent of Princess Zelda, to which the King says that he believes so. Jabun is satisfied, and says she must be protected before diving back under the water.