"It's beautiful!"
Walking along the path of Fish-Man Island, Robin smiled genuinely.
"That glowing tree must be the legendary Sunlight Tree Eve, even taller than O'Hara's All-Knowing Tree," she explained, pointing to the giant luminous tree.
Kaelen's expression darkened slightly at the mention of O'Hara.
Sunlight Tree Eve channels sunlight and serves as Fish-Man Island's sole light source. The bubbles surrounding the island are also generated by Eve — an indispensable treasure said to have stood for thousands of years.
---
As they walked, most of the Fish-Men nearby shot them hostile glances filled with hatred — like wild beasts ready to pounce.
In contrast, the mermaids they passed were gentle and beautiful.
Ignoring the hostile stares, Kaelen smiled warmly at the mermaid sisters, his mood light.
"There's a café up ahead. Let's try some local food."
Pointing toward the 'Mermaid Café,' Kaelen strode forward alongside Robin.
"I'm curious how mermaid coffee tastes."
---
They entered the café to find it almost empty, the business clearly slow. Behind the counter, a green-haired mermaid named Camie squinted drowsily, a trickle of saliva at the corner of her mouth — just as seen in the anime.
Noticing their arrival, Camie blinked awake. "Welcome, what can I get you?"
"A cup of coffee and two shell cakes, please," Robin said.
Kaelen chuckled, "I'll have the same."
"Okay, please wait a moment."
Camie nodded and floated quickly toward the kitchen.
---
Just as they settled down, a cold mermaid with short hair and piercing blue eyes emerged from the back. She held a pipe in her mouth, radiating an icy aura.
Kaelen narrowed his eyes, recognizing her immediately: Shyarly, the café's owner.
Shyarly was a mysterious soothsayer who had accurately predicted several major events, never once wrong.
A few months before Whitebeard's death, she had foretold the outcome of the summit war.
Kaelen had always been intrigued by her abilities.
The two locked eyes, and Shyarly's brows furrowed slightly.
"It's you," she said coldly, her voice carrying a mature charm.
"Oh? You know me?" Kaelen raised an eyebrow, surprised. He was certain they'd never met — so she must know him from prophecy.
Robin listened, curious about the tension between Kaelen and Shyarly. A charismatic but cold mermaid and a powerful man with a mysterious background — was there some secret between them?
The atmosphere grew tense and silent.
---
After a moment, Shyarly spoke again, eyes complicated.
"I don't know you personally, but I've seen you in the prophecy. I didn't expect you to come to Fish-Man Island so soon."
Kaelen nodded, intrigued. "What did the prophecy say about me?"
---
Thoughts swirled in his mind. Kaelen himself wasn't sure what role he was meant to play here.
But judging by Shyarly's reaction, it couldn't be all bad.
---
Shyarly exhaled a cloud of white smoke and said bluntly, "I see you killing many Fish-Men, yet Neptune does not seem to blame you."
In Shyarly's vision during divination, a smiling man stood among countless Fish-Man corpses.
Then appeared King Neptune, looking grateful toward that man — Kaelen.
From the prophecy, Shyarly glimpsed familiar faces among those killed by Kaelen.
Many of them had long hated humans, led by Hody Jones of the New Fish-Man Pirates, secretly plotting rebellion.
The prophecy's scene matched recent events perfectly.
Shyarly's feelings were conflicted.
---
"The art of prophecy is mysterious, but the future is never fixed. Who knows if it will come true?" Kaelen mused with a grin.
If nothing else, the gang led by Hody Jones provoked him first and were justly dealt with.
Some things are inevitable, unless he left now — which was unthinkable.
These few arrogant Fish-Men were no reason to retreat.
---
His thoughts flickered with anticipation.
Hearing this, the corners of Shyarly's lips twitched, but she said nothing more.
A true soothsayer trusts her prophecies without question.
---
Kaelen looked at her and continued, "Would you mind showing me how your prophecy works? I'm very curious."
Robin's eyes sparkled with interest across from him.
---
After a pause, Shyarly smiled and agreed.
"Come with me to my quarters."
---
Join us on patreon to get access to chapters in advance.
patreon.com/Zphyr