By the time the Poseidon returned to Param Island, the sun was already up.
"We'll split up for a while. Will, go to the market. Charles, check the tavern. Anna said she was popular here seven years ago, so some people might still remember her. If we search separately, we might find some clues. I'll try my luck at the castle first."
With tasks assigned, the three of them set off.
Param Island was a bustling place. The marketplace was crowded, and vendors' cries filled the air. Will approached a fish stall and started chatting with the owner.
"Hello, sir!"
"Oh, you want to look at the fish? They just arrived this morning…?" The owner, clearly inexperienced at talking to customers, looked confused.
"I don't think I'm here to buy fish…"
The owner frowned immediately. "If you're not buying, then don't stand here blocking my business!"
Will hesitated.
"If you're not buying, don't ask the price. I don't have time to play with you."
"Then I'll buy something."
"Hey, little brother, which one do you like? Do you need help?"
After some thought, Will pointed to a shark. "I'll take this one. How much is it?"
The owner froze. Seeing Will's dorsal fin nearly identical to the shark's, he was bewildered. "Are you here for your brother? Listen, I didn't kill it. I just sell the fish. The crew handles the butchering. If you want revenge, you've got the wrong person."
Will, sweating profusely, quickly explained: "Boss, you misunderstand. I'm an orca, not a shark. No, I'm a fishman, not a fish. Just cut me a piece."
"You scared me! I thought you were here for revenge. Ten thousand cups of Baileys, please!"
Will took the shark fin and continued, "Boss, I want to…"
"What else do you want, little brother?"
Will was interrupted repeatedly. Frustrated, he finally grabbed the stall owner and started yelling at him.
The owner was terrified. He never imagined that after a lifetime of selling fish, he would be threatened by a fish.
"Why do you have corns on your feet? What are you trying to ask?"
"I want to know if you know Miss Anna, the Count's daughter."
"Hmph! What do you want? Miss Anna passed away a long time ago." The stall owner looked at Will unhappily.
Will, ecstatic, blurted out the truth without thinking: "Anna is not dead. Her soul is on Doll Island, but she can't find her body. I'm here to help her find it."
The stall owner's face darkened with anger. He shouted, "You bastard! How dare you desecrate the dead! Everyone, come! This fish seller is spreading rumors that Miss Anna became a spirit. Let's teach him a lesson!"
Naive Will was clearly not suited for gathering intelligence. After this encounter, he successfully angered the villagers and was chased down several streets by a mob wielding brooms, pans, and benches. He managed to escape—taking the shark fin with him.
Meanwhile, Charles wandered through the streets and eventually reached the city's outskirts and slums. Since Leo said Miss Anna was highly regarded among locals, Charles decided to ask the poor residents for information.
At this time, the men were all out working, leaving only women at home. Charles approached a girl washing clothes by a stream and struck up a conversation.
"Hi, miss. Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"I'm busy, go away!"
Charles: "…"
The girl was stubborn, but he liked that. Chewing on a blade of grass, he lounged on the grass, striking a cool pose. "Do you need help? A lady's hands shouldn't do such rough work."
"Oh! You came!"
Hmm? Why aren't you following the usual rules? Charles felt annoyed, but since he had spoken, he grabbed the girl's dirty clothes and began washing them in the stream.
The girl found it amusing. "You're funny. You help someone else with their laundry—I've never seen this before."
"How is this flirting? I'm serious. A beautiful girl like you shouldn't be doing heavy chores."
"What else can I do if not this?"
Charles paused, then noticed yellow wildflowers by the stream. Inspiration struck: "Why don't you pick some flowers and make a garland?"
"Hehe, handsome, you don't usually meet girls, do you? I must say, your youthful appearance is very charming."
"Urusai! Why is Charles so handsome yet has no girls around?"
"Even if you're ordinary-looking, a truly handsome man should be like Count Tommy." The girl's eyes sparkled as she mentioned the Count.
"Hmph! I won't wash anymore. You, as a woman, have no taste."
"Hehe, jealous? Don't be angry. I'll listen to you. Go pick wildflowers, and I'll finish the laundry."
Soon, Charles had washed a whole tub of dirty clothes. The girl returned with a bouquet: "Here, these wildflowers are for you. Thanks for washing my clothes."
"Huh? Are you insulting me? How could I accept flowers from a lady?"
"Then do you want them or not? If not, I'll throw them away."
Charles had no choice but to accept. Excited, he exclaimed, then thought of a new idea: "It's almost noon. I'll treat you to a meal!"
"Finally, you want to flirt and invite me to eat?"
"Yes. Where do you live? I'll cook for you!"
"Ah, you're improving. You don't want to leave after dinner?"
"Oh, I didn't mean that. These wildflowers are edible. I'll use them to cook for you."
The girl eyed Charles suspiciously. "Huh? Wildflowers can be eaten?"
"Really? I'm a chef. I'll cook a meal. In return, you just answer one question."
"What question?"
"Do you know Miss Anna? Tell me everything you know."
"Miss Anna? You mean Sister Annabelle? Why are you asking about her?"
"You really know her? Please tell me—it's very important."
The girl rolled her eyes but smiled. "Okay, follow me home. I'll tell you after dinner."
Soon, the kitchen filled with the aroma of cooking. Charles prepared a large meal. The girl's eyes widened as the smell stimulated her appetite.
"Can you tell me now?"
"Wait, I said after dinner."
"Then hurry and eat."
"Wait for my husband. We'll eat together."
"You're married? Then…"
Before Charles could speak, a cheerful voice came from outside. "Darling Loris, what delicious food did you make today? I can smell it from several streets away."
"Oh, you're late today! The food will get cold if you're later."
"Don't mention it. Today, at the market, a nasty fish vendor slandered the late Miss Anna. We chased him for a long time, but he got away. If I see him again, I'll kill him."
"Oh? Again with Miss Anna. Darling, there's a scapegoat… oh no, a chef trying to find out about her. Huh? Charles, Charles, where did he go?"
Leo leisurely approached the Count's castle but was noticed by the guards before getting close.
"Kid, this is the Count's castle. Go play somewhere else."
As Leo was being escorted away, the gates opened. A young, handsome man exited. The guards immediately stood at attention, shouting, "Count!" The young man smiled and nodded, then climbed into a carriage.
Leo observed the Count thoughtfully before approaching the guard who had sent him away.
"Was that the Count? He looks so young. Can someone that young really be a Count?"
"Tch! Kid, listen. Don't underestimate the Count just because he's young. Since his ascension, Param has prospered. The government promised to build a naval base here, so pirates won't dare trouble us again."
Leo quietly handed a note to the guard, Bailey. "Incredible… but I heard the Count had a beloved sister. Why didn't she inherit the title?"
The guard glanced around nervously and lowered his voice. "Shh… don't mention Miss Anna here. It's a wound the Count can never forget. Seven years ago, Miss Anna died unexpectedly. The old Count grieved so much he lost two more relatives in just two years. To avoid upsetting him, no one dares speak of Anna."
Hmm? It seems reasonable. But considering Leo's experience as a horticulturist, unease grew. "How exactly did Miss Anna die?"
The guard hesitated, then told Leo: "Seven years ago, there was a shipwreck. Mr. Tommy—now the Count—found Miss Anna's body. Outsiders shouldn't spread this story; villagers dislike discussing it."
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All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "One Piece: Shadows of the Throne" is 30 chapters ahead there