The air at the port of Fish-Man Island grew thick with a tension that felt like the crushing weight of the deep sea. Sasaki's sudden demand caught everyone off guard. King Neptune flinched, his massive shoulders tensing, while Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea, stood beside him with a look of pure disbelief.
"So, is that it? Does Kaido want Shyarly to make a prophecy for him?" Neptune asked, his voice trembling slightly. If that were the case, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. A request for a fortune-telling session was far better than the total destruction of his kingdom.
Sasaki, however, showed absolutely no respect for the King of the Sea. He stood by the shore, shifting his weight impatiently as he looked up at the palace officials. "Stop with the nonsense. Just bring the woman to me first," he snapped, his voice echoing across the docks.
Neptune felt a flash of anger at the pirate's rude attitude, but he forced himself to stay calm. He was a king, but he knew the terrifying power of the Beasts Pirates. Turning to his three sons, he gestured toward the city. "Go and bring Shyarly here at once," he commanded. The three princes shared a worried glance, but they didn't hesitate. They dove into the water and swam rapidly toward Coral Hill.
"Please, wait just a moment," Neptune added, trying to maintain some level of dignity.
Sasaki gave a sharp, satisfied nod. "Hm!"
While they waited, Jack's cold, intimidating gaze shifted toward Jinbe. The fishman was less than half Jack's height, but he stood his ground firmly. Jinbe met the All-Star's eyes without a hint of fear, his expression as steady as a calm sea.
Jack let out a low, guttural grumble. "You've got a good presence, Knight of the Sea Jinbe. Since you aren't a Warlord anymore, you're essentially a free agent. How about it? Are you interested in becoming my subordinate and joining the Beasts Pirates?"
The offer sent a ripple of shock through the gathered crowd. All eyes turned to Jinbe, waiting for his response. Jinbe narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing in thought. His instinct was to refuse immediately, but he knew the weight of his words could spark a war. After a long pause, he spoke clearly. "I'm sorry, but I currently have no intention of joining your crew."
The atmosphere turned icy. Jack's pupils suddenly constricted, and his tone became even more menacing. "So, are you saying you're refusing an official invitation from the Beasts Pirates?"
"Are you saying the Beasts Pirates intend to force an old man like me to join you?" Jinbe replied calmly, refusing to be intimidated by the looming giant.
Seeing the situation spiral toward a violent confrontation, Neptune quickly stepped in. "Wait! Gentlemen, this port isn't a suitable place to entertain such esteemed guests. Why don't you come with me to Ryugu Palace? I can host a proper feast for you both," he suggested, his voice filled with forced cheer.
Jack looked away from Jinbe and snorted in derision. "There's no need for that. We're short on time and don't have any leisure to waste in a palace."
The truth was, the competition within the Beasts Pirates was fiercer than ever. In the two days since they had left Wano Country, they knew that Eneru, Who's-Who, and the others were likely training until they bled. Although the high-ranking officers had grown closer over time, the drive to improve had only intensified. The pressure was immense. Between the arrival of a powerhouse like Eneru and Ulti successfully awakening her Conqueror's Haki, no one wanted to fall behind or disappoint their leader, Kaido.
Neptune let out a long breath of relief. At the very least, it seemed the pirates weren't interested in conquering Fish-Man Island today.
About five minutes later, a large figure appeared in the distance, guided by the three princes. It was Shyarly. She wore a dark purple dress that contrasted with her pale skin and cold, piercing eyes. Despite her composed appearance, she looked completely lost and nervous as she approached the port.
Jack and Sasaki both spotted her immediately. As she drew closer, Jack's eyes widened, and he stared at her with an intensity that was almost predatory. Sasaki was equally impressed. "Hey, hey! I never knew Fish-Man Island had such a beauty! Is that the woman?"
Normally, Jack and Sasaki wouldn't care about a mermaid's looks, regardless of how beautiful she was. Their tastes were far more specific. But Shyarly was different. She carried an air of maturity and a quiet, commanding aura that immediately captivated both of them. Their blatant, greedy stares made Neptune and Jinbe shift uncomfortably.
"That's right," Neptune said, trying to break the silence. "That is Shyarly. She is our island's most famous fortune-teller. Everyone here calls her Madam Shyarly."
"How old is she?" Sasaki asked abruptly.
Neptune blinked, stunned by the personal question. Jinbe stepped in to answer. "Shyarly is $27$ years old."
Sasaki's eyes lit up with excitement. He turned to Jack and slapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, big brother Jack! She's the same age as you! It seems you two are truly fated to be together!"
Jack didn't know how to respond to that. He simply remained silent, his eyes locked on Shyarly as she landed on the docks. She trembled slightly under their gaze, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "You are Shyarly?" Sasaki asked, his voice surprisingly cheerful.
"Yes, that's me," she replied softly, her voice wavering. "May I ask what the two sirs from the Beasts Pirates need from me?"
Sasaki grinned widely. "I heard you have the ability to make prophecies. How about it? Can't you divine why we're looking for you?"
Shyarly looked toward Neptune and Jinbe for support, her anxiety growing by the second. Jinbe stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand nearby. "Don't be afraid, Shyarly. I'm here."
Taking a deep breath, Shyarly tried to sound professional. "Well, I was brought here very hastily, so I didn't bring my crystal ball or any of my tools. I haven't had time to look into the future. If you need a reading, I can go back and get my equipment right now."
Sasaki waved a hand dismissively. "No need for that. To be honest, I'm not that interested in your prophecies. We came here for you, but it's not for your fortune-telling."
The fishmen stood in stunned silence as Sasaki turned to Jack with a strange, knowing smile. He then looked back at Shyarly and gestured toward the massive All-Star. "Woman, let me introduce you properly. This is Jack the Drought, one of our All-Stars and one of Lord Kaido's most trusted family members. From today onwards, you are his woman."
The statement was like a thunderclap. Every fishman on the docks stood dumbfounded, their eyes wide and their mouths hanging open. Shyarly herself was frozen, wondering if she had somehow misheard the pirate. Sasaki let out a loud, boisterous laugh at their reactions. "What's the matter, woman? Do you think you're too good for big brother Jack?"
"This... I... what?" Shyarly stammered.
The realization finally sank in for everyone present. The Beasts Pirates hadn't come for war, or for gold, or even for a prophecy. They had come to find a wife for Jack.
Jack finally decided he had heard enough of Sasaki's teasing. "Alright, Sasaki, that's enough. Don't meddle in this."
He stepped forward, his burly, $6$-meter-tall figure looming over Shyarly. Before she could react, he reached out and pulled her into a firm embrace. She was $5$ meters tall herself, and as they stood together, they looked like a perfectly matched pair of giants. "From today onwards, you belong to me," Jack rumbled, his voice deep and certain. "I'm sure we will produce excellent offspring together."
"Hey! Wait! Let go!" Shyarly struggled against him, her face flushing with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "Who said anything about having children with you?!"
Despite her strength as a mermaid, she couldn't budge Jack's massive arms. He held her easily, ignoring her protests. "Hahahaha! It's fine," Sasaki laughed, enjoying the chaos. "Feelings can be cultivated slowly over time. You'll get used to him."
Sasaki's expression then shifted, becoming serious as he turned back to the astonished King Neptune. "Now, onto the next matter. Your island... do you have a Road Poneglyph? If you do, hand it over to me right now."
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