After finalizing the script details, a weight lifted from King Neptune's heart.
In his greatly improved mood, he ended up drinking a bit more, his speech becoming slightly slurred.
"Taro, Shirahoshi... she's still just a child..."
As he spoke, King Neptune paused, letting out a drunken hiccup.
Taro was taken aback. This conversational turn didn't sound good!
Holy crap, is he bringing up the old account of'sleeping' with your daughter now? Is this a case of killing the donkey after it's done grinding the grain?
"Uh, King Neptune, I need to go contact the human princess. I'll take my leave now, goodbye!"
Taro flipped up and, before Neptune could react, had already scurried out in a flash.
Neptune, his eyes bleary with drink, didn't even realize Taro had run off and continued talking to himself.
"She still can't control her power very well and needs your guidance. Hic~"
Neptune hiccuped again, exhaling a puff of alcohol-laden breath. "As a father, I must thank you again..."
He bowed his head respectfully. "Huh? Where'd he go?"
Having fled the scene, Taro had just left the side hall when he saw Shirahoshi waiting outside. He immediately felt a pang of guilt.
"Uh, what a coincidence, Shirahoshi!"
"Lord Taro, you've come out?" Shirahoshi turned around, delighted. She looked Taro over and, seeing he didn't seem drunk, felt somewhat relieved.
"Th-that... Madam Shirley would like to see you. Is that okay?"
Taro frowned deeply. He wasn't particularly keen on meeting these kinds of 'extraordinary individuals'. They were just too damn dangerous.
First, there was the nearly 140-year-old Dr. Kureha, then Vegapunk, a scientist 500 years ahead of the world, and now a fortune-teller who came up with the 'Mist' prophecy.
Taro was thoroughly spooked by them, always feeling like his identity as a transmigrator was about to be exposed.
"Lord Taro, if you don't want to go..." Shirahoshi sensed Taro's hesitation and spoke softly, ready to give up.
"Sigh, let's go!" Taro ultimately agreed. The prophecy was already out there. If he didn't go and Madam Shirley came up with another one, it would be even more of a headache.
Mermaid Cafe.
Taro stared blankly at the crystal ball split in two on the table, speechless for a long while.
Madam Shirley held a pipe. Perhaps out of consideration for Taro's injured body, she hadn't lit it, simply watching him quietly.
Behind her, the mermaid Camie, the starfish Pa Pagu, and the quintuplet mermaids, each the size of a palm, also watched Taro quietly, with some curiosity.
"This... it's broken?"
After a long silence, Taro finally spoke.
He had been worried about Shirley continuing her divinations, but it seemed his worry was unnecessary.
Madam Shirley casually glanced at the crystal ball and gave an affirmative hum. "Yes, it's no longer needed."
Taro picked up the coffee in front of him and took a sip. He found the situation strange.
With so many people here, it didn't seem like the right place for discussing serious matters. So why did Madam Shirley want to see him?
After an indeterminable period of silence, during which Taro's coffee had been refilled three times, he couldn't hold back any longer.
"You wanted to see me... for what exactly?"
Madam Shirley tapped the split crystal ball with her pipe. "Nothing much. Just wanted to show you this."
Are you insane?! Taro was dumbfounded.
Madam Shirley stared at Taro with a grave expression. "Regarding my previous prophecy about the fire that would destroy Fish-Man Island and... that person, you seemed to have already anticipated it."
Luffy? Yeah, I know about him!
Taro's eyes flickered a few times, but he said nothing.
Madam Shirley observed Taro's reaction and nodded. "Therefore, I see no further need for divination."
Taro was utterly bewildered. What was this cryptic talk about? Do all fortune-tellers talk like charlatans?
However, Taro couldn't voice such doubts to her face and could only look at Shirley with a strange expression.
Madam Shirley stretched her arms in a languid yawn, her ample bosom fully on display.
"Tired. That's enough for today."
That's it? Kicking me out already? She really is insane!
Taro's mouth twitched as he stood up from the sofa. "Well then, goodbye!"
People who dabble in this kind of feudal superstition really have something wrong with their heads!
Taro grumbled internally as he turned to leave.
"Taro! Thank you!"
Just as he reached the door, Madam Shirley suddenly spoke up to thank him.
Taro paused for a moment, understanding she was thanking him on behalf of Fish-Man Island. He turned around and offered a smile. "You're welcome."
After Taro left, Madam Shirley turned to look at Camie. "Where's Hatchan?"
"Uh, I haven't seen him since he took a call!" Camie tapped her cheek with her index finger, thinking for a moment before responding.
"If you see him again, tell him not to wander around so much lately."
"Oh~"
...The next day.
A nationwide broadcast on Fish-Man Island announced the decision to relocate all the island's residents.
They would live together with the mermaids in Fish-Man District, enjoying the light brought by the sun tree eve.
Although it would cause some population crowding, Neptune strongly agreed with the sentiment Taro had expressed.
Everyone should have the right to enjoy sunlight.
And one day, they would eventually enjoy the real sun.
Inside the captain's quarters of the 'ink dragon' flagship.
Taro was contacting Alabasta via a dedicated line, holding the massive receiver of the long-distance communication den den mushi.
"King Cobra, that's the situation. I feel it's still necessary to seek your opinion first."
On the other end of the line, Cobra pondered for a long time before speaking.
"This matter involves significant implications. As king, I must be cautious. Regarding your request to film on location at the Alabasta Royal Palace, I'm sorry, but I cannot agree."
Although Taro was somewhat disappointed, he could understand.
"What about Princess Vivi taking the role of the female lead?"
"Daughters grow up. Sometimes they do things behind their father's back and only let him know afterward. That's understandable."
Cobra didn't hesitate this time.
Old fox! Politicians have black hearts, coming up with excuses so quickly!
"I understand. Thank you!" Taro's thanks were sincere, even as he internally complained.
After all, racial reconciliation is a very sensitive topic. Directly filming a human princess's life in the Alabasta Royal Palace could easily create a misconception—that this was an official statement from Alabasta.
Both Cobra and Taro were clear on this point. Having Princess Vivi participate, however, provided a good excuse to counter rumors and keep the impact within manageable limits.
"Your Majesty, this matter..." Guardian God of the Kingdom Chaka sounded hesitant.
Cobra smiled. "What matter? We know nothing about it, don't we?"
Chaka and Pell exchanged a glance and instantly understood, joining in the laughter.
"Yes, we know nothing!"
Elmar Special Zone.
Vivi was furious. As the Minister of Education of the Special Zone, she was inspecting the progress of the 'Special Zone First Experimental Middle School' project when she was summoned back to the Government Hall.
"Oh? What new directives does the grand administrator of the Special Zone have for this humble Minister of Education?"
Vivi suppressed the anger in her heart and spoke sarcastically.
Vivi's sarcastic tone made Taro's mouth twitch. However, business came first. He straightened his expression and said seriously:
"Your Highness, do you have a dream?"
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