Roldy stepped forward slowly.
The petite shark-mermaid held a crystal-clear orb in her hands. Her delicate brows were tightly knit as she stared intently into its depths.
"How could this be…"
She murmured softly. When the image inside faded, she immediately began repeating a series of strange gestures Roldy could not understand.
"Mr. Roldy ! This is Shyarly! She owns the Mermaid Café! She's Fish-Man Island's most gifted fortune-teller—none of her prophecies have ever been wrong!"
Seeing Roldy 's interest, Prince Fukaboshi hurried to explain.
Their voices drew Shyarly's attention. She looked up—
And the moment her eyes met Roldy 's—
Her pupils shrank.
Her entire body trembled.
"Shyarly, this is Mr. Roldy —the one who grants our island protection."
Roldy gestured for Fukaboshi to stop.
He crouched down, gaze fixed on the crystal ball.
"Little girl… you saw something interesting, didn't you?"
With Roldy 's eyesight, that brief flash earlier had been enough.
In the sea of flames—
Standing cold and expressionless—
Was undoubtedly him.
"Mr. Roldy … I…"
Shyarly hesitated, swallowing nervously.
"Can you tell me what you saw?"
Roldy 's voice was gentle.
Yet sweat poured down her forehead.
Under Fukaboshi's urging gaze, she finally spoke.
"I… I saw Fish-Man Island destroyed."
"No… not just Fish-Man Island."
"The entire world."
"The whole world engulfed in war…"
"And in that war… the only figure I could see clearly…"
"Was you."
Everyone froze.
Even Roldy .
He stared at the young mermaid, then—rather impolitely—reached out and pinched her tail, confirming she was real.
Inwardly, however, he sighed.
How far into the future had she glimpsed?
This ability was far more outrageous than Observation Haki.
Fukaboshi, meanwhile, felt cold sweat drench his back.
Shyarly's prophecies had never been wrong.
And now—
She had seen the destruction of Fish-Man Island.
The destruction of the world.
He tried to tell himself prophecy was not absolute.
But his mind would not calm.
He barely heard the rest of Roldy 's conversation.
Until—
A golden hook pressed against his neck.
"Oi, Fish-Man. You may be a prince, but ignoring our boss like that is rude."
Crocodile's tone was icy.
Fukaboshi jolted back to his senses and bowed deeply.
"My apologies!"
"Ah, it's fine," Roldy waved it off lightly.
"So… this Fish-Man District of yours. May I take a look?"
The hook withdrew.
Fukaboshi's heart dropped again.
Fish-Man District.
All the darkness of this beautiful kingdom gathered there.
Fish-Man delinquents roamed freely.
No royal guards patrolled.
And most importantly—
The residents harbored deep hatred toward humans.
Many had once been slaves.
"Mr. Roldy , the scenery there is nothing compared to here… it's full of thugs. Perhaps we should—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Crocodile's gaze was frigid.
"…Very well. If you wish to go, we shall."
What right did he have to refuse?
All he could do was pray the lawless thugs of Fish-Man District would not offend this terrifying man.
After all—
Few Emperors possessed good tempers.
Fish-Man District
The contrast was stark.
Unlike the warm sunlight and harmony of the main island, Fish-Man District was dim and foul-smelling.
Figures lingered in the shadows.
Some smoked.
Some drank.
All carried weapons.
The moment Roldy 's group entered—
Hostile gazes converged.
Even Prince Fukaboshi was ignored.
"Prince Fukaboshi?"
A familiar voice rang out.
Fukaboshi visibly relaxed when he saw the blue, broad-shouldered Fish-Man approaching.
"Jinbe! Long time no see!"
He whispered hurried explanations into Jinbe's ear.
Jinbe's expression changed immediately.
He stepped forward respectfully.
"Mr. Roldy ."
He offered to act as their guide.
But at that moment—
Shane's eyes narrowed.
"Hmm? Jinbe?"
"And you are…?"
Jinbe looked carefully.
Then his eyes widened.
"…Uncle Shane?"
"Oh! So it's you, brat!"
To everyone's surprise—
Shane had once lived here.
According to him, he and Jinbe were neighbors in Fish-Man District.
Shane had grown up here.
He and Tiger had often clashed as children.
Rivals.
Only later had they become something resembling friends.
"Uncle Shane! Where have you been all these years? Brother Tiger and I were always worried!"
Jinbe spoke excitedly.
He could clearly feel Roldy and the others' gazes soften.
Shane.
A subordinate of Emperor Roldy .
And from Fish-Man District.
Many here rarely read newspapers.
Unless someone's fame was impossible to ignore, they knew little of the outside world.
Their impression of humans—
Was hatred.
"Tiger… how is he?"
Shane's tone shifted subtly.
He and Tiger were about the same age.
Orphans.
Childhood enemies.
Later friends.
One of the few he had here.
Jinbe's expression fell.
"…Brother Tiger…"
Silence.
A bad feeling twisted in Shane's chest.
"Speak."
His voice was low.
Jinbe clenched his fists.
"Tiger… died."
The air grew heavy.
Even the thugs in the shadows fell silent.
"After escaping slavery in the Holy Land…"
"He formed the Sun Pirates."
"He freed countless slaves."
"But…"
"He was ambushed."
"Shot."
"And refused a human blood transfusion."
"He… bled to death."
Shane stood motionless.
For several seconds—
He said nothing.
Then—
He exhaled slowly.
"…That idiot."
His eyes were red.
But he did not cry.
Behind him, Roldy watched quietly.
The future Shyarly saw—
Perhaps—
Had already begun its path.
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