The wide-eyed, tear-prone goldfish mermaid Ariel stared blankly at Brook. Had she heard him right? The mighty Brook, captain of the Hell Pirates, wanted to recruit her—a total weakling of a mermaid?
She was just a vegetarian mermaid! No strength to speak of, barely able to lift a clam, let alone anything heavier. Sure, she could swim fast in water, but that was it—she was useless otherwise!
"E-eh?! Brook-sama, are you saying you want me to join your pirates?! No way, no way, I can't do it! I'm just a pathetic weakling!"
The bubbly mermaid, who'd been chattering nonstop moments ago, suddenly teetered on the edge of tears, overwhelmed by Brook's offer.
...
Nearby, Fishman Tom and Tiger gaped in disbelief. Had the Hell Pirates' standards dropped that low? Was Brook losing it? Or—perish the thought—was he smitten by the ditzy mermaid?
Nah, that couldn't be it. Brook still looked as cool and calculating as ever, his skeletal face betraying nothing but sharp intellect.
Redfield and the other crewmates glanced over, curious. Did this clumsy mermaid have some hidden spark?
"Listen, Ariel, don't underestimate yourself!" Brook said, his tone firm but encouraging. "You might have awakened a rare kind of Observation Haki—something incredibly powerful!"
Brook studied Ariel's life energy closely, confirming his hunch. Yup, she was as weak as they came, probably destined to be a fiery orator like Otohime, not a fighter. Her frail physique wasn't built for combat, but with a Den Den Mushi amplifier crafted by Antonio and Vegapunk, she could hone her unique Observation Haki into something extraordinary—maybe even sway others' beliefs and ideals!
"Brook, are you saying this kid's got the same special Observation Haki as me?"
Redfield raised an eyebrow at the teary-eyed mermaid, disbelief etched into his noble features. A weakling like her, with a one-of-a-kind Haki?
"Exactly," Brook nodded. "Right now, her Observation Haki lets her sense others' thoughts and emotions. With training, she could project her own will, influencing people's minds and sparking deep resonance. At its peak, she might even reshape their values and ideologies. But for now, she's only scratching the surface."
Brook wasn't sure how far Ariel could take this Haki, but it was worth a shot, rallying his crew into a fanatical, iron-willed army loyal to Brook's cause, it'd be a game-changer!
"She's got that kind of Haki? No way! I could take her out with one finger!"
Fisher Tiger pouted, a twinge of jealousy creeping in. Why was every newbie getting Brook's praise for some freakish talent?
"Sorry, Tiger!"
Ariel, sensing Tiger's mild resentment, instantly apologized. He was one of her saviors and a fellow Fishman Island native—she couldn't bear to upset him! Her eyes welled up as she pleaded for forgiveness.
Tiger flinched under her teary apology, feeling the weight of several judgmental stares—especially from Tom, who promptly bonked him on the head with a knuckle.
"Really, Tiger? How bad do you need the captain's pat on the back?"
Tom shook his head, exasperated. Tiger had been with the Hell Pirates for a year, getting pointers from seasoned fighters, yet he couldn't even outshine newbie! With that kind of attitude, no wonder he was lagging.
Fuming, Tom kicked the thick-skinned Tiger into the distance, clearing the way for Brook to seal the deal with Ariel.
If Fishman Island could produce a prodigy, Tom was all for it. Ariel might be a weakling now, but Brook's faith in her hinted at untapped potential. Maybe she'd soar to greatness in some field!
...
"Ariel, I'm making you an apprentice crewmate of the Hell Pirates," Brook declared. "You can stay on Fishman Island—no need to sail with us yet. Focus on honing your abilities here. I'll arrange for Tom's brother, Den, and the Ryugu Kingdom's royal guard to protect you. Go to Fishman Street and give speeches to practice!"
Brook didn't hesitate to lock in her allegiance. Whether it was her rare Haki or a potential connection to Otohime and Shirahoshi, a small bet on her future was worth it.
"Ariel, thank the captain!" Tom prompted, nudging the starry-eyed mermaid. Could this scatterbrain really become a powerhouse?
He'd nearly believed she'd rival Redfield when Brook mentioned her Haki, but seeing her now—a weepy, clueless mess—he wasn't holding his breath. He'd sooner bet on himself or Tiger!
"O-okay, Captain Brook! Thank you for believing in me!"
Ariel snapped out of her daze, her heart soaring. Not only could she stay on Fishman Island under protection, but she was now a crewmate of her idol! It was like a dream. The Hell Pirates were heroes on Fishman Island, especially with Fishman Tom as a local legend.
Before Otohime saved Donquixote Mjosgard, Fishman Island had been a downtrodden place. Only with Mjosgard's aid did it rejoin the World Government, and Jinbe's status as a Warlord granted the island a sliver of "rights."
Ariel made up her mind: she'd spread the Hell Pirates' glory across Fishman Island, hyping up Brook and his crew's epic adventures. She'd blow their legend out of proportion!
Thus, a weepy, ditzy mermaid faded away, and a Brook-worshipping mermaid orator was born. A future SSS-tier mental manipulator, armed with her unique Observation Haki, stepped onto the world stage!
Ariel's boastful speech extravaganza, proclaiming the Hell Pirates' might and Brook's miracles, was coming soon—don't miss it!
Maybe by Brook's next visit, Apprentice Ariel would've turned Fishman Island's residents into rabid Brook devotees!
"Give it your all, Ariel. I believe in you!"
Brook patted her wavy golden hair, his skeletal grin warm. Ariel gazed up at him, starry-eyed and adoring.
"Thank you, Captain Brook, for believing in a weakling like me! I'll become someone everyone admires—I swear I won't let you down!"
From that day forward, Ariel vowed: no more tears!
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