Shyarly's life in Fishman District had never depended on Arlong.
Arlong had been abandoned by his parents as a child, growing up on the streets of the Fishman District, where he developed his belligerent nature. Shyarly had only been sent there when Arlong was already nearly fifteen years old, and the two shared only a short time under the same roof. Calling that a deep, unshakable bond would not be accurate.
Their personalities were completely different.
Arlong despised humans and embraced fishman supremacy. But Madam Shyarly always walked a neutral path. She rejected human oppression, and she refused blind hatred in return.
If fishmen wanted to survive in this world, it was impossible to classify all humans as enemies.
When speaking to young fishmen, she often encouraged them to see with their own eyes that there were humans worth trusting, just as there were fishmen unworthy of respect.
When she was younger, Shyarly had once met Roger himself. It was during that time that she revealed her gift for prophecy, and Roger had left an indelible mark upon her.
Because of that memory, after Roger surrendered himself to the Navy, when Naruto first visited Fishman Island, she watched him quietly from behind Jinbe and Fisher Tiger. She wanted to see what sort of man the "apprentice" of Roger's crew had grown into.
"I see…"
Hearing Shyarly's calm words, Naruto let the subject of Arlong rest. His gaze shifted aside, falling onto shards glittering across the floor.
"Speaking of which, did you just have an accident? That ball fell?"
By then, Shyarly's wounds had almost completely healed beneath Naruto's chakra. The mermaids around them stared wide-eyed. They had never seen such a miraculous healing method before. Still, this was the Grand Line, where bizarre powers were nearly common, so after their bewilderment, curiosity quickly faded.
"Yes. I just had a… prophecy," she admitted softly. She turned to the others. "You all go. I'll be fine."
The maids obeyed reluctantly, leaving only Naruto and Shyarly in the room.
When they were alone, Shyarly explained what she had glimpsed. The vision of flames, of war, the clash of powers that could tear the very world apart.
Naruto listened without flinching. Then, to Shyarly's mixture of surprise and disbelief, he knelt, scooped the shattered crystal fragments into his hand, and swallowed them.
Crunch. Crunch. He chewed them like candy.
Had he turned into some creature that could eat anything?
But soon, she realized her mistake.
From his palm, Naruto summoned chakra. With the aid of the Munch-Munch Fruit, a flawless new crystal ball rose from his palm.
"Here. This time, it won't break so easily."
He had reforged the crystal using stronger materials and even infused it with chakra. It was no longer just a crystal ball. Technically, it had become the first true "ninja tool" in this world. And unlike an ordinary object, it could even act on its own.
Of course, Shyarly did not possess chakra, but a crystal ball this durable was more than enough.
"As for prophecy…" Naruto's voice was firm, his eyes sharp. "It is only a glimpse, and the future changes every moment. Don't let visions tie you down."
Shyarly knew he was trying to comfort her more than convince her. She smiled faintly and did not argue.
They were old acquaintances meeting again after so long. They shared a few more words before Naruto finally rose, saying he still had to visit Neptune's family.
"You really haven't changed one bit, Brother Naruto," Shyarly murmured after he left. She looked at her healed hand, still faintly warm from his chakra.
Behind her, unnoticed, the crystal ball glowed faintly, autonomously displaying flickering fragments of futures to come.
Leaving the Mermaid Cafe, Naruto followed his memories through the streets toward Ryugu Palace, the royal heart of Fishman Island.
The palace guards did not stop him for long. The moment he gave his name, they rushed ahead to deliver word to the king.
Before long, King Neptune appeared. His enormous figure, well over ten meters tall, strode forward to greet Naruto, accompanied by his three sons.
It was not the dignity customary for a king. But Neptune was not greeting a ruler. He was greeting a friend.
"Woahhh! Naruto! At last, you came to Ryugu Palace!"
The Fishman King laughed, his booming voice warm.
Naruto laughed back just as thunderously. "Neptune! It's been too long!"
The two clasped each other in a powerful hug, completely unconcerned with decorum.
Beside Neptune's bulk, Naruto's three meters seemed modest.
After greetings, Naruto turned to the three princes: Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi.
"You've all grown well. If Otohime could see you now, I'm sure she would be proud."
He clapped their shoulders warmly, just as he had when they were young.
"Uncle Naruto!" the three called with bright eyes.
Though they towered over him, they still bowed deeply. Naruto was not just a guest to them. He had been their mentor and their elder, the one who had roughhoused with them in the palace halls. To them, he would always be "Uncle Naruto."
As crown prince, Fukaboshi tried to remain composed, but his excitement slipped through.
"Uncle, it's great you came. Now that you're here, Shirahoshi can also…"
"Fukaboshi!"
Neptune's stern rebuke cut him off immediately. The boy stiffened, realizing the slip, and held his tongue.
Naruto had seen and heard enough.
"Speaking of Shirahoshi… where is she? Why don't I see her?"
At that, Neptune's face faltered. Worry flickered across his features. Though it vanished quickly, Naruto caught it.
His eyes narrowed. "You are still hiding something from me? Neptune, do you not see me as a friend?"
In truth, it was the opposite. Neptune had kept the truth from him because Naruto was his friend. He did not want to burden him further when the World Government and Navy already hunted him.
But he could see now there was no use concealing it. Neptune sighed and began to explain.
He told Naruto of the day Otohime died. Of how Shirahoshi, still only six years old, awakened the ability to command the Sea Kings. Of how Vander Decken IX had witnessed it and shamelessly demanded her hand.
The Mark-Mark Fruit user. A pirate cursed with the ability to tag anyone or anything he touched so every weapon he threw would seek the mark.
And Shirahoshi had been touched.
For ten years since, Vander Decken had hurled weapons at her relentlessly. He swore the attacks would continue until she agreed to marry him.
That was why she had been confined within Ryugu Palace, trapped while her brothers roamed free.
When Neptune finished, Naruto's expression was dark, his fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged on his temples.
"…So this is what's been happening."
His voice vibrated with anger. "If you didn't ask me for help, fine. But Whitebeard, didn't the old man promise Fishman Island's protection!"
Naruto stopped himself short.
Of course. Pops had told Namur and the others not to interfere in Fishman Island's internal affairs. And Vander Decken, no matter how vile, was still a fishman.
"Naruto…"
Neptune raised a hand, but his friend's fury cut him off.
"Brother Neptune. You are not treating me like a friend."
The anger in Naruto's voice made the palace walls tremble.
Then came a sharp whistle through the air.
Whoosh!
A massive axe spun out of the sky, cleaving toward them. Vander Decken's harassment, punctual as ever.
Naruto leapt into the air. His hand caught the enormous blade as sparks flew off his chakra-wrapped palm.
"Uncle Naruto!" shouted Fukaboshi. "Vander Decken is hiding in the deep sea nearby. You won't find him quickly! He always stays aboard the Flying Dutchman!"
Naruto's eyes burned like fire.
"Don't worry. Uncle's really angry this time." He spun the giant axe in his hand with ease.
"I'll deal with him first. Then we'll keep talking."
With that, he kicked against the air, vanishing into the depths, heading straight toward the Flying Dutchman.
Vander Decken IX had no idea he had just provoked the worst possible enemy.