"So, you're a Fortune Teller? That sounds like a handy trick. Why don't you tell me my fortune right now? What is my next move going to be?" Takuro asked, leaning back with a curious smirk. He wasn't sure if this was some strange application of Observation Haki or something else entirely, but he was intrigued.
"The crystal ball shows me only the glimpses of fate's long trajectory, but you must understand that the future is much like the deep sea—unpredictable and vast. What I see are merely possibilities, not certainties," Shyarly replied. Her tone remained perfectly calm. She was neither humble nor arrogant, and she made no effort to flatter her dangerous guest. Her deep blue eyes met Takuro's inquisitive gaze directly, without a single hint of evasion or fear.
"Interesting," Takuro muttered, stroking his chin thoughtfully. He completely ignored the murderous glares from the surrounding Fishmen, who looked like they wanted to devour him whole for even speaking to her. He continued with a grin, "Besides us having a little scrap, what else did your magic ball show you?"
Shyarly gently shook her head, her hands holding the crystal ball as steady as a rock. "What I saw was not a predetermined fate, but rather the 'variable' that your presence brings to this world. However, I already know your next destination is Ryugu Palace. Before you go to meet the King, perhaps you would be willing to come to my humble abode first? We could enjoy a cup of Fish-Man Island's specialty coffee. I believe certain topics regarding 'fate' are much better suited for a quieter environment."
She turned slightly, making an elegant gesture to follow her. Interestingly, her hand did not point toward the main road leading up to the palace. Instead, she indicated a relatively secluded path adorned with glowing pearls and soft underwater flora.
This suggestion caught everyone off guard. Even the local Fishman residents showed looks of pure astonishment. Madam Shyarly was actually inviting this dangerous, high-power human to her famous cafe? It was unheard of.
Gion's brow furrowed, and she didn't relax her guard for a second. She instinctively felt that this Fortune Teller was far from simple. To her, it felt like there was a deeper, more calculated purpose hidden behind this sudden invitation. Nico Robin's eyes, however, flashed with a keen sense of understanding. As an archaeologist, she was always sensitive to anything involving Poneglyphs or mysterious, ancient knowledge. A woman who could supposedly glimpse the strings of fate was exactly the kind of person who piqued her intellectual interest.
Takuro stared at Shyarly for a few long seconds, searching for any sign of a trap. Then, he suddenly burst into a loud, boisterous laughter. "Alright then! An invitation from a beautiful woman—and a Mermaid who can see the future at that? I'd be a fool to say no!" He agreed readily. To a man like Takuro, meeting a King was far less important than satisfying his own burning curiosity about the supernatural.
"Lead the way, Miss Fortune Teller. Let me try this famous coffee of yours. And while we're walking, you can tell me all those interesting things you've 'seen' about me."
Shyarly nodded slightly but said nothing more. She turned and began to lead Takuro and his group, swimming with slow, graceful movements toward the Mermaid Cafe.
Although the gathered Fishman residents were clearly unwilling to let the humans pass, Madam Shyarly's calm, authoritative gaze swept over them. Grudgingly, they eventually made way, stepping back into the shadows. However, the suppressed anger and hostility remained in the air, thick and heavy like the crushing pressure of the deep sea.
In the back of the crowd, a few Fishmen exchanged quick, meaningful glances. They looked as though they had reached a grim decision.
"Go quickly," one whispered harshly. "Report this to Big Brother Arlong immediately. Tell him the humans are with Shyarly."
The group passed through several colorful streets constructed from vibrant coral and polished seashells. As they moved further away from the plaza, the hustle and bustle of the city gradually gave way to a serene tranquility.
Soon, a uniquely designed building appeared before them. It was a magnificent structure crafted from giant pink coral and gleaming white seashells. The sign above the door, which read 'Mermaid Cafe,' was spelled out in shimmering pearls that caught the ambient light perfectly. The entrance was draped with long, translucent curtains that floated gently in the water like the tentacles of a jellyfish.
Stepping inside, they found the interior to be both elegant and incredibly comfortable. The lighting was soft and warm, provided by luminous jellyfish embedded into the coral walls. Most of the tables and chairs were fashioned from polished reefs and large, spiraling conch shells. The air was thick with a unique aroma—the scent of rich coffee mixed with the faint, salty tang of the ocean.
Several pretty young Mermaid waitresses, sporting colorful fish tails, were busy tending to the shop. When they saw Madam Shyarly enter with a group of unfamiliar humans, they all showed visible surprise. However, their professional training was excellent; they didn't lose their composure. They simply bowed respectfully to Shyarly and returned to their duties.
"Please, sit this way," Shyarly said, leading Takuro and his companions to a quiet, private booth by the window. The view was excellent. Outside, they could see schools of luminous fish swimming lazily through swaying forests of deep-sea seaweed.
"Bring us the best coffee and our specialty desserts," Shyarly quietly instructed a nearby waitress.
"Yes, Madam Shyarly. Right away," the girl replied.
It wasn't long before exquisite seashell cups were placed on the table. They were filled with a rich, mellow coffee that emitted an intense, earthy aroma. It was notably different from the coffee found on the surface world. Several small desserts made from seaweed, caviar, and rare deep-sea plants were also served, looking quite tempting.
Takuro didn't hesitate. He picked up the cup and took a large, unceremonious gulp. He smacked his lips together loudly. "Hmm! The taste is definitely special. It's not bad at all." His gaze never drifted from Shyarly, who sat calmly across from him. "Alright, I've had the drink, and I like the vibe in here. Now, let's get to the point. Tell me about this 'fate' you mentioned. For example, what is going to happen between me and this Fish-Man Island?"
Madam Shyarly did not answer him immediately. She placed her crystal ball onto a soft seaweed mat on the table, gently covering the sphere with her pale hands. Her deep blue eyes seemed to look right through Takuro, as if she were viewing something happening thousands of miles away or years in the future.
"Lord Takuro," she began slowly. Her voice sounded ethereal, almost like a haunting melody. "In my vision, your entire figure is enveloped by an unimaginable power. I see a blinding golden light surrounding you. You are not a man who maintains order. No... you are a breaker and a re-shaper of rules."
She paused for a moment, appearing to organize her thoughts. It looked as though she were physically resisting a heavy pressure—the kind of weight that comes with glimpsing things mortals weren't meant to see.
"The future of this island was originally shrouded in a thick mist. It was full of uncertainty. Queen Otohime's ideals were like fragile bubbles—beautiful to look at, but so easily shattered. And the hatred lurking in the dark corners of our world was like an impending underwater volcano, ready to erupt and destroy everything we've built." Her voice grew heavy with emotion. "But your arrival... it is like a giant meteor crashing into that sea of mist."
She raised her eyes and looked directly into his, her expression incredibly serious. "What you bring to us is neither pure destruction nor pure salvation. What you bring is 'choice.' You are forcing the situation to change. I see ancient alliances loosening because of you. I see deep-seated hatred erupting prematurely because of your actions. But it is also possible... just possible... that because of you, a completely different path may finally be found."
"Oh?" Takuro leaned forward, his interest fully piqued. He didn't care about "destiny," but he liked the idea of being a meteor. "A different path? Tell me more about that."
"I am sorry," Shyarly said, gently shaking her head. A hint of weariness appeared on her face. "I cannot see the specific images clearly anymore. The threads of fate are too chaotic and intense whenever they get near you. I can only sense that your will—your personal desire—will become the most crucial fulcrum to leverage the fate of this island. Your meeting at Ryugu Palace will be a beginning, but it is by no means the end of the story."
At this moment, Robin, who had been listening in silence, decided to speak up. Her voice was gentle and filled with the curiosity of a scholar. "Miss Shyarly, as far as I know, prophecies often have their own ambiguities. They can have multiple interpretations. Could the 'path' you saw possibly point toward a cooperation between our groups?" She skillfully guided the conversation toward the goals that Fisher Tiger wanted to achieve, which also happened to align with Takuro's interests.
Shyarly looked at Robin, and a small flicker of appreciation appeared in her eyes. "This lady is quite right. A prophecy is not a fixed script written in stone. Next to the path I saw, there were indeed faint, intersecting trajectories. But whether those paths lead to equal coexistence or one side devouring the other, I cannot say." Her gaze returned to Takuro. "That depends entirely on your will, Lord Takuro. It depends on what exactly you wish to gain from our home."
Gion remained silent in her seat, slowly sipping her coffee. Shyarly's words were stirring something inside her heart. Breaking rules? Reshaping order? Wasn't that exactly what Takuro had been doing since the moment she met him? If he truly decided to use his overwhelming power on this island, what would it actually bring? Would it be a deeper disaster for these people? Or would it be a new possibility—even if it was a bloody and violent one—to break the current stalemate between humans and fishmen? She found that she could no longer immediately judge him through the lens of "Marine Justice." The cruelty of the real world had started to shake her once-firm beliefs.
Takuro finished listening and leaned back against the soft coral chair. His fingers tapped a rhythmic beat on the table. A smile full of ambition and defiance spread across his face.
"What do I want? That's simple," he said, making no effort to hide his nature. "The things I deem worthy of existing either become mine, or they completely disappear from the world. Fish-Man Island is quite good. It has a unique location and immense potential as a race. As for cooperation?"
He chuckled, his tone vibrating with absolute confidence. "That depends on whether your so-called King and Queen have the vision and the courage to keep up with my pace. If they don't, then being crushed into the dust is also part of their fate, isn't it, Miss Fortune Teller?"
His words were utterly domineering. He showed absolutely no regard for the King waiting for him in the palace. Yet, strangely, his attitude perfectly aligned with Shyarly's prophecy about him being a "breaker."
Madam Shyarly was silent for a long moment. She didn't agree with him, but she didn't deny his words either. She simply said softly, "The tide of fate has risen, and no one can stand aside now. Lord Takuro, during your trip to the palace, please be sure to be cautious in your choices. Every single decision you make could lead this island to a completely different future."
"The future?" Takuro picked up his coffee cup, drained the remaining liquid in one gulp, and stood up. His eyes were gleaming like those of a predator who had just spotted its prey. "The future isn't something meant to be predicted. It's something meant to be conquered. I just don't know if the rulers of this place are truly worthy of discussing 'fate' with me yet."
Shyarly's eyes flickered, and she looked lost in deep thought.
At that exact moment, the front door of the coffee shop was roughly pushed open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. A tall, fierce-looking Fishman stormed inside, his eyes scanning the room with rage.
"Where's that damn human?" he roared. "Hand him over right now!"
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