“Can I see it?”
Shyarly paused, then closed her eyes. The crystal ball glowed with a faint blue light, reflecting on her tender face.
A moment later, her pupils suddenly widened, as if she had seen something beyond human comprehension.
Inside the crystal ball, scenes constantly shifted…
The earth cracked, tsunamis raged, storms swept across, and everything old was ruthlessly destroyed. Yet, upon the ruins, a new order was being established.
“Only by thoroughly shattering the rusted anchor can the new ship set sail.”
Shyarly’s voice suddenly became ethereal, a stark contrast to her youthful appearance.
“You will… reign over the world.”
In that instant, silence fell.
“Reign?” Libo tilted her head, her rabbit ears twitching slightly: “Is Gern going to be king?”
Tesoro, on the other hand, subtly curved his lips and exhaled, sighing inwardly, “He doesn’t even care about the Celestial Dragons. I knew it.”
Tiger remained silent, but his gaze was fixed on Gern, as if trying to see through to the man’s true heart.
Especially when he recalled their conversation in the Sea Forest yesterday, a tumultuous storm raged within him.
This man’s ambition was far greater than he had imagined.
“But you are not alone,” Shyarly continued, her voice trembling even more, “I saw many people behind you… even those who called themselves ‘gods’!”
Her words abruptly ceased, and she suddenly gasped for breath, her small body trembling uncontrollably, cold sweat soaking her purple cloak.
“Hey! Shyarly!” Seeing his sister suddenly collapse, Arlong rushed forward.
He scooped her up, glaring at Gern, “Stupid human! What did you do to her?!”
Gern did not reply, only silently watched Shyarly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
At this moment, Libo suddenly stepped forward and gently placed her hand on Shyarly’s forehead: “Relax, deep breaths.”
As the power of the Healing-Healing Fruit activated, a green light emerged, and Shyarly’s breathing gradually calmed, though the fear in her eyes had not yet dissipated.
She clutched Arlong’s clothes tightly, burying her face in her brother’s embrace, not daring to look at Gern again.
“What did she see?” Tiger asked in a deep voice.
“The future,” Gern said calmly, “A possible future.”
“Playing the mystic!” Arlong snorted, “Shyarly has been like this since she was little, always saying strange things out of nowhere.”
Although he said that, the arm holding his sister tightened even more.
“Arlong…” Shyarly weakly lifted her head, “I’m fine. It’s just… that vision was too terrifying…”
Gern stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone: “Let’s end it here today. Tiger, it’s time for us to go back.”
Tiger gave Gern a deep look and nodded.
.......
Leaving Fish-Man Street, sunlight filtered through the seawater, casting a hazy glow over the dilapidated street.
Libo skipped along beside Gern, occasionally stealing glances at his profile.
“Gern,” she was still curious and couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really going to be king?”
“Haha,” Gern chuckled, rubbing her head: “Do you think I’m suited to be king?”
“Hmm…” Libo thought seriously for a moment, “
“If Gern were king, he would make sure everyone could eat carrot cake!”
“Libo, if that’s the case,” Tesoro couldn’t help but laugh, “Then I’ll have to prepare a golden cake mold in advance.”
Tiger walked at the back, listening to the relaxed conversation ahead, but his mood was incredibly heavy.
Shyarly’s prophecy and Gern’s words from yesterday intertwined in his mind, forming an unsettling picture.
Back at Ryugu Palace, Neptune and Otohime had been waiting for a long time.
Seeing everyone return, Otohime immediately stepped forward: “How was it? Shyarly’s prophecy…”
“She’s fine, just a little tired,” Tiger interrupted subtly in a low voice, “Queen, I’ll explain in detail later.”
Looking at Tiger, Otohime nodded, then turned to Gern: “Rear Admiral Gern, regarding the cooperation, Neptune and I have already discussed it.”
Neptune stepped forward, his expression serious: “We are willing to accept your proposal.
Fish-Man Island will establish a cooperative relationship with ‘you alone,’ but there is one condition.”
“Please state it,” Gern nodded slightly.
“You must not interfere with Fish-Man Island’s internal affairs,” Neptune said in a deep voice, “And, we need you to provide substantial protection, not just verbal promises.”
“Fair enough,” Gern’s lips curved slightly: “I will leave a dedicated Den Den Mushi when I depart.
If there’s ever a need, my subordinates or I will arrive at the first possible moment.”
“Also, Fish-Man Island will not tell anyone about this cooperation, which means if you unfortunately die at the hands of a pirate…
Fish-Man Island will act as if it never happened, after all…” Neptune recalled a major incident from his childhood and said coldly,
“An Admiral can also be killed.”
“Heh, I understand,” Gern nodded, “In any case, King Neptune, just watch! Today’s choice will be the most normal one you’ve ever made!”
Seeing the two shake hands, hope flickered in Otohime’s eyes, and she sighed inwardly: “This will be an important step for Fish-Man Island to coexist peacefully with humans!”
That night, Ryugu Palace held a small banquet to celebrate the cooperation between the two sides.
Libo excitedly sampled various seafood dishes, while Tesoro thoroughly plundered the gold from the shipwrecks in Fish-Man Island’s Sea Forest.
Towards the end of the banquet, Gern stood on the terrace, gazing at the distant deep-sea scenery, lost in thought.
“Rear Admiral Gern,” Tiger’s voice came from behind him, “Can we talk alone?”
Gern didn’t turn around: “About Shyarly’s prophecy?”
“No,” Tiger walked to his side, his gaze firm, “It’s about your ‘Calamity Justice.’
I want to know, what exactly do you plan to do?”
Facing Tiger’s question, Gern understood perfectly. When dealing with a reformer, one must follow their line of questioning.
In short, when talking to a revolutionary, you must speak revolution!
So Gern feigned silence for a long time before slowly saying: “Tiger, you have seen the darkest side of this world.
Tell me, do you think the existing order can still be saved?”
Tiger clenched his fist, his fingernails digging deep into his palm: “No.”
“Then the answer is very clear,” Gern’s voice was calm but full of power, “Break and then build.”
“Even if countless people have to be sacrificed?”
“Change is always accompanied by sacrifice,” Gern turned to look at Tiger, “But compared to endless oppression, a brief period of pain might be more merciful.”
Tiger took a deep breath: “You are more…”
“Extreme?” Gern chuckled, “Perhaps. But sometimes, only extreme measures can break a deadlock.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a burst of joyful laughter.
Libo and several mermaid children ran across the terrace, holding sparkling seashells.
“Gern! Look!” Libo excitedly held up a starfish-shaped ornament, “They gave them to me!”
Gern’s gaze softened: “Very beautiful.”
Tiger looked at the scene and suddenly asked: “Does that Mink Tribe girl know your true intentions?”
“Libo only needs to know that I am her superior,” Gern said softly.
The banquet continued late into the night.
When everyone had dispersed, Gern stood alone at the highest point of Ryugu Palace, gazing at the night view of Fish-Man Island.
“The future…”
The next day, Gern’s warship set sail from Fish-Man Island, not entering the New World but returning to Sabaody Archipelago.