Bonus 12
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Inside the palace hall of Fish-Man Island, there was an unusual stillness. Ryugu Palace, usually bustling with activity, now stood deserted. The robust pillars, built to bear heavy loads, stood in solitude, creating a silent ambiance within the palace.
Neptune, holding a golden trident, rose from his throne. With a heavy heart, he crossed the spacious hall and approached Jinbei, who was present.
"Jinbei, what do we do about Big Mom? She's persistent and not giving up. Right now, she's just temporarily out of action."
Neptune, wearing a sad expression, expressed his concerns to Jinbei.
"With Newgate gone, taken down by the Marines, there's no one on Fish-Man Island capable of stopping that formidable woman."
"Don't worry. I've just received a message from the Marines. Admiral Hakuryu is already en route to Fish-Man Island," assured Jinbei.
Jinbei's gaze remained steady, undeterred by the mention of BIG·MOM.
While it might be impractical for Admiral Hakuryu to permanently stay on Fish-Man Island, once his collaboration with the Marines comes to fruition.
This collaboration not only has the potential to ease the tension between Fish-Man Island and humans but also to establish stronger connections with the World Government.
Furthermore, considering the might of the Marines, who had recently taken down the Whitebeard Pirates, Big Mom would undoubtedly exercise caution.
"Hakuryu... the young Marine who defeated Newgate?" Neptune hesitated, as if recalling something, and fixed his gaze on Jinbei.
"I've heard rumors that he's somehow connected to Tiger's arrest. And his demeanor towards our fish-men island..."
Jinbei interjected, "Where did you hear such things? I recall the newspapers attributing it all to Admiral Kizaru at the headquarters."
Despite the sinking feeling in Jinbei's heart, he maintained a composed expression. He remembered that Aladdin and the others had kept a close watch on the members of Arlong's group since their release from Impel Down, making it impossible for any information to leak out.
Unless...
Neptune paused, considering the information. "I came across that statement by chance, but I can't recall where I heard it, hahahaha!"
Neptune laughed, brushing off the question. He held firm in his belief that Jinbei would never act against the interests of Fish-Man Island.
Jinbei's expression, initially frozen, relaxed. Neptune's serious demeanor had momentarily caused Jinbei to forget that the man in front of him often patrol Fish-Man Island, potentially overhearing gossip from others.
"You can be confident that despite being an Admiral aligned with the Marines, Hakuryu holds no bias against our fish-men as fellow humans," reassured Jinbei. He reminisced about his earlier conversation with Atlas and instinctively touched his beating chest.
"I can distinctly feel that his formidable strength isn't a result of indifference. He genuinely acknowledges fish-men as an intelligent race akin to humans!"
"Oh, is that the case? Well, that puts my mind at ease," Neptune responded with a sincere look, finding some solace for his uneasy heart.
The destiny of Fish-Man Island lies solely in the hands of a Marine Admiral he has never encountered.
.....
Meanwhile, at the Mermaid Cafe on Fish-Man Island.
This cafe, even in the splendor of Fish-Man Island, stands out as a luxurious establishment. Graceful mermaids elegantly navigate the space, carrying plates and delivering coffee drinks with precision to each guest.
The distinct aroma and the sight of blooming white flowers create a pleasant atmosphere for the patrons.
Interestingly, among the guests, there are quite a few notorious pirates.
While this place may not offer the coveted meat that pirates often seek, its distinctive scenery and exquisite wine make it an appealing spot for them.
Perhaps you might find yourself in a romantic encounter with a charming mermaid girl.
However, causing trouble here is an uncommon choice among pirates. The peculiar temperament of the store manager is one reason, but the primary deterrent is the manager himself.
Rumors circulate that this seemingly youthful individual predicted Whitebeard's demise six months ago, adding an air of mystery and caution to the cafe's atmosphere.
When it comes to mysterious abilities like divination, even pirates accustomed to the blood on their swords can't help but feel a bit uneasy.
Considering this, some astute patrons daringly cast glances toward the bar.
There, a mermaid in her twenties with short black hair, cold and unusual blue eyes, pale skin, purple nails, and a mostly open hooded purple top caught their attention. She exuded an extremely cool aura.
This is Shyarly, the manager of the Mermaid Cafe.
Respected and feared as a fortune teller, Shyarly has gained significant renown. People from far and wide come to seek her services, albeit at a hefty price.
Yet, she consistently turned down their requests without mercy.
In truth, Shyarly harbored a strong aversion to divination. At the tender age of four, she foresaw the advent of the Great Pirate Age, and more recently, she predicted the demise of Whitebeard. These prophecies were not events she found joy in predicting. A person who constantly foresees unfortunate events is not someone many would favor.
However...
Shyarly's gaze remained fixed on the crystal ball before her, and a lingering doubt occupied her thoughts, even if unconsciously.
The premature death of Whitebeard stirred a sense of discomfort within her. Intuitively, she felt as if the entire world had been subtly disturbed by numerous factors.
Even during her time with Tiger, she had silently foreseen Tiger's fate.
A fate marked by death, unequivocal and certain.
However, the actual outcome deviated significantly from her prediction.
Despite Tiger's capture in Impel Down, he miraculously evaded the foretold fate of death!
This marked the first time her predictions had failed, with Tiger's unexpected survival being the initial deviation, and Whitebeard's untimely demise becoming the second shock.
"What in the world is disrupting the course of destiny?!" Shyarly pondered with a sense of reluctance. Her purple-nail-polished palms once again graced the smooth surface of the crystal ball. Determined to attempt another prophecy, she sought answers.
As her cold fingertips made contact, Shyarly closed her eyes. Mysterious energy flowed, projecting the crystal ball's visions directly into her mind.
A scene of blood, pervasive and intense, assaulted her senses. It felt as if she had entered an endless purgatory, surrounded by a razor-sharp, palpable aura of violence that could cut through her skin.
Soon after, screams echoed loudly in her ears.
Struggling to discern her surroundings, Shyarly's heart plummeted as she realized the horrific scene was unfolding on Fish-Man Island!
Who could be the perpetrator?!
An idea flashed through Shyarly's mind as she fought to navigate through the murky vision.
A chilling profile of a young man materialized before her. His sharp features resembled lethal blades, cutting through her heart with an aura of impending doom!
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