Chapter 341: Chapter 342: A Prophecy?
Waterwheel Town Street.
Thump!
A pirate flew spinning into the air, then landed heavily on the ground, immediately falling unconscious with eyes rolled back.
The street was a mess, with hundreds of pirates sprawled everywhere, various weapons scattered about. Some were already unconscious, while others were still groaning.
Click!
Kicking the last man away, Marco hung up his Den Den Mushi. He stroked his chin, a puzzled expression on his face, and muttered, "Huh~ Why did that dangerous man come here? And Oliver, that killer..."
Logically, members of the Seven Warlords of the Sea could request permission from the World Government to pass directly through the Red Line between the New World and Paradise. So why would that man bother taking the dangerous route through Fish-Man Island?
After a pause, Marco mumbled again, "Never mind. I’d better go check it out. If a fight breaks out, Namur and Atmos might not be a match for those two."
Thump-thump-thump... Thump-thump-thump...
"Hurry up, those pirates are just ahead!"
"Don’t let Mr. Marco wait too long!"
"Those despicable pirates! We must send them to the mining district!"
"..."
A cacophony of voices drifted over. In the distance, a large group of Fish-Men in uniform, wielding long spears, battle axes, and other weapons, rushed toward the town.
"Well, well~ They’re here, the Neptune Army-yoi."
Marco glanced over, then suddenly leaped into the air, transforming mid-flight into the strange bird engulfed in faint blue flames.
"The rest is up to you, Fukaboshi."
Circling once in the air, Marco left a single sentence before flying away.
"That strange bird... is Marco-san."
Hearing the strange bird’s words from the sky, the Neptune Army soldiers also arrived on the street. They stared in surprise at the numerous fallen pirates scattered everywhere.
A Merman holding a trident couldn’t help but look up, just in time to see Marco’s receding figure. This Fish-Man was a large shark Merman with a stern, almost human-like face, a single dot on his forehead, shark teeth, and gill slits. He had wavy long hair and carried a golden trident.
He was none other than the first prince of the Ryugu Kingdom of Fish-Man Island, the eldest of the Neptune Brothers, and the next king of Fish-Man Island—Fukaboshi.
Withdrawing his gaze, Fukaboshi clutched his trident, his expression one of disgust as he looked at the numerous pirates on the street. He then commanded, "Imprison these guys and await judgment!"
...
Mermaid Cafe.
Fish-Man Island, Coral Hill, Mermaid Cafe.
The hall was elegantly decorated, with Merfolk, Fish-Men, and humans seated throughout. The aroma of coffee was also quite pleasant. Er—well, I admit I don’t like coffee, and I don’t find the smell very fragrant either.
Creak~
The door was pushed open, and Aeridar, wearing a black coat with white karakusa patterns, swaggered in. Behind him were Oliver, with his twin swords, and several burly subordinates.
"Well~ What a rare guest. I’m honored that such a distinguished person has graced my humble establishment." A slightly surprised, graceful voice rang out.
Aeridar looked up. A Mermaid with short dark hair and cold, alluring eyes, wearing a blue-purple hooded top, sat behind the bar, smoking a pipe, looking at him.
"Ah, it’s Madam Shyarly. Long time no see." Aeridar raised an eyebrow, waving with a smile in greeting.
Walking to the bar and sitting down, Aeridar grinned. "You’re getting more mature and beautiful, Madam Shyarly. How about a drink together?"
Oliver, standing nearby, pursed his lips, seemingly disdainful of Aeridar’s words.
Thump!
Shyarly placed four bottles of top-quality rum heavily on the counter in front of Aeridar, then said impolitely, "I don’t drink with pirates."
"Hahahaha~ You really don’t give me any respect, do you?!" Aeridar laughed heartily, not minding at all.
Oliver, meanwhile, took out a few cups, poured the liquor into them, and clinked glasses with the crew members behind him.
Puff~
Shyarly exhaled a smoke ring and asked, "Why are you here? Even if you’re going to Paradise, why didn’t you go through the Red Line?"
"Of course, I made a special trip to see you, my mature and beautiful Mermaid," Aeridar raised an eyebrow, winking at Shyarly.
"Oh, please. Go try that line on little girls," Shyarly rolled her eyes dismissively.
"Hahahaha~ You saw right through me." Aeridar rubbed his head, chuckling, "Well~ I didn’t want to see the hypocritical faces of those World Government guys. Besides, I wanted to have a chat with Jinbe."
"Boss Jinbe... He should be in Fish-Man District, but I’m sure he already knows you’re here." Shyarly took another puff from her pipe.
"By the way, Shyarly."
Aeridar first lowered his head to take a sip of his drink, then remained silent for a moment before abruptly looking up and saying, "I’ve always heard that your fortune-telling is 100% accurate. Please, make a prophecy for me!"
As soon as he spoke, Shyarly, Oliver, and the crew members’ pupils widened. They immediately looked at Aeridar.
After a moment of silence, Shyarly spoke softly, "Let’s not talk about prophecies. It’s better not to know the future."
"Ah~ I used to think so too, but..."
Aeridar’s eyes seemed distant. His fingers intertwined unconsciously, his chin resting on them, as he mumbled dreamily, "I have a reason to know. I want to know what changes will occur in this world because of my existence as an anomaly."
"Anomaly?" Shyarly’s delicate brows furrowed.
"Hey, hey~ Captain, what nonsense are you talking about?" Oliver also frowned, looking puzzled.
"Uh~ Hahahahaha..." Aeridar suddenly snapped out of it, rubbing his head and laughing carelessly. "If you don’t want to make a prophecy, then don’t. I know a little about the future anyway, Hahahaha..."
"Tch, how boring." Shyarly rolled her eyes, blowing a smoke ring directly into Aeridar’s face.
"Cough, cough, cough~ You’re going to choke me!" Aeridar coughed several times, then shouted in exasperation. "Don’t you know second-hand smoke is more harmful than smoking itself?!"
...
Coral Hill.
"Is this the place?" A Fish-Man with a blue-sleeved white shirt and an ’8’-shaped tattoo below his neck pointed at the Mermaid Cafe and asked.
"That’s right, I saw them go in with my own eyes," a rotund man nodded in response.
"We can’t let those two dangerous men run wild." The speaker was a tall, burly man wearing a horned helmet and carrying two large swords on his back.
It turned out that outside the Mermaid Cafe, dozens of muscular individuals, each wielding weapons, had gathered. The Fish-Man and the burly man with the horned helmet were leading them.
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