"What… can you see?"
Shyarly froze for a moment. Then she slowly closed her eyes.
A faint bluish glow flickered from within the crystal ball, its light reflecting across her still-childish face.
A moment later, her eyes flew open—her pupils dilating as if she were witnessing something far beyond human comprehension.
Inside the crystal ball, scenes shifted endlessly…
The earth split apart.Towering tsunamis rose into the sky.Tempests raged.Everything that once existed was mercilessly destroyed.
And atop the ruins… a new order was being built.
"Only by completely shattering the rusted giant anchor,"Shyarly's voice suddenly became distant and ethereal, starkly at odds with her young appearance,"can a new ship truly set sail."
Then—
"You will… rule the world."
In that instant, silence fell.
"Rule?"Lipo tilted her head, her rabbit ears twitching lightly."Does that mean Gern is going to be a king?"
Tezoro let out a quiet breath, the corners of his lips lifting."So even the Celestial Dragons don't mean anything to him… I knew it."
Tiger said nothing.
His gaze locked firmly onto Gern, as though trying to peer straight through him—into the deepest core of the man standing there.
Especially as he recalled yesterday's conversation in the Sea Forest, waves of shock crashed through his heart.
This man's ambition… was far greater than he had ever imagined.
"But you are not alone," Shyarly continued, her voice beginning to tremble."Behind you… I see many people… and even those who call themselves 'gods'!"
Her words cut off abruptly.
Suddenly, she began gasping for breath. Her small body shook violently, cold sweat soaking through her purple cloak.
"Hey! Shyarly!"Seeing his sister collapse, Arlong lunged forward, scooping her up in his arms.He glared at Gern, fury blazing in his eyes."You damn human! What did you do to her?!"
Gern didn't answer.
He simply watched Shyarly quietly, a flicker of complex emotion passing through his eyes.
At that moment, Lipo hurried forward and gently placed her hand on Shyarly's forehead.
"Relax. Take a deep breath."
As the power of the Heal-Heal Fruit activated, a soft green glow spread outward. Shyarly's breathing gradually steadied, though the fear in her eyes did not fade.
She clutched tightly at Arlong's clothing, burying her face in the chest of the brother who claimed to despise her—no longer daring to look at Gern.
"What did she see?" Tiger asked in a low voice.
"The future," Gern replied calmly."One possible future."
"Hmph. All nonsense," Arlong snorted."She's always been like this since she was little—spouting weird, cryptic nonsense."
Yet even as he spoke, his arms tightened protectively around his sister.
"Arlong…"Shyarly lifted her head weakly."I'm fine. It's just… that image was too terrifying…"
Gern rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.
"That's enough for today. Tiger—we should head back."
Tiger stared at Gern for a long moment, then nodded.
...
After leaving Fish-Man Street, sunlight filtered down through the sea, casting a hazy glow over the dilapidated streets.
Lipo skipped along beside Gern, occasionally sneaking glances at his profile.
"Gern," she finally couldn't hold back her curiosity,"are you really going to become a king?"
"Haha."Gern chuckled softly and rubbed her head."Do you think I'd make a good king?"
"Umm…"Lipo thought seriously for a moment."If Gern became king, then everyone would definitely be able to eat carrot cake!"
"If that's the case," Tezoro laughed despite himself,"I'd better start preparing a solid gold cake mold in advance."
Walking at the very back, Tiger listened to the lighthearted conversation ahead—but his heart felt unbearably heavy.
Shyarly's prophecy intertwined with Gern's words from yesterday, forming a deeply unsettling picture in his mind.
When they returned to Ryugu Palace, Neptune and Otohime were already waiting.
Seeing them arrive, Otohime hurried forward."How did it go? Shyarly's prophecy—"
"She's fine. Just exhausted," Tiger interrupted quietly, his words carrying a hidden meaning."Princess… we'll speak of it later."
Otohime looked at Tiger, then nodded. She turned to Gern.
"Vice Admiral Gern, Neptune and I have discussed the matter of cooperation."
Neptune stepped forward, his expression solemn."We are willing to accept your proposal.Fish-Man Island will establish cooperation—with you alone. But there is one condition."
"Please," Gern said with a slight nod.
"You are not to interfere in Fish-Man Island's internal affairs," Neptune said gravely."And we require tangible protection—not merely verbal promises."
"Perfectly reasonable."Gern smiled faintly."When I leave, I'll leave behind a dedicated Den Den Mushi.If anything happens, my subordinates—or I myself—will arrive immediately."
"And one more thing," Neptune continued, his voice turning cold as memories from his childhood surfaced."Fish-Man Island will tell no one about this cooperation.Meaning that if you are unfortunate enough to die at the hands of some pirate…we will act as though this agreement never existed. After all—even Admirals can be killed."
"Heh. I understand."Gern nodded."In any case, King Neptune—just watch closely.Today's decision will be the most rational choice you've ever made."
As the two men shook hands, a glimmer of hope shone in Otohime's eyes.
"This will be a crucial step," she thought softly,"toward peaceful coexistence between Fish-Man Island and humans."
That night, a small banquet was held at Ryugu Palace to celebrate the agreement.
Lipo enthusiastically sampled all kinds of seafood dishes, while Tezoro took the opportunity to thoroughly plunder the shipwreck gold scattered throughout the Sea Forest.
As the banquet drew to a close, Gern stood alone on a balcony, gazing into the distant depths of the sea, lost in thought.
"Vice Admiral Gern," Tiger's voice sounded behind him."May I speak with you privately?"
Without turning around, Gern replied,"About Shyarly's prophecy?"
"No."Tiger stepped beside him, his eyes resolute."It's about your so-called 'Calamity Justice.'I want to know—what exactly do you intend to do?"
Gern understood immediately.
When dealing with a revolutionary-minded man like Tiger, one had to speak the language of revolution.
So after a long, deliberate silence, Gern finally spoke.
"Tiger, you've seen the darkest side of this world.Tell me—do you believe the current order can still be saved?"
Tiger clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms."No."
"Then the answer is obvious."Gern's voice was calm, yet carried overwhelming force."Destroy it—and rebuild."
"Even if it means sacrificing countless lives?"
"Change has always come with sacrifice."Gern turned to look at Tiger."But compared to endless oppression, a brief period of pain may be the kinder choice."
Tiger drew in a deep breath."You're even more… than I imagined."
"Extreme?"Gern smiled faintly."Perhaps. But sometimes, only extremity can break a deadlock."
Their conversation was interrupted by cheerful laughter.
Lipo ran across the balcony with several mermaid children, sparkling shells clutched in their hands.
"Gern! Look!"She excitedly held up a starfish-shaped ornament."They gave this to me!"
Gern's gaze softened."It's beautiful."
Watching the scene, Tiger suddenly asked,"Does that mink girl know what you truly intend to do?"
"She only needs to know that I am her commanding officer," Gern replied quietly.
The banquet continued deep into the night.
When everyone had finally dispersed, Gern stood alone at the highest point of Ryugu Palace, overlooking the nightscape of Fish-Man Island.
"The future, huh…"
The next day, Gern's warship set sail, departing Fish-Man Island—not toward the New World, but back toward the Sabaody Archipelago.