"Wow, this takoyaki is so delicious!" Shirahoshi ate the large takoyaki grilled by Hachi, her expression full of contentment.
Hachi, however, was drenched in sweat from exhaustion. The mermaid princess was not small in stature, and making takoyaki sufficiently filling for her was no easy task.
Nonetheless, with Camie's assistance, Hachi ultimately managed to grill numerous delicious, extra-large takoyaki for the captain of the Dawn Pirates and the mermaid princess.
"Um, do you know Luffy and the others?" Camie suddenly asked Rosen, showing no fear of him. Hachi was aware of the recent events on Fishman Island—the deaths of Hody and his crew—so his feelings toward Rosen were more awe than gratitude.
"We are acquainted. But whether we are enemies or friends, that remains to be seen," Rosen replied, seeing no reason to hide anything. Although there had been some mutual assistance during the Summit War, he did not know what had become of Vivi after the Alabasta incident.
"I'm sure you will become friends," Camie said with a smile, for one had protected her, and the other had protected her homeland.
Rosen smiled but paid it no mind, continuing onward with Shirahoshi.
"I never imagined there were so many fun and lively places on the island. It's a shame that, from what everyone says along the way, there would have been even more varieties of food without the poison gas, and also many beautiful exhibitions of seaweed and flowers..." Though slightly regretful, Shirahoshi was still very happy.
"Are the two of you interested in divination?" Shyarly, leaning against the entrance of her café with a smoking pipe in hand and exhaling puffs of smoke, inquired. She was quite interested in both of them.
"I wonder if my fate can be foretold. If it can, that would be interesting. If it can be changed, that would be even more amusing." Rosen did not fear having his future revealed, for he knew he was bound to be a variable.
"Divination, you mean fortune-telling? Are you Shyarly? I've heard my elder brothers speak of you," Shirahoshi said, equally curious.
"Then I'll give it a try. As for you, Shirahoshi, it won't be necessary," Rosen said after a moment's thought.
"Ah~ Why not? I... I want to as well..." Large tears began to roll down her cheeks once more. Had she done something to displease him? But she had no idea what it could be. From the look of it, he must dislike her now.
Had she eaten too much just now?
"Don't cry just yet. I'll explain the reason to you later," Rosen said, finding the situation both amusing and exasperating. Shirahoshi was far too prone to tears. Though she was beautiful even when crying, her tendency to weep at the slightest provocation still made Rosen feel a pang of guilt.
He always felt as if he were bullying a child.
"Then I shall divine your fortune first. This one is on the house." Shyarly glanced at Shirahoshi's size and estimated that the café would be rather cramped once she entered. She had someone bring her crystal ball over instead and then began to divine Rosen's future.
But as the divination commenced, Shyarly gradually furrowed her brow, for the result she received was a complete blank.
After several attempts yielded the same outcome, Shyarly could not help but recall her earlier divination outside Fishman Island. Could it be that his involvement was the reason she could not foresee the future of the entire island?
What kind of person was he?
"I apologize. I cannot read anything," Shyarly said, examining Rosen up and down with intense curiosity. She could discern nothing that set him apart from others. Why was his thread of destiny blank?
"Hmm," Rosen responded nonchalantly. Although somewhat unexpected, upon reflection, it did not seem strange.
"Princess Shirahoshi, do not seek to have your fortune told. Curiosity can sometimes invite disaster," Rosen said, leaving those words behind as he departed with Shirahoshi.
Shyarly watched the two leave without speaking further. She had indeed entertained the thought of divining Princess Shirahoshi's fortune herself, but upon hearing Rosen's words, she was inexplicably reminded of the recent incident with the giant Sea Kings and abandoned the notion.
The pair strolled for a while longer before finally arriving at the Sea Forest. Shirahoshi paid her respects to her late mother. Though belated, she still spoke at length before the grave.
"Hody is dead," Rosen stated abruptly. He simply felt she had a right to know, and also wished to convey that some matters could now be shared with her family—that she need not bear every burden alone in her heart.
"He died, then." Princess Shirahoshi felt no joy at this news, only a faint trace of sorrow.
"Everyone dies. To die at the right time is the best end. To die with purpose is the same."
"Your mother was a truly remarkable person. She raised you to be someone capable of setting aside resentment and hatred..." Some individuals, though lacking great strength, accomplish deeds that still inspire awe.
"Thank you."
"Lord Crocodile, on the way here, I noticed many people have hung your crew's flag outside their homes. Are you protecting Fishman Island? I have heard that powerful pirates can offer protection to nations. I... I do not wish for such terrible things to happen to Fishman Island again... Could I ask you to protect my country?" Shirahoshi's request was humble to the extreme. If Fishman Island were under his protection, surely things would be better.
Shirahoshi simply thought this and voiced it without much deeper consideration.
Rosen did not agree. To extend protection over Fishman Island—as long as no Emperor-level force made a move, other pirates would not necessarily risk offending the Dawn Pirates by targeting the island.
Their Jolly Roger currently commanded immense deterrent power throughout the pirate world.
Of course, if some reckless pirates insisted on causing trouble, there was little to be done. Not everyone felt fear or awe. Even territories under the Four Emperors frequently faced provocations. So-called protection was merely relative to the broader situation; small-scale conflicts remained unavoidable.
Nevertheless, for a nation, such protection was often sufficient. As long as the overall situation remained stable, they could handle the sporadic troubles themselves.
"Do you know why I prevented that person from glimpsing your future earlier?" Rosen suddenly asked.
Shirahoshi shook her head in bewilderment. Was it not because he disliked her?
"Because you possess the power to destroy the world within you. If someone were to divine that and the information leaked, it could very well bring catastrophic ruin upon Fishman Island," Rosen stated with grave seriousness.
"Me? Destroy the world?" Shirahoshi was stunned, then utterly confused.
Rosen sighed. Though perhaps a bit premature, since the moment presented itself, it was time to see how Shirahoshi viewed this power of hers. "That's right. You must have some memories of this. Whenever your emotions run out of control, don't giant Sea Kings appear? And can you not understand their communications?"
"How do you know that?" Shirahoshi nodded, but looked at Rosen in shock. She had never mentioned this to anyone, and it had been several years ago.
"Your father knows as well. Within your body resides an immensely powerful force that allows you to summon and command giant Sea Kings to serve you. You are their sovereign," Rosen continued, watching Shirahoshi to gauge her reaction upon learning the truth.
"I... I truly possess such power? Are you talking about... me?" Shirahoshi lacked any confidence whatsoever. How could she possibly be someone so formidable?
"That's correct. It is you," Rosen affirmed with a firm nod. Shirahoshi fell silent for a moment.
"Then... can I use this power to protect Fishman Island?" Shirahoshi suddenly asked.
Rosen smiled. "You can."
(End of Chapter)