In the afternoon, Neptune prepared a grand banquet unlike any Fish-Man Island had ever seen, all to honor Rolan for saving the island.
Stars from across Fish-Man Island were invited to perform, adding sparkle and prestige to the event. Most importantly, Neptune made a formal announcement: Fish-Man Island would now fall under Rolan's authority.
To his surprise, the decision was met with unanimous approval. No one objected, saving Neptune the trouble of lengthy explanations.
---
Meanwhile, in a quiet café on Fish-Man Island, Madam Shyarly held a crystal ball, her frustration palpable.
"This broken crystal ball's divination is completely inaccurate! What do I need you for?"
All her warnings about Rolan destroying Fish-Man Island had proven false. Not only had he spared the island, he had become its savior. Shyarly suspected a rare malfunction, wondering if she had misjudged the legendary pirate. If Rolan had been harmed by her misprediction, the guilt would have been unbearable.
She lifted the heavy crystal ball, considering smashing it. Just as she was about to, a voice interrupted, calm but commanding:
"Madam Shyarly, don't."
Shyarly spun around and froze. "R-Rolan? You…"
Rolan's expression was unreadable, as always. He gestured at the crystal ball. "May I see that?"
Shyarly hesitated, still recovering from the shock of his sudden appearance. Rolan noticed her wide-eyed look and shook his head, somewhat amused. "I just want to look at it. Nothing more."
Curious despite herself, Shyarly handed it over. The crystal ball felt cool to the touch. Rolan focused, sending his Observation Haki into it.
Shyarly spoke cautiously. "Lord Rolan, diviners are born with a special gift. We can predict a person's next move and infuse the crystal ball with that power to see divinations."
Rolan's eyes narrowed. Observation Haki—he recognized it immediately. Some individuals on Sky Island had been born with awakened Observation Haki, and it seemed Fish-Man Island's diviners were no exception.
Soon, a vision appeared inside the crystal ball, but it was unlike anything Shyarly had seen. Two mermaids and a man were there.
The blue shark mermaid asked, "Are you sure this will save the World?"
The man replied, "It definitely will. Imu will never expect we planned this eight hundred years ago."
The blue mermaid glanced toward Rolan. "It seems our plan might change."
The scene abruptly ended.
Rolan frowned. The man must be Joy Boy, the blue mermaid a diviner from that era, and the pink mermaid their Mermaid Princess. Eight centuries of careful planning had led to this moment.
Shyarly, noticing his intense reaction, hurried to reassure him. "Lord Rolan, the crystal ball is likely malfunctioning. Don't believe everything inside."
Rolan's curiosity was piqued. "Madam Shyarly, tell me what you actually saw."
Shyarly hesitated, then spoke carefully. Rolan listened, processing the difference between her vision and the false prophecy of Fish-Man Island's destruction.
"Ah… so that's what it really shows," he murmured, relaxing slightly.
Shyarly blinked. "Does that mean… Lord Rolan will…?"
Rolan shook his head, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Of course not. I won't destroy Fish-Man Island."
Shyarly's confusion deepened.
"The vision is real," he explained, "but it depicts Fish-Man Island after it is moved to my kingdom."
"My kingdom?" Shyarly repeated, incredulous. "You mean… you'll relocate the entire island?"
Rolan said nothing more. He left only a single message: "Know this—I will never harm Fish-Man Island in any way."
Before Shyarly could ask further, Rolan vanished from the café, leaving her staring at the empty spot, lost in thought.
---
That night, Shirahoshi, still enamored, clutched Rolan possessively. "Tonight, I want to sleep with my Husband-to-be!"
Rolan, lost in thought over the crystal ball's revelation, nearly spat blood at her audacity.
Neptune, standing nearby, turned pale. How could his beloved daughter be so bold? He snapped, "Absolutely not!"
Lina and Nami exchanged glances. The princess's confidence was impressive, yet… concerning.
Rolan, with a wry smile, shook his head. "No! Shirahoshi, absolutely not!"
Shirahoshi pouted, tilting her head. "Why? Others… sleep together even if they aren't married."
Rolan rubbed his forehead, exasperated. "We aren't married. End of discussion."
Neptune eagerly nodded, "Exactly! Not yet, at least!"
Shirahoshi's bottom lip trembled. "But… some couples do it before marriage."
"No!! Absolutely not! Do that, and I won't recognize you as my daughter."
The young mermaid finally relented. "So… after we're married, then we can sleep together?"
Neptune buried his face in his hands. How could his daughter's thoughts wander so freely toward Rolan?
____
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