Lloyd's thoughts drifted toward Shirahoshi. Since Roger had visited Fish‑Man Island the previous year, there were still nearly nine years until her birth. King Neptune had known of this looming event through the young diviner, and Shirahoshi's future was already whispered in prophecy long before her arrival.
As Lloyd lifted his gaze toward the startled King Neptune, the king tensed, misinterpreting Lloyd's stare as a threat. Amid the tension, Lloyd spoke deliberately, voice calm and measured,
Your Majesty Neptune, I have heard…
Black Dragon Admiral!
Before he could complete his thought, Queen Otohime rushed forward to interrupt. Lloyd was unfazed, offering a small smile,
You must be Queen Otohime, correct? Is something the matter?
Otohime appeared far calmer than Neptune. She gave Lloyd a gentle, welcoming smile, and spoke in a soft, composed voice,
Black Dragon Admiral, you are our honored guest. We should not have you standing here uncomfortably. Please allow me to arrange proper welcoming accommodations.
With that, Otohime cast a meaningful glance at Neptune. The king, still slightly bewildered, hesitated only a moment before nodding repeatedly in agreement with her suggestion.
Lloyd noticed something subtle in their exchanged expressions, though he gave no outward sign of concern and readily accepted the arrangement.
Delighted by his agreement, Otohime promptly assigned two beautiful mermaid attendants to guide Lloyd to a place where he could rest and change his attire.
Once Lloyd departed, Otohime turned toward Tiger.
Tiger, she asked warmly, did you arrive here with the Black Dragon?
Tiger, still respectful toward royalty, nodded and truthfully retold the account of how Lloyd had saved him from the slave‑trader ship. Hearing this, Otohime considered for a moment and then spoke,
It seems this Black Dragon Admiral may be more benevolent than rumors suggest, but we still must not drop our guard. Neptune, you should send someone to bring Shyarly here at once. We need her divination.
Though Otohime was less than a year Neptune's junior, the king had never underestimated her counsel. Her thoughtful insights were often crucial in guiding the kingdom's decisions.
Upon hearing her request, he immediately ordered the Right Minister to fetch Shyarly without delay.
Once the Right Minister departed, Otohime turned to Neptune with a sigh,
Neptune, with the sudden arrival of Admiral Black Dragon, I would estimate there is an eighty to ninety percent chance he is connected to your past with Roger.
Neptune nodded gravely, his expression serious. As Tiger listened, a spark of admiration grew in his eyes for Otohime's keen insight.
Tiger realized he had not fully considered this angle. The Roger Pirates had long been at odds with the World Government, and the Ryugu Kingdom was affiliated with the world's largest military organization. The two should not naturally be aligned at all.
For the king to become friends with Roger, Tiger thought, was truly a monumental taboo.
But Tiger reflected further, remembering the abrupt nature of Lloyd's arrival at sea. Lloyd's visit to Fish‑Man Island seemed almost whimsical, unplanned, and utterly unexpected.
Tiger hesitated for a moment before speaking,
Queen Otohime, I do not believe the Black Dragon Admiral's visit this time is born of malice. Did you ask him to come because you want to…
He stopped, though his meaning was clear.
Tiger valued kindness and loyalty above all. He was deeply grateful to Lloyd for rescuing him, and could not bear the thought of his benefactor being plotted against in his own homeland.
Otohime understood Tiger's implication, and she gave a faint, bittersweet smile.
Tiger, she said gently, do you truly think I would scheme against an Admiral? Do you understand the power of an Admiral?
Tiger fell silent. Of course he understood. He was the only person on Fish‑Man Island who had witnessed Lloyd's power firsthand.
Even now, he still felt the lingering fear of that vast darkness Lloyd had commanded, a darkness capable of consuming monstrosities of gargantuan size with casual ease.
Otohime exhaled softly, continuing,
Even if the Black Dragon Admiral is truly here to demand answers or even to settle old scores by force, we on Fish‑Man Island can do nothing but endure it. We cannot mount resistance, or our island — our people — will suffer utter ruin.
Jinbe, standing quietly behind them, listened in silence. Today he had seen a true top‑tier powerhouse up close, someone whose very presence could overwhelm an entire kingdom's defenses.
Otohime's tone grew softer,
What we must do now is buy time. Once Shyarly arrives, let her divine what lies ahead. Whether fortune or disaster, at least we will be prepared.
After she finished speaking, an uneasy silence settled across the main hall.
Fortunately, the Right Minister acted quickly and soon returned with Shyarly.
At this time she was far from the regal figure she would grow into in the future; she was still a small child of under five years.
She wore a tiny purple robe, her eyes wide with confusion as the Right Minister led her forward before Otohime and the assembled royals.
Otohime bent down gently, her gaze warm and patient as she addressed the young girl,
Little Shyarly, I need your help. Please tell us, will the arrival of this Admiral bring misfortune to Fish‑Man Island?
Shyarly hesitated. Though so young, her innate ability to see visions of the future had already begun to manifest, granting her deeper insights than most her age. However, that gift also weighed heavily on her, bringing weariness beyond her years.
Otohime continued to encourage her, and at last Shyarly reached out with trembling small hands toward a crystal clear orb placed before her.
Everyone leaned in, faces tense with worry, as Shyarly closed her eyes and a fine sheen of sweat beaded upon her brow.
Under all eyes the crystal orb began to shift.
Dark substance slowly formed within its once‑clear interior, spreading until the entire sphere was engulfed in shadowy mist. At last the orb itself rose, seemingly alive with movement as its mass pulsed with the swirling black fog.
The sight froze everyone in place, their breaths caught in nervous silence.
Suddenly Shyarly screamed, pain ripping through her young voice. She yanked her hands away from the orb, clutching her head before collapsing to the ground in distress.
The crystal orb hovered in midair, shaking violently before shrinking into a pinprick of darkness, then vanishing entirely before anyone's eyes.
A heavy hush befell the hall, the unsettling silence stretching in the wake of the young girl's terrifying vision.
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