One Piece: King of the World

Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Shyarly: Will You Become Marine Fleet Admiral in the Future?

As Claudius listened to Lenny's suggestion, he studied Shyarly for a moment. This time, he was certain, this young mermaid was indeed the future owner of the Mermaid Café. If memory served, wasn't she somehow related to Arlong? Perhaps his older or younger sister?

Before Claudius could say anything, Stussy's curiosity got the better of her. With a gleam of interest in her eyes, she said, "You can predict the future? I love divinations like this. Why don't you give me a try first?"

It had to be said regardless of age or maturity, women seemed to have a natural fondness for fortune-telling and mysterious predictions.

"Are you interested Stussy? Great! Let's find a nice spot to sit and do this together," Lenny said enthusiastically.

Seeing their excitement, Claudius smiled and glanced at Sengoku Admiral, who appeared both exasperated and amused. With little else to do, both men decided to join the group.

Under Lenny's guidance, they soon arrived at a cozy café. As they stepped inside, Shyarly's eyes lit up with admiration, her gaze darting around the establishment with evident fascination.

"My dream is to open a café here in Coral Hill," Shyarly whispered to Mero, her tone shy yet full of longing.

Mero paused, touching her chin thoughtfully before nodding. "Since we're back now, and after all these years so much has changed including our homes being gone, why don't we help you make that dream come true? Let's open one together."

Lenny clapped her hands in agreement but then blinked mischievously and said, "That sounds like a great idea, but we're broke. If we want to open a café, we're going to need a generous investor, right?"

Mero caught on quickly and nodded with a sly smile. "You're right. But where would we find such a kind, handsome, and wealthy benefactor willing to invest in three poor little mermaids?"

Hearing their playful banter, Claudius chuckled and shook his head. "You two... Handsome and kind? Are you fishing for compliments or trying to guilt-trip me?"

"We're talking about a benefactor, Your Highness," Lenny teased with a grin.

"Let's be real," Claudius replied with mock seriousness. "Who else but me—this kind, handsome man would be foolish enough to indulge you two schemers?"

Mero didn't even hesitate. "So, it's settled then? You'll help us, Your Highness?"

Claudius couldn't help but laugh at her shamelessness. Not that he minded—after all, he'd long planned to establish some influence on Fish-Man Island. Mero and Lenny would play key roles in his plans, and the friendship they had built over the years only cemented his desire to support them.

"Fine, fine," Claudius relented with a wave of his hand. "But remember, this isn't without a price. Someday, I might need the two of you to lend me a hand."

Lenny immediately raised her arm, pointing to the mark of the Celestial Dragon's Hoof on her shoulder, now tattooed with the Donquixote family crest in its center. "Don't worry, Your Highness. Whatever you need, leave it to us!"

Once they settled into a corner of the café, the conversation shifted to Shyarly's abilities. Stussy, ever curious, leaned forward eagerly. "So, how does this work? Do you need my hair? My palm?"

Claudius raised an eyebrow, surprised by Stussy's enthusiasm. Judging by her eagerness, she must have had her fortune told more than once before.

Shyarly, a little shy, shook her head and replied, "No, I just need my crystal ball."

From her bag, Shyarly retrieved a clear crystal ball and set it gently on the table. "What would you like me to predict, Sister Stussy?"

Stussy's excitement faltered for a moment, and she glanced at Claudius with a suspicious look, as if worried he might overhear. Then, lowering her voice, she leaned close to Shyarly and whispered something in her ear.

Whatever Stussy said made Shyarly's cheeks flush pink, but she nodded in understanding. Placing her hands on the crystal ball, Shyarly closed her eyes, and the ball began to emit a soft, ethereal glow.

Claudius and Sengoku both leaned forward slightly, intrigued by the sight.

"Can she really see the future?" Sengoku muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "If this ability is real, its strategic value could be enormous."

Claudius shared his curiosity but was also cautious. "Does this ability have limitations?" he asked.

Before Shyarly could respond, Lenny eagerly chimed in, "Of course, there are limits! Shyarly's predictions are very accurate, but they don't work every time. The bigger the event, the harder it is for her to see clearly. Sometimes even she doesn't know why her visions succeed or fail, it's all up to fate! But she did predict the start of the Great Pirate Era, and that came true!"

"Seriously?" Claudius said, genuinely impressed.

Sengoku's expression became more serious. For a moment, he even considered whether Shyarly should be brought into Marine's fold as a strategic resource. But then, his gaze softened. "It's an incredible ability," he murmured, "but also a painful one. Predicting the future... isn't that an unbearable burden? People strive toward the future because they can't see it. If you already know what's coming, what's left to hope for?"

Claudius nodded in agreement. "True. Even if you could glimpse the future, would it be worth it? The future isn't set in stone. I'd rather face it head-on and shape it with my own hands."

Hearing this, Sengoku abandoned any thoughts of recruiting Shyarly. As admirable as her gift was, it seemed like a heavy cross to bear—one he had no desire to exploit.

Meanwhile, Shyarly finished her prediction and looked at Stussy. "Sister Stussy, you and—"

Before Shyarly could finish her sentence, Stussy let out a shriek and leapt to her feet, clapping a hand over the young mermaid's mouth. "Privacy! This is private! Shyarly, don't say it out loud!"

The scene was so over-the-top that Claudius couldn't help but laugh. "What's with all the mystery?" he teased.

Ignoring him, Stussy whispered something to Shyarly, who then shared the rest of the prediction in a hushed voice. Whatever Shyarly said caused Stussy's face to flush crimson, and she returned to her seat, clearly flustered. For the rest of the time, she sat in silence, occasionally breaking into a dreamy, silly smile.

Claudius couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "What could she possibly have told you to make you, the unshakable Queen Stussy act like that?"

After Stussy, Sengoku decided to try his luck. With a grin, he said, "Why don't you show me, too? Let this old man see what the future holds."

Shyarly smiled and nodded. "What would you like to know, Grandpa?"

"Anything is fine. Just surprise me," Sengoku said good-naturedly, ignoring the "Grandpa" label.

Shyarly once again placed her hands on the crystal ball, and it began to glow. After a few moments, she opened her eyes, startled, and exclaimed, "Grandpa, you're going to become Marine's Fleet Admiral soon!"

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