It was almost inevitable that Naruto and Queen Otohi would beco good friends.
Otohi was one of the few people in the One Piece world born with the innate ability to [Hear the Voices of the Heart], and Naruto was the sa.
At that ti, Naruto had just left Roger's protection and was searching for clues to return ho on his own when he happened to pass through Fish-Man Island.
However, due to his forr affiliation with the Roger Pirates, Naruto couldn't stay there for long.
They kept in touch occasionally afterward.
It wasn't until Naruto heard that Otohi had been assassinated by a human pirate during a speech that their connection ca to an end.
And it was precisely this incident that solidified Naruto's resolve to 'never beco a pirate'.
Coral Hill, a comrcial street not far from Ryugu Palace.
"Man, living underwater is amazing-"
Naruto picked his teeth as he stepped out of a seafood barbecue restaurant.
At first glance, the idea of rfolk and fish-n eating sea creatures might sound a bit dark, but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense.
Big fish eat smaller fish, so it's not like one would expect the rfolk of the deep sea to survive on a vegetarian diet.
Besides, aside from the [Sunlight Tree Eve]], which provided light to Fish-Man Island, the only other plants around were so moss and algae.
Crispy fried oysters, grilled octopus skewers, seafood buckets eaten by hand… Naruto silently noted down all these delicious dishes in his ntal notebook.
'Even after all these years away, the culinary scene here had only gotten better.'
Stopping in front of a cafe, Naruto paused.
[rmaid Café]
The na didn't sound particularly unique, but it was a good place for so dessert after his al.
Naruto had no worries about gaining weight… he ate whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Or rather, he ate his way through every place he visited.
Pushing the door open, he was greeted by a group of lightly dressed rmaid waitresses.
Upon seeing Naruto's imposing figure, the rmaids froze for a mont.
Fortunately, Naruto's attitude was very friendly, and since he was also quite generous (thanks to the 'generous sponsorship' from the Celestial Dragons), the atmosphere quickly returned to normal.
"Custor, here's your chiffon cake."
The rmaid waitress holding the dessert tried to place it on the table but realized that Naruto's table was already completely covered with dishes. For a mont, she didn't know what to do.
"Oh, no problem, just hand it to ."
Naruto was always considerate… he simply took the plate of cake from her hands.
What required both hands for the rmaid to carry looked like a sample-sized snack in Naruto's grip.
'Mmm… sweet, with a hint of oceanic flavor. It probably had so dried seaweed mixed in.'
If you asked Naruto about cooking, he wasn't the best, but when it ca to eating, he was an expert!
Just as Naruto was putting on another eating spectacle inside the cafe, in a room at the back of the rmaid Cafe with a sign reading [SHYARLY].
Crack!
A crystal ball was unconsciously knocked off the table by a pair of hands, shattering on the floor.
Madam Shyarly, dressed in a deep V-neck top, looked dazed. The eye not covered by her black hair was filled with confusion and terror.
Just monts ago, she had perford a divination on a whim… sothing she rarely did.
Because she believed that so futures were better left unknown. A future foretold by prophecy could not be changed.
The images reflected in the crystal ball showed endless war.
The flas of war spread not only across the islands of the sea but also reached the depths of Fish-Man Island.
A shadowy figure seated on a throne and another figure floating in the sky, radiant like the incarnation of the sun, stood in opposition.
Their exact identities were unclear, but everything around them was annihilated in the aftermath of their battle.
It was a war capable of destroying the world.
The sound of the crystal ball shattering also startled the rmaids in the kitchen.
When they rushed into the room, they found Shyarly collapsed on the floor, her palm cut by the broken crystal ball, blood dripping freely… yet she seed completely unaware.
"What happened?"
"Ah!"
"Quick, Madam is injured!"
"Hurry and help! Soone help lift her!"
Most areas of Fish-Man Island were drained of water, and this rmaid Café was no exception. Since rmaids lacked legs, they usually moved around using floating resin bubbles.
This was the first ti the staff had ever seen their owner in such a state.
Normally, Shyarly would sit gracefully on the sofa, calmly revealing the fates of the guests who sought her out.
The commotion caused by Shyarly's collapse drew the attention of the other waitresses, their faces filled with concern.
After all, Shyarly had always treated them kindly and was lenient in her managent, so the girls genuinely cared for her.
The lively chatter around Naruto instantly vanished as the rmaids rushed away.
He didn't mind, though.
'But it sounded like soone was hurt?'
"Move aside, move aside! I know dical techniques… I can help treat her."
Naruto's booming voice quickly cald the chaotic scene, and the rmaid girls made way, revealing Shyarly.
Here's sothing worth ntioning:
Shyarly was a Great White Shark rmaid, standing at a full 5.2 ters tall.
That was why the ordinary rmaids had struggled so hard to lift her, as they simply didn't have the strength.
"Huh? Aren't you-?"
Naruto stared at her face, feeling a sense of familiarity.
But his hands didn't stop moving.
Though Shyarly's size far exceeded that of an average rmaid, for Naruto, it was just right.
And by 'just right', he ant that carrying her wouldn't let her tail drag on the floor.
After placing Madam Shyarly on the sofa, Naruto channeled green healing Chakra into his palms to treat her wounds while still trying to recall who she was.
'I seed to have seen this woman before when I ca to Fish-Man Island to learn Fish-Man Karate from Fisher and Jinbe.'
'Shyarly… Madam Shyarly… Oh!'
Now he rembered.
'Madam Shyarly… or rather, little Shyarly!'
'That girl who used to follow Jinbe and the others from Fish-Man District.'
'It's true that girls change a lot when they grow up… especially in size.'
But just as Naruto was about to speak, he froze.
Because he rembered sothing else.
Shyarly was Arlong's half-sister.
And by now, Arlong was already dead.
"...Is that you, Naruto? It's been a long ti."
Feeling the warmth on her palm, Shyarly finally regained her senses and saw Naruto's face up close.
Over a decade had passed, but Naruto still looked like he was in his early twenties.
That made it easy for Shyarly to recognize him imdiately.
"Ah, Shyarly-"
Naruto wasn't sure how to bring it up, but he wasn't one to shy away from difficult conversations. He quickly gathered his thoughts.
"About Arlong… do you know?"
"...Yes, I know."
"I see…"
In fact, even without direct contact, Shirley had learned of her brother's death from the Marines' news about the destruction of Arlong Park.
But truthfully… she wasn't all that sad.
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