Chapter 148: Madam Shyarly, Packing Up the Mermaid Café
That night, Caelan and his group were arranged to stay in Ryugu Castle.
After playing outside with the girls for half a day, Shirahoshi was reluctant to part from her new friends.
They agreed to meet at the Mermaid Café the next day, and then parted reluctantly.
"That's great. Shirahoshi finally has her own friends now."
Seeing this scene, Neptune was filled with relief and joy.
But Caelan couldn't understand why they were making such a big deal out of one night—after all, they'd be together from now on anyway.
The next day, he checked on the shipbuilding site once more.
Seeing the fishmen working up a sweat under Jinbe's supervision, Caelan was quite satisfied.
Then, Caelan turned and walked toward the Mermaid Café, where he met up with the girls.
Shirahoshi was still chatting happily with the others, and when Caelan saw that he couldn't get a word in, he instead struck up a conversation with the proprietress nearby.
Madam Shyarly, a blue shark mermaid, was Arlong's half-sister and possessed extraordinary powers of divination.
She stood five meters tall, with the face of a queen. Her dark blue eyes carried a cold temperament, her skin was pale, and her figure was well-endowed.
Compared to the pure and sweet Shirahoshi, this was a mermaid of a completely different allure.
She was like a mermaid version of Morgana.
In short, Caelan was quite intrigued by her.
"I heard your predictions are very accurate?"
Caelan asked casually as he took a sip of coffee.
When she was three years old, she predicted the birth of Poseidon. At four, she foresaw the coming of the Great Pirate Era. As she grew, she predicted many other major events. Because of this ability, she was honored with the title "Madam Shyarly."
Caelan was still curious about this ability.
"They used to be accurate… but now, I'm not so sure."
Madam Shyarly exhaled a puff of smoke, speaking somewhat ruefully.
According to her previous predictions, the New Fishman Pirates still had a role to play in the next two years.
But they were wiped out the day after Caelan arrived.
When Caelan displayed his power and defeated the New Fishman Pirates, she tried to revise her predictions.
The result she saw made her even more astonished.
"Really? Want to try again?"
"For example, can you predict whether I'll shake your hand?"
Caelan raised his palm and held it out toward Madam Shyarly.
"Aren't you afraid your girlfriends will get jealous?"
Madam Shyarly smirked, a seductive curve on her lips.
In the future she saw, Caelan would indeed take her hand.
If she said yes, he'd grab her hand and compliment her accurate prediction. If she said no, he'd still take her hand and praise how nice it felt.
No matter what, this hand would be shaken.
"Not worried. Just make the prediction."
Caelan shook his head and replied seriously.
Madam Shyarly didn't even bother making a prediction, because this man had already locked in the outcome.
She reached out and directly took Caelan's hand.
"Feels nice."
Madam Shyarly commented, using the very line Caelan was about to say.
"Wow, your prediction is spot-on!"
Caelan exclaimed and lightly hooked his fingers with hers.
Madam Shyarly's hands were cool to the touch, very pleasant.
This woman's even stealing my lines now...
"Sigh. I'm nothing compared to you."
Madam Shyarly withdrew her hand calmly.
But she had seen more than just this outcome.
"You really are something. Come with me."
Caelan said, as if he'd made up his mind.
It wasn't an invitation—it was a command.
This woman's ability was useful, and her appearance suited his taste. He had no intention of letting her go.
But if he asked too gently, she might just reject him.
So, it was an order.
She didn't have the right to choose her destiny—only to be chosen by it.
"So direct, huh?" Madam Shyarly smiled helplessly. Then she added, "I agree."
Even though she had seen this scene in her prophecy, facing it in person still made her feel conflicted.
"You don't resent me? I'm the one who killed Arlong."
Caelan frowned and asked.
"There's nothing to resent. We weren't close. And if you hadn't killed him after all the things he did, someone else would have eventually."
Madam Shyarly exhaled another puff of smoke and spoke calmly.
In truth, if Caelan hadn't brought it up, she wouldn't have even remembered it.
"We've only just met, and you're not even going to struggle?"
Caelan asked, a little surprised.
People who peek into fate usually react in two ways.
First: "Screw fate, I control my own life!"
Second: Believe in fate, lie down, and accept it.
But Madam Shyarly was lying down a little too fast.
"There's nothing to struggle over. I just want to find a man."
Madam Shyarly hooked her finger under Caelan's chin and smiled devilishly.
If it were a man doing that, it'd come off sleazy. But coming from her, it only added to her queenly allure.
In truth, she'd picked up this behavior from Caelan.
"Wow! So bold!"
Shirahoshi nearby was stunned.
If they remembered correctly, this was the first time Madam Shyarly had ever spoken with Caelan.
And they'd only met yesterday.
"Manager, are you going to leave with Caelan-sama?"
The mermaid waitresses saw the scene, exclaimed, and then became visibly saddened.
If the store manager left, they'd lose their jobs.
And if Madam Shyarly left, it was likely they wouldn't see her again for a long time.
"It's fine. If you want to come, then come along."
"I believe Caelan will agree."
Madam Shyarly looked at her waitresses and made the invitation on Caelan's behalf.
"Really? Caelan-sama?"
The mermaid waitresses immediately looked at Caelan, their eyes sparkling.
They also wanted to see the outside world. And if they could follow their store manager, even better.
Besides, he was the great hero who resolved two crises on Fishman Island. They admired him deeply.
"Of course. No problem. I welcome you too."
Caelan replied with a smile.
The mermaid girls at the Mermaid Café were all good-looking and had great attitudes.
It would be a shame to let them go. Better to bring them aboard the Wind Rider as daily maids. That way, Shirahoshi could also have companions of her own kind.
"Awesome! We can go to the surface now!"
"We'll get to see the blue sky, vast forests, and all kinds of amazing sights!"
The mermaids swarmed around Caelan and gave him their thanks quite enthusiastically.
For a moment, Caelan's mind went blank as he was buried in a sea of mermaids and couldn't breathe.
"Alright, stop crowding Caelan and go pack up."
Madam Shyarly knocked on the table and spoke sternly.
(To be continued.)
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Chapter 149: Limited Fortune Telling
"Goodbye, Caelan-sama!"
The mermaids bid farewell to Caelan and reluctantly left. Before going, they didn't forget to toss a few flirtatious glances his way.
"They used to come at you one by one, but now it's more than ten all at once. Caelan, you're really something."
Nami said sourly as she watched the mermaids leave and saw Madam Shyarly sitting at the bar.
The other girls wore similarly jealous expressions as they looked at Caelan.
Shirahoshi was fine—she was only fourteen. No one was jealous of her coming aboard.
Even Hancock, who was usually the most possessive, said nothing this time.
But those mermaids were all gorgeous and had stunning figures. And Madam Shyarly had a distinctive, intellectual charm.
Bringing them all onboard at once was a bold move. Even though they were used to Caelan's fickle ways, it still surprised them.
"Caelan, you've invited so many people… that means less time for me."
Hancock stared at Caelan with obsession in her eyes, looking wronged.
She was fine with the girls who came earlier. But now that a dozen more were suddenly joining, it was bound to cut into her time with him.
Nearby, Gion, Uta, Nojiko, and Shyarly watched the whole "battlefield of love" unfold with interest.
They hadn't been fully won over by Caelan yet, so they naturally felt free to watch the chaos unfold.
Shirahoshi also widened her eyes in curiosity. Her youthful nature couldn't resist some juicy drama.
Faced with this Caelan remained completely unfazed.
First, he turned to Hancock, the one most prone to jealousy.
"Have you heard of Pure Gold? If we can find it, we'll all live forever. That way, we can be together forever and ever."
Caelan gently took Hancock's hand and said this tenderly.
It wasn't a lie. With a complete Heroic Spirit Template, he already had eternal life. As long as he found Pure Gold, he could keep them young forever and stay with them for eternity.
"Together… forever!?"
Hancock's face turned bright red as she murmured in bliss.
She didn't doubt Caelan's promise for a second and immediately forgot her earlier frustration.
It was the first time he'd said something so romantic to her.
"She's way too easy…"
The other girls covered their foreheads as they watched Hancock melt.
After settling Hancock, Caelan turned his attention to Nami.
I'm not that easy to please!
Nami lifted her chin defiantly and met his gaze head-on.
"Nami, here's 30 million Berries. Spend it however you like."
Caelan handed over 30 million Berries from his system inventory.
His panel always held a spare 60 million Berries, but due to his compulsive habits, he never included it in his official tally.
Now was a good time to spend 30 million to calm Nami down. He could save the other half for next time.
"Marvelous!"
Nami clutched the Berries to her chest and squealed in joy.
All of her jealousy and frustration vanished in an instant.
Even though she had her own stash, who didn't want more money?
"There goes another one~"
The other girls sighed again, covering their faces.
Nami, who'd been so proud and unyielding a moment ago, gave in just like that.
Her performance wasn't even as dignified as Hancock's.
"Come on, let's go shopping!"
Nami held up the Berries and excitedly pulled the girls along.
You get what you pay for. After accepting Caelan's bribe, she couldn't let his "backyard" catch fire.
"I can't do anything about you."
The girls all sighed and followed behind her.
In the blink of an eye, only Caelan and Madam Shyarly were left in the Mermaid Café.
"You're quite the romantic."
Madam Shyarly looked at him with a teasing smile.
Caelan's behavior just now could definitely be called top-tier scumbag material.
Meanwhile, Caelan was staring at Madam Shyarly's mouth, momentarily stunned.
The sharp shark teeth she showed when she was angry had a strange appeal.
"I feel like you're thinking something inappropriate."
Madam Shyarly locked eyes with him, a glint of insight flashing in her pupils.
"No…"
"I was just thinking about your fortune-telling."
Caelan said seriously.
He truly was intrigued by Madam Shyarly's ability.
He had sent Nami and the others away because he wanted to talk to her privately.
Logically speaking, he, someone from another world with a system, shouldn't appear in any of her prophecies.
But not only had he appeared, her predictions were remarkably accurate.
It was like she could foresee his every move.
That piqued his curiosity.
"My predictions? They're not accurate at all when it comes to you."
Madam Shyarly chuckled at herself.
"But your performance just now made it seem like you completely saw through me."
Caelan frowned slightly. He was puzzled.
If he wasn't in her prophecy, how had she reacted so confidently?
Could she have seen through him just from two brief meetings?
Understood him that well, so as to predict his actions?
"In fact, the prophecies related to you keep changing. I can't even tell if they're real or not anymore."
"For example, your killing of the Golden Lion and the Demon King of the East Blue. Those were never in my visions."
"According to my original prophecy, you couldn't defeat them."
"You wouldn't be able to catch the Golden Lion, and you didn't have the power to destroy the Demon King. But in the end, you killed them both."
Madam Shyarly took a long drag on her cigarette and exhaled, speaking with a touch of bewilderment.
She truly didn't understand how that could have happened.
In all her previous prophecies, people developed in predictable ways. But Caelan was the only anomaly—always taking actions that were completely outside of what she foresaw.
"Is that so?"
Caelan stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Madam Shyarly had predicted events involving him, but they turned out to be wrong.
If he hadn't acquired Karna's template, based on his previously shown abilities, it was true that he couldn't have caught the Golden Lion or defeated the Demon King of Sound.
So her prediction had been correct—up to that point.
Which meant the new template he received from the system hadn't been accounted for in her visions.
But then, how did she predict his words and behavior so precisely?
After a moment of silence, Caelan asked again, "Did you predict my battle at the Sabaody Archipelago with the two admirals and Garp? What was the result?"
"I did. In that vision… you died in that battle."
"But now, you're standing right in front of me."
Madam Shyarly spread her hands and smiled helplessly.
After so many failed prophecies involving Caelan, she no longer took them seriously.
She now treated prophecy more like entertainment.
"I see."
Caelan nodded. The doubts in his mind were resolved.
Madam Shyarly's predictions were based on existing information from this world. For a transmigrator like him, who possessed a system cheat, she could only base her visions on what he had already revealed.
Before Sabaody, he'd never demonstrated the ability to resurrect or stand up to Akainu and his companions.
So her vision had shown his death.
The same applied to his battles in the East Blue. Without prior knowledge of the Karna Template, her prophecy naturally saw him losing.
As for her ability to read his behavior and personality so accurately…
Caelan could understand that, too. After being in this world for almost a year, his personality and preferences had been laid bare.
It was no wonder Shyarly could make such spot-on predictions.
(To be continued.)
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Chapter 150: The Whitebeard Hero in His Twilight Years
After figuring out the limits of the prophecy, Caelan finally relaxed.
At first, it had genuinely startled him a bit.
He'd almost thought this world was under the control of some Fate-type goddesses—now that would've been seriously messed up.
But it turned out that prophecy was merely analysis based on the world's existing information, not some sort of predestined fate.
With his doubts resolved, Caelan's mood improved considerably, and Madam Shyarly in front of him seemed even more charming.
"What are you looking at? I'm not that easy!"
Madam Shyarly crossed her arms over her chest and eyed Caelan warily.
She had no idea what he was thinking, but the expression on his face made her uneasy.
Even though she'd agreed to follow Caelan—and had brought her staff along—that didn't mean she was going to throw herself at him. They had barely just met, after all. They should at least develop a proper relationship first.
"Hey, I'm not that impatient."
Caelan rolled his eyes.
What happened to mutual trust?
He was just in a good mood, and everything around him looked more beautiful than usual.
Even if he wanted to do anything, he'd wait until they were aboard the ship and take his time.
"That's debatable."
Madam Shyarly wasn't quite convinced.
The scene in the café just now—and her prediction of Caelan—had completely exposed his true nature.
"If you really don't believe me, don't blame me for being rude."
Caelan said darkly.
Maybe I really did accuse him unjustly...
Seeing Caelan's expression, Madam Shyarly felt slightly guilty.
She blamed her foresight. In her previous predictions, she'd seen erotic visions more than once—wildly different scenes and very steamy ones. And the main characters were always her and Caelan.
Influenced by those images, she subconsciously assumed that Caelan only cared about physical desire.
"I wronged you… so let me make it up to you."
Madam Shyarly blushed.
Before Caelan could react, she stepped forward and awkwardly kissed him on the lips.
Though it was sudden, the ever-experienced Caelan reflexively responded, even slipping in his tongue. His hand unconsciously found its way to Shyarly's soft waist.
After a moment, the two pulled apart.
"How are you so good at this?"
Madam Shyarly's pale cheeks flushed, and she glared at Caelan.
"Nothing special. Practice makes perfect."
Caelan casually nodded at her as he answered.
He was still savoring the sensation. Even with her shark-like teeth, her tongue had its own unique charm.
Hearing that, Madam Shyarly's gaze became more resentful.
She was known as "Madam," yet she was an older single woman with no experience.
And she'd run into a scoundrel like Caelan.
"Let's go. Let's find Nami and the others."
Realizing he might've said the wrong thing, Caelan stayed calm and changed the subject.
Afterward, Caelan led Madam Shyarly out of the Mermaid Café and joined Nami and the others as they shopped.
…
Elsewhere, Caelan found the girls and called Camie over privately.
"Caelan, did you need something?"
Camie asked curiously.
"I heard your master Papagg is a famous designer. I want him to design a flag."
…
Meanwhile, at Ryugu Castle.
After much hesitation, Neptune finally picked up a Den Den Mushi and dialed a number.
Bru-bru-bru!
In the New World, at Moby Dick.
Marco approached Whitebeard, who was hooked to an IV drip, holding the ringing Den Den Mushi.
"Dad, it's a call from Fishman Island!"
"Hmm?"
Whitebeard opened his eyes and took the Den Den Mushi, puzzled.
Fishman Island? Why are they calling now?
Long ago, to protect the fishmen from large-scale human trafficking, he'd planted his pirate flag there.
From that moment on, Fishman Island fell under his protection, and no major slave raids occurred again.
Neptune was an old friend, and Jinbe was an adopted son. Their bond ran deep.
Even though Jinbe later left the Whitebeard Pirates and became one of the Seven Warlords, their relationship didn't suffer.
In fact, Whitebeard respected Jinbe's decision even more.
Now that Fishman Island was calling, it could only mean trouble.
"Whitebeard-san, how have you been lately?"
Neptune greeted him.
"Gurarararara! I'm still strong! I can finish off two barrels of fine wine in a single meal!"
Whitebeard tugged on his IV line and let out a hearty laugh.
"Well… I have something to tell you."
Neptune hesitated, unsure how to begin.
He had decided to align Fishman Island with Caelan, but he didn't know how to explain it.
After all, Whitebeard had selflessly protected the island for years without asking for anything in return.
To suddenly switch allegiance now felt like betrayal.
"Out with it already. Quit stalling."
Whitebeard frowned and barked.
"We of Fishman Island have decided to follow the God Slayer, Caelan Alaric. I hope you're not upset."
Neptune spoke carefully.
Caelan?
Whitebeard was momentarily stunned.
That young man who had recently shaken up the entire world?
So many major incidents, one after another. Recognized globally as the newest Emperor of the Sea.
But why Fishman Island? Was it because of the legend of the Sea King?
"That brat threatened you, didn't he? Tell him my name and wait—I'll deal with him myself!"
Whitebeard's voice was full of power.
So what if he was the new Yonko?
Even in his twilight years, Whitebeard could still fight.
"He didn't threaten us. He's the one who brought us hope—he's the one taking us to the surface. We chose to follow him of our own will."
Neptune's heart warmed at Whitebeard's words.
His old friend was still just as brave and loyal as ever.
"Gurarara! Then congratulations!"
"In that case, just return my flag. But if that brat can't protect you, don't come crying to me later!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, acting as if it didn't bother him at all.
But inside, there was a heavy sorrow.
The Fishman Island he had protected for so long now had to look for a new guardian.
He knew his own condition.
No matter how much he tried to maintain his health, he didn't have long left.
Yet none of his sons had the strength to carry on his legacy.
This battered body would have to keep going a little longer.
"Thank you, Whitebeard-san!"
"But Caelan is very reliable. He's no worse than you were in your prime!"
Neptune thanked him sincerely, then praised his new patron.
Caelan had solved two of Fishman Island's biggest crises the moment he arrived.
There couldn't be a more capable leader.
"Don't be so sure. When I was young, nobody could match me!"
"Nothing else to say. I'm hanging up now."
Whitebeard ended the call, his expression complicated.
He knew very well how strong Caelan was.
But come on, it's an old man's right to boast a little, isn't it?
"Already reached Fishman Island, huh? The New World is about to heat up."
Whitebeard looked toward the Red Line, a glint of anticipation in his eye.
If he were younger, he'd want to fight Caelan himself.
It was a shame that time had passed him by.
All he could do now was place his hopes in the next generation.
(To be continued.)
Special thanks to WickedxRehap for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉
Chapter 151: The Old Father's Heart Is Broken
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
With the hard work of tens of thousands of fishmen, the new large ship was completed.
It was 500 meters long, 200 meters wide, and 70 meters tall. A true giant vessel. An additional 100-meter section had been specially reserved for Shirahoshi, more than enough for her daily needs.
Nojiko also moved the orange trees she had brought from the East Blue onto the new ship.
Neptune had gifted several treasures for the journey, including a jade box containing a bomb.
Now, all that remained was to finish handling the final affairs before setting off.
At Fishman Island's only port, Neptune arrived with the three princes and Jinbe to see them off.
Caelan stood holding a large flag—the same one hoisted proudly on the new ship.
The flag had a black background, with a golden spear in the center, surrounded by radiant sunbursts and lightning.
This was Caelan's new pirate flag, inspired by the most powerful Noble Phantasm of the Karna template—the God-Slaying Spear that had first appeared in the East Blue.
"Take this flag. If anyone causes trouble, I'll step in personally."
Caelan handed the flag to Neptune, speaking solemnly.
By giving Neptune this flag, he was officially placing Fishman Island under his protection. Naturally, he would defend it as one of his own.
This was the first territory he had invested in, and he had also taken their daughter with him. Of course he had to give a clear declaration.
"Thank you, Caelan!"
Neptune accepted the flag with great joy, the more he looked at it, the more he liked it.
With this symbol, he felt reassured.
This was the protection of a Sea Emperor. Compared to Whitebeard's old flag, this was far more promising.
After all, Whitebeard was aging and full of ailments. How could he compare to Caelan, a young and vigorous leader in his prime?
Of course, Neptune wasn't cursing Whitebeard.
Out of both personal friendship and gratitude for his past protection of Fishman Island, Neptune truly wished Whitebeard a long life—ideally past a hundred.
But facts were facts. Caelan's future was undeniably brighter.
More importantly, Caelan was the legendary Sun God, destined to lead Fishman Island to the surface.
That made this flag even more meaningful.
Neptune folded the flag carefully and turned to look at Shirahoshi.
"My dear daughter, you must take good care of yourself from now on."
Neptune looked at Shirahoshi, his eyes full of emotion.
The daughter he had raised for over ten years was now about to leave, stepping into a thrilling yet dangerous world.
As an old father, how could he not worry?
"Don't worry, Father. Caelan promised to protect me."
Shirahoshi said seriously, then turned to flash Caelan a sweet smile.
"…"
Neptune's heart tensed as he sighed silently.
Caelan was good in many ways… but his behavior toward women was simply too unrestrained.
Not only had he taken his daughter, but he also recruited the entire Mermaid Café.
Still, what could he say now?
"Besides, Caelan was worried I'd get lonely, so he brought all the mermaid sisters to keep me company!"
Shirahoshi pointed to Madam Shyarly nearby, her expression full of joy.
She not only got to see the outside world, but she would be accompanied by her friends too.
Oh Caelan, how considerate!
"Ah, yes… that's true."
Neptune could only sigh and go along with his naive daughter.
Elsewhere, Caelan was speaking with Jinbe about the labor reform efforts for the fishmen.
"Jinbe, I'm leaving soon. Make sure you stay on top of those fishmen. Focus on their spiritual transformation, and don't let them slack off when it comes to repaying their debt to society."
"They can mine, make crafts to sell, or take on public service projects around Fishman Island at a low cost."
As the moment of departure drew near, Caelan reminded Jinbe not to let his guard down.
This labor reform was based on his own past experiences in prison from his previous life.
Let them enjoy the same treatment—he would only take half of the profits. The rest would go toward building public infrastructure for Fishman Island.
He truly wanted them to atone for their past wrongs.
"I understand. I won't let you down."
Jinbe nodded with conviction.
After three days of overseeing their work, he had already seen a shift.
Labor really did help dissolve the deep-seated hatred in their hearts. After exhausting themselves physically, the fishmen began to reflect on life, and their aggression was slowly fading.
"Very good."
Caelan patted Jinbe's shoulder as a show of encouragement.
With everything arranged, Caelan nodded in satisfaction and walked toward the newly built Wind Rider.
The women followed in his footsteps and boarded the ship.
Shyarly brought the mermaid girls, all carrying luggage. In fact, this was their second round of packing.
The luggage included not just daily necessities and spare clothes, but also all the equipment from the Mermaid Café.
They planned to rebuild the Mermaid Café aboard the Wind Rider.
Camie and her master, starfish Papagu, also came aboard, bringing the entire setup of their fashion store.
Caelan was quite pleased with this.
"Well then, let's say our goodbyes. King Neptune, I'll take good care of Shirahoshi. Jinbe, I hope that next time I visit, I'll see even more contributions from the fishmen."
Caelan waved to those below.
"Wishing you a safe journey."
Neptune waved his handkerchief, watching Shirahoshi leave with deep reluctance.
"Goodbye, Father! I'll come back to see you!"
"Brothers, please take care of Father and don't let him overwork!"
"Jinbe, please take good care of Fishman Island!"
The mermaid girls and Shirahoshi each said their farewells to Neptune, Jinbe, and the three princes in turn.
After all goodbyes were exchanged, the ship set sail, leaving the harbor and rising through the current toward the sea's surface.
Half an hour later, the Wind Rider passed through the dark deep-sea zone and returned to the photic layer.
"I'm really looking forward to it!"
Shirahoshi looked up at the shimmering surface of the sea above her head.
Just how wonderful is the world outside?
(To be continued.)
Chapter 152: To the New World, Destination: Punk Hazard
In the New World, two ships—one large and one small—broke through the surface of the sea.
The larger was Caelan's Wind Rider, and the smaller belonged to Gecko Moria.
"The New World... I'm back!"
Moria looked out at the endless ocean and let out a long sigh.
Years ago, he had challenged Kaido and suffered a crushing defeat. His crew had been slaughtered.
Disheartened, he'd retreated to the first half of the Grand Line and never recovered from the trauma. Kaido had left a deep psychological scar on him.
Now that he had returned to this land where only the strong survive, his feelings were different.
In the New World, there are only two ways to survive—either challenge one of the Four Emperors or serve under one.
In the past, he tried to challenge Kaido and got beaten half to death.
Now, he was following Caelan. He no longer had anything to fear.
"Kaido? Your mother's coming!"
Moria was brimming with heroic spirit.
It wasn't that he could defeat Kaido now, but he had found himself a powerful boss.
He was Caelan's man now!
What's that? You say I'm just riding coattails?
Hah! There are tons of people who would kill to ride Caelan's coattails.
Moria stared at the large ship ahead with pride swelling in his chest.
…
On the Wind Rider—
Caelan wasn't nearly as emotional as Moria.
To him, there wasn't much difference between the first half of the Grand Line and the New World.
It was just going from one victory to the next.
But the mermaids who had followed him out of Fish-Man Island were visibly excited.
Golden sunlight poured down, illuminating the endless blue sea. A gentle sea breeze brushed against their cheeks.
In the sky, a few seagulls soared freely.
The mermaid girls, stepping onto the surface world for the first time, looked around with wonder and curiosity.
"So this is the real sun?"
They looked up at the sky. Even though the light was dazzling, they couldn't bear to look away.
"The air is amazing!"
Shirahoshi took a deep breath, a look of intoxicated joy on her face.
Though Fish-Man Island, located 10,000 meters beneath the sea, also had light and air channeled through the Sunlight Tree Eve and its own unique customs…
Compared to the vastness of the surface world, it was undeniably small.
No wonder mermaids had always yearned to live on land.
At this moment, as they stared out at the open ocean, their worldview expanded.
"This is wonderful!"
The mermaid girls stretched their arms toward the sky, soaking in the warm sun and the gentle sea breeze.
It took more than ten minutes before they calmed down.
Shyarly gathered a few of them and instructed them to take care of the cafe equipment they had brought, preparing to reopen the Mermaid Cafe aboard the Wind Rider.
Camie and the starfish Papagg also reopened their fashion store, tailoring outfits for the crew. This was their way of thanking everyone.
Uta discussed singing techniques with Shirahoshi, occasionally breaking into a mermaid song.
Robin continued studying the historical Poneglyph copied from the Sea Forest, deeply intrigued by the agreement between Joy Boy and the Little Mermaid.
Hancock was with Rindo, learning to make desserts from the mermaid girls. She wanted to cook something decent for Caelan.
The other girls were busy with their own tasks too.
The arrival of the mermaids had made the ship more lively than ever.
Beside Caelan, his secretary Kalifa was giving him a focused massage.
"This is the life."
Caelan lay on a familiar beach chair, gazing out with satisfaction.
This was the kingdom he had fought so hard to build.
Hancock's icy exterior and warm heart, Nami's playful sensuality, Robin's intellectual tenderness, Tashigi and Gion's unwavering righteousness as Marines...
He liked them all.
And if he liked something, he would go after it, no hesitation.
He had once watched 5 Centimeters per Second. It left a deep impression on him.
If you miss the moment, it's truly gone. Takaki Tono was so devoted, yet he still lost Akari Shinohara. In the end, he could only watch the girl he loved wear someone else's wedding ring.
Caelan didn't want to live with that kind of regret.
If it were him, he wouldn't have let go of Akari. Even if she were married, he would have taken her back.
Which, now that he thought about it, made him kind of a scumbag.
Caelan stared off in thought.
"We've made it halfway through the legendary Grand Line! This is amazing!"
"Caelan, where are we heading next?"
Nami didn't realize what Caelan was really thinking. She just assumed he was feeling emotional about reaching the New World.
Her dream was to complete a world map. Having completed such a critical section, she was fired up with motivation.
Upon hearing her question, the other girls on deck looked at Caelan, eager to know what the next destination would be.
"Let's head to Punk Hazard first. There's a good Devil Fruit there that I want to give to Kalifa."
"Maybe we'll even strike it rich."
Caelan rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
Back when Nami, Tashigi, and Vivi had eaten Devil Fruits, he'd already set his sights on Punk Hazard.
The artificial Mythical Zoan: Azure Dragon Fruit that Vegapunk had left behind was an extremely powerful Devil Fruit.
Aside from the color, it was nearly a perfect replica of Kaido's Azure Dragon Fruit.
It was perfect for his secretary.
Not to mention, the artificial Devil Fruits created by Caesar Clown might still have some stock left in the warehouse.
Even if they were defective, they'd still fetch a good price.
"Caelan, you're so kind. I thought you'd forgotten!"
Kalifa hugged Caelan's head tightly and rubbed her face against his.
The fact that Caelan was willing to find her a Devil Fruit meant he truly accepted her.
She'd always worried that her past as a spy would make it hard for her to fit in. Now she could finally relax.
"I'm a man of my word. How could I forget?"
Caelan shifted his posture to make himself more comfortable.
Kalifa smiled warmly and resumed massaging him more diligently.
Nearby, Gion, having just been force-fed a load of PDA, spoke up: "If I recall correctly, that island is abandoned. There's nothing valuable there."
"Eh?!"
Nami, Kalifa, and the others looked at Gion curiously.
Gion didn't leave them hanging. She explained directly: "Punk Hazard is a designated life-restricted zone by the Navy."
"It was once the base of the Navy's scientific division, led by top scientists Vegapunk and Caesar. Later, Caesar tried to develop mass destruction poison gas weapons. Vegapunk opposed the project."
"Two years ago, Caesar detonated a poison gas bomb he created, turning all of Punk Hazard into a dead island. The research team had no choice but to relocate. Caesar escaped the Navy's pursuit and vanished."
"So now, Punk Hazard is just a poisonous wasteland with an abandoned lab."
Gion finished recounting the archives she'd read, then looked at Caelan with a provocative smile.
"Caelan~"
Kalifa turned to Caelan with a pleading look.
Alright, alright. You're trying to ruin my moment, huh?
Caelan gently stroked Kalifa's blonde hair to comfort her, then looked over at Gion.
"What will you do if Punk Hazard turns out exactly as I said?"
Gion hesitated. Caelan looked a bit too confident.
She thought about it. He must be bluffing.
When Punk Hazard was evacuated, Admiral Borsalino had grumbled for days.
"If that kind of stuff really is there, I'll stay with you all night!"
"If you lose, you'll go celibate for a year!"
Gion glared at Caelan, full of confidence.
She simply didn't believe a Devil Fruit could still be found on a deserted poison-filled island.
When the truth came out, she was going to savor Caelan's frustrated face.
"Deal."
Caelan hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise, and he nearly burst out laughing.
He was already imagining Gion's expression when Punk Hazard proved him right.
Nami and the other girls watched the two of them make their bet with amusement.
Then, without a word, they headed to the control room and sped the ship toward Punk Hazard.
They didn't care what came next.
They just wanted to watch the fireworks.
(To be continued.)
Special thanks to WickedxRehap for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉
Chapter 153: A Key to the Entire Military Map!
At noon the next day, the Wind Rider arrived at Punk Hazard.
The current Punk Hazard was no longer the island of ice and fire left behind after the battle between Aokiji and Akainu.
Instead, withered yellow woods covered the terrain, shrouded in a faint, toxic fog.
All the creatures on the island appeared sickly, exuding a deathly aura.
"What a terrifying island…"
The mermaid girls stared at the desolate landscape before them with fear.
The Punk Hazard in front of them looked more like a graveyard, radiating a foreboding atmosphere.
"This is the result of Caesar Clown's research. When the explosion happened, even though the scientific team wore protective suits, many still died. Afterward, the entire island was blanketed in poisonous gas, which was lethal to humans."
"And that was just an unfinished version. According to Navy archives, Caesar Clown's completed version could kill all living things instantly, without giving them any time to react."
"It's precisely because of how cruel and inhumane these weapons were that Vegapunk shut down Caesar's experiments."
Gion explained with a serious expression.
"How awful…"
The mermaid girls trembled in fear.
If something like that were to be released on Fish-Man Island, the entire place would be annihilated.
"So, do you still believe there's treasure here?"
Gion turned to look at Caelan.
"Is there or isn't there? Why don't we take a look?"
Caelan didn't argue. He let the facts speak for themselves.
Everything that had happened at Punk Hazard was just as Gion described.
But she didn't know what had happened afterward.
After Caesar Clown escaped, he secretly returned to Punk Hazard and used it as his hidden laboratory, banking on the logic of hiding in plain sight.
He also accidentally discovered an artificial Devil Fruit left behind by Vegapunk and used it to develop his own artificial Devil Fruit technology.
Through that, he established a partnership with Doflamingo and provided a steady supply of artificial Zoan-type Devil Fruits to the Beasts Pirates.
This twisted scientist was the key link between Kaido of the Four Emperors and Doflamingo.
What Punk Hazard truly concealed was of immeasurable value—enough to shake the entire underworld.
And Caelan knew all of it.
He glanced at Gion again, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
There was no way he'd lose this bet.
"Tch."
Gion scoffed, suited up in her protective gear, and turned to disembark, leaving only a proud figure behind.
Caelan wasn't annoyed. In fact, he found it amusing.
The more confident she was now, the worse her defeat would be later.
"Let's go too."
Caelan said to the women.
Due to the poison gas hazard on Punk Hazard, he didn't bring many people with him.
Only Nami, Vivi, Tashigi, and Kalifa accompanied him. They would help collect the necessary items later.
The rest of the women, including Hancock, stayed on the ship.
The women nodded and began putting on their protective suits.
Caelan, however, went without gear. This level of poison gas meant nothing to his heroic body.
Soon, they set foot on the island.
In reality, it wasn't as bad as it looked.
The poisonous fog was thinning, and faint green sprouts had begun to emerge among the withered yellow trees.
"Something's off."
Gion's expression turned serious, sensing something wrong.
"What is it?"
Nami asked curiously.
"According to Navy reports, the toxic gas here should take at least ten years to dissipate. But the concentration is way too low. Someone must have tampered with it."
"Whoever could do that isn't just anyone."
Gion explained patiently, then glanced at Caelan out of the corner of her eye.
At that moment, everyone turned to look in one direction.
"Who's there?!"
Several teams of armed figures appeared, clad in green hazmat suits, their limbs equipped with mechanical enhancements. They shouted upon spotting Caelan's group.
Buzz—
Caelan's gaze sharpened.
These must be the patrol guards, but he had no time to waste with small fry.
The next moment, his Conqueror's Haki burst forth.
A mighty pressure surged outward, crackling with purple-black lightning.
Instantly, all the fully armed guards began foaming at the mouth and collapsed unconscious.
Caelan didn't stop there.
His powerful Haki spread across the entire island, skillfully avoiding Nami and the other women nearby.
Snakes, rats, insects, and mutated creatures that had adapted to the poisonous gas, along with several guarding dinosaurs, were all rendered unconscious in seconds.
Even within the thick walls of the experimental base, hundreds of researchers fainted on the spot.
Moments later, when his Observation Haki confirmed that the entire island had gone still, Caelan finally withdrew his Conqueror's Haki.
"Whew. Peace again."
The women beside him slowly came back to their senses. Although Caelan had intentionally spared them from the direct impact, the residual pressure still weighed heavily on them, like a massive stone pressing down on their chests.
This guy… has gotten even stronger.
Gion glanced at Caelan, her thoughts uneasy.
This level of Conqueror's Haki was far stronger than what he'd shown back at the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Let's head over there. What we're looking for should be in that direction."
Caelan pointed toward the experimental base and said calmly.
It was just another round of cleanup. Nothing noteworthy.
Meanwhile, inside the experimental base.
"What a terrifying Conqueror's Haki!"
Monet and Caesar Clown struggled to their feet, visibly shaken by the overwhelming aura.
Under such intense pressure, they could barely move, let alone resist.
"Not even the Young Master has Haki like that!"
Monet was deeply shocked, a growing sense of dread rising in her chest.
The Young Master—Doflamingo—was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, part of the elite ruling class.
But this Haki surpassed even his.
Could it be that one of the Four Emperors had come?
If so, nothing must go wrong here. This was the Young Master's most important operation!
"Could it be that Big Mom came for me?"
Caesar murmured nervously.
He had embezzled a large sum of research funds from her, claiming it was for research on human gigantification. In reality, he'd spent it on booze and brothels.
If Big Mom was here to collect… he was done for.
The two looked at each other, each with their own worries, and staggered toward the surveillance room.
They anxiously adjusted the cameras, and soon spotted Caelan and his group at the base's entrance.
"Whew, it's not Charlotte Linlin."
Caesar breathed a sigh of relief.
"But it's not much better. That's the God Slayer… Caelan!"
Monet took a deep breath, her heart sinking.
Lately, Caelan's name had spread across the world. Practically everyone knew who he was.
He had taken on two admirals and Garp at once—and still managed to escape unscathed.
That level of power was easily on par with a Four Emperor. Maybe even stronger.
Let's just hope he didn't come for the artificial Devil Fruits.
"If he's here, it's definitely for trouble."
Caesar's eyes flickered, though he also felt a strange relief.
As long as they weren't enemies, he had nothing to fear.
After all, no one could deny his worth.
No one could resist the artificial Devil Fruits.
And no one could ignore him—Caesar Clown, the future greatest scientist in the world.