Fishmen Island II

Sitting in the mermaid cafe, Akane and Ban had left Shinobu and Mero to their own devices, not even planning to disrupt their conversation.

Luckily they were spared from even trying, as one of the mermaids came forward, saying that a madam Shyarly had asked for their presence.

Seeing no reason to refuse, the two of them went to meet this madam. Akane looked around in curiosity, wondering why this woman wanted to see them. Maybe to thank them for saving Mero? But according to one of the mermaids, Shyarly already knew that would happen. Then some other reason?

Pondering about it didn't seem to help, so Akane just stopped thinking about it completely. There was sno need to think any further on a thing as simple as a meeting. Escpecially since this was but the first one.

Walking through a pearly curtain, they were greeted by a black haired female merfolk with a sharks tail. She wore a purple blouse, which had a deep cleavage and a hood attached. In her hand was a pipe, which she took a drag from every now and then.

Her sharp eyes followed her guests closely.

Once they were seated, Madam Shyarly offered them some tea, which both of them decline, followed by her bowing her head.

"Thank you for saving Mero. We have all been greatly worried about her."

"No need, no need. It wasn't me who did it and I am sure Shinobu doesn't really care about those kind of gestures."

Akane said, waving her hand in front of her.

"Nevertheless, you still saved her and for that I am grateful."

Madam Shyarly straightened, a amicable smile on her face as she smoked from her pipe.

"As a token of my gratitude, please accept this."

Madam Shyarly handed her a shiny black card.

"It is an entry pass for the Vip section in the mall. They have a lot of strange items for sale. Most of them are scavenged from shipwrecks as well as brought back from the surface."

Taking the card, Akane glanced at it and thanked Madam Shyarly for her gift.

"Then we will be on our way."

After leaving the backroom, Akane and Ban left Shinobu behind to fraternize a bit more with the smitten Mero, while they went towards the mall that Madam Shyarly had told them about. They had briefly mentioned the gift to Shinobu, who just asked them to buy any kind of toxic or medicinal items they could find.

Now standing in front of the shop, Ban had left as well. He had see how Lafitte ended up and he wasn't planning to have a repeat for that. So, as the gentlemen he was, Ban disappeared from sight before Akane even entered the shop.

*Sigh*

Shaking her head at Ban's behavior, Akane moved towards the VIP area.

The fishmen guard at the door glanced at the card once and let her in.

Once she passed through the doors, the change in scenery was amazing. The whole shop had looked like a average department store when she entered it, but the VIP section had walls made from a special kind of blue coral that seemed to lightly glow. In display cases along the walls were the items that could be bought.

Encased were expensive jewelry, legendary swords, clothing, and other miscellaneous items. Such as a highly volatile concoction that would explode with too much external force. Other items would be old books, antiques and at the very end of the display, devil fruits.

Needless to say, the price was astronomical. Around these displays were a multitude of guards, all appearing very strong.

Whistling in awe, Akane looked at the more practical items for her crew. She had already bought more than a few herbs and other items that would help Shinobu along in her research. For Ban, well, Ban didn't seem to want anything from here, as he was more likely to steal it if he even wanted it. He surely wouldn't waste money on it.

Lafitte might like the few maps available, but the ones that were were only those of paradise. It would take a while before they got back there and they might lose the map on the way. Better to buy it when they got back to Paradise.

Not intending to already splurge on her new crew members, Akane gave a once over of the devil fruits, being handed a encyclopedia by the nearby guard to identify the devil fruit in question.

(Zoan) Hebi-Hebi-no-mi: Model black mamba.

Gives the user the power of a black mamba.

(Paramecia)

Iro-Iro-no mi

Lets the user generate/absorb colors that have specific elements to their color.

(A/N: For example: Purple is lightning, Green:Nature, Blue:Water etc.)

(Paramecia)

Sonic-Sonic-no-mi

Allows the user to perceive sound waves, as well as able to use them as a medium to travel.

(Paramecia)

Ondo-Ondo-no-mi

Allows the user to create, utilize and manipulate temperature.

(Zoan)

Kumo-Kumo-no-mi: Model Tarantula

Allows the user to transform in a tarantula.

(Paramecia)

Hone-Hone-no-mi

Allows the user to manipulate the forming of bones in the body. The bones have an increased durability. Bones taken out of the body will regenerate almost instantaneously.

And lastly, the one Akane thought would be a good fit for one of her crew mates,

(Paramecia)

Hana-Hana-no-mi: model Higanbana

Allows the user to create higanbana, the flowers of hell. Flowers have multiple abilities based on the color.

Seeing a few that were interesting, Akane did what she was best at. Hoarding the things that intrigued her. So having chosen the few she was interested in, Akane bagged the Hone-Hone-no-mi, the Iro-Iro-no-mi, the Hana-Hana-no-mi: model Higanbana and one of the O' wazamono. This particular blade was called Mugen. The blade's edge was so sharp she couldn't really spot where it ended. The shape this sword took was that of a naginata. This Naginata had curved blades on both ends.

It's design was rather simple, as the metal pole was a distinct black with no added decorations. The blades themselves were pitchblack as well, the only coloring available on it being the emerald circuit pattern running along the edge.

On each blade was the name on the sword etched, inscribed in bold but elegant strokes.

It would be a shame to leave such a great weapon to collect dust.

After paying, Akane left the shop, only to run in with Lafitte, who shared his observations of the day.

"Whitebeard, huh? Seems interesting. Want to have a look?"

Akane said, to the dismay of Lafitte. He had already seen the man and he wasn't planning on seeing him again. If they were spotted, who knew how the man would react to them observing him.

"Do I have a say in the matter?"

Lafitte asked, hoping he didn't have to go.

"Nope. You find Ban, while I head towards the ship to drop my purchases of. Let's meet up in an hour."

Sighing, Lafitte disappeared again to find Ban, who hopefully would try to talk the idea out of her mind.