Chapter 188

Chapter 188:

Carl thought about Shirahoshi. According to Roger's visit to Fishman Island last year, Shirahoshi was still about nine years away from being born.

Because of Shyarly's prophecy, Neptune already knew he would have a daughter in the future.

With this in mind, Carl glanced up at Neptune.

Neptune tensed, his unease growing, worried that Carl might bring trouble.

As Neptune's anxiety built, Carl slowly spoke.

"Neptune, I heard—"

"Black Dragon Admiral!"

Before Carl could finish, Otohime suddenly rushed forward, interrupting him.

Carl wasn't angered. He merely smiled and asked,

"You must be Queen Otohime. How can I help you?"

Compared to Neptune, Otohime was much calmer.

She smiled softly at Carl, her expression warm and welcoming, and spoke gently.

"Black Dragon Admiral, you're an honored guest. I can't let you stand here without a proper welcome. Please, allow me to arrange for someone to receive you properly."

After saying this, Otohime turned and gave a knowing glance to Neptune, who was still somewhat dazed.

Catching her look, Neptune quickly snapped out of his thoughts and nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Otohime's proposal.

Carl noticed the hesitation in Neptune's expression but didn't question it. He agreed without hesitation.

Otohime, pleased by his response, swiftly arranged for two beautiful mermaids to escort Carl so he could change into proper attire.

As soon as Carl left, Otohime turned to Tiger and asked,

"Tiger, are you here with the Black Dragon?"

Tiger, who deeply respected Otohime, nodded and recounted how Carl had saved him.

Otohime listened thoughtfully before saying,

"It seems this Black Dragon Admiral is more compassionate than the rumors say. But we must still be cautious. Neptune, summon Shyarly immediately. We need her to foresee what's to come."

Neptune and Otohime had been married for less than a year, but Neptune deeply respected his wife's wisdom.

Hearing her suggestion, he immediately instructed the Right Minister to bring Shyarly to Ryugu Palace.

Once the Right Minister had left, Otohime turned to Neptune, her expression serious.

"Neptune, the Admiral's sudden arrival might have something to do with your connection to Roger."

Neptune nodded solemnly.

Tiger, too, realized the significance, admiration flickering in his gaze toward Otohime.

Tiger had been the first to encounter Carl, yet he hadn't considered this possibility before.

Indeed, the Roger Pirates were mortal enemies of the World Government, while the Ryugu Kingdom was aligned with it.

Neptune's friendship with Roger was a dangerous liability.

But Tiger thought back to his journey with Carl.

Carl's visit to Fishman Island had seemed impulsive rather than calculated.

With this in mind, Tiger frowned and turned to Otohime.

"Queen Otohime, I don't think Carl came with hostile intentions. You sending him away… is it because you're…"

He left his words unfinished, but the meaning was clear.

He suspected Otohime might be preparing to rally forces against Carl.

Tiger, a man of deep gratitude and loyalty, felt troubled.

Carl had rescued him from human traffickers—his benefactor.

The thought of seeing his savior in danger on Fishman Island unsettled him.

Otohime, understanding Tiger's concern, smiled wryly.

"Tiger, do you think I want to oppose an Admiral? Do you truly understand the power of an Admiral?"

Tiger fell silent.

He was the only one on Fishman Island who had witnessed Carl's overwhelming power firsthand.

The endless darkness Carl commanded, capable of devouring enormous creatures in an instant, still haunted him.

Otohime sighed softly.

"Even if the Black Dragon Admiral is here to settle accounts, we have no means to resist. If we did, Fishman Island would face utter destruction."

In the back, Jinbe listened quietly, seeing for himself what true power meant.

A single man—Carl—was enough to make an entire kingdom tremble.

Otohime continued,

"For now, our best course is to buy time and wait for Shyarly's foresight. Whether her vision brings hope or despair, we must prepare."

The hall fell into silence.

Tension thickened the air.

Thankfully, the Right Minister was swift.

Before long, he returned, bringing Shyarly with him.

The young mermaid, barely five years old, was dressed in a small purple robe.

She approached in a daze, rubbing her eyes.

Otohime bent down, her voice gentle.

"Little Shyarly, once again, we ask for your help. Please foresee whether the Admiral's arrival will bring misfortune to Fishman Island."

Though young, Shyarly possessed an extraordinary gift for prophecy.

But she had developed a fearful reluctance toward her own powers, especially when they revealed the fate of Fishman Island.

For a moment, she hesitated.

Then, slowly, she extended her small hands and placed them on a shimmering crystal ball.

The room fell into complete silence.

Everyone leaned in, their faces tense with anticipation.

Shyarly closed her eyes, her smooth brow creasing.

Beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Under their gaze, the crystal ball began to change.

A black mass emerged within, swirling and growing.

Dark smoke curled inside, filling the entire crystal.

Then—

Shyarly suddenly gasped in pain.

She wrenched her hands away, clutching her head.

The crystal ball trembled violently.

Then, before their eyes, it shrank into a black dot—

And vanished entirely.