Mu Chen saw how frightened Shyarly was and reassured her. "Don't be afraid. You have me and Zhiyuan. Nothing will happen to you."
"That's right. We're here. Whatever slave traders show up, I'll deal with them."
Gion reassured her from the side as well.
Hearing Mu Chen and Gion, Shyarly felt some of her fear ease.
Mu Chen went on, "Shyarly, you've seen that there are good humans too. That old man was worried about our safety. There are plenty of bad ones, though. You'll see soon enough."
Shyarly nodded. Since coming to the surface, she had seen that most ordinary people were kind. It was just the way they looked at her that made her uncomfortable.
She understood that Fish-Men were rare on the surface, just as the bananas Mu Chen had given her were rare on Fish-Man Island. Thinking of it that way, she could understand their stares. Mu Chen also wanted Shyarly to see for herself that humans could be good or bad. She was still a child who had not been completely influenced by Arlong and the others. Once she had seen this, she could tell others about her experiences when she returned to Fish-Man Island. Mu Chen believed that, in a few generations, the Fish-Men might no longer resent humans so much.
Afterward, Shyarly went off to have fun with Mu Chen and Gion. She soon lost herself in it, asking about everything she saw like a curious little child.
But as soon as they entered the next street, a group of burly men carrying all sorts of weapons blocked their way.
Mu Chen smiled faintly. He had thought they would come sooner. He had not expected them to take so long.
The moment Gion saw them, she drew her Famous Sword and stood ready.