Shyarly's Prophecy, Kuroh Sighs (Please Vote with Recommendation and Monthly Tickets!)

"?" Kyros looked at King Riku in confusion. What the hell?

Wude noticed that Kyros looked just as confused. So King Riku had merely imagined it all himself. Well, never mind then.

"I think you misunderstood."

"That's right, you misunderstood."

"..."

He was the king of a nation. Sure, the country was tiny as hell... but he was still a king. Even he had awkward moments.

"Ha... haha. I believe ambitious young people would choose to join the Marines, or join the royal army to protect civilians, right?"

"That's right."

"Yes."

As expected of a king, his skin was thick and his reactions quick. The other two cooperated by pretending they had not heard what he said earlier.

The three of them stared at one another. Stop standing around awkwardly—say something.

Tch. Hurry up and ease the atmosphere.

"So, Kyros, you must think carefully about your plans from here on. You still have a long life ahead of you. Don't remain lost any longer." King Riku looked at Kyros solemnly.

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty. I'll consider it carefully." Kyros looked at him gratefully.

"Mm." King Riku nodded, then looked at Wude. "I heard from little Violet that you'll be joining the Marines next year?"

"Yes. I'll return to my hometown first to visit an old man, then I'll join the Marines." Wude nodded. It had been a long time since he had seen his teacher.

"I've seen many ambitious young people like you. Remember, never forget why you started. Don't let setbacks wear down your convictions." King Riku looked at Wude with a sigh.

Many young people joined the Marines to protect civilians, but little by little, their justice changed, and "civilians" were no longer included in those they protected.

Some were corrupted by money, some tempted by power, while others were defeated by reality and became mediocre, numb people.

"Of course. Not even death will shake me." Wude smiled confidently.

The Marines had their share of trash, but many people had no other choice. Pirates were free, but that did nothing to help reality—it only made things worse.

He felt it would be better to compromise. He could borrow the Marines' influence to develop himself, then make other plans once he had enough strength.

"Mm." King Riku nodded.

Wude stayed in Dressrosa for a while longer. He taught Kyros how to develop Observation Haki, then said goodbye to his little fangirl.

"This is my Den Den Mushi number. If you miss your big brother, we can talk through the Den Den Mushi." Wude crouched on the beach, facing his little fangirl, Violet.

Violet clenched the slip of paper in her little hand and nodded hard. "Big Brother, can you promise me something?"

"Sure. Big Brother spoils his little fangirls the most." Wude answered with a smile.

"When I grow up, will Big Brother come watch me dance?"

"Sure."

Wude humored the child, stood up, and returned to the ship.

"Won't you stay a few more days?" Kyros stood in the distance.

"No. By the time your Observation Haki awakens, the flowers will have wilted." Wude teased, making Violet burst out laughing.

The ship slowly sailed away from shore as Kyros and little Violet waved to Wude together.

A few days later.

Fish-Man Island.

Little Shyarly learned from her sisters that that big brother had returned. She happily hugged her crystal ball and went looking for him.

She listened as Big Brother told her how the Dwarves had been stealing things, only to run into Kuroh and get knocked senseless.

She laughed herself silly.

Then she heard that Big Brother had gotten another little fangirl. Her mood inexplicably soured. Hugging her crystal ball, she slapped away Big Brother's hand, pouted, and headed home without wanting to pay him any attention.

Having never met her own brother since childhood, she had found all her fantasies of what an older brother should be fulfilled after meeting Wude, this gentle and handsome big brother.

And now, this perfect big brother actually had some little brat competing with her?

Damn it!

Shyarly glanced at the crystal ball in her arms and let out a breath of relief.

Tch. She was a girl who could predict the future. That person who could see through lies was nothing worth mentioning!

Shyarly happily turned back around, hugging the ball in one arm and reaching toward Big Brother with the other.

"Let me touch it."

"?"

Wude looked at her helplessly. Were all the brats in the world of One Piece this unadorable when they spoke?

He nudged Kuroh. "Touch Kuroh instead."

Little Shyarly stroked Kuroh, and her mood instantly brightened. Children were easy to soothe.

Life was not easy. Kuroh sighed.

A terrifying weapon that had slaughtered its way through armed forces in the world of Ajin had actually fallen so low as to become a "big sister" used to soothe children.

"Is Big Brother leaving?"

"Yes."

Shyarly held her crystal ball. "Is there anything else Big Brother wants Shyarly to predict?"

"Didn't Shyarly say before that I would be killed once? Who kills me?" Wude asked with a smile.

"Shyarly has divined it several times too, but I've never seen that person's image." Little Shyarly lowered her head guiltily.

Wude continued ruffling her hair to comfort her. "It's fine. Then can you see whether my future journey in the Marines will be fortunate or dangerous?"

"Okay, I'll try." Little Shyarly hurriedly began divining.

Much later, Wude received his answer and left Fish-Man Island. At the same time, he left little Shyarly his Den Den Mushi number.

If anything happened, he could ask little Shyarly to cheat.

"A conclusion that cannot be avoided no matter what. But the most important teacher in Big Brother's life will appear, and he will bring his disciples to help Big Brother."

"There are also some other troubles Big Brother will encounter. Big Brother should try his best to avoid them. Before Teacher helps him, everything will be dangerous but ultimately safe."

Little Shyarly watched the ship sail away from Fish-Man Island. She understood that Big Brother's intentions were not something she could change.

"What Big Brother wants to do will provoke the hostility of countless comrades."

"When our paths differ, we are no longer comrades."

"There are too many enemies."

"One life for one life. Even if they all die, I won't."

Huh?

Shyarly suddenly realized that Big Brother was not afraid of death, so what was there for her to fear in those prophecies?

This was a man destined to bring nightmares to the World Government.

"Big Brother is much smarter than those pirates." Shyarly gazed into the distance admiringly, then turned and left.

Sabaody Archipelago.

A ship burst out of the water, bubbles popping around it.

Wude breathed in the fresh air and looked at the human traffickers escorting people in the distance.

One carefree fellow sat inside a cage. Unlike the others who had been imprisoned, he was not afraid in the slightest. He even comfortably changed positions.

[Famous Scene Check-In Four: The retired Dark King sells himself for money to buy alcohol and gamble!]

[Check-in complete. Obtained a 10% cultivation efficiency bonus!]

Wude nearly burst out laughing. Rayleigh calmly waved at him from inside the cage.

Although what Rayleigh had done was rather amusing, the reward he gave was genuinely good.

He got off the ship and followed them all the way.

Half a day later.

Shakky's Rip-off Bar.

That old scoundrel Rayleigh took the money, not only avoiding being sold, but even secretly releasing a group of slaves.

He sat inside leisurely drinking and chatting with Wude, while the owner of the slave market stomped around in fury, cursing nonstop.