One Piece: Starting in God Valley as a Slave

The sudden scene shocked everyone in the hall, snapping them back to reality with Shyarly's painful groan.

Otohime quickly rushed to help Shyarly up. After a while, Shyarly's breathing steadied, and her face regained some color, though she still looked pale and exhausted. She murmured,

"What's the name of that Admiral?"

Otohime responded without thinking,

"Black... no, his full name is Darkseid Carl!"

Shyarly shook her head slowly. "No, his last name isn't Darkseid," she said.

Otohime frowned, wanting to ask more, but Shyarly continued,

"He shouldn't exist in the present, let alone in the future. Everything about him is blurred..."

"What's going to happen to Fishman Island?" Otohime asked with concern.

"I can't see anything clearly. All I see is endless darkness... Darkness means the unknown. The future is unpredictable!"

Shyarly's words left Otohime and the others confused, and a heavy silence fell over them. Shyarly was well-known for her divination abilities on Fishman Island, able to predict with high accuracy events decades in advance. For her to be unable to foresee something so close sent a wave of unease through everyone present. Lost in worry, they almost forgot about the pale, trembling Shyarly.

She lowered her head, nervously twisting her blue-green fish tail. Suddenly, a large hand gently rested on her small head. She blinked, looking up to find herself staring into a face with a warm aura, sharply outlined and mesmerizing, especially his golden right eye, which radiated nobility and mystery.

Carl bent down, picked up Shyarly, and carefully placed her on his shoulder. Despite his imposing presence, Shyarly felt strangely at ease in his care, clutching his clothing timidly yet trustingly.

Carl then turned his gaze to the stunned Otohime and the others, a smile on his face.

"So, everyone was talking about me just now, right?" he asked casually.

He had arrived so quietly that Otohime hadn't noticed his presence until now. Awkwardly, she returned her smile. Dressed in a black silk robe inlaid with golden patterns, Carl's golden eye shone with a regal air, as if the very essence of majesty and confidence emanated from within him. Even the most powerful princes and nobles paled in comparison.

Carl's figure loomed above Otohime's as he looked down with a calm smile.

"There's no harm in discussion," he said softly, "but I hear His Majesty Neptune has quite a friendly rapport with a man named Roger... a pirate, right?"

As his voice trailed off, an overwhelming pressure erupted from Carl, causing Neptune and the ministers and soldiers nearby to collapse, unable to withstand the weight of his Conqueror's Haki.

Carl's mastery of Haki was unmatched, and Shyarly and Tiger, who were closest, only sensed an increase in his noble aura without feeling threatened. But Jinbe, among the soldiers, was not as fortunate and lay prostrate on the ground, eyes wide with terror.

Otohime, being a fragile mermaid, was affected most severely, trembling on the ground and on the verge of fainting. Seeing her struggle, Carl lessened the intensity of his Haki, wary of injuring her.

Neptune, struggling to raise his head, managed to speak through gritted teeth.

"Admiral Black Dragon, if you intend to punish anyone, let it be me alone. Please spare Fishman Island..."

Carl leaned forward, causing Shyarly to grip his neck tightly to keep her balance. His gaze remained fixed on Neptune as he asked,

"Do you believe the World Government isn't doing enough to protect Fishman Island?"

Though Neptune shared this belief, he dared not voice it and instead shook his head, forcing himself to appear compliant.

Carl knelt down to look Neptune in the eye, speaking softly, "Don't be afraid. It's a known fact... even to me."

The silence in the room was thick, and no one dared challenge Carl's words. He continued,

"Actually, my purpose here is to strengthen ties between humans and fishmen. I had even considered deploying additional forces from our headquarters to safeguard Fishman Island. But, after learning about your association with Roger… it complicates matters."

Neptune had no time to respond before Otohime, seized by excitement, asked,

"Admiral Black Dragon, do you truly mean that?"

"Would I lie to you?" Carl replied, his tone steady.

Otohime struggled to rise, though Carl's restrained Haki still weighed heavily on her. Unable to stand, she pleaded from where she lay,

"Admiral Black Dragon, Fishman Island has no binding relationship with Roger, nor will we in the future!"

Carl smiled faintly. "Perhaps. My offer is still open for discussion. Queen Otohime, you know the World Government isn't likely to change its stance toward Fishman Island without cause. And with the headquarters' forces already stretched thin, mobilizing more troops here isn't an easy task."

"What does Admiral Black Dragon mean?" Otohime asked cautiously.

"It's simple," Carl answered. "I need to see your sincerity."

Otohime and Neptune exchanged confused glances, trying to interpret his meaning. After a moment's thought, Otohime ventured,

"Admiral Black Dragon, what exactly would you have us do?"

A smirk played at the corner of Carl's mouth as he revealed his terms, causing Neptune and Otohime's eyes to widen in shock.

"I hear you're expecting a daughter in a few years. When she turns six, send her to Mary Geoise. Don't worry. When she comes of age, I'll personally see her safely back to you. So, what do you think?"

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+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg