As Brook and his crew prepared to depart, Ariel's excitement fizzled out. She really wanted to join her captain on the adventure!
But deep down, she knew she wasn't ready. Too green, too weak. For now, she'd stay on Fish-Man Island, honing her unique Observation Haki. Maybe one day, when her speeches could rival a world leader's, she'd stand tall and aid Brook!
No time for moping—Ariel was mature for her age. Growing up on Fish-Man Island, plagued by pirates and slavers, forced kids to grow up fast. Her own kidnapping and sale had hardened her resolve even more.
She stood by Brook's side, watching the Sea King's army load historical texts and tributes onto the Golden Ark. A dozen young merfolk and fish-men boarded the ship of dreams, their eyes sparkling with hope.
These kids were about to embark on a legendary journey, basking in the true sun's light, free to thrive under the Hell Pirates' banner. All they had to do was train hard, grow strong, and become part of the crew. One day, they might return to Fish-Man Island as heroes, like Tom, their names echoing across the seas!
Brook handed Ariel a silver Den Den Mushi, a one-button emergency model.
"If you're ever in danger, this'll call us right away!"
For regular updates, she'd use a standard anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushi, checking in with Brook every few days.
With its coating complete, the Golden Ark set sail from Fish-Man Island, carrying a new generation of fish-men. Ariel watched, her heart heavy but hopeful, as the ship vanished into the depths.
"Alright, time to kick off my speech revolution!" she declared, her passion reignited. "I'll start at the Royal Tavern! Should I go with 'A Fish-Man Slave's Worth: One Million Belly'? Or maybe 'I Have a Dream'? Nah, how about 'Down with the Filthy Celestial Dragons!'?"
Ariel's mind raced with fiery words, ready to spread the Hell Pirates' ideals of peace and power while condemning the Celestial Dragons' tyranny.
...
The Golden Ark burst through the ocean's surface, soaring into the sky toward its rendezvous point. After linking up with Golden Lion Shiki's crew, the ship touched down on Merveille—Omatsuri Island, the land of wild revelry.
Inside the captain's quarters, the air was thick with intrigue.
"Brook, my man, could Ariel really be the Sea King Poseidon?" Redfield asked, spilling the secrets he'd glimpsed in Vander Decken VII's memories. If Ariel was Poseidon, it'd be a game-changer for their plan to topple the Celestial Dragons!
Brook shook his head.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, Redfield, but Ariel isn't Poseidon. However!" He paused for effect. "The true Sea King Poseidon won't be born for another thirty-odd years. She'll likely come from Neptune's line—or maybe Ariel's descendants."
Brook wasn't sure how his actions had altered history, but prophecies seemed set in stone. Madame Shyarly's divinations were spot-on, and 800-year-old historical texts confirmed Poseidon's birth on Fish-Man Island.
Even the first Vander Decken, somehow, knew Poseidon would be a mermaid princess capable of commanding Sea Kings.
"Thirty years? That's a long wait!" Redfield's eyes narrowed, a strange glint in them. "So, Ariel might be Poseidon's ancestor, huh?"
His mind wandered to wild theories.
What if Brook's grandkid ends up being Poseidon? Could Brook be the Sea King's grandpa—or great-grandpa?! Holy—
"Hey! What's with that look?!" Brook snapped, catching Redfield's mischievous stare. "I see Ariel as a daughter, you creep! Wipe that sleazy smirk off your face!"
The Noble, Redfield, had the nerve to give him that kind of side-eye? Brook wasn't some lowlife who'd chase after kids!
"Brook, c'mon," Redfield teased, unfazed. "Linlin and Stussy are barely eighteen or nineteen, and you're fine with that! Ariel's turning seventeen soon, isn't she? Though, merfolk don't grow legs 'til thirty, so that's a bit of a hurdle…"
Before he could finish, Brook's boot sent him crashing through the captain's window, shattering glass and rattling the ship. The crew froze, eyes wide, trembling.
Did Captain Brook and Vice-Captain Redfield just throw down?!
Charlotte Linlin, Shakky, and Stussy's brows furrowed. If Redfield was picking a fight with Brook, they'd back their captain without question!
"Cough—easy, folks, just a little sparring!" Redfield's cool-guy image took a hit as he zipped back into the office, lightning-fast, patching the window with a sheepish grin. "Brook's just messin' with me, no big deal!"
He scrambled to smooth things over, desperate to calm his fuming captain.
"Hmph! What'd Redfield say to tick off our sweet Brook?" Stussy, ever the drama queen, pouted, painting Brook as the gentle big brother she adored.
"Exactly!" Linlin huffed, her temper flaring. "Brook's too nice to us, and Redfield's pushing his luck! We gotta punish him—dump his fancy Mermaid Brand wine! Or chug it all!"
"You two are amateurs," Shakky purred, her voice dripping with mischief. "Real revenge is ruining his noble suits—rip 'em, stain 'em, toss 'em in the latrine. Cut his allowance, sneak dead rats into his bed, spike his food with laxatives…"
Redfield, with his top-tier Observation Haki, overheard Shakky's escalating schemes from the office. His face darkened, sweat beading on his brow. Crossing Brook meant crossing a trio of vengeful masterminds!
"Brook, I need you to clear this up," Redfield pleaded, his voice low. "Tell 'em we're cool, or I'm done for! My wine, my suits—they're in danger!"
Brook smirked, savoring the chaos.
"Relax, Shakky's just blowing hot air. I'll make sure your precious wine and tailored clothes survive."
He could sense the women's plotting loud and clear, and honestly? Having them ready to throw down for him felt pretty good.
Brook flung open the door, cutting off Shakky mid-rant—she was already scheming about itching powder in Redfield's underwear.
"Enough! Shakky, Redfield and I were just testing some new moves. Get back to work!"
With a wave, Brook dismantled the gossip hub, shooing the trio off to their duties.
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg