Chapter 367: Journey to Laugh Tale
After returning from the Sabaody Archipelago, Brett didn't rush back to sleep. He went to Coral Hill—to the Mermaid Cafe.
Though night had deepened, warm light still projected from the cafe's windows. Brett pushed open the door and entered. Shyarly sat behind a table.
"I figured you'd be arriving about now."
Shyarly looked up.
Boss Shyarly was twenty-three this year—no longer an age where "girl" applied.
The youthful softness once lingering on her face had completely vanished, replaced by captivating cool elegance that made hearts flutter.
Brett felt no surprise at Shyarly's foresight. Fortune-tellers were like that.
"Coffee?"
Brett smiled.
"Hmph."
Shyarly's lips curved upward. "Then let me see if your skills have improved."
Brett went behind the counter, rolling up his sleeves and beginning to brew coffee with practiced movements.
This was Shyarly's personally transmitted craft. By now, Brett had refined it quite well.
Without stopping his hands' movements, Brett spoke simultaneously. "I'm about to uncover the world's final secret."
"Isn't that good?"
Shyarly's voice remained characteristically calm. For a fortune-teller accustomed to predicting the future, very few things in this world could truly surprise her.
"Yes, it's a good thing."
Brett nodded. "This means we're very close to our ultimate goal."
Once they understood the World Government's true nature, all that remained was the final great battle.
Really very close now.
Close to relocating Fish-Man Island to the surface, letting all mermaids and Fish-Men breathe fresh air freely, letting them bathe in sunlight freely—close to that goal.
"What's wrong, Brett?"
Shyarly turned around, saying with interest. "Don't tell me at this point, you're actually feeling anxious?"
"Not anxious."
Brett shook his head, then sighed somewhat. "At this point, no matter what power the enemy possesses, I won't waver."
They'd already come this far. Thinking about retreating was absolutely impossible. All they could do now was advance bravely and achieve victory.
If he still harbored hesitation even now, forget the final decisive battle—he might as well hide quietly in the sea waiting for his little apprentice Straw Hat to become Pirate King.
"Is that so?"
Shyarly raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, hey, hey, Boss Shyarly—you doubting me?"
Brett said somewhat helplessly. "Anyway, even if we lose the war, as long as we hide in the sea, the enemy can't do much to us. So what psychological burden could I have?"
That was the logic. Even if Lord Imu and the weapon he controlled possessed overwhelming power, what could he do as long as they remained at the ocean's depths?
Right?
Advance— Luffy could be the safety net. Retreat—the deep sea could provide sanctuary.
Nothing to fear at all.
"You're already thinking about these things?"
Shyarly paused slightly, then smiled softly. "I thought Brett would definitely be single-mindedly convinced only of absolute victory."
"Well."
Brett smiled. "Strategically, underestimate yourself. But tactically, definitely take the enemy seriously."
Of course he needed absolute conviction of victory—otherwise how could he fight the enemy without reservation? But equally, backup preparations had to keep pace.
Betting everything without reservation—that's what children did. Brett shouldered too many responsibilities. He couldn't afford to be completely reckless.
"Not anxious, not panicked."
Brett leisurely placed a steaming cup of coffee before Shyarly, then sat across from his childhood friend. "It's nervousness. Nervousness brought by anticipation."
About to reach that Final Island, about to obtain the treasure Roger and Joy Boy left behind, about to unveil the world's ultimate secret—how could he not feel nervous?
Brett continued. "And after returning from Laugh Tale, it'll be about time to prepare for the final decisive battle."
Undoubtedly, that would be the most arduous battle of his life.
"So?" Shyarly just smiled as she looked at him.
"So before achieving victory in that war, I must devote all my energy wholeheartedly."
That's what Brett said.
"What, you just wanted to say that?"
Shyarly smiled. "Brett, just do what you need to do. Only a beautiful future awaits us."
Brett smiled gently. "You're right."
Time: The following day. Time to depart.
Brett traveled light, not bringing many people—just Tesoro and Nico Robin as they left Fish-Man Island together.
They entered the New World, then headed toward the latter half of these waters.
Since it was the island at the Grand Line's end, naturally it lay in the New World's furthest reaches.
However, the three didn't head directly to Laugh Tale. Instead they first visited a certain New World island.
This island was a deserted landmass in the New World's latter section. Originally Beasts Pirates territory, after that previous war it now belonged to the Red-Hair Pirates.
A large ship rested beside the shore. Two men were sparring with swords on the beach.
But both quickly stopped by mutual understanding. They'd both sensed that familiar presence rapidly approaching.
Soon above the sky, above the clouds, something massive slowly descended.
A crimson dragon poked its head from the clouds, looking down with interest at the two men on the shore below.
"Fighting quite lively, aren't you? Need us to wait until you determine a winner?"
"No need."
The man with eagle-sharp eyes returned his black blade to his back, snorting somewhat coldly. "What duel with this disabled man? Just passing time."
"Hahaha! Mihawk, you really don't hold back with your words."
The one-armed man with red hair also laughed heartily as he sheathed his beloved sword, showing no extreme reaction to Hawkeye's contempt.
"Oh! Hawkeye and Red-Hair?"
Tesoro, sitting on Brett's cloud, looked at the group below. "So Brett's bringing them too?"
"Yes."
Brett nodded.
He released clouds downward, sweeping up both Shanks and Mihawk along with the ship at the shore.
"Well then, let's head to Laugh Tale."