As Aether flicked the blood off his blade and sheathed his sword, Charlotte Katakuri finally dropped to his knees. His tall fra wavered as he clutched the deep wound across his torso, unable to stand again. Despite his condition, he forced his head up, locking eyes with Aether.
"Roger... what kind of power is that? My Observation Haki could not even grasp the future."
Aether gave a brief signal to those nearby, indicating that the three should be treated as long as their lives were not in danger. Even though Katakuri was known to accept defeat with honor, caution was still necessary.
"It's called Observation Kill. It uses Conqueror's Haki to interfere with future sight."
Katakuri went silent for a mont, then lowered his head.
"I accept my defeat."
He understood the gap clearly. If Aether had used his full strength from the beginning, and with his greatest advantage nullified, the fight would not have lasted long at all.
Among top-tier fighters, few possessed mastery in every aspect. Katakuri's greatest strength had always been his advanced Observation Haki. Once that was taken away, facing soone like Aether beca nearly impossible.
Aether turned his gaze toward the king.
"Neptune, imprison the Big Mom Pirates for now. I will use them to negotiate with Charlotte Linlin."
Neptune nodded imdiately.
"It will be done, Roger."
Later, in the shopping district of Fish-Man Island, Aether and Silvers Rayleigh walked side by side. The streets looked different from what Aether rembered. Ti had changed even this deep-sea kingdom.
"The changes here are quite noticeable."
Rayleigh chuckled.
"Not just for you. I have not been here in ten years myself. I still rember your first visit, shouting about wanting to see beautiful rmaids, even saying you would recruit one."
Aether laughed lightly.
"You make it sound like you had no such thoughts when you were younger."
Rayleigh did not respond, but his expression said enough.
rmaids were widely known for their beauty, which made them tragically valuable in the slave trade. A young rmaid could be sold for as much as 200 million Berries, a price comparable to a Supernova's bounty or even a warship.
After walking for so ti, Aether's expression shifted slightly.
"Rayleigh, head back first. If Linlin decides to act personally, Marco and the others will not be enough to stop her. Take the Big Mom Pirates with you as well."
Rayleigh nodded.
"Leave it to . I may not defeat her, but I can hold her back. As for you... avoiding Rouge?"
At the ntion of Rouge, Aether's eyelid twitched.
Not long ago, a system notification had appeared.
Rouge had developed moderate anger toward him.
Aether chose not to dwell on it.
"Do not joke about that. There is nothing to avoid."
Rayleigh laughed.
"Believe that yourself."
As they continued walking, a shop sign caught their attention.
The rmaid Cafe.
Aether pushed the door open first. The interior looked like a normal cafe, though the waitresses, all rmaids, imdiately stood out. Despite the recent turmoil, the place was nearly full.
"Waitress, bring so food and drinks."
From a distance, a rmaid with black twin-tails responded.
"Please wait a mont."
Soon after, another rmaid approached their table personally.
Her appearance drew attention imdiately. She wore a dark purple hoodie, loosely fastened, revealing part of her chest and midriff. Her short black hair covered one side of her face, while her blue eyes carried a composed, almost distant look. Her figure was striking, even among rmaids.
Aether studied her briefly, then recognition surfaced.
Rayleigh spoke first.
"Shyarly, it has been a while."
The rmaid, Shyarly, calmly held her pipe as she looked at them.
"Ten years, Rayleigh. And you, Pirate King... or should I call you Aether now?"
Aether smiled faintly.
"Call whatever you like, little Shyarly."
Her composed expression cracked instantly.
"I am not a child anymore. I look more mature than you do, Uncle Roger."
Aether shrugged.
"That just ans you look older. I simply look younger."
Shyarly frowned.
"You are the old one. Seventy-five years old, yet still acting like this."
Aether laughed, clearly amused.
After so ti, the two left the cafe in high spirits. Teasing soone known for her composure had proven unexpectedly entertaining.
Back inside, Shyarly returned to her private room.
A crystal ball rested on the table.
She had not used it in a long ti. A past prediction had made her wary of her own ability. Yet now, she felt compelled to look ahead once more.
Specifically, toward the future Aether would bring.
Taking a steady breath, she began her divination.
Monts later, her expression changed.
"What... how can this be?"
Fear spread across her face, replacing all traces of composure.
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