Chapter 214: Shirahoshi's Determination

Chapter 214: Shirahoshi's Determination



"So how did you do that?" Luffy asked with a mouth full of food at the feast King Neptune threw in their honor.

"Mysterious technique." Cherry answered without really answering.

"I see! A mysterious technique!" Luffy accepted as if that explained everything.

"For real, though, how did you survive that?" Usopp inquired, his curiosity not nearly as easily sated as Luffy's.

"Well, I suppose I could tell you..." Cherry said, causing Usopp and others to lean in listening intently. "... but the World Government might torture you to the brink of death over and over again until you reveal the secret. Is that okay with you?"

Usopp suppressed a shiver of fear. "Nevermind, I forgot that I happen to be horribly allergic to mysterious life saving techniques."

"Did anyone get a sample of that drug the New Fishman Pirates were using?" Cherry asked.

"That drug is dangerous, Lady Cherry! Hody and his men are currently suffering greatly after the effects wore off and our doctors don't even know if they'll survive the night. It's best if you don't use such a thing." King Neptune said, slurring slightly from his overconsumption of drink.

"I don't intend to use it. I have a scholarly interest in it, as should our Doctor Chopper. Perhaps it holds the key to a miracle medicine, or perhaps it can be improved to remove the side effects. Chopper is a genius, I'm sure he can find a good use for it." Cherry said.

"Oh, stop it! You stupid bastard!" Chopper said in his cheery tone whilst doing a happy little dance.

"Hm, very well *hic* I will have the pills we confiscated from them handed over to you. Perhaps some good will come of it." King Neptune acquiesced.

"Hey, Cherry~" Nami leaned on her shoulder, clearly deep in her cups as well. "What happened to that pretty jewel you had, hm-? Can I hold it? Pretty please~?"

Cherry rolled her eyes at the obvious attempt of seducing her to get at her treasure. Of course she knew Nami wasn't actually interested in her that way, plus Cherry wasn't really interested in someone as young as Nami either.

Cherry took the pink gemstone out of her robes and let Nami inspect it. Despite its rather ordinary spherical shape, it was perhaps the most beautiful gemstone that Nami had ever witnessed. The shifting light that shone out of it was captivating.

"So pretty. Where did you get it, Cherry-sama?" Shirahoshi asked.

"From the Neo Marine dude. That's an island destroying super weapon right there." Cherry said.

Shirahoshi's tears of sadness turned to tears of joy. King Neptune opened his mouth to say something, but Cherry interrupted him. "Helping Shirahoshi get stronger is also a way of protecting her, you dufus! If I find out you or your sons slowed down her progress, then I swear I'll barbecue you and feed you to Takako!"

King Neptune and the three princes gulped. They felt that they couldn't be certain that Cherry was joking when they looked into her eyes. They did have a question though.

"Who is Takako?" Prince Mamboshi asked.

"Oh right, you haven't met my precious baby~!" Cherry said lightheartedly. "Let me

introduce you~!"

The room suddenly became very cramped and Cherry's previous threat weighed on their hearts that much heavier.

After Takako went back inside, King Neptune had some servants bring two books at Cherry;s request along with writing utensils.

Cherry's hands raced quickly enough over the pages as she wrote that a hint of smoke came from the books as she did so. Only a few minutes later she seemed to finish and wrote a title

on each book.

The first was titled "Mermaid Training Manual For Pathetic Little Cry Babies", whilst the second was titled "Mermaid Training Manual From Hell".

Prince Fukaboshi looked inside the first training manual and visibly winced at the first page. "This is for little cry babies...?"

In his opinion, this should be the training manual from hell. At least he thought so until he looked at the second book. He went pale and nearly fainted just thinking about doing the

things it described.

Shirahoshi was determined, though. She refused to even look at the first book. Perhaps she'd

feel differently if she had the experience her brothers and father had with physical training, but she was naive and fell right into the trap Cherry laid for her. King Neptune and the three princes could only sigh and wait for her to give up on it, even thinking she wouldn't be able to stick with the first book let alone the second.

"That's enough work for today, it's time to relax." Cherry said, then sent Robin a look that she knew very well. "Want to go find that fortune teller, my little bird~?"

Robin couldn't help, but smile and nodded. The two of them left the palace hand in hand to find Madame Shyarly. The shark mermaid didn't know it yet, but she was about to have a very memorable night.