Chapter 86: The Start Of The Conflict
Vander Decken, who had been wanted for several years, was finally captured. This was no small matter on Fish-Man Island. After all, this Vander Decken, who no one knew what generation he was, was also a somewhat notable figure on Fish-Man Island, though his notoriety was entirely negative.
In the eyes of most Fish-Men, Vander Decken was a disgustingly perverse pervert with a twisted obsession for little girls. When Princess Shirahoshi was just six years old, he shamelessly proposed to her. After being rejected, he even resorted to violent threats, forcing Princess Shirahoshi to live confined in Hard Shell Tower.
He was just a typical Fish-Man scum.
So when the news of Vander Decken’s capture spread, nine out of ten residents on Fish-Man Island cheered in delight, and the streets were as lively as if a celebration was being held.
However,
The most thrilled were King Neptune and the three princes in Ryugu Palace.
If asked who on Fish-Man Island hated that bastard Vander Decken the most, the top four spots were undoubtedly taken by this family. The three princes, who felt heartbroken for their younger sister, had led the Sea King Army multiple times to hunt for Vander Decken, but unfortunately without mastering Observation Haki, searching for him in the deep sea was like finding a needle in a haystack.
They had also once asked Jinbe for help, but at that time Jinbe was still one of the Seven Warlords, often dispatched by the Fleet Admiral in Marineford to do tasks, and he also had to diligently maintain good relations with the Whitebeard Pirates. He was simply too busy with no time for such a luck-based job.
Fish-Man Island, port.
The returning fleet was anchored in the bay, and Sea King Army soldiers were dragging Vander Decken off the ship.
The reason it was dragging was that Seastone not only stripped him of his ability but also sapped his strength. Apart from his mouth still able to curse, his body was as limp as noodles about to boil apart. But because he was annoying, Vander Decken’s mouth had also been gagged.
“Prince Elus, a million thanks. Thank you so much for your help. I am truly grateful…”
King Neptune, riding on the back of a whale, looked at Vander Decken being dragged before him by the Sea King Army. His excited voice trembled slightly as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Prince Elus standing nearby. If it weren’t for Prince Elus, who was just over two hundred centimeters tall and too short in front of him, the king would have wanted to give him a hug right then.
Hugs and handshakes, gestures of close relations, were impossible due to the size difference. King Neptune, over one thousand centimeters tall, could only repeatedly express his thanks in chaotic, disordered language for Prince Elus removing this huge weight from his heart.
“Your Majesty Neptune, I told you, what I promise, I will do.” Prince Elus replied casually. His attention didn’t linger on Vander Decken for even a second. The value of such trash was even less than the Bald Sea Monster standing in the harbor.
The eight-thousand-centimeter-tall Bald Sea Monster stood above the bay. Compared to it, the warships anchored around looked like children’s large toys. Yet this giant was nervously hunching like a child who had done something wrong, fearfully lowering its head.
“Father.”
Prince Hoshigaki Kisame swam over.
“What’s wrong?”
King Neptune, still immersed in excitement, came back to his senses and looked at his eldest son.
“That… Bald Sea Monster is too big. There’s no prison on the island big enough…” Prince Hoshigaki Kisame said with a strange expression. It was his first time facing such a problem. Come to think of it, how did a Fish-Man this big even grow so huge?
With that size, one meal could probably eat a normal Fish-Man’s monthly rations.
“…”
Neptune was stunned.
He looked up at the massive Bald Sea Monster, and in his mind appeared the image of the Mermaid Island prison tower. Comparing their sizes… it really wouldn’t fit!
“Your Majesty Neptune.”
At that moment, Prince Elus spoke up.
“I have a small request.”
He said this.
“Please speak, please speak, Prince Elus. I’m currently racking my brains on how to repay you for everything you’ve done!” said Neptune. Although it was Isca who actually captured Vander Decken, and Prince Elus hadn’t lifted a finger while staying on Fish-Man Island.
But aren’t a subordinate’s achievements due to their superior’s excellent leadership? Without Prince Elus’s orders, Isca wouldn’t have gone to capture Vander Decken.
“This one, give it to me!”
Prince Elus raised his right hand, his upright index finger pointing at the Bald Sea Monster standing in the bay. “With such a huge size, it’s convenient for towing ships.”
“That’s no problem at all…” Neptune had no objections. The main culprit was Vander Decken anyway. This big guy was clearly a dim-witted fool at first glance, and imprisoning him would be a hassle. Giving it to Prince Elus would even save some trouble.
“But, is that all?”
Neptune felt this request was far too simple.
“That’s enough.”
Prince Elus withdrew his right hand and repeated, “That’s enough.”
Greed must be restrained, and besides the mermaid princess, there was nothing else on Fish-Man Island that caught Prince Elus’s eye. He had only thought of this giant upon seeing the Bald Sea Monster and whimsically figured he could train it a bit to perhaps play a role in future sea battles.
Even if it didn’t work out, such a massive figure would look quite intimidating as a figurehead.
The subsequent tasks went smoothly. Vander Decken was escorted to the deepest part of the prison tower. Ryugu Kingdom’s penal code was very lenient, especially for Fish-Men, where the death penalty basically didn’t exist. No matter how serious the crime, it was almost always life imprisonment.
Having resolved this heart burden of Vander Decken, the elated King Neptune held a grand banquet in Ryugu Palace. This time, the guests weren’t just Prince Elus; officers including Isca were also entertained. The Marines left on the warships received lavish feasts too, and the alcohol restriction under control was temporarily lifted.
The victors naturally deserved to fully savor the exquisite taste of the wine of victory!
Banquet hall.
This was an extremely spacious area, large enough to accommodate a thousand people reveling here. Giant flounders with bubbles served as seats, and Prince Elus sat on the back of one such flounder, drinking wine while appreciating the performance of the beautiful mermaids on the central stage.
However,
Eighty percent of Prince Elus’s attention was on that massively sized mermaid princess.
She was really huge!
In every sense.
Clearly just an 11-year-old child, but… super intimidating!!!
He didn’t approach the princess. No matter how intimidating she appeared on the outside, she was still essentially a child confined to a room for five years without stepping out. He wasn’t great at dealing with kids, and it was clear the princess was a bit timid. Earlier, when Neptune brought her over to give thanks, she was extremely flustered.
He didn’t dare to push too hard.
So,
“Princess Shirahoshi, hello, I’m Fran.”
The maid with beautiful flame-like red long hair smiled and greeted the giant mermaid princess.
“…Hello!”
Interaction,
thus began.
…
New World.
Black Swan Island, this island named for its unique black swans, was the eastern gateway of Eckmond Kingdom. In the island’s port was anchored a pirate ship, its pirate flag with goggles-wearing skull and spade emblem listlessly fluttering in the breeze.
The weather was nice today.
Cloudy, light breeze, perfect for going out.
“First time seeing black swans… so beautiful! …Such a gorgeous life…”
Shaking his head while praising, the man with a mask on his face sat on a bench by the pond, scribbling furiously in his notebook, letting out poetic sighs from his mouth.
“Are you a poet?”
The voice
came from behind.
“Ah? No, I… my dream is to write novels.” Deuce was startled and stood up, turning to look at the hulking figure behind the bench. It was really a huge guy, about three hundred fifty centimeters tall, standing on the ground like a large statue.
“Writer?”
“Not yet.” Deuce was a bit embarrassed. “Only after I finish writing my novel can I be considered… a writer.”
“Oh! So, a future writer.”
“…Don’t say it like that.” Deuce’s cheeks flushed slightly. Being called that was really a bit embarrassing! He hadn’t even written a single short story, yet being called a writer… it was truly shameful!
However, besides the shame, there was a slight thrill.
“If you want to be a writer, why become a pirate?” The hulking figure stepped forward two paces, his calf pressing against the bench’s backrest. He lowered his head, looking down at Deuce holding the notebook, and sincerely voiced his inner confusion.
“If you like writing novels, wouldn’t it be better to just sit in a study and write them? Why? Why choose to be a pirate, a profession that brings pain and disaster to people?”
“You… are you a Marine?”
The embarrassment faded from Deuce’s face. He carefully tucked the notebook into his inner pocket, warily eyeing the hulking figure while noticing from the corner of his eye that the many tourists around had unknowingly left the area.
“I’m not a Marine.”
The hulking figure shook his head. “I’m Eschbach, an officer of Eckmond Kingdom.” The hulking figure—Eschbach—introduced himself.
Eckmond Kingdom… tch!
Deuce understood the situation.
Not just the World Government’s Navy and bounty hunters chased pirates; various countries’ armies also unwelcome pirates. The Spade Pirates had fought armies of many countries so far, though most were no match for the Navy.
Just,
Previous experience was from East Blue and Paradise; the same logic didn’t seem to apply in the New World.
“Can you tell me why you became a pirate?”
Eschbach pressed.
“Why?” Deuce muttered, lifting his head a bit higher to meet Eschbach’s gaze, a smile appearing on his face. “I can’t really explain it clearly! Anyway, the captain invited me to adventure with him. I felt that following the captain, I could write an amazing adventure novel, so I agreed. Something like that!”
“I see!”
Eschbach looked at the smiling Deuce, closed his eyes. “Sorry, Mr. Masked Deuce, I’m afraid I have to obstruct your dream of becoming a novelist.” With that, he opened his eyes, his claw transformed into a dragon’s extending toward Deuce.
“Devil Fruit ability user?”
Deuce exclaimed in surprise.
He didn’t choose to take it head-on but instead rolled ungracefully on the ground to dodge Eschbach’s claw.
He had accompanied Ace from East Blue all the way to the New World, experiencing over a hundred battles along the way. He couldn’t compare to a genius like Ace, of course, but he was no longer that young medical student from the isolated East Blue island who tried to ambush his own captain with a tree branch only to give himself away due to hunger.
He was now a qualified first mate and ship doctor.
“You can’t escape, Mr. Deuce. Surrender obediently, and I can guarantee you good treatment.”
His strike missing, Eschbach showed no surprise or disappointment. He went around the bench—this was public property, couldn’t damage it—with exaggerated strides, reaching Deuce in two or three steps. Then his thick, powerful claw grabbed down again.
“Clang!!”
Deuce drew the saber at his waist, blocking Eschbach’s claw.
“Though everyone’s attention is stolen by the captain, …don’t underestimate me!” He was still smiling, his face full of spirited determination. The moment his words ended, his arms surged with power, briefly repelling Eschbach’s claw. He swung the razor-sharp saber in his hand toward vital spots on Eschbach’s body.
Heart, kidneys, wrists, knees, ankles…
As for vital spots like the neck and head, Eschbach was too tall to attack conveniently, so Deuce targeted the torso and limbs.
A series of sounds like blacksmiths hammering iron rang out.
The smile on Deuce’s face turned bitter. Looking at the unscathed Eschbach, his expression fell. “Sure enough, to make it in the New World, you have to master Haki?”
“Of course.”
A heavy fist accompanied the reply, appearing in Deuce’s vision and rapidly growing larger at astonishing speed. His body instinctively leaned back, but his mind clearly judged that at this speed, he probably couldn’t dodge this punch. Hopefully… it wouldn’t disfigure him.
He widened his eyes, awaiting the fist’s impact on his face.
At that moment, intense scorching heat like being near a furnace came from the right side of his cheek. The next instant, crimson flames swept past him, the extreme heat even singeing a lock of the ship doctor’s hair.
“So hot!!!”
Deuce let out a loud cry of pain.
