"One Piece:The True Codex"Chapter 386: Fruit Salad
"I've already considered the issue you raised and have come up with a solution, but this isn't the time or place to discuss it. I'll bring it up during the upcoming Seven Warlords of the Sea meeting," William said as he shifted his fishing rod to his other hand, glancing at Bimini with a smile. "But you don't need to worry. No matter what, since I've made a promise, I'll do my best to protect all four cities, including Pucci—especially Pucci."
Pucci wasn't just a tourist city; it had the potential to become a cultural hub. William valued this city almost as much as Water 7, which was why he had taken the trouble to travel alongside the crew of the Starlight on this journey.
"I, of course, believe in your promise, Your Majesty William. I'm merely curious about how you plan to achieve it," Bimini asked humbly.
"By killing," William replied nonchalantly, ignoring the way Bimini's face paled at his matter-of-fact tone. He turned back to the sea and continued, "The environment of the sea is much like this ocean here. In any given area, countless fish of all sizes coexist in what seems like chaos but is actually a form of order. However, if a massive predator suddenly barges in, slaughtering wantonly and staining the waters red with blood, the sensitive fish will flee and avoid that dangerous area."
"And those that don't flee...?" Bimini asked instinctively.
"Those foolish enough to stay behind will serve as examples to warn others. These small-time pirates are nothing more than scum who never learn their lesson. Only by being more ruthless and more brutal than they are can you make them understand that this is an area they must avoid," William said with a mocking smirk. "I'll station one of my officers, Harden, in Pucci. Any pirate who dares to cause trouble nearby won't meet a good end. After enough of them die, the others will start to get the message."
"Harden?" Bimini asked, his face showing confusion.
Harden's infamy was largely confined to the East Blue. During the recent battle with the Marines in the East Blue, Harden had been recovering from injuries sustained while imprisoned by Golden Lion Shiki, so he hadn't made much of a name for himself outside the region. It wasn't surprising that someone like Bimini hadn't heard of him.
Not far from the group, Selkirk, who was relieving himself into the sea, overheard the question. His loud laughter carried over on the sea breeze: "That guy's a bastard!"
Selkirk's remark only deepened Bimini's confusion, prompting Dampier to step in and explain, "Harden is a fierce warrior under William's command. You'll understand why William chose to send him here after spending some time with him. With Harden around, the waters near Pucci will soon settle down."
"Let's hope so," Bimini replied, though his tone betrayed his lack of confidence.
Suddenly, William's gaze snapped back to the water as he noticed his float bobbing. The fishing line went taut, and a powerful force from the ocean yanked at the rod, as if trying to drag William into the sea.
With a laugh, William abandoned any fishing techniques and relied solely on brute strength. With a single pull and a swift tug, he hauled a half-human-sized black fish out of the water. The fish arced through the air before landing heavily on the ground.
Dampier and Gin, quick on their feet, dodged to the side, but Bimini and his attendants cried out in alarm as the splashing seawater soaked their clothes.
The black fish was hideous, with jagged, interlocking teeth protruding from its mouth and round, menacing eyes that glared fiercely. Even after landing on the ground, it thrashed about, trying to bite anyone nearby.
"What kind of fish is this?" William asked curiously as he approached with his fishing rod.
The black fish twisted its body, attempting to lunge at William. But with a slight furrow of his brow, William released a burst of his aura. The fish immediately froze, as if struck by lightning, its body convulsing before lying still. If not for the faint rise and fall of its chest, it would have appeared dead.
"A Giant Tiger Fish," Bimini said from a safe distance, observing the creature. "Aggressive by nature, and edible. Though this one seems to be a juvenile—it hasn't fully grown yet."
Bimini's offhand comment about the fish being edible made William chuckle. Squatting beside the subdued Giant Tiger Fish, he removed the hook from its mouth and casually remarked, "Consider yourself lucky."
With that, William kicked the fish back into the sea, sending it flying through the air before splashing back into the water.
Gin shaded his eyes with his hand as he watched the fish land. "You sure that kick didn't kill it?" he asked instinctively.
"It'll survive," William replied with a grin. Turning back to Bimini, he added, "I'm a pirate, but I'm not like those who only know how to destroy. I prefer to build. Otherwise, I wouldn't have proposed the Sea Train Network plan to the Five Elders. Whether your invitation to fish was sincere or not, it's a good thing. I don't want the rulers of the four cities to be hostile toward me from the start. Understanding between people takes time. Even if there's some caution, as long as it's not outright resistance, we can deepen our cooperation over time. Otherwise, we're bound to become enemies eventually. And in this world, that usually means one side ends up dead—often with heavy casualties. That's not something anyone wants, wouldn't you agree?"
Bimini wiped the seawater and sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, nodding in agreement as he forced a smile.
...
Calm Belt.
Something felt off to Garp today. William's crew had been meticulous in their treatment of him, maintaining 24-hour surveillance and assigning someone to handle his meals and other needs with strict punctuality.
Now, Garp's once robust frame was withered and frail, a shadow of his former self. His decline was due not only to the drugs being injected into him and his poor nutrition but also to the psychological toll of his humiliating captivity. Once a legendary Marine, he now relied on others even for basic necessities—a stark contrast to his former glory.
But today, his lunch was late, a small deviation that set his mind racing. Isolated from the outside world, he couldn't help but wonder what might have happened.
As Garp pondered, the heavy iron door to his cell creaked open, jolting him from his thoughts. He struggled to lift his head, turning toward the entrance.
A familiar figure stepped inside, and Garp's pupils contracted. "William?"
"Vice Admiral Garp, I've brought your lunch," William said, holding a large bowl in one hand. He stirred its contents with a fork before flashing a mischievous smile. "Fruit salad. A healthy choice."
"You're back?" Garp ignored William's words, probing cautiously.
William had been absent for days, and Garp had his suspicions about what that might mean.
William saw through Garp's thoughts with ease but maintained his cheerful demeanor. "I've settled things with the Marines, so I came back specifically to deal with you and the other prisoners."
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