Chapter 168: Teach's Heart Pounds
Meanwhile, in a tavern with a distinct marine theme.
On the stage, a beautiful mermaid was performing an enthusiastic dance.
Shane, with a leisurely expression, sat in an inconspicuous corner, sipping the bar's signature cocktail and casually flipping through a newspaper.
Although the tavern was bustling, there was a large empty space around him.
The pirates who had come here to drink, rather than get close, were crammed together at the other tables, and they didn't even dare to look in his direction.
Some of the more timid ones had already paid their bills and run off.
"Almost two billion?"
Shane put down the newspaper and took a sip of his drink.
No wonder these guys are so scared. A bounty of this level, for an ordinary pirate, is probably no different from the deterrent of one of the Four Emperors.
And this title of "World's Greatest Swordsman" is far more intimidating than "Tachi Swordsman."
The Marines' scheme is so obvious.
I wonder if it will really attract Hawkeye…
Besides that, everyone else's bounty has also gone up a lot. Even Nami's. She shouldn't have any complaints about her bounty now.
He looked up and glanced at the hospital across the street.
The reason he was waiting here was because that powerful aura he had sensed had entered the hospital, apparently to see a doctor.
It wouldn't be appropriate to go in and meet him now.
It was better to just wait here for the sheep to come to him, have a drink, relax, and take a look at his point gains.
His gaze fell on the pale blue panel that had lit up before him.
[You have sacrificed the Dark King Rayleigh's severed arm and received 5500 points.]
[You have sacrificed Chaton Gion's cowboy hat and received 2200 points.]
[You have sacrificed the mermaid Camie's hairpin and received 100 points.]
The right hand of the Pirate King's right-hand man was indeed valuable.
Gion's was also decent.
As for Camie… he had just happened to run into her on the street.
This poor little thing, who in the original timeline had been captured and taken to Sabaody as a slave and had then caught the eye of a Celestial Dragon, was now only twelve years old, and her family seemed to be very poor. At such a young age, she was already selling ice cream on the street to make money.
Such a small sheep, Shane wouldn't have even looked at it in the past.
But he had a muscle memory for it. As he passed by, without even realizing it, her hairpin was already in his hand, and he had sacrificed it.
Shane had almost slapped himself.
Damn it, me!
As compensation, he had immediately paid for all the remaining ice cream and, when Camie had happily pushed her cart away, he had given the ice cream to the mermaid children who had been staring at him with wide eyes.
In any case, his guilt had been assuaged a little, and his original 41,200 points had surged again, reaching 49,000.
As for when he would break the fifty-thousand mark…
"It's now."
Shane closed the system panel and leisurely turned his head.
As expected, a few figures had appeared before him.
The leader of the group was wearing glasses, and he had a rather refined and gentle air, if you ignored his strange, pineapple-like hairstyle…
"Hey, hey, hey! It really is you, little brother Shane!"
Marco's eyes lit up with surprise. He laughed heartily and pulled out a chair and sat down. "I was just wondering why I felt such a terrifyingly strong aura when I came out of the hospital! If it weren't so unfamiliar, I would have thought that old Jinbe was back…"
"I saw your ship a while ago, and I was curious, so I thought I'd come and take a look,"
Shane said honestly, and then he smiled and snapped his fingers, signaling the bartender to bring a few more drinks. "But I didn't expect that the one in charge would be you, Marco. The famous veteran of the Whitebeard Pirates, the 1st division commander… but your attitude, isn't it a little too enthusiastic?"
"Ah, sorry, I guess I did overreact a bit,"
Marco said, suddenly realizing, and he scratched his head. "It's because I've been seeing you in the newspapers so often lately, and Pops is always praising you. After a while, I started to think of you as one of our little brothers, so when I saw you, I felt a sense of closeness, haha, so that's why…"
"That Whitebeard, he's really paying that much attention to me?"
Shane was genuinely surprised. He raised his glass with a grin. "And he's praised me a few times? Is that true? What did he praise me for?"
"It's true!"
Marco laughed heartily. "He's praised you a lot! He said you're just his type! That you're just like Oden back in the day!"
Pfft!
Shane spat out a mouthful of his drink.
Marco, caught off guard, was sprayed with liquor, and his glasses were covered. He helplessly took them off, wiped his face with his sleeve, and said with a bitter smile, "Hey, hey, little brother, do you have to have such a big reaction?"
"Sorry, sorry,"
Shane quickly handed him a napkin, but he couldn't help but twitch his lips. "But who did you say I'm like? Oden? That Kozuki Oden?"
"That's right,"
Marco said, putting his glasses back on and blinking. "Pops said you two are cut from the same cloth—both incredibly strong at a young age, and you'll draw your sword to right a wrong, and you're both dismissive of the olive branch that the World Government extends…"
"..." Shane was speechless.
Isn't that a bit of a stretch?
Oh well.
Among all of Whitebeard's commanders, he had a pretty good impression of Marco.
And besides, his attitude was so sincere. He would give him some face and not badmouth that oden in front of him.
Just then, the bartender brought over a full tray of cocktails. Shane gestured for the bartender to distribute them and then turned his gaze to the other members of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Besides Marco, there were only three of them.
One he didn't recognize at all, probably just an ordinary crew member, who was silent and stern. They exchanged a nod in greeting.
Another was a tall shark Fish-Man, very familiar-looking, his face pale and weak.
As for the last one…
"ZEHAHAHAHA!!!"
The burly man with a few missing teeth raised his glass and laughed heartily. "Thanks for the drink, little brother Shane… no, a big shot like you, who is so admired by Pops, it's better to call you 'my lord,' Lord Shane! I'm an old crew member who served under Commander Oden, Marshall D. Teach. You can just call me Teach!"
"A pleasure to meet you, Teach,"
Shane also grinned, his smile bright and sincere.
Then he looked at the shark Fish-Man.
"I am Namur, Lord Shane,"
the shark Fish-Man said with a weak smile. "8th division commander. Because my body hasn't recovered yet, I'll have to pass on this drink. I'm so sorry. The reason Marco and Teach accompanied me to Fish-Man Island this time was actually to help me get treated."
"I can see that,"
Shane said with a nod, glancing at the pile of medicine in his hand.
"Namur has a very rare blood disease that only seems to affect Fish-Men and Merfolk. I've tried many things, but nothing has worked,"
Marco explained. "Luckily, Teach is a smart one. He suggested that Fish-Man Island, where so many Fish-Men live, might have a more specialized treatment method."
He smiled and patted Teach's shoulder. "And sure enough, we found the right medicine at the hospital. The doctor said that after this course of treatment, with a little more rest, he'll be completely cured."
"That's right,"
Namur also said. "It's all thanks to Teach. Otherwise, I would have been suffering from this illness for a long time! I don't know how I can ever thank you and Marco…"
"Zehahahaha!"
Teach was so praised he was starting to blush. He scratched his head, embarrassed. "It's what comrades do! Don't worry about it! But you should really thank Commander Marco for all his hard work. As for me? Just buy me a drink when we get back, just like Lord Shane did!"
He can really blush on command.
The best actors are the ones who can even convince themselves, right?
Shane watched, amazed. He smiled and downed his drink, and was about to say something when a commotion suddenly came from outside. "Hey! Am I seeing things?!"
"The whale with the crown! That ride is… there's no mistaking it!"
"What a great honor! His Majesty, the Sea God, has actually come out of the Ryugu Palace to be here in person!"
Shane and Marco and the others looked out the window. The Fish-Men on the street had already parted, bowing respectfully.
A massive figure, over ten meters tall, swam over. It was the current king of Fish-Man Island, Neptune.
He wore a crown, held a trident, and his expression was solemn. His every move had the air of a legendary sea god, until he bent down to enter the tavern—
THUMP!
Neptune's head slammed into the doorframe, and a large lump appeared on his head, his crown flying off.
"I'm telling you, you're over ten meters tall. You should just give up on trying to come in, Your Majesty,"
Marco said, facepalming. While the citizens were still bowing, he helped to pick up the crown and handed it to Neptune.
Neptune rubbed the red lump and shook his head. "A man of Whitebeard's has come to visit, and it's you, Marco, leading the group. How could I just stay outside and have you come out to greet me?! That would be too rude, Neptune!"
To use your own name as a verbal tic, that's a new one…
Shane was just about to make a snide remark when Neptune looked over. He was taken aback for a moment, and then a look of surprise appeared on his face. He placed his right hand on his chest and bowed slightly. "So you're on Fish-Man Island too. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Shane."
You see..
This honest man's acting is not even a fraction as good as Blackbeard's.
When he had been at the entrance valve earlier, Shane had seen the guard recognize him, his face full of shock, and he had frantically called his superiors to report…
"A pleasure,"
Shane also said with a smile and a nod in return. The other man's attitude was very respectful, and he clearly didn't want to offend this passing plague god. There was no need to expose him.
Sure enough!
This famous great pirate didn't notice at all!
It seems my skills in dealing with people really have improved, just as little Shirahoshi said… Neptune thought to himself, pleased. He cleared his throat and quickly regained his solemn expression. "Lord Marco, I heard that you were visiting Fish-Man Island. It would be a great dishonor if I did not extend some hospitality. So, I have come to invite you all to a banquet at the Ryugu Palace."
He then looked at Shane and said, neither servile nor overbearing, "To meet you here, Lord Shane, is also a great fate. Seeing as you seem to be getting along so well with Commander Marco, I wonder if you would do me the honor of joining us at my palace."
The Fish-Men and Merfolk on the street outside were in an uproar.
"The Ryugu Palace?!"
"That's a place that many of the rich people on this island have tried and failed to enter!"
"As expected of an officer of the Whitebeard Pirates and the 'World's Greatest Swordsman'! Even His Majesty the Sea God has come to personally invite them…"
…
Marco and Namur exchanged a look and nodded with a bitter smile. "Then we would be honored."
Although they had originally planned to come here quietly and leave after getting treated, King Neptune was someone who had helped Pops in the past. To personally come and welcome them, and to give them so much face, it was really hard to refuse.
Shane also smiled. "Since His Majesty the King has been so kind as to invite us, then we will be a bother."
Who would complain about having too much wool delivered to their doorstep?
Neptune finally smiled in satisfaction and stepped aside. "Please, follow me."
The group left the tavern, and the Fish-Men and Merfolk on the street all bowed, their eyes full of envy as they watched them leave.
…
A short while later, in the Ryugu Palace, the group, led by Neptune himself, entered.
The majestic, ancient palace had a sense of historical vicissitude. And with the colorful schools of fish swimming by and the lifelike oriental dragon statue on the roof, this familiar sight… made Shane subconsciously look up.
Mmm, no sign of the As-You-Will Gold-Banded Cudgel.
But he did notice something in the distance, as if something was charging toward them.
At first, it was just a small black dot, but its speed was incredible, and in the blink of an eye, it was clearly visible—
SWISH!
It was a giant axe, its blade forward. It instantly passed through the bubble protective membrane and then plunged downward, and after a few twists and turns between the winding corridors of the palace, it shot toward a side hall in the back.
That direction is…
Shane frowned slightly, and his figure flickered. He instantly appeared in mid-air and, with a flick of his right leg, he kicked out.
CRACK!
The giant axe, which had been flying at high speed, suddenly stopped, and then it shattered into a thousand pieces, which scattered on the ground.
"..." Neptune turned, stunned. When he saw the fragments of the giant axe on the ground, he immediately realized something, and his face became extremely ugly.
"What's going on, Your Majesty?" Marco asked.
"..." Neptune was silent for a few seconds, then he forced a smile. "I apologize for the disturbance… it's just a small problem in the palace. Please, don't worry about it."
He then bowed to Shane. "Thank you for your help, my lord. I don't know which soldier was so careless during training…"
"I accept your thanks, but please, spare me the lame lies, Your Majesty,"
Shane said, patting the dust from his hands with a grin. "If you don't tell the truth, I have no connection to your Fish-Man Island, so it doesn't matter to me. But these guys won't be able to leave in peace, right, Marco?"
"That's right!" Marco immediately chimed in.
"Exactly! If you're in trouble, just tell us! What's with all the secrecy!"
"With your relationship with Pops, do you really have to treat us like outsiders?"
The other members also began to clamor, as if they would not rest until they knew the truth.
"This…"
Neptune hesitated for a long time, and then he finally sighed. "It's a long story. Please, follow me to the banquet first. We can eat and talk."
…
In the main hall, the banquet table was laden with all sorts of delicacies, but Marco and the others had no appetite. After hearing Neptune's story, they were filled with rage, and the atmosphere was tense.
"That Vander Decken, he's been harassing Princess Shirahoshi with his love letters, using his Mark-Mark Fruit ability, since she was six?! And when she didn't respond, he got angry and started throwing weapons at her?"
"Forcing the poor little princess to hide in a high tower for years?! There's a pervert like that?!"
"Your Majesty, why didn't you tell us sooner?! We would have taken care of that guy for you long ago!"
"How could I,"
Neptune said, rubbing his temples, a bitter smile on his face. "The Whitebeard Pirates have done so much for the Ryugu Kingdom. I have nothing to offer in return. If I were to bother you with something like this, then…"
He shook his head. "And besides, that guy is not so easy to deal with. He's always hiding in the deep sea and never shows himself. Jinbe has even helped before, and he spent a full half a month searching for him, but he couldn't find him."
"What a despicable coward!"
"But, even Jinbe…"
Marco and the others exchanged a look, their faces grim. This was indeed a difficult problem.
Shane, on the other hand, was just popping a grape into his mouth, thinking back.
He remembered that in the original timeline, Vander Decken had, out of his own ambition, come to Fish-Man Island to cooperate with Hody Jones, and that was how he had been taken care of.
If he just stayed in the deep sea and never showed himself, then he was indeed invincible. There was nothing they could do.
He had the Deep Sea Breathing Method, yes, but could he really compete with a Fish-Man in the water?
And he was much more familiar with the waters around Fish-Man Island. In that situation, even after spending dozens of days searching, he still couldn't be found.
Shane didn't think he was that lucky, to be able to just go out and catch him…
He looked at Namur. The Fish-Man captain probably wanted to stay and help for a few days, but after hearing about Jinbe, he was just scratching his head in frustration, not knowing what to do.
"Actually, there is another way,"
Shane suddenly said.
"Hmm?"
At his words, everyone at the banquet turned to look at him.
"If one side is difficult to deal with, you can just start from the other,"
Shane said leisurely. "Just give Shirahoshi a Devil Fruit, a Logia-type. Then she'll be naturally immune to that level of attack, and she won't have to worry about it, right?"
That's right!
Neptune's eyes lit up. Why did I never think of that!
Does that Vander Decken know how to use Haki? Probably not. But even if he did, there's no way he could throw a weapon that far and still have Haki attached to it!
If Shirahoshi could just automatically elementalize and dodge, what would she have to fear!
Although it would mean that Shirahoshi would lose the swimming ability that the Merfolk are so proud of.
But what is that compared to being trapped in a high tower like a prisoner for years, unable to even go outside?
"Thank you for the reminder, my lord!!"
Neptune first thanked Shane, and then he immediately looked at Marco and said sincerely, "Commander Marco, I may need to trouble you with this matter. If you come across a Logia-type fruit, please contact me immediately. I am willing to pay any price!"
"Don't worry, we'll keep an eye out," Marco said with a nod. "But Logia-type Devil Fruits are indeed rare. It might take some time…"
"It won't be that much trouble."
Shane's voice came, and everyone's attention was once again drawn to him.
"I have a Logia-type fruit right here."
He said with a grin, and he casually took out a bag and shook it.
Three Devil Fruits fell out and rolled onto the table. The first to stop was the Sand-Sand Fruit, and then…
…and then…
…it was?!
Teach's previously curious expression instantly froze on his face.
Thump.
His lips trembled slightly, and he stared at the Devil Fruit, unmoving. In this desolate silence, everything had lost its color. Only the purple fruit with the spiral patterns grew more and more vivid, and it grew larger and larger in his vision…
Thump, thump.
Is it?
It looks like it, it should be, there's no mistaking it, right?
It's exactly the same as the photo he had seen in his memories, with only a few, inconspicuous minor differences in the patterns. But what do those little differences mean?
What do they mean!!!
After all, there are no other fruits in the encyclopedia that look like the Dark-Dark Fruit, right? And that was a memory from a long, long time ago. It's bound to be a little fuzzy, a little wrong, right?
That's it!
It can only be it!
It has to be it!!!
Thump, thump, thump…
All the noise of the surrounding world seemed to fade away in that moment. All he could hear was the frantic beating of his own heart, which was getting faster and faster, like the pounding of a war drum!
Thump, thump-thump! Thump-thump-thump! THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP! THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!!!!
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you