Chapter 126: Weapons! Acquaintance
The location stretched beyond Fish-Man Island's protective bubble, where the mystical Sea Forest extended into the crushing depths of the deep ocean. Ten thousand meters beneath the surface, currents carried ancient secrets through waters that had never felt direct sunlight.
"How's it going! Brett! He's so majestic, isn't he!!"
Tom floated suspended in the sea, laughing loudly with infectious enthusiasm. His massive frame radiated pure satisfaction. "After working overtime for weeks, we finally finished it!" His voice echoed through the underwater expanse, causing nearby schools of deep-sea fish to scatter in colorful spirals.
"Awesome!"
A genuine smile bloomed across Brett's weathered features as he took in the magnificent sight before him. "The second most majestic ship in the world!" he declared with conviction that rang through the depths.
'The most majestic ship is of course Pluton,' Brett thought, his mind cataloguing the legendary weapon's rumored capabilities. 'Although I have never seen what that ancient battleship looks like, just because its name carries the weight of Pluton and it stands as one of the three world-destroying ancient weapons, it must be the most devastatingly powerful vessel ever conceived.'
Floating majestically before Brett in the ocean's eternal twilight was a massive steel battleship that defied conventional maritime engineering. The vessel represented months of revolutionary design work and cutting-edge metallurgy.
It floated in the dense seawater with supernatural grace, commanding respect from the very currents that flowed around its hull.
The entire vessel gleamed with deep obsidian black, sculpted like a colossal shuttle designed for the depths. Every surface achieved perfect hydrodynamic efficiency, creating mirror-like smoothness that reflected bioluminescent creatures drifting past. The ship stretched approximately one hundred meters in length, its size alone intimidating any conventional naval vessel. Simply existing here, the battleship radiated raw power and technological supremacy that made the surrounding water thrum with anticipation.
'Well, it resembles the submarines from my previous life,' Brett mused, comparing this marvel to half-remembered military images. 'But this transcends anything those surface-dwellers ever imagined.'
Earlier that morning, Brett had planned to spend the day with Shyarly, feeling their relationship had taken a meaningful step forward after intimate conversations the previous evening. The memory of her gentle laugh still warmed his thoughts. However, Arlong had interrupted his romantic plans with characteristic urgency, announcing that Tom required his immediate presence at the Sea Forest.
With no alternative but to postpone his carefully planned date, Brett had rushed through winding coral passages without stopping, his mind racing with possibilities. The sight now greeting him exceeded even his most optimistic expectations.
Brett found himself genuinely curious about the logistics involved. 'There are only a handful of people working on this project.' he thought, studying the massive vessel with professional appreciation. 'How did Tom manage to construct such an enormous ship in less than a month?'
"The main material is the strongest alloy I can create using advanced metallurgy techniques," Tom explained with evident pride, gesturing enthusiastically toward the hull. "Combined with revolutionary internal framework design, this vessel can withstand crushing pressure of the deepest sea trenches! The ship comes equipped with integrated coating generation, allowing navigation of ocean floor terrain as easily as calm surface waters."
Tom's expression grew more serious as he detailed the technical specifications. "Because operations will require extended periods in deep sea environment, the propulsion system doesn't rely on conventional coal combustion. Instead, we've installed an advanced electrical generation system built into the hull's core. This power plant can supply tremendous electrical energy continuously, ensuring that even at maximum depths, the vessel's sailing speed will rival the fastest sea beasts!"
His weathered face broke into a mischievous grin. "That brilliant Franky contributed an audacious suggestion - he designed an instantaneous velocity burst system that can accelerate the ship to maximum speed in seconds. With this capability, the entire vessel can function as a guided projectile!"
"Iceberg! Show them what we've built!"
Tom's voice boomed across the water as he raised the transponder snail, his excitement barely contained.
Within moments, the colossal steel battleship began demonstrating its capabilities. Deep within the hull, massive engines roared to life with sound that reverberated through the ocean like distant thunder. The primary propeller at the stern began rotating with increasing speed, while strategically placed ports opened along the hull's surface, erupting high-pressure water jets in coordinated sequences.
Driven by this dual propulsion system, the steel leviathan immediately surged forward with impressive acceleration, racing toward distant depths at velocity that sent shock waves rippling through surrounding water. Schools of fish scattered as the battleship carved through their domain like a metal sea king.
"The speed is genuinely impressive!"
Brett observed with sincere admiration, his tactical mind calculating strategic implications. Tom's claims had been backed by undeniable results - this velocity truly matched the ocean's natural speed champions.
"Now observe the maximum velocity demonstration!"
Tom shouted with childlike enthusiasm, savoring this revelation moment.
Brett watched as the steel battleship executed a sharp turning maneuver in the distance, banking gracefully despite its massive size. Then, without warning, an enormous column of superheated plasma erupted from specialized stern ports, creating propulsion force that defied conventional marine engineering understanding. The battleship shot toward their position like lightning given physical form, its approach creating a pressure wave Brett could feel in his bones.
"This speed actually exceeds the swimming capabilities of mermaids!"
Brett exclaimed in genuine surprise, his voice carrying rare awe.
The mermaids were universally acknowledged as the sea's fastest natural swimmers, yet this massive vessel demonstrated speed surpassing even their remarkable abilities by significant margin.
Tom's chest swelled with justified pride. "At such tremendous velocity, a direct ramming attack would kill even the largest Sea kings instantly!"
'While I appreciate the engineering marvel,' Brett thought pragmatically, 'relying solely on ramming attacks seems unnecessarily limiting. Surely this vessel must be equipped with more conventional weaponry?'
As if reading Brett's tactical concerns, Tom continued with a knowing smile, "Allow me to demonstrate the vessel's true weapons capabilities."
Brett's attention focused with laser-like intensity. The real measure of combat effectiveness would lie in integrated weapons systems.
"Because all combat occurs in deep ocean environment, conventional surface-warfare weapons are essentially useless," Tom explained, shifting to military engineer tone. "Of course, we installed traditional artillery - designed primarily by Franky, whose weapons engineering talent continues to astound me. The firepower should significantly exceed mainstream Marine battleships."
Brett had no reason to doubt this assessment. The warships he'd destroyed during Water 7 had been Franky's earlier designs, demonstrating firepower capable of threatening Sea kings.
"However, primary focus has been developing weapons optimized for underwater warfare," Tom continued, raising the transponder snail again. "Franky, time to showcase your expertise!"
"Hahaha, leave everything to me, Mr.Tom! Both myself and the weapons I've designed are feeling absolutely SUPER today!!" Franky's enthusiastic voice crackled through the device, his excitement infectious.
The massive battleship altered course, heading toward deeper trenches where demonstration could proceed safely.
Brett observed with growing interest as two previously invisible hatches opened seamlessly in the vessel's forward section, so perfectly integrated they'd been undetectable. From these launch tubes, two dark projectiles ejected with tremendous force, carrying toward the ocean floor with ballistic precision.
The torpedoes struck the sandy seabed almost instantaneously.
Then the ocean floor erupted in devastation.
BOOM!!
Even under tremendous pressure of these depths, an explosion of staggering proportions occurred instantly. The detonation created an expanding sphere of destruction that vaporized sand, coral, and rock with equal efficiency.
Brilliant flames somehow burned underwater, their intensity overwhelming the filtered sunlight reaching these depths through Eve's root system. The explosion's radiance painted surrounding water in shades of fire and gold.
"This destructive power is absolutely incredible!"
Brett declared with genuine amazement, his military experience immediately assessing tactical implications.
The explosion had obliterated a small hill, leaving only a crater where solid rock had existed moments before.
"This represents a torpedo design Franky and I developed through extensive collaboration," Tom explained with satisfaction. "The propulsion system utilizes the same revolutionary technology powering the main vessel, but in concentrated burst format for maximum acceleration. The velocity significantly exceeds even the battleship's own maximum speed. When equipped with specialized coating to minimize water resistance, speed increases further! Against large targets, evasive maneuvers would be virtually impossible!"
His expression grew serious detailing full capabilities. "The vessel carries forty torpedoes in internal magazine, fired rapidly through horizontal launch tubes. During surface engagement, the same projectiles can be fired in parabolic trajectories through specialized upper deck launch bays, allowing long-range bombardment of distant targets."
"This is truly amazing design!"
Brett responded with heartfelt admiration, envisioning tactical applications of such versatile firepower.
The weapons represented perfect fusion of torpedo and missile technology, creating projectiles effective in both underwater and surface combat. This was essentially a complete submarine warfare platform.
"That covers the primary systems," Tom concluded with satisfied smile, regarding his masterpiece with paternal pride. "How do you feel about it, Brett? Does this meet your expectations?"
"My answer is simple," Brett replied, his smile reflecting satisfaction and anticipation. "Contact the main arsenal immediately and begin mass production!"
The industrial infrastructure of Fish-Man Island's military production was strategically divided between two locations.
The first facility operated under Tom's supervision, located deep within the Sea Forest's most secure sections. This functioned as advanced research laboratory and prototype development workshop, where revolutionary designs could be tested without Marine intelligence discovery.
The second facility occupied concealed positions in deep ocean beyond Fish-Man Island's boundaries, integrated with numerous manufacturing plants producing civilian goods as cover. This represented the primary weapons manufacturing center, responsible for large-scale production and final assembly.
This compartmentalization ensured Tom's involvement remained completely hidden from security threats.
"I would be honored to assist with production transition," Tom replied graciously, pleased his months of work achieved desired results. "By the way, the specialized weapon systems Franky's been designing for our sea beast allies are nearing completion. Would you be interested in reviewing those developments?"
"Absolutely," Brett agreed readily, curiosity piqued by mention of additional systems enhancing non-human allies' combat effectiveness.
Franky's approach had resulted in three distinct equipment categories tailored for sea beast anatomy and combat behaviors.
The first category focused on close-quarters enhancement, consisting of reinforced steel claws and rotating dental fixtures surgically integrated with sea beast anatomy. Both assemblies featured motorized rotation, dramatically increasing lethality during physical confrontations.
The second category concentrated on ranged warfare, requiring skilled Fishmen operators during combat. Brett found himself particularly intrigued by scaled-down torpedo launcher systems firing smaller battleship torpedo versions. While possessing reduced explosive yield, they compensated with increased velocity and improved accuracy. Additionally, Franky developed rapid-fire harpoon systems providing devastating suppressive firepower during medium-range engagements.
The third category addressed surface warfare requirements, equipping sea beasts with conventional weapons for operations above ocean surface, including specially designed cannons and rapid-fire projectile weapons functioning in transition environments.
Brett expressed complete satisfaction with the comprehensive demonstration and immediately authorized mass production of all systems.
Having returned from Sea Forest with elevated spirits, Brett looked forward to finally spending time with Shyarly, perhaps sharing excitement about technological breakthroughs. However, before he could locate the beautiful mermaid fortune-teller, Arlong appeared again with an expression suggesting important news.
"Brett, an old acquaintance has returned to Fish-Man Street after a long absence," Arlong announced, his tone carrying undertones suggesting significant implications for their operations.
"An old acquaintance?" Brett responded, his mind shifting from romantic thoughts to potential security concerns, wondering who from his past might have chosen this moment to resurface on Fish-Man Island.
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