Chapter 133: The Cloud of War, the Fist of the King
Brett's first scene was filmed at Mermaid Bay.
The heroine had brought the hero back to Fishman Island and was showing him around when Immigration Bureau soldiers discovered them, creating the story's first conflict.
The male protagonist was quite strong—he had to be, to eventually defeat the villain pirate terrorizing the New World. He defeated the Immigration Bureau soldiers who came to capture him, finally alerting Brett, the Bureau Director, who personally arrived with reinforcements to apprehend the protagonist.
'This setup makes no sense,' Brett thought with annoyance.
Why not just explain the situation and register legally?
But Tesoro insisted this would teach people the importance of proper immigration procedures—even good people get arrested otherwise.
Brett didn't bother arguing with him.
Regardless, the first scene featuring Director Brett was about to begin.
The filming area had been temporarily cleared, but excited crowds surrounded the perimeter, craning their necks to see inside.
Making a movie—who had ever done this before?
How could anyone not be interested?
The male and female leads were already in position. They'd film their scenes first.
After defeating a group of Immigration Bureau soldiers, the pair walked hand-in-hand along Mermaid Bay, opening their hearts to each other on the beach. This was undoubtedly a key moment in developing the protagonists' relationship.
'But in reality,' Brett mused, 'if someone actually resisted the Immigration Bureau and defeated soldiers on Fishman Island, they wouldn't have time for romance. They'd either be running for their lives or preparing to die.'
Tesoro had dismissed this, saying movies were naturally a bit exaggerated.
Brett stood outside the set with arms folded, watching Tesoro and the blonde mermaid he'd carefully selected perform their roles.
The two were laughing and talking, then suddenly burst into song and dance, singing and dancing simultaneously.
'This movie is also a musical.'
As expected of Tesoro—his musical dreams never died.
"How interesting, Director Brett!"
A grinning voice came from beside him.
Hyouzou, currently one of the Immigration Bureau's strongest fighters after Brett himself.
He'd mastered two types of Haki. Besides him, only Fukaboshi had achieved this level. While most other captains had learned Haki, they were limited to Armament only.
Since the Immigration Bureau served as the obstacle to the protagonists in the early story, they needed a villain for audiences to hate. Director Brett was righteous and great—he couldn't play such a role himself.
Therefore, his subordinate who showed no mercy to criminals—the cruel, iron-blooded Hyouzou—would fill that function.
"Next scene coming up! Immigration Bureau, prepare to enter!"
The director's voice carried from the distance.
"Haha, then we'll head out first, Director."
Hyouzou led his men forward slowly.
The soldiers playing Immigration Bureau troops were actual Immigration Bureau soldiers.
Hyouzou led his forces to surround the hero and heroine on the beach, then Brett made his entrance.
Brett took a deep breath.
He'd done plenty of acting, but this was his first time filming. He felt slightly nervous.
Then Brett spotted a tall, slender figure outside the filming location.
Brett froze momentarily.
Shyarly, whose appearance had grown increasingly composed, was among the mermaid ladies from the café. The mermaid women waved excitedly at Brett.
Shyarly wore a smile she couldn't quite suppress, as if expecting him to make a fool of himself.
'Don't underestimate me, Shyarly!'
Brett turned and strode forward confidently.
Bring it on!
---
"What kind of acting was that?"
During a filming break, Tesoro sat before Brett, speaking angrily. "You acted perfectly in front of Big Mom! Why can't you coordinate your hands and feet now?"
Brett glanced at him sideways. "I have no problem with acting, but asking me to sing and dance is a bit embarrassing."
'So shameful, especially in front of Shyarly.'
He could practically hear her internal laughter.
"What do you know! Singing and dancing are the essence!"
Tesoro reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "They're crucial means of intuitively showing character psychology to audiences!"
Brett rolled his eyes.
'Bollywood, seriously?'
"Fine, forget it. If you don't want to sing and dance, it doesn't matter—you're just a supporting character anyway."
Tesoro waved dismissively. "We'll delete that part."
'Supporting character?'
Brett's mouth twitched.
"By the way," Tesoro suddenly grew serious, "I just received news that there's another war breaking out in countries near Dressrosa."
"Oh?" Brett raised an eyebrow. "Is it becoming more frequent?"
"That guy's intentions are obvious. Although he can't directly attack Dressrosa," Tesoro sneered, "he can provoke wars by supplying weapons and instigating conflicts, then drag Dressrosa in. When member nations fight each other, the government finds it difficult to intervene."
"So, Tesoro, what does King Riku think?"
"He's worried this war will affect the Kingdom of Prodence. Elizabeth II of that country is a close friend of King Riku's."
Tesoro explained, "After unsuccessfully requesting government mediation, he's prepared to personally meet with several kings to discuss peace."
"Then it's logical that Dressrosa will get involved." Brett shook his head.
"That bastard Doflamingo isn't trying to make money or expand power. He just wants to see Dressrosa suffer."
Tesoro's voice turned cold.
Brett understood perfectly that his conflict with Doflamingo had long been irreconcilable.
Direct war hadn't erupted only because other forces still provided restraints.
"I'll lend you a fleet. You can go quell this war as a patriotic businessman of Dressrosa."
Brett smiled. King Riku and Neptune had a good relationship, and Fishman Island and Dressrosa were allies—there was no reason to watch them suffer.
Not to mention, Doflamingo was behind this scheme. His plans couldn't be allowed to succeed.
"Excellent!"
Tesoro pumped his fist excitedly.
Rumors were spreading across the seas that Fishman Island now possessed an invincible deep-sea fleet that even the most powerful pirates couldn't resist underwater.
Many people didn't believe such rumors, but Tesoro knew they were true.
He understood how powerful those steel ships were!
"It would be perfect if we actually fight," Tesoro said with anticipation. "We could use it as movie material."
Brett rolled his eyes.
'What a crazy filmmaker.'
"When are you planning to leave?"
"No rush. The war hasn't reached Prodence yet, and King Riku hasn't begun taking action."
Tesoro shook his head and grinned. "Let's complete the scheduled filming first!"
'This guy and his priorities.'
The main reason for wanting to prevent the war was to thwart Doflamingo while ensuring Dressrosa's peaceful situation remained undisturbed.
"What's with that look?"
Tesoro caught the contempt in Brett's eyes and said loudly, "There's no need to worry! Don't underestimate Elizabeth II of Prodence—that guy's hereditary technique is called the King's Punch. His move can penetrate fortresses with a single strike! Even destroying an entire fleet wouldn't trouble him!"
'Oh, the King's Punch—the move supposedly capable of killing a Yonko with one punch, right?'
The technique required massive physical energy and needed an hour of warm-up before use.
'Wait.'
'Requires massive physical energy expenditure?'
Brett paused, struck by a thought.
'If I think about it carefully... would this move suit me?'
"Tesoro, I'm coming with you."
"Huh?"
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