OPTC Chapter 223 Tom, Look, That's Tom
The battle of over thirty warships quickly drew a crowd of onlookers. The residents of Water 7 stood along the shore, whispering among themselves. Many had seen a judicial ship before, but no one could imagine who would dare attack one belonging to the World Government. Some worried that after firing on the judicial ship, those warships might turn their cannons toward the city.
A few people even found the warships strangely familiar, though they couldn't recall where they had seen them.
The firepower was terrifying. The Amber had only been caught in the crossfire, yet the pressure felt even greater than during their direct battle against Foxy's pirate crew earlier.
It was enough that even Tom had switched into swordsman mode, using his blade to skewer cannonballs like candied fruit on a stick.
But that pressure lasted only at the start.
Once the first wave of attacks was blocked, Artoria unleashed golden slashes of sword energy with every swing, cutting through warships one by one.
When Shark Chili entered the battle, he rammed straight into the ships from underwater, tearing open their hulls.
Combined with a bit of support fire from the judicial ship, the thirty-some warships making up the fleet couldn't last long.
"What's with that swordswoman?"
"Careful, someone's attacking from underwater!"
"We can't hold out—retreat! Take the ships to Scrap Island and abandon them immediately!"
"Heh, and where do you think you're going?" The green smoke of the Flag spirits solidified into forms, grinning wickedly as they knocked out every sailor trying to escape.
The ambush ended almost as quickly as it began. Despite having superior numbers, the fleet that had laid in wait was crushed with overwhelming force.
"Damn it! Where did that ship come from, and why is it so strong?" In a hidden corner, Spandam smashed his telescope in fury. He remembered the smiling cat face on the Amber's flag and stamped his foot. "That flag is mocking me! My perfect plan, ruined!"
"And what plan would that be?"
"Of course it was to frame Tom's Workshop for attacking the judicial ship, then capture them and—" Spandam blurted out half his scheme before realizing something was wrong. He spun around to see a hawk-headed, human-bodied creature looming over him. "Who are you!? When did you get here!?"
Jin Erpeng just smiled and answered with his fist. He hauled the unconscious Spandam away and flew back to the warship that Shark Chili and the Flag spirits had seized—the only one still afloat.
"Who's that?" the Flag spirits demanded. "Was it worth slipping off without a word? Or were you slacking?"
"Slacking? Never once in a fight! This time, I've made real merit." Jin Erpeng pointed to his eyes proudly. "I spotted this rat sneaking on the shore and nabbed him. Turns out, he's their leader."
"Impressive." Shark Chili nodded and smashed the ship's weapons with a single punch, then lowered the sails to signal their control. The battle was over.
Seeing Shark Chili's signal, Zhang Da Ye shouted toward the judicial ship, "Colonel Soyisos, it's handled here. Do you want us to bring over the prisoners?"
On the judicial ship, the marines were still dazed. Something didn't add up—how could the battle be over already? That was a fleet of thirty heavily armed warships. They had already suffered dozens of casualties, and some had been preparing to evacuate the judge. And now… victory? With all the enemies captured alive?
Earlier that morning, the judge had reminded them to keep the "interesting youngsters" safe, but now… their fighting strength was beyond belief.
At last, Colonel Soyisos snapped out of it. "Ah… yes. Bring the ship closer. Arrest the prisoners!"
"This time, we truly owe you." The old judge removed his hat and bowed deeply. "On behalf of the hundreds of soldiers and officials aboard the judicial ship, I thank you."
The judicial ship had been saved thanks to Zhang Da Ye and his companions swiftly crushing the mysterious fleet. And that pirate ship shielding much of the bombardment? That too had come from Zhang Da Ye's group. The credit clearly belonged to them. Meanwhile, Foxy was left weeping in his cell.
"It was only our duty." Zhang Da Ye accepted the thanks with polite humility, using nearly the same words he once had to brush off Lieutenant T Bone on Sabaody.
Among the marines, however, unease stirred. They eyed the strange, dark-green, twisted Flag spirits and hesitated to approach.
Colonel Soyisos asked carefully, "And those green creatures…?"
"They're Flags. You can think of them as my ability," Ye Yan said casually, not bothering to explain the role of the Night Watcher. He waved his hand. "Return."
"Yes, Master." The Flag spirits dissolved into smoke and slipped back into the banner.
Abilities were a convenient excuse. No matter how bizarre the phenomenon, as long as it was tied to a Devil Fruit, people could accept it—even living skeletons and eerie monsters.
With that explanation, the marines no longer hesitated. They swiftly cuffed the captured enemies and carried them aboard the judicial ship.
"All of them wore diving suits. They must have been ready to escape at any moment. Good thing Shark Chili was there."
"Yes, no doubt. Truly a robot of great power!"
"And Mr. Ye Yan's ability too—it's incredible."
Compliments spread through the ranks. After all, both Shark Chili and Ye Yan had gotten along well with them earlier that morning.
Zhang Da Ye scanned the captured foes until he spotted a purple-haired man in a brown trench coat. That must be Spandam—though without his iron mask yet, Zhang Da Ye hesitated at first to recognize him.
"Judge, you must punish these criminals severely," Zhang Da Ye urged, fanning the flames. "Look at the shore—those citizens were surely terrified."
"This is my duty as a judge." The old man had no sympathy for such lawless attackers. He owed the frightened civilians and the fallen marines a clear response.
"Colonel Soyisos, send men to reassure the people. Announce also that tomorrow morning we will hold a new trial for shipwright Tom. As for today, we need to investigate these raiders' origins carefully."
By chance, his gaze fell on the World Government insignia embroidered on Spandam's coat. The judge frowned. Things might be more complicated than they first appeared.
At that moment, a round, chubby fishman and a young man came rowing frantically toward them. Behind their little boat swam a giant frog, almost the size of a man—oddly enough, performing freestyle strokes.
The sight immediately drew the marines' attention.
"Is that… a fishman?"
"What a massive frog!"
"Why is the frog swimming freestyle?!"
Zhang Da Ye looked at the strange frog and the pudgy fishman, then lifted Tom into his arms. "Tom, look! That one must be Tom."
Tom: ?
[Please give powerstones if you're enjoying the story.
500 stones = 1 extra chapter
patreon com/GuessMyName33 for up to 50 chapters ahead]