OPTC Chapter 262: Such Awful Acting—Who Would Ever Believe That?
Zhang Da Ye lifted his head, wanting to see what had ruined his chance at an epic victory, but all he saw ahead was a thick, green forest.
He tapped the mammoth's head lightly and asked, "Why did you stop? Is there something scary up ahead?"
The mammoth shook its head hard, sweat beading on its forehead. Even when Zhang Da Ye scolded it, the creature only backed away timidly, one step at a time.
Was there really something scarier than being hit? It couldn't be the Golden Lion himself, could it? Zhang Da Ye turned to see if Artoria had noticed anything.
Artoria closed her eyes to sense carefully. "Strange… there's no trace of animal life anywhere in this entire forest."
Flag demon Ma Lao Wu drifted closer, taking shape before quickly covering his nose. "Just ahead is the village Suifeng'er mentioned. These trees are called Daft-Green. They release a stinging odor that even crazed beasts won't go near. Move a bit closer and you'll smell it yourselves."
Tom craned his neck and sniffed hard, but as an animal himself, he couldn't smell anything at all.
Ma Lao Wu went on, "But the gas is toxic. Stay too long and you'll fall ill. That's how the villagers survive here, even with beasts everywhere on this island."
Tom froze, quickly pulling his head back, clamping his hands over his nose, and holding his breath.
For someone with a sharp sense of smell like Ma Lao Wu, the fumes were unbearable. After giving his report, he looked pitifully at Ye Yan. "Master, I'd like to return to the Flag."
"Go ahead," Ye Yan said without argument.
"If it's dangerous to go straight through, then we'll go around. Bringing trouble into the village isn't a good idea." Zhang Da Ye tugged gently on the mammoth's right ear, signaling it to turn.
Because of the delay, the pursuing group soon caught up. Their leader laughed loudly. "Hahaha! Didn't expect beasts to avoid Daft-Green, did you? Fire!"
Over a hundred pirates riding various beasts formed a half-circle at the forest's edge and opened fire.
Some aimed powerful tranquilizer darts at the mammoth, others shot real bullets at the riders on its back.
Zhang Da Ye's group deflected the bullets easily enough, but the mammoth—huge and slow—took many tranquilizer hits as it ran.
The mammoth bellowed furiously, its thick fur blocking most of the darts from piercing its skin, then charged straight into the attackers, scattering pirates in every direction.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the group helped pull out the darts and leapt off the mammoth's back.
Zhang Da Ye patted its leg. "Go on, big guy. You've done well."
The mammoth looked at him once, swung its trunk to send a dozen more pirates flying, and finally lumbered away, wobbling from the drug's effects.
"Damn it! Just a wild beast!" One of the pirates got up and aimed his gun again—but his hands were suddenly pierced by something sharp, and the weapon fell from his grip.
Ye Yan waved his hand, and eight tiny flags flew back to him. "This mammoth knows who to side with. Promising fellow."
His flags had sharp tips that could be controlled at short range, perfect for hidden strikes—though hitting anything vital was rare. Still, against this bunch of weaklings, it was more than enough.
"Song of the Wine Cup—Rapid Strike!" Brook drew his cane sword and moved in a blur, skewering a dozen pirates. "Yohohoho~ Since our good friend the mammoth has such loyalty, I can't just stand by and do nothing!"
"Mini Ghost Bombs!" Perona sent a dozen fist-sized ghosts flying into two pirates. They exploded with a series of small blasts—weak but numerous, and impossible to dodge. The pair went down immediately.
"It wasn't even cute, but it helped us rest a bit. No way I'm letting you hurt it!"
Zhang Da Ye swung his streetlight pole, knocking aside several unlucky pirates. "Rest? You've been in Rui Meng Meng's arms the whole time!"
Perona's cheeks turned red. "M-mind your own business!"
At that moment, Tom's face was redder than hers—and turning purple. He looked like he was about to faint.
"Tom! What are you doing? Breathe, quick!" Zhang Da Ye panicked. Why was the cat still holding his nose?
Tom shook his head furiously, still clamping his nose and mouth with one hand, pointing toward the forest with the other. Ma Lao Wu had said the trees were poisonous!
So this idiot had been holding his breath all this time? Zhang Da Ye pried his paw away, half laughing. "We're too far away to be poisoned, dummy. Want a gas mask instead?"
Tom's eyes brightened. He pulled out a gas mask, strapped it on, and began gulping in air like he'd been drowning.
A few opportunistic pirates aimed at Zhang Da Ye while he was distracted.
"Fishman Karate—Three-Thousand Tile Punch!" Shark Chili roared, punching with his fin-shaped hands. The strike sent pirates and their mounts flying, crashing into those behind them like bowling pins.
Rui Meng Meng drew her dark alloy sword, leapt high, and slammed it into the ground. The earth exploded outward, throwing enemies in every direction.
"Too much! Meng Meng, tone it down!" Zhang Da Ye shouted.
"Oh! Got it!" she said quickly.
Artoria didn't bother with flashy moves—just one clean slash per opponent, efficient and merciless.
By the time the mammoth disappeared into the distance, half the pirates were already out of commission. The rest held their swords and hesitated.
"How are they this strong?"
"Weren't they supposed to beat the exploration team with tricks?"
"They've got devil fruit users—and that swordsman is terrifying!"
They meant Rui Meng Meng. Since Artoria had been holding back, they assumed she was the weakest of the group.
If Zhang Da Ye knew that, he'd probably feel proud for a solid second.
"Uh oh, we overdid it," Zhang Da Ye muttered, realizing things might get complicated soon.
Ye Yan suddenly called out in a shrill, panicked tone, "Captain! The stimulant's wearing off! We have to run before they notice!"
He even waved his arms dramatically, his expression exaggerated to the point of parody.
Zhang Da Ye sighed. "Who's going to believe acting that bad…"
"They used stimulants!" a pirate shouted excitedly. "Fall back! If we stall long enough, the drugs will wear off and we'll win!"
Rui Meng Meng nudged Zhang Da Ye's shoulder. "Boss, they actually believed it."
"Yeah, I see that, Meng Meng."
And so, with their "stimulant" wearing off, Zhang Da Ye and his group ran off again.
…
But not everyone in the Golden Lion's crew was an idiot. Indigo, watching from afar, frowned. "Something's wrong. Skareido, take the newest batch of beasts and intercept them. I'll report to Lord Shiki myself."
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