OPTC Chapter 273 One Arrow, Two Birds? One Hook, Two Fish?
This kind of huge news naturally dominated the front page that day. The photo showed the Golden Lion lying in a massive crater, two swords stabbed into the ground beside him.
"Did Kizaru start doing photography on the side now?"
After parting ways with the navy, Zhang Da Ye and the others bought the latest newspaper. The picture clearly showed the place where the Golden Lion had been defeated. Zhang Da Ye was certain they hadn't taken any pictures, and the only one present back then was Kizaru. The Flame Photographer wasn't capable of flying, was he?
The following section briefly summarized the incident, likely written by someone from inside the navy. It read:
"The legendary pirate Golden Lion, after escaping from Impel Down, spent ten years scheming an evil plan to destroy the East Blue. However, upon his location being exposed today, the Golden Lion Pirates were completely annihilated, and the great pirate Golden Lion was slain on the spot.
During this operation, the navy successfully rescued nearly a thousand civilians who had been held hostage by the Golden Lion. Among the contributors, Admiral Kizaru, Vice Admiral Aokiji, and Rear Admiral Chaton performed with great distinction.
In addition, the navy expressed sincere gratitude to the civilian Amber Travel Group for courageously assisting the operation despite the dangers."
The rest of the article discussed the broader impact on world affairs — how powerful the navy had become, and so on. The kind of language meant to reassure and inspire ordinary citizens.
"The art of language…" Zhang Da Ye clicked his tongue. "Anyone who didn't know the truth would think the navy single-handedly defeated the Golden Lion and saved the hostages."
He didn't mind, though. The navy had asked whether they wanted to be publicly credited, but Zhang Da Ye said he didn't care. Issho had also declined — saying he'd only helped a friend move a few islands.
So the article only briefly mentioned the Amber Travel Group, with a picture showing the side of their ship, the Amber, alongside a massive navy warship — probably the moment when they were raiding the ship's pantry.
After finishing the paper, Rui Meng Meng asked, "So… are we famous now?"
"Pretty much," Ye Yan replied. "People might even think we claimed the Golden Lion's bounty. Wouldn't be surprising if a bunch of idiots tried to rob us."
"That'd be great!" Zhang Da Ye clapped his hands. "The more the better. We can earn back what we lost fighting the Golden Lion."
This time's newspaper story was different from the one in Water 7. Back then, CP5 attacked the Judicial Ship, and the Amber Travel Group were just bystanders. But now, they were described as brave citizens assisting the navy in capturing a great pirate — much flashier coverage.
For now, though, sailing across the sea, they didn't feel the fame. They continued training Haki and Rokushiki techniques onboard.
There wasn't much they could do to improve Armament Haki, so they practiced Observation Haki instead — by playing dodgeball blindfolded.
The Flags threw from both sides while the trainee stood in the middle trying to dodge. Since sandbags weren't intimidating enough, Zhang Da Ye suggested switching to baseballs. Getting hit hurt — a lot.
The mischievous Flags, who moments before had said "We don't dare!" went all out once the game began. Especially when throwing at Ye Yan — every throw aimed straight for his face.
"Sorry, master!"
"It's for your own good, master!"
"Careful, master!"
Ye Yan's face was covered in bruises. Listening to their fake apologies, he finally snapped. "Don't think I can't hear you laughing, you little bastards! Why didn't you throw this hard at Rui Meng Meng?!"
"Who could bear to hit such a cute girl?"
"Exactly, master doesn't know how to cherish a lady."
"No wonder Granny Scatter Immortal keeps scolding you."
"That's it! Tomorrow, I'm having Tom roast all of you!"
Tom perked up at the mention, eyeing the Flags suspiciously. They all looked like animals to him… edible ones, maybe?
The Flags shivered, feeling like prey before a predator, and quickly dove back into the Banner of Spirits.
"They're just trying to help you learn faster," Zhang Da Ye consoled him, wincing as a baseball smacked the corner of his mouth. "The more it hurts, the faster you learn—ow!"
Ye Yan grumbled, "You're the one who started this. You said I wasn't physically fit enough, so why drag me into it?"
Because misery loves company, of course. Zhang Da Ye smiled innocently. "Observation Haki doesn't need strong physique. Maybe you're a hidden prodigy?"
Ye Yan gave him a dead-fish stare. "You just don't want to suffer alone."
"Bingo," Zhang Da Ye thought but said nothing. Without Ye Yan, only he and Rui Meng Meng would be stuck getting pelted.
For Artoria, the whole exercise was just a game — unnecessary. Shark Chili was absorbed in Fishman Karate, Perona was too young, Brook only wanted to see Laboon again, and Tom only liked throwing balls, not dodging them.
So, naturally, Ye Yan became the designated victim. A good brother should share the pain, right? He finally had someone new to drag down with him.
Leaving the training hall, Zhang Da Ye went to the deck where Shark Chili was checking their heading.
"How's it going? Smooth sailing?" he asked.
"Much easier than in the Grand Line," Shark Chili said. "No crazy currents or weather. At this pace, we'll reach the island by tomorrow night or the day after."
"Good. Then take a rest, I'll keep watch."
"No need," Shark Chili refused. "Even calm seas are still unfamiliar territory. I'll keep an eye on things."
Zhang Da Ye didn't insist. He grabbed the first aid box, patched himself up, and then noticed Tom fishing nearby — with Artoria sitting beside him.
It was the East Blue — a new sea, new kinds of fish, and new ingredients. Just the thought made Zhang Da Ye's stomach rumble.
Before he could speak, Tom's fishing rod bent violently.
"Got something!" Tom shouted, reeling in the line with both hands. Whatever was on the hook was strong enough to bend the rod in a huge arc. Even Tom was being pulled against the railing, feet braced hard.
Artoria's eyes lit up — it had to be a big one. But she didn't interfere. Fishing was Tom's joy; stepping in would only upset him. She'd help only if he truly couldn't hold on.
Tom changed positions over and over — bracing with his shoulder, lying on the ground, using his feet for leverage — until finally, the line went slack. He reeled it in and raised his mallet, ready to knock the fish out.
When he finally lifted it up, he found… a fish the size of his finger.
"Tom," Artoria said flatly, staring between him and the fish. "Did that really take all your strength?"
Tom nodded seriously, though even he could hardly believe it. He swore on Artoria's appetite that it had really been a struggle.
Still confused, he shook the tiny fish, then tossed it into a bucket.
Brook sipped his tea. "Could it have been a big fish eating a small fish?"
Artoria tilted her head. "Big fish eating small fish?"
"Yes," Brook explained. "Sometimes a small fish bites the hook, and just then a big fish swallows it. You end up tugging against the big fish — until it spits the little one out."
Perona gasped. "That actually happens?"
"Rarely," Brook said. "But in such cases, you usually reel in both fish together. Losing the big one midway is even rarer."
Zhang Da Ye glanced at Artoria beside Tom. With her luck, they should've caught both. Maybe the small chance was exactly why it happened differently.
Tom, however, was fuming. He'd missed a chance for one hook, two fish!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got — until he rolled up his sleeves and dove straight into the sea.
"Tom!" Zhang Da Ye shouted, but it was too late. "Shark Chili!"
"I know, slowing down now," Shark Chili replied, working the sails.
No one rushed to follow Tom. It was just one fish — and from the pull, it wasn't anything huge. Even if it was a shark, Tom could handle it, or run away in a second flat, throwing in a taunt for good measure.
After stopping the ship, they waited a few minutes. Before Tom resurfaced, Artoria's rod bent sharply.
"So heavy!" she said excitedly, reeling it in like Tom had done earlier.
Zhang Da Ye couldn't help warning, "Uh… Artoria, you don't have to copy Tom's weird poses. Just pull normally — your strength is more than enough."
"Oh… right." Her face flushed. Why had she even imitated him?
When she finally pulled the line up, Zhang Da Ye covered his face.
A one-meter-long fish dangled from the hook — with Tom clinging to its body, blinking in confusion.
When he spotted everyone, he waved cheerfully.
"Yohohoho! Lady Artoria has caught something rarer than big fish eating small fish — a little cat catching a fish!" Brook doubled over laughing.
Everyone joined in, laughter rolling across the deck.
That night, they feasted on fresh East Blue fish. Zhang Da Ye only tasted a bite before handing his share to Tom — calling it compensation for psychological trauma.
After dinner, Zhang Da Ye went out on deck again, swinging his sword toward the sea, practicing his swordsmanship.
When his energy bar finally filled, he started a draw.
The energy dropped by 90%, and the screen before him shattered into blue and white light, forming a glowing magic circle on the deck.
"Oh? A new summon?" Zhang Da Ye's eyes lit up.
The others gathered curiously.
"What's that?" Brook and Perona asked.
"My ability," Zhang Da Ye explained. "It lets people from other worlds appear here."
"Liar," Perona said. "You can swim — you're no Devil Fruit user."
"I'm not. I came from another world myself. This power appeared after I arrived here — not from a Devil Fruit."
Brook's jaw dropped. "You're from another world? Incredible! Then… who else among us is?"
Tom proudly puffed up his chest.
"I am too," Artoria said.
Then Rui Meng Meng, Shark Chili, and Ye Yan raised their hands as well.
"So that means…" Brook pointed at himself, then at Perona.
Zhang Da Ye nodded. "Yep. Before you two joined, everyone on board was from another world. Didn't you ever talk about it?"
"Talk about 'Hey, are you from another world?' Who does that?" Perona said. "Wait—don't tell me you're here to conquer this world?!"
Zhang Da Ye flicked her forehead. "From where does it look like we're conquering anything? I came here by accident; the rest are chasing their dreams."
Perona sighed in relief. Even if they were world conquerors, she didn't really mind anymore — she was part of the crew now.
"Yohohoho~ Indeed, everyone here is such a good person," Brook said, sipping tea. "So, uh… how long will that circle stay glowing?"
"I was wondering that too," Zhang Da Ye said, checking the mark on his hand. "It's usually instant. Why's it taking so long today? Bad signal?"
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