Chapter 235: The Transformation Surgery
Invisible gales gathered into spear-like energy, interwoven with purple flames and blue lightning. The fire fed on the wind, the wind fueled the flames, and within it all surged the terrifying power of thunder, striking straight toward Genos !
The earth trembled as the hardened ground was torn open by a monstrous scar, shattered rocks swept up into the raging current. The spear energy shredded everything in its path.
Genos 's thin figure stood before this overwhelming attack like a lone boat in a storm, ready to capsize at any moment.
'I can't block this…!' In that instant, Genos seemed to see his past companions waving to him from the far side of a river.
Death—!
Yet the unimaginable strike did not crash into his mechanical body, but instead swept past his side.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—!
The mighty attack, brimming with overwhelming force, blasted a massive hole through the mountain in front and continued on, carving a depression into the surface of the sea.
Genos turned back to look. The ocean had yet to react; only after a moment did the waters roll back and fill the gaping scar.
Esdeath and Scáthach froze in shock. They had never seen Eric use such a move—it looked exactly like Big Mom's Ikoku Sovereignty!
'Eric watched it only once, and he already mastered Big Mom's technique…?' Esdeath's face bloomed with an excited, bloodthirsty smile, making those nearby shudder in fear.
[Ding… Esdeath's affection has reached the maximum value, cannot increase further]
[Scáthach's affection increased, bond level raised from 3 (Trusted Friend) to 4 (Bosom Companion), gained 3 Bond Points]
Hearing the system's notification, Eric's heart sank. Once again, he would have to endure the "female duo beatdown" today!
"..." Genos stood frozen, his stylish haircut swept back by the storm, revealing his whole forehead.
"Yo, that slicked-back look isn't bad," Eric smacked him on the shoulder, breaking his trance.
"Let's go."
"Teacher Eric… when will I ever be able to catch up to your strength?" Genos 's voice came from behind.
"At the very least, you need to believe in your own power. You can't let yourself be scared off by strong enemies." Eric narrowed his eyes, staring hard at Genos . "In this world, one's will is extremely important. Do you have the confidence not to crumble before strong foes?"
"To become stronger, I'll do anything, teacher." Genos 's eyes burned with determination.
"Good… then I'll train you thoroughly, Genos ."
"Yes, teacher!"
[Genos 's affection increased, bond level unchanged.]
…
Before returning to the first half of the Grand Line, Eric came once more to Fishman Island, where King Neptune's family warmly welcomed the Dawn Pirates.
(Last time, on the way to the North Sea, he had been too anxious about Akame's condition to stop at Fishman Island.)
"Lord Eric, it was all thanks to that divine medicine you gave us that my mother survived her ordeal…" Shark Star expressed heartfelt gratitude for saving Queen Otohime's fragile life.
"That's good. Seeing the kind Queen Otohime safe brings me joy as well." Eric's tone shifted. "But if assassins strike again, what will you do?"
"I… I'll protect Mother with my life!" Shark Star gripped his trident tightly.
"Heh…" Eric shook his head a smile . "A thief may lurk for a thousand days, but you can't guard against thieves for a thousand days. If you haven't caught the true mastermind, another assassination attempt will surely come."
The towering Shark Star hesitated before asking, "Although it's shameless… could Lord Eric perhaps grant us a few more of those divine medicines, just in case?"
"I could… but I have a better proposal: a reconstructive surgery for your mother."
"Surgery?"
"Yes. Queen Otohime's body is so fragile that even a slap could cause compound fractures. If those brittle bones were replaced with metal, the problem would be solved."
"Is… is that possible?!" Shark Star's eyes widened.
"Our ship's scientist has already successfully reconstructed a man. You should ask Queen Otohime directly. If her body becomes sturdier, she won't need so many guards around her."
Fearless even of death, Queen Otohime's only wish was to see the fishmen bask under the sun.
Even though Neptune strongly opposed the surgery, Otohime forced him to yield.
She wanted to stand before her people once more, to give speeches. After the last assassination, the wall of palace guards between her and the citizens had become a barrier, distancing her from them. Outwardly, the fishmen had no complaints, but deep down—who knew what they truly thought?
Lying on the operating table, Queen Otohime thanked Da Vinci. "I'll be in your care, Da Vinci."
Da Vinci replied with a gentle smile. "Leave it to the perfect me. For you, it will be like nothing more than a nap."
Outside the operating room, Neptune's family waited anxiously.
Genos tried to reassure them. "Don't worry, Da Vinci's science is incredible. Queen Otohime will be perfectly fine. Just look—"
He began to demonstrate, his mechanical body transforming, sprouting countless weapons. "These are the devices Da Vinci installed in me. Amazing, right?"
Neptune's family: 'No… you're only making us more scared. Our mother won't turn into that, will she?'
Shirahoshi imagined her gentle mother suddenly transforming when angry, sprouting countless gun barrels. The vision horrified her, and she shook her head furiously to banish the thought.
Eric glanced at Shirahoshi, now several times larger than him, then at her chest. Luckily—still a child.
Shirahoshi shrank back. "Lord Eric, why are you looking at me like that?"
"..." The scene fell silent.
"Captain, are you… a lolicon now?" The women on board gave him suspicious looks.
"No, I was just surprised at how big you've grown at such a young age." Eric scrambled for an excuse, thankfully able to shift the subject to her body size.
"R-Really? Am I that strange?" Tears welled in Shirahoshi's eyes.
"Uwaah, Captain's bullying girls now." (Perona)
'I'll tan both their hides later!'
"No, no—you're very cute. You'll definitely grow into a great beauty."
"Ara ara, Eric-, starting from elementary school now, are we?"
"I-I just want Mother to be safe…" Shirahoshi whispered timidly.
"Don't worry. We're only replacing the fragile bones with alloy. Queen Otohime's appearance won't change, and she won't gain any weird weapons."
As they spoke, the operating room doors finally opened after nearly a full day—
Queen Otohime walked out herself, wearing a hospital gown.
"Mother!" Neptune's family rushed to her.
"The surgery was a success," Da Vinci said from behind. "But you must be careful with your strength."
Before he finished, Otohime patted Neptune's tail fin lightly—sending him crashing to the ground.
"Oww!" Neptune cried out.
"Sorry, sorry, just testing…" Otohime looked at her still-delicate hands, astonished by the newfound power.
"Before, that slap would've shattered my arm." She smiled brightly. "Now I can return to speaking among the people!"
Then she sighed. "But… I suppose I'll never be able to return to mermaid form again?"
"Not at all," Da Vinci explained. "I used Da Vinci Memory Alloy. It can reshape itself. Why not give it a try?"
"Really?" Otohime shifted her lower body into a goldfish tail. "It works! Thank you so much, Doctor Da Vinci!"
Da Vinci boasted proudly. "Of course. My science is perfect, and so is the alloy I create!"
Overjoyed, Otohime hugged her three sons tightly.
Crack, crack, crack!
Three crisp snapping sounds echoed.
"Mother… I think our spines… just broke."
(END CHAPTER)
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