Chapter 247: The Arena
"Hello, Mr. Rodney," the pink-haired girl with a helmet and only a few cloth strips covering essential areas nodded.
She hadn't expected such a prominent figure in this world to participate in this battle. While feeling desperate, she was determined not to give up the fight. She wanted that Devil Fruit; only with its power could she resist Donquixote Doflamingo. She would never give up.
What surprised her was how this influential figure was taking care of her. In the previous match, it was this person who had eliminated all her opponents.
"By the way, where's Luffy?" Luffy had also joined this battle, apparently coming to take the Devil Fruit at Nami's behest and for other reasons as well, whatever they might be.
Coincidentally, Rodney and Luffy had been assigned to the same block, Block C.
"As for Luffy, it seems he's already getting ready to go out. Oh, Rodney, it's almost time for you to go too."
"Is that so?" Rodney checked the time and confirmed that it was indeed time for him to enter the audience seats and watch the matches. So, Rodney made his way to the arena while the other Rodney proceeded to the battleground.
The arena was styled after ancient Roman colosseums. At its center was a fighting stage surrounded by water, teeming with ferocious fish. Falling off the arena meant being eaten by these fish. It took skill to survive once you were knocked off.
"Excuse me, sir, could you step aside?" Rodney asked a burly elderly man who was blocking his way.
The old man turned around, a prominent dent in his head, white hair, and the number "12" on his temple. He was Green Pepper, the 12th leader of the Eight-Treasure Water Army!
Green Pepper, who had once had a bounty of 500 million Berries! However, thirty years ago, he had lost his "green pepper" when Capone Bege punched it into his skull. So, you couldn't take the anatomy of people in this world too seriously. In theory, Capone's punch should have at least caused a comminuted fracture of his skull, but miraculously, it had caved in. Later, in the original story, Luffy punched it out as if it were a joke.
Could we please respect some basic medical knowledge here?
"Aren't you that brat selling weapons?" Green Pepper seemed to recognize Rodney and recalled that his two grandsons had mentioned this kid dealing arms in the New World.
After losing his "green pepper," Green Pepper had become disheartened and retired from piracy, choosing a life of seclusion. After his grandsons had grown up, he handed over the leadership of the Eight-Treasure Water Army to his grandson Lao Cai. Now, he was back in action, commissioned by the Flower Country to investigate Joker's underground arms trade.
And Rodney, this guy, didn't even require an investigation; he was the source of the underground arms trade!
"It's not just me selling weapons, but my business is the most successful. Besides, I'm just a seller; the buyers are the real culprits," Rodney responded without hesitation. He gave Green Pepper a nod and continued into the arena.
"Rodney!"
"Rodney!!"
"Rodney!!!"
With his appearance, the audience's enthusiasm was stirred. This was a formidable fighter, and they were eagerly anticipating his performance.
"Rodney, the Destroyer, takes the stage! The man who once destroyed an entire island with a single blow! A wanted criminal by the World Government! What kind of experience will he bring us this time? Let's wait and see!!!"
The host excitedly pumped up the atmosphere. Rodney stood on the stage, closed his eyes to meditate, and, with a helmet and fake beard, approached a fake Luffy by his side, smiling, and said, "Long time no see, Rodney."
"Hey, Luffy, indeed, it's been a while," Rodney replied.
"Why are you interested in the Devil Fruit?" Rodney asked.
"Because Nami said she wanted it, so I came," Luffy scratched his head and laughed. "As long as we get it from Doflamingo, it's fine."
With Rodney around, he had no worries.
Rodney shook his head. "Sorry, but I'm the real deal here. I just swapped out my clone."
"Oh, I see," Luffy nodded, "I get it now. But wait, if you're not here, what are we going to do with our plan?" It was only now that Luffy realized and held his head in confusion.
"No worries, I'm just here to meet Brogy."
Brogy's fighting style was from the Giant Warrior Pirates, and Rodney had been asked to check on Elbaf by Brogy and Dorry.
Skipping to the part where Rodney spoke to her:
Jumping onto the shoulder of the giant, Rodney asked, "Heardin, I'm a friend of Dorry and Brogy's from Elbaf. Can I ask if Elbaf is doing okay now?"
Heardin turned to look at him and asked, "Rodney? Do you know Dorry and Brogy, two respected elders of Elbaf?"
When he was young and training in the village, Heardin had considered Dorry and Brogy his role models. Rodney knew about the incident involving Elbaf's warriors and the Pirate Warriors. He couldn't understand how a human could learn Giant Warrior techniques on his own.
If he knew Dorry and Brogy, did that mean the two elders were still alive?
"They are alive. They are in an endless battle on an island close to the first half of the Grand Line, near Alabasta, called Little Garden."
"An endless battle? With whom?" Heardin asked.
"There are only the two of them on the island. They've long forgotten why they're fighting, but they want to decide a winner, so when they met me, they taught me the Elbaf Giant Warrior style and asked me to check on Elbaf. Unfortunately, I didn't have time, so I had you come here to ask instead."
Heardin fell silent for a moment. "As for Elbaf... never mind. I'll tell you later. Now is not the time to discuss this. Rodney, let's fight. I want to see how strong the person recognized by Dorry and Brogy is."
"All right then, let's begin."
Rodney jumped down and, once he landed, caught Heardin's massive fist with his hand. "The physical strength and lifespan of the Giants far surpass humans, but human agility and adaptability are world-class."
"So, when facing Giants, all you need is enough strength to do this! Fish-Man Karate: Gyojin Shoulder Throw!"
With the immense strength backing him, Rodney executed a move that wouldn't have been possible without it. He grabbed Heardin's hand and tossed him over his shoulder, slamming him onto the arena floor.
Boom!
The arena shook violently, and the entire colosseum trembled!
(End of this chapter)