Chapter 287: Red-Hair: This One's in the Bag
"A common woman?" the first woman sipped her tea, frowning. "I don't remember." She had killed so many commoners, and kicked around quite a few heads. She couldn't possibly remember them all.
"I had almost forgotten too," the second woman chuckled. "But last year, her son had the audacity to sneak into the Holy Land to try and assassinate me for revenge. That's what reminded me. But he was too weak. He couldn't even get close to me before the guards disposed of him like trash." She elegantly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes filled with contempt. "So foolish. A mere commoner, trying to harm a god?"
A wave of derisive laughter rippled across the deck. A young female Celestial Dragon couldn't help but remind them, "Actually, there was one. Don't forget, two months ago in Sabaody, a truly audacious man appeared."
That man named Shane… the Celestial Dragons fell silent, remembering the fear from two months ago. The Sabaody incident had affected them the most. Their elders had forbidden them from leaving the Holy Land, but the ban was hardly necessary. In those days, they hadn't dared to set foot outside Mary Geoise.
"What's there to be afraid of? It's been so long, why do you still care? Besides, that lunatic is in the New World, far from the North Blue!" Saint Charlos snorted, patting the jewel-encrusted golden pistol at his waist. "And didn't they say the Marine protection this time is the strongest ever? Even more than one Admiral is here. Let him try to come! I'll blow his head off!"
The two women covered their mouths and giggled. Being more experienced, they wouldn't boast so shamelessly, but the first part of what he said was true. This time was different from the surprise attack in Sabaody. There were tens of thousands of Marines guarding the perimeter, and with Admirals present, who in the world could break through?
The sun climbed higher, burning away the morning mist and revealing the massive Marine fleet encircling the Lvneel Kingdom. Over twenty warships! Sixteen thousand elite Marines! After the lessons learned from God Valley and Sabaody, this was the military cordon the World Government had meticulously prepared for the North Blue hunting game! Not even a bird, let alone a pirate, would be allowed to pass and disturb the Celestial Dragons' outing! The steel warships formed a wall around the kingdom, their cannons bristling. Marines in the crow's nests scanned the surrounding sea vigilantly.
A young Sergeant, newly transferred to Headquarters, had been on watch since midnight. When his replacement finally arrived, he couldn't help but complain, "Sir, what's our mission this time? Such a massive deployment, even the Admirals are here…"
The old soldier took a drag from his cigarette, his gaze complex as he looked at the luxury cruise ship in the distance. "Kid, don't ask what you're not supposed to know," he said in a low voice. "Just remember, for the next few days, no matter what you see, keep your mouth shut and follow orders."
At almost the same moment, on the central flagship, Akainu walked to the railing, lit a cigar, and took a long, hard drag.
"You didn't used to smoke much, Sakazuki," a lazy voice came from beside him. "But you've been doing it more and more lately. It started about a year ago, right? Something on your mind?"
Has it really been a year… Akainu was momentarily taken aback, then his face darkened. "Stop playing dumb, Borsalino! You should be the one losing sleep over the threat that man poses! After all, you're the only one of us who was seriously wounded by that brat!"
"Hey, hey, don't be so dramatic," Kizaru said, standing with one hand in his pocket, his usual nonchalant expression on his face. "I just lost an arm. After so many years on the battlefield, it was bound to happen eventually. Wasn't it the same for Master Z? I got over it a long time ago. Don't make it sound like I almost died at his hands."
"Compared to that, I'm more concerned with what's in front of us…" Kizaru's gaze fell on the luxury cruise ship. After a long silence, he looked up at the sky and murmured, "The price of justice is heavy, isn't it, Sakazuki." The North Blue sea breeze seemed colder, making the "Justice" coat on his back flap in the wind.
"I tried to stall for a few days, thought I had gotten out of it, but in the end, they said they were short on manpower and dragged me here anyway. Seriously, can't they just pretend I don't exist…"
Akainu didn't respond, his cold gaze also fixed on the sea. Though they were several nautical miles away, the sound of the Celestial Dragons' laughter, the clinking of their glasses, their boasts about their past kills… it all seemed to rush towards him, echoing in his mind. He turned his head away in disgust. After a deep breath, he regained his composure and said flatly, "A soldier's duty is to obey. It's too late for complaints."
"Ah, I know," Kizaru turned, looking Akainu up and down, and then chuckled. "But, Sakazuki-kun, do you think that kid will show up this time? I heard there are over three hundred of our esteemed masters here. If something were to go wrong, pwahahaha, that would be interesting."
"Watch your attitude, Borsalino!" Akainu snapped, biting down on his cigar. "If he dares to come, then we'll settle all our old and new scores at once! We'll show that arrogant brat that the order of this sea is not something he can shake! But you know as well as I do, that's impossible." They had already received the news that the Curtain Call Adventurers were launching a large-scale attack on the New World bases.
"What a shame," Kizaru pouted. Just then, a deafening cheer erupted from the cruise ship. They looked over to see the Celestial Dragons, now dressed in special hunting uniforms and holding various exquisite weapons, eagerly preparing to disembark.
"Report!" a communications officer rushed over. "Admirals! The Celestial Dragons on the cruise ship are demanding to start the game immediately! The CP agents want a final confirmation that all perimeter defenses are in place!"
"They've been in place for a long time," Akainu replied coldly. "Tell them they can begin."
The officer saluted and hurried away. Akainu extinguished his cigar and was about to head back to the cabin when he saw Kizaru staring into the distance, a faint smile on his lips.
"What are you thinking about?" Akainu frowned.
"Oh? You noticed?" Kizaru looked surprised, then shrugged. "I was just wondering, if that kid really were here, and we failed to stop him, what would happen? Would these fat pigs remember Sabaody and wet their pants?"
"Shut up!" Akainu spun around, his eyes blazing with anger. "Watch your position and cut it out, Borsalino! If those words get out, we'll both be in deep trouble!"
Kizaru shrugged and said no more.
New World.
The Red Force was docked at a beautiful, sunny island. But Shanks was in no mood to enjoy the scenery. He paced back and forth on the shore, his head down, looking agitated.
"Captain!" the ship's doctor and intelligence officer, called out urgently.
"What is it?" Shanks immediately turned. "Any news?"
"Yes, and it's just as you suspected, Captain," the doctor said, hurrying over with a secret message. "The Curtain Call's fleet has been on the move for days, but the Marine bases in the New World have been quiet. I used every contact we have, and I finally found something."
Shanks took the message, and his face changed as he read it. "Someone saw their fleet change course and enter the Calm Belt?"
"That's right. The Curtain Call sent out a lot of scout ships to clear the way. They were being very cautious. If it weren't for our informant, a fish-man who saw them from underwater, we'd have no idea where they were going."
The Calm Belt… Shanks's heart sank. He felt a growing unease. Ever since the Curtain Call Adventurers had established themselves in the New World, every major move they made had led to a huge incident. This time, their movements were more secretive than ever. He had only just heard about it today. And where they were going, what they were planning…
"We have no idea," Beckman said, shaking his head. "Our intelligence network isn't strong enough. This is as much as we can do. Hey, Shanks, we'll have to use that, won't we?"
"Yes, it's the only way," Shanks nodded, pulling a Vivre Card from his coat. Beckman had managed to get it from that top officer, Jack, back in Blackstone City. And now, it was pointing towards the Calm Belt.
"It matches the intel. During the Sabaody incident, this card also pointed to Sabaody," Beckman said. "That means it's definitely Jack's. There's no reason to hesitate. Let's go, Shanks."
"That's what I was thinking," Shanks grinned. He handed the Vivre Card to the helmsman and gave the order, "Everyone! To the ship! Follow the card's direction, full speed ahead to the Calm Belt!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The Red Force left the port. Shanks looked into the distance, his gaze firm. Whatever you're planning, I won't let you disrupt the balance of the sea again, Shane! And this time, there's no Kaido to get in my way… I'll definitely make it in time!
"Esteemed masters, if I may have your attention!" a host in a golden mask said, standing on a high platform on the shore and ringing a golden bell.
CLANG~
The crowd of Celestial Dragons gradually quieted.
"Welcome to the home of Mont Blanc Noland, the liar! It was because of him that the legend of the City of Gold was born, but in four hundred years, no one has ever found it," the host said with a respectful bow. "Of course, for you, it doesn't matter whether the City of Gold or the Golden Bell is real. This is just a little prelude." Just like the golden bell behind him, which would drive countless people mad, was just a prop here. In eight hundred years, the Holy Land had accumulated an unimaginable amount of wealth. They could make as many golden bells as they wanted!
"This bell is also a blessing, a wish that you will all enjoy this long-awaited hunting feast to the fullest!" The host's voice grew louder. "For this Amusement Park Project, we have prepared a total of three hundred and sixty-seven thousand prey, including 200 SR-rank 'rabbits' and 30 even rarer, SSR-rank 'rabbits' with special bloodlines! The entire Lvneel Kingdom is your hunting ground! And the rules are as simple as ever—"
"The top five who kill the most rabbits will be able to choose from a selection of precious prizes specially prepared by the World Government!"
He clapped his hands, and attendants wheeled out a large cage covered with a red cloth.
SWOOSH!
The cloth was pulled away to reveal a set of young triplet sisters. They were dressed in fine clothes, their faces as delicate as elves, and they were huddled together, trembling and crying.
"These are the descendants of a royal family from an extinct kingdom in the West Blue. Due to a certain anomaly in their bloodline, their youthful appearance will last until the day they die, a bloom of over fifty years!" the host announced proudly. "Pure blood, exquisite beauty, the perfect slave stock! And this is just the first prize!"
"As for the second!" Two attendants carefully brought out a sword and hung it on the wall. "One of the 12 Supreme Grade Blades, 'Sakura Snow'! Forged two hundred years ago by the legendary female swordsmith of Wano, Shimotsuki Kougetsu, in her later years! It is a peerless blade of immense significance and value!"
"And the third prize is three extremely rare Devil Fruits!" Three attendants walked onto the stage with crystal platters. "As for what they are, we'll keep that a little secret for now. But I can guarantee that these three fruits are unlike any others in the world, worthy of your status as the descendants of the creators!"
CLANG!
The golden bell rang again.
"I'm sure you're all getting impatient!" the host spread his arms and laughed. "So without further ado, I declare the 256th Hunting Game… officially… BEGUN!!!"
WHOOSH—!
Before the host had even finished speaking, a piercing shriek tore through the sky. Dozens of black shadows descended like meteors, crashing onto the beach near the golden bell and kicking up a cloud of sand. The largest of them landed directly on the host, instantly crushing him into a paste without even a scream.
"YIIIAH!"
The Celestial Dragons jumped back in shock. Saint Charlos fumbled for his pistol, but he was so nervous that his snot bubble popped. "Wh-what was that?!" his voice trembled.
The dust settled, revealing dozens of craters of various sizes on the beach. The first person to climb out was a girl with orange hair. She spat out some sand and brushed off her denim shorts in frustration. "What the hell?! It's all sand! I should have turned into my element! And Kuma! He just sent us flying without a word! Couldn't he have been a little more gentle?!"
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you