Ritter and his crew were quickly evolving into true sea punks. Whenever they ran into someone like Captain Nezumi, they'd just knock him out cold without a second thought.
And at last they arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Heh, I'm back again," Ritter muttered with a smirk.
In the past, Ritter had to use every trick up his sleeve just to hold his own against the young Admirals. But now? He felt like he might actually have a shot at beating them not a big one, but a shot nonetheless.
Back then, he couldn't even scratch them. But now, with all the power-ups he'd gathered, he wasn't entirely hopeless.
Sabaody Archipelago · Shakky's Rip-Off Bar
Ritter sat at the bar, glancing at a newspaper featuring the newly promoted Admirals. Next to him, Laboon munched on a fish with content grunts.
Sengoku had officially taken over as Fleet Admiral from Kong. The three new Admirals: Akainu Sakazuki, Kizaru Borsalino, and Aokiji Kuzan.
"The Navy's strength is pretty overwhelming with these new guys replacing the old guard," Shakky said as she wiped down a glass. Then she chuckled softly. "But little Ritter, rumor has it you recently picked up quite the crew member?"
"Hm?" Ritter raised an eyebrow.
"That brat with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit," Shakky said, pushing up her sunglasses. Her red lips curled into a sly grin. "The paper said he blew up a Marine base, didn't it?"
Before Ritter could answer, Perona floated over and slumped dramatically on the bar. "Shakky sis~ Enel got roasted! When he first joined, he found out Lord Ritter only wanted him to power the ship!"
Moria cackled beside her. "Fuhihihi… now every appliance on board runs on his electricity."
Shakky burst into laughter, shoulders shaking. "If the rest of the world knew how you guys were using a Logia-type, they'd explode from rage."
Then she paused and teased, "Wait a sec Ritter, you got Moria to solve your manpower issue, and now you've got Enel handling energy? You've actually got some talent for this, huh?"
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning split the door open. Enel stood in the doorway, face thundercloud-dark. "I heard that."
Shakky's eyes lit up. "Well, speak of the devil."
She glanced at the still-smoking doorway. "That'll be 100,000 Berries for the repairs."
A vein popped on Enel's forehead. "Woman, you dare—"
Zzzzt!
A wave of pure Conqueror's Haki dropped Enel to the ground. A lazy voice followed: "How many bottles of your finest wine could his bounty buy?"
Shakky tapped her chin thoughtfully. "If it's around 100 million… probably a third of my entire cellar." She leaned in close to Enel. "You ever consider switching sides? I'll double your pay, sweetie~"
Enel glanced at Ritter, who shrugged innocently. "Wasn't me."
Rayleigh stepped out of the back, polishing some coating tools. "Kids these days sure are lively."
Ritter chuckled. "He's not bad, huh?" (in Happy the Cat's voice)
Shakky kicked a stool aside with elegance. "Your captain once trained Shanks and Buggy aboard Roger's ship, and now you've learned how to spot talent too Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Hollow-Hollow Fruit, Shadow-Shadow Fruit…"
"And this," Ritter added, pulling a small Tone Dial from his coat and pressing it.
"Lady Perona is the cutest~"
"Lord Moria is a moron!"
The bar fell silent.
Perona's face turned crimson as she lunged for the Tone Dial. "When did you take that?!"
She always acted like the good girl around Auntie Shakky how could the captain betray her like this?
Rayleigh chuckled. "Your ship's ready for coating, but…" He squinted at Ritter. "You're not planning to pick a fight with the Celestial Dragons again, are you?"
Ritter grinned. "Uncle Rayleigh, that hurts. How could you doubt me like that? I'm just here for a vacation this time, I swear."
Rayleigh and Shakky raised their eyebrows. "Vacation?"
"Mhm." Ritter stood up, hoisting the Black Tide greatsword onto his shoulder. "To Fish-Man Island. Time to actually enjoy the sights I was in such a rush last time, I didn't get to appreciate anything."
Rayleigh roared with laughter. "You? Sightseeing? You went to Skypiea for the view and ended up stealing its god."
Ritter shrugged. "This time's different. Totally chill. Wait, what was I saying again? Never mind. Let's go, Uncle Rayleigh."
Perona floated beside the coated ship, poking the bubble membrane. It gave slightly under her finger, then bounced back with a shimmer.
"Lord Ritter~ Are you sure this bubble can take us underwater?" she asked, eyes wide. Her ghosts pressed against the membrane, equally curious.
Ritter hopped onto the ship's figurehead and grinned. "Full speed ahead next stop, Fish-Man Island!"
The Bloomer Jackson began its slow descent. The coating bubble shimmered with rainbow hues under the refracted sunlight.
As the crew marveled at the oceanic wonders around them, the ship suddenly jolted violently!
BOOM—!!!
A massive black shadow surged from the depths. Its crimson eyes gleamed like twin blood moons in the dark sea. The creature's body dwarfed even the Bloomer Jackson.
"It's a Sea King!" Moria's shadow flared up. "Looks like it's got a death wish."
BANG—!
The Sea King's giant tail slammed into Moria's shadow wall, rocking the ship hard. Ripples shimmered across the surface of the coating bubble.
Perona was knocked into the air, and her ghosts scattered in panic. "Waaah are we sinking?!"
"Let me handle it!" Perona floated forward confidently.
Ritter raised an eyebrow. "Hahaha, go get 'em, little Perona!"
This kind of Sea King would normally flee from a Conqueror's Haki burst but hey, Perona needed the practice.
Hands on her hips, she declared, "A measly Sea King? Watch the power of my Negative Hollows!"
She waved her hand, and three translucent ghosts floated through the coating bubble, gently drifting toward the Sea King.
They hovered in front of the creature's enormous eyes and wiggled.
The Sea King blinked.
"…?"
And then
"Plop!"
It curled into a ball, tears brimming in its eyes.
Bo bo bo bo bo… awoooo bo bo bo…
(Translation: "I'm sorry… I'm just a useless deep-sea sardine… I don't even have the courage to swim to the surface and sunbathe…")
The entire ship went silent.
Moria's shadow froze mid-motion. "Fuhihihi… this works on Sea Kings too?!"
Enel twitched. "Is this a joke? That thing's pathetic…"
Ritter stared for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Nice job, Perona!" Who cared about the result encouragement mattered most.
Perona floated back proudly. Her ghosts beamed. "Hmph~ Lady Perona is amazing!"
Meanwhile, the Sea King remained curled on the seafloor, drawing sad little circles and mumbling, "Bo bo bo… I can't even break coral…"
As the Bloomer Jackson continued its descent, the outline of Fish-Man Island began to appear.
Fish-Man Island was enclosed by two enormous bubble membranes. Because of its unique structure, all foreign ships had to enter through the designated port there was no sneaking around. (Just a quick explanation for readers who might've missed that.)
The merman guards stationed at the port had already spotted the approaching ship. But instead of panic, their eyes shone with confidence.
"T-that ship is…!"
"Lord Ritter! The Crimson Dawn Pirates they're back!"
Ritter stood at the bow, grinning. "Relax, we're just here to—"
The guard turned and bolted.
Ritter: "????"
He hadn't sensed any fear. Why'd the guy run?
He paused, then looked at Perona. "Wait, why are we here again?"
Perona rolled her eyes. "Sightseeing!"
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