CHAPTER 250 TROUBLE FOR BRETT
The report from Punk Hazard arrived at Mariejois with troubling speed. The Five Elders gathered to review the information, their collective mood one of barely contained frustration.
Doctor Vegapunk's response fell far short of their expectations. They had hoped he would confirm he could replicate Brett—that another fish-man of such formidable power could be produced to counter the threat. Brett had become an enormous problem for them, and the notion of creating additional specimens like him had briefly offered hope. But Vegapunk's answer dashed those hopes entirely.
"That's what the old man said?" Saint Saturn questioned, his tone heavy with disappointment.
Still, there was little they could do. Vegapunk was the world's premier scientist, his research capabilities unmatched by anyone. The World Government could not afford to lose him, no matter how unsatisfying his answers proved.
"Regardless of whether Vegapunk is concealing something, one thing is certain," Saint Saturn's voice grew grave. "Brett's rise to power absolutely depends on that Devil Fruit we once deemed a failure."
The implications hung heavy in the air.
"Then we should instruct Vegapunk to attempt replication of more Devil Fruits," Saint Warcury suggested coldly. "Yes, even if the success rate remains abysmal and even Vegapunk cannot guarantee results, if we produce enough attempts, we will inevitably achieve successes."
"But the priority must be accelerating Vegapunk's work on the fish-man serum," Saint Ju Peter interjected sharply. "Brett hides in the depths of the sea, beyond our reach. We cannot depend on him moving his entire nation to the surface."
Since any conflict with Fish-Man Island would inevitably occur in the deep ocean, the government needed warriors capable of fighting in such extreme depths. Vegapunk had already developed the fish-man serum, granting users fish-man strength and abilities. While not particularly useful in conventional warfare, it now offered the Five Elders a glimmer of hope for underwater combat.
If they could merge fish-man bloodline factors into humans, allowing them to match fish-man capabilities, why not push further? Why not make the serum users genuinely fish-man in appearance—gills, fins, everything necessary for free movement in the deep ocean?
With Vegapunk's scientific prowess, such a thing was certainly achievable. The research had already begun long ago. Now, they simply needed to deepen the work.
"Then this is all we can accomplish for now," Saint Saturn sighed heavily. What else could they do? Direct military action against Brett proved futile. Economic or political sanctions risked driving him to throw a Dyna stone on their doorstep out of spite.
"But we cannot simply allow this matter to fade away unanswered," Saint Nusjuro said coldly. "While we cannot move against him directly, we can certainly cause him considerable trouble."
"What do you have in mind?" Saint Mars asked.
"An unrecorded Devil Fruit replication. An devil fruit user capable of functioning in water," Saimt Nusjuro's voice turned sharp. "These two secrets will send the entire world into upheaval. Expose that bastard thoroughly. Let everyone know what he's truly capable of."
"Agreed. Let's expose him completely," Saint Mars declared.
While the Five Elders in Mariejois plotted their counterattack, Brett had already returned to Fish-Man Island. After jumping down from the Red Line, he was close enough that returning home made practical sense. He and Neptune made the journey quickly.
Jinbei found him almost immediately upon arrival.
"I had no idea the Reverie ended so quickly," Jinbei said seriously. "What happened?"
Neptune managed a bitter smile.
Both men listened intently as Brett and Neptune recounted the entire sequence of events from that day.
"Not particularly surprising, I suppose," Jinbei sighed heavily. "So those pirates really were government-backed?"
"More than that," Brett said quietly. "I suspect some of our own people were involved."
After all, the pirates who attacked the mining operation never entered the mines themselves. The pirates attacking the Forest of the Sea were completely eliminated. Without inside assistance, how would information have leaked out?
Jinbei fell silent. He had drawn the same conclusion.
"I'll handle this myself," Brett said firmly. "I cannot forgive those who betray their own kind. I won't ignore it."
Jinbei nodded his understanding.
"At least you were prepared," Neptune said, deliberately shifting the mood away from the uncomfortable topic. "If you weren't ready, we truly would have been finished today. I never expected Brett to be a Devil Fruit user."
"It had to remain secret," Jinbei explained. "Neptune, you understand—Brett's ability isn't ordinary."
Neptune nodded. He knew perfectly well that Brett possessed the exact same power as Kaido. If that information had leaked earlier, Kaido would never have allowed it. Even now, if Brett's ability became public knowledge, Kaido would likely fly into an uncontrollable rage.
"This puts us in a precarious position," Jinbei said, his brow furrowed. "The World Government will almost certainly mark us as their primary target now."
Of course they would. To the government, even the Revolutionary Army posed less immediate danger than Fish-Man Island did. The Revolutionary Army had no superweapon like Pluton's design or the destructive capability of Dyna stones like those Brett possessed. Compared to what Fish-Man Island now represented, the Revolutionary Army's recent conquests—toppling several nations and terrifying the government's affiliated kingdoms—seemed almost insignificant.
"What's your plan, Brett?" Jinbei asked formally. "You must have already considered your next moves."
"Nothing concrete long-term yet," Brett replied. "But I do have a short-term objective in mind."
Ending the conversation with Jinbei, Brett immediately retrieved a transponder snail and made a call.
"Hahahaha! I've heard all about what happened in Mariejois, Brett!" The voice boomed through immediately—loud, unmistakable laughter. "Care to give me an exclusive interview? I'm incredibly interested in all the details and the truth behind everything!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Brett said flatly. "Neither I nor the World Government wants you stirring up trouble like that."
"Is that so? Have you already reached some agreement with the government then?" The man chuckled knowingly. "Well then, Brett, what's this call about?"
"I need you to keep watch on someone for me, Morgans."
"Someone?"
"The king of Drum Kingdom. Wapol. Let me know when he leaves Mariejois and returns home after the Reverie ends," Brett instructed.
"Oh, that man? I understand," Morgans chuckled. "Are you after his kingdom's medical technology, or is it his Devil Fruit ability that's caught your interest?"
This bastard really does know everything, Brett thought.
He was about to respond when Morgans suddenly spoke again.
"Hold on—another call's coming through."
The line went silent.
Brett waited. A few minutes passed before Morgans returned, his voice practically vibrating with excitement.
"Hahahaha! Brett! Guess who just called me!" Morgans' delighted laughter filled the phone. "I never knew you were a Devil Fruit user! Someone just asked me to spread this news across the entire world!"
As if that took any guessing.