CHAPTER 254 WAPOL
"What? Wapol was abducted?" The Five Elders received the news approximately thirty minutes after the vice admiral regained consciousness.
"Explain," they demanded.
Had some brazen pirate decided to attack?
Navy Headquarters provided a detailed account of what the vice admiral had experienced. An unknown monster had rendered the entire crew unconscious with Conqueror's Haki. When the vice admiral awoke, Wapol had vanished.
"It was Brett!" Saint Saturn blurted out immediately, speaking what they were all thinking.
"Absolutely that bastard!" Saint Warcury nodded vigorously. "There aren't many people in this world capable of wielding Conqueror's Haki at that level. The three monsters of the New World are all settled on the other side of the Red Line, and even accounting for the red-haired one, they're not moving!"
"Furthermore, Brett had a confrontation with Wapol during the Reverie," Saint Ju Peter added. "Though I can't imagine why he'd hold such a grudge over a single incident."
"It's not about the previous conflict," Saint Nusjuro said calmly. "Brett isn't the type to concern himself with such trivial matters."
"He went out of his way to capture Wapol specifically because that man has some use," Saint Mars theorized. "The question is—what use?"
"Could he be after Drum Kingdom's medical technology?" Saint Warcury mused. "It is world-class, after all."
"I doubt it," Saint Mars shook his head. "Consider this—what if Brett is after Wapol himself?"
"The man is a fool, certainly, but he is still a Devil Fruit user," Saint Ju Peter noted, frowning. "You're suggesting Brett targeted Wapol's ability?"
"The Munch-Munch Fruit," Saint Saturn's eyes suddenly widened in horrified realization. "An ability that allows him to consume objects and recombine them however he wishes—BRETT INTENDS TO USE WAPOL'S POWER TO CONSTRUCT PLUTON!!"
The convenience of such an ability for manufacturing was undeniable.
But—what could they do about it?
The Five Elders sank into uncomfortable silence.
Even knowing that Brett's threat level had increased dramatically, that Pluton might soon return to the world, what could they actually accomplish? They were already helpless against him.
"Increase intelligence operations directed toward Fish-Man Island," one finally said.
That was all they could do. Open warfare with that nation or with Brett himself remained impossible.
At minimum, they needed better information about what was happening there.
---
Brett had successfully returned to Fish-Man Island with Tesoro and Wapol, the entire round trip consuming only half a day. Brett Airways' speed was, without question, dependable.
Now it was time to wake the sleeping king.
In darkness, Wapol felt someone tapping his face.
Who dared disturb his sleep?
Anger accumulated even within his slumber, driven by this intrusion.
The fury propelled him through the darkness. His eyes opened.
"Oh, you're awake?" The first thing he saw was a man in a pink suit with green hair, looking down at him with a casual, arrogant smile.
Wapol recognized him immediately. This was Tesoro, the man who'd become famous worldwide after that film last year. Wapol had watched his entire underworld tournament.
What was Tesoro doing on the warship?
Wait.
Wapol suddenly realized he wasn't on the warship anymore.
Glancing around, he found himself in a simply decorated room, lying on the hard floor. That explained the chill he'd been feeling in his back.
"Since you're awake, let's talk," another voice said—familiar. Deeply familiar.
Wapol's head whipped around in near-panic. Behind a desk on his left sat that unmistakable face.
Wapol scrambled to his feet, then immediately stumbled backward, his rotund body bouncing like a ball until his head smashed against the wall.
He scuttled backward frantically, pressing himself against the solid barrier as his voice broke into stuttering.
"B-B-B-B-BRETT!!"
Like a malfunctioning robot, he could barely force out the name.
"We meet again, Wapol," Brett said lazily, reclined in his chair. "Though I suspect you're not particularly pleased about it."
"W-What do you want?!" Wapol shrieked in panic. "I'm a government-affiliated nation's king! If you dare move against me, won't Fish-Man Island face governmental sanctions?!"
Wapol understood perfectly that this man was a monster far beyond his capacity to oppose. His only leverage was the World Government.
"Hahahaha!" Tesoro laughed heartily. "Look, Brett—this guy's threatening you with the World Government!"
"This is Fish-Man Island," Brett said flatly. "Ten thousand meters beneath the ocean's surface. The Navy cannot wage war here. The World Government cannot interfere here. So you understand your situation now, don't you, Wapol?"
Wapol's normally arrogant expression drained of all color. He looked as though he might cry.
What did this maniac want?
If this was about their previous conflict, it was petty—far too extreme a response!
"From now on, I'd like you to work for me, Wapol," Brett said with a smile. "Your ability is quite useful."
Do I have a choice? Wapol wanted to ask, but looking at Tesoro's pleasant expression, he didn't dare.
"W-What... what would you have me do?" he asked quietly, his voice trembling. For the first time in his life, Wapol truly understood cowardice.
"Excellent!" Brett clapped his hands in delight. "I was genuinely concerned you might be uncooperative, which would have forced me to resort to violence. But since you're being so reasonable, this is perfect."
Wapol felt a surge of relief at his choice. If he'd refused, he'd certainly have suffered terribly.
"Don't worry—it's nothing particularly difficult," Brett continued pleasantly. "I simply need you to utilize your talents. Help me with your ability, that's all."
That's it?
Wapol felt his tension ease. If it was just using his ability, that wasn't so bad.
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