Chapter 409: Ace's Provocation
Location: Fish-Man Island's Mermaid Cafe. Brett currently ate with a beaming smile.
"So what exactly are you so happy about?"
Shyarly sat opposite him, somewhat lazily propping her chin with her right hand. Large eyes blinking slowly. "Just like anticipating something very interesting happening."
Brett grinned toothily. "I am anticipating something very interesting happening."
"A very interesting guy is coming."
"Really?"
Shyarly raised an eyebrow. "Don't let it get too out of hand."
"Don't worry."
Brett smiled. "Not someone who can cause major disturbances."
"Best be that way."
Shyarly didn't particularly care.
With this man presiding over Fish-Man Island—who could cause disturbances on this island?
Currently, Fish-Man Island's outer perimeter—the deep sea where light and darkness met.
The far-traveling Spade Pirates were stopped by suddenly appearing people.
"Routine inspection?"
Ace tilted his head somewhat surprised. "However—"
"This is truly remarkable!"
Currently appearing before them were three behemoths.
Three sea beasts wearing thick armor now surrounded their ship from three different directions.
Each sea beast's volume almost matched their ship. Probably just a slight collision could shatter their vessel completely.
Even more astonishing—those weapons mounted on the sea beasts that made teeth ache just looking at them.
Besides the sea beasts, numerous Fish-Men also bore arms. Some rode atop sea beasts. Some swam through seawater. Anyway, they were slowly surrounding this ship.
"Wah!!"
Spade Pirates members screamed in fright.
"We're done! We're finished!"
Skull even cried miserably with tears streaming. "We'll be killed!"
How to resist this scale of force in this deep sea?! Impossible—absolutely impossible!
"Calm down!"
Still Vice-Captain Deuce remained calmest. He loudly berated the terrified companions. "These guys aren't here to attack us!"
"You bastards normally don't read newspapers?! This is just mandatory inspection before entering Fish-Man Island!"
"Fish-Man Island is very vigilant toward outsiders. Must undergo detailed inspection before allowing entry. Otherwise can only proceed directly to the New World—no landing allowed!"
After saying a mouthful in one breath, Deuce finally caught his breath.
"Oh! So that's it!"
Ace also looked enlightened, grinning while scratching his head. "Thought we'd fight them in this deep sea."
"Anyway, now obediently accept inspection. We don't have any contraband aboard, so no need to fear."
Deuce said seriously. Then he glared fiercely at his idiot captain. "Ace—don't you dare act rashly now!"
Though Ace was indeed very strong, how could anyone fight Fish-Men in this deep sea?
"Hahaha, of course not."
Ace grinned.
"Then—"
After taking a deep breath, Deuce stepped forward two paces to the bow, calling toward the Fish-Men in the deep sea ahead. "We accept your inspection."
"Thank you for your cooperation."
After the other side replied, soon three teams of Fish-Men passed through the bubble, jumping onto the Spade Pirates' ship deck.
The leading Fish-Man said quite politely. "To avoid future disputes, please have someone responsible accompany our inspection."
Deuce nodded internally.
No wonder Fish-Man Island's business had grown so large.
This was being polite.
To prevent inspected people from worrying about damaged supplies, they specifically invited accompaniment during inspection.
"Then I'll go."
Feeling the captain unreliable, Vice-Captain Deuce naturally spoke up. Then entered the ship's cabin with one Fish-Man team.
The other two teams remained on deck on guard.
Ace carefully observed them.
These Fish-Men all carried special weapons. Some had launching harpoons. Some had special firearms. Some simply shouldered cannons.
Spade Pirates' pirates remained silent.
If every Fish-Man had such military configuration—who in this deep sea could provoke them?
At this time, absolutely don't cause trouble. Just wait quietly for inspection completion.
Then—
"Are those sea beasts all raised by you?"
Ace curiously pointed at those three massive monsters in the water ahead.
The Fish-Man he addressed glanced at him. Said nothing.
"Hey, don't be so cold."
Ace completely unconcerned, still grinning trying to chat. "I'm really quite curious."
"Fire Fist Ace."
At this time, another man entered the bubble from above, landing on deck. He shouldered a sword. Below his waist, tentacles writhed, letting him stand firmly on deck.
Seeing his arrival, the Fish-Men all respectfully greeted. "Hyouzou-san!"
The Entry-Exit Management Bureau's important figure—commanding a large squad—Fish-Man Island's number one swordsman. Hyouzou grinned. "Looks like a big shot arrived today. Your name—even we've heard of it."
"Oh?"
Ace opened his eyes slightly, then grinned. "Hahaha, not that remarkable."
Captain—he's absolutely not praising you!
Ace's companions felt their hearts pounding.
This guy clearly wasn't an ordinary Fish-Man soldier. If angering him—probably war would immediately erupt!
If developing to that extent—what to do?!
"Perhaps on the sea surface you can charge around recklessly, but Fire Fist—"
Hyouzou smiled. "On this island, best stay quiet."
"After all, noisy guys—most unwelcome in the silent deep sea."
Eek!!
Spade Pirates' pirates fell deathly silent.
"Hahaha, meaning don't cause trouble, right?"
Ace was much smarter than his little brother. Knew what this guy meant. He smiled unconcernedly. "Won't happen. We won't cause trouble without reason."
"That's best."
Hyouzou nodded lightly.
Otherwise, these guys right now could only obediently perish in the deep sea.
So what about logia Devil Fruit users?
This deep sea had already swallowed countless devil fruit users.
"However—"
Ace thought, grinning. "If I wanted to challenge that Brett guy—would that count as provocation?"
Hyouzou froze.
Or rather—all Fish-Men on deck froze.
Even the Fish-Men who'd just finished inspection, emerging from the ship's cabin—simultaneously dumbfounded.
Then—
"Hahahahahaha!!"