Chapter 411: Duel
Brett put away the Den Den Mushi, standing and stretching. "Then I'll leave first."
"Looks like he's truly a very interesting guy."
Shyarly said. Otherwise this Brett guy wouldn't be so anticipating.
"Indeed very interesting."
Brett nodded with a smile. "So, Shyarly—want to come along?"
"Not interested."
Shyarly-san shook her head.
"Eh?"
Brett felt somewhat helpless. "I'll be fighting that guy. Shyarly doesn't want to cheer me on? I really want to fight enemies while hearing Shyarly's cheering."
"But the Brett I know absolutely won't lose, right?"
Shyarly was as lazy as clouds slowly drifting across the afternoon sky. Languid, soft enough to embrace. She said, "No matter what kind of enemy you face, I only need to brew coffee here and wait for your return."
"Isn't that right?"
She lifted her head. Her voice very gentle.
Like feathers tickling Brett's ear. Brett felt his ear itch. This itch transmitted from the ear canal to his heart. He couldn't help wanting to scratch his chest.
"Really—"
Brett sighed. "I just can't handle Shyarly."
What else could he say? Naturally could only bear expectations and strike forth to meet powerful enemies.
Well, didn't really count as powerful enemies though.
Anyway, Brett departed.
Since he'd promised Rayleigh, must do it properly.
...
Wearing seastone shackles, Ace had nearly lost mobility. The Fish-Men escorted him, sprawled on a sea beast's back, drifting into Fish-Man Island.
Though now a prisoner, he still worked hard using his eyes to see Fish-Man Island's scenery.
Though saying this now seemed inappropriate, he truly thought this island was beautiful.
"Oh! Hyouzou? These guys are?"
Deuce wasn't an devil fruit user, so he hadn't lost mobility from the seastone shackles. He saw approaching—also floating in the sky—several sea beasts.
He felt shocked internally. Because this wasn't the first time.
Even more exaggerated than newspaper reports. Sky had massive sea beasts patrolling at regular intervals, all fully armed, ready for battle.
How did Fish-Man Island raise so many sea beasts?!
Add the sea beast forces patrolling the outer deep sea—this scale was too absurd!
Actually, the sea beast capture work that once greatly troubled Director Brett was now incredibly simple. Many Entry-Exit Management Bureau executives now possessed individual sea beast capture ability.
Currently Fish-Man Island's sea beast force scale was indeed absurdly large.
Hyouzou stood atop a sea beast's head. He grinned. "Well, caught some fanatics. Brett-sama said bring them over to see."
"Oh? Actually interested Brett Director?"
The guy atop the opposite sea beast looked over curiously. "Feels quite interesting. Too bad I'm executing a mission now."
"Hahaha, I'll tell you later—"
Hyouzou winked. "Just buy me several drinks."
"Haha, you guy—"
After exchanging pleasantries with colleagues, Hyouzou continued advancing with the group.
He stood upright. The former Fish-Man District drunkard had naturally become someone called a soldier. Without looking back he said, "Remember to be respectful when meeting Brett-sama, Fire Fist."
"Usually being arrogant doesn't matter. But before that lord—restrain all your arrogance and frivolity! Otherwise—"
Hyouzou glanced back lightly. "I'll kill you."
Truly a remarkable guy. Deuce marveled internally.
His reputation on Fish-Man Island had reached unimaginable heights.
No wonder just saying he wanted to challenge him got them immediately arrested.
If insulting him verbally—probably would immediately cause huge disturbances.
"Ha—"
Though already powerless, Ace still forced a smile with difficulty. "I'm more anticipating meeting that man."
"Foolish guy."
Hyouzou turned back. His lips curved slightly.
Truly foolish enough. How dare normal people challenge Brett-sama?
Only the most foolish idiots would make such decisions.
But why anticipating the moment this guy meets that lord?
Hyouzou lightly tapped the sea beast beneath his feet, making it accelerate.
Before long, the destination appeared ahead.
After all, Entry-Exit Management Bureau headquarters was near the port, not far from Fish-Man Island's entrance.
That wasn't a particularly tall building. But the man currently standing atop the building's roof seemed to tower into clouds in Hyouzou's eyes.
Hyouzou had the sea beast hover above the building, then jumped with subordinates onto the rooftop with the Spade Pirates.
He personally bowed slightly toward the man currently leaning on the rooftop railing, gazing at Fish-Man Island's scenery. "Brett-sama, I've brought them."
Deuce pressed his lips, making full mental preparations before finally daring to raise his head.
He first saw a back.
Wearing a loose T-shirt. Below—equally baggy shorts.
If not for the excessively tall physique, would look no different from tourists commonly seen on Fish-Man Island. Even wore flip-flops.
However, didn't seem particularly special, except abnormally tall.
Didn't they say emperors' power made people feel terrified just looking?
This was—the Deep Sea Emperor, Fish-Man Brett? Quite different from imagination.
"Remove their shackles."
Deuce heard the man facing away say this.
"Yes."
Hyouzou had no objection whatsoever. Directly removed all restraints from the Spade Pirates members with subordinates.
Truly an arrogant guy. Completely not taking them seriously?
Deuce muttered internally.
"Hahaha! Revived!"
Ace didn't think as much as his vice-captain. The instant seastone shackles left, he flipped up, excitedly twisting his neck, moving his body.
"Hey—" He looked at that tall back, stepping forward twice. "You're Brett, right?"
Brett turned back, looking down at the little shorty before him. He smiled. "If there's no second person called Brett here, should be me."
"Excellent!"
Flames rose from Ace's shoulders. "Come fight me! Deep Sea Emperor! Everyone says you're a monster rivaling that Whitebeard! Then show me your power!"
"If I can defeat you, you release us!"
"I see."
Brett nodded.
Understood.
"Sure."
Was just worrying about finding what excuse.