65 Escaping Like a Cicada

Chapter 65: Escaping Like a Cicada

(TL/N: Is an idiom used to describe someone who escapes or evades a dangerous situation skillfully and successfully.)

Capital of Water

Eight hundred years ago, the world's wicked warship, "Pluton," was manufactured here, making it the world's most powerful shipyard, gathering a group of skilled shipbuilders. 

Among them, the most famous one was Tom, the Fish-Man shipwright who, over twenty years ago, built the Fish-Man ship "Oro Jackson" for Pirate King Roger using the Treasure Tree Adam.

For building the Pirate King's ship, Tom was sentenced to probation because of the Sea Train. Fourteen years later, after the completion of the Sea Train, he was framed and sentenced to death on Enies Lobby.

In his lifetime, Tom had two disciples. One of them became the current mayor of the Water 7 and the president of the Galley-La Company, Iceburg. The other was Franky, who had turned into a pervert...

"Captain, you shouldn't say such uncertain things in the future. We originally planned to capture that snail, and now you want to blow it up. You're so heartless." 

On the streets of the Water 7, a disguised Rodney and Robin walked side by side. Rodney held two black boxes in his hands, and Robin's skin turned fair. 

She had a beauty mark at the corner of her eye and made some changes to her appearance, making her look different from before. Even with a bounty poster, it would be impossible to recognize her as the "Devil Child."

The art of disguise was truly terrifying. After all, there were CP9 members on this island, and if Robin were recognized, it would be troublesome.

While the World Government tolerated the Shichibukai, Robin was a different case because she was the only person in the world who could read the Poneglyphs. If she were recognized, it would be a problem.

So, Rodney used the art of disguise to conceal Robin, turning her into a "different person" with the codename "Bateman."

"Don't say that. Who knew that snail had a tracking device? It's ridiculous that such a useful thing had something like that attached to it, and I couldn't remove it."

Rodney rolled his eyes. Reiju had voluntarily revealed this information. Those snails transmitted a biological signal among themselves, allowing them to locate each other. Originally, it was meant to find allies during battles since the battlefield could get chaotic and allies could get separated.

But now, it was being used to track them.

Being hunted by Germa 66 every day was quite troublesome.

So, they got another ship, moved anything useful from it, left some clones and Yozi behind, and then they left, heading to the Seven Water Capital.

They led Germa 66 in another direction to avoid trouble.

He didn't expect to get any bounty now. From Judge's words, he could tell that he was dealing with a tough nut who would never cooperate. Since they lacked sincerity, Rodney decided to give them a lesson. Even though he was bluffing.

"Miss Reiju, is there no turning back once you follow me? Dr. Weskey has already gone down." 

Rodney looked at the black-haired beauty behind him and smiled, "Since you've decided to come with me, you aren't allowed to betray me."

After finishing the data, Rodney had let Dr. Weskey go, keeping the data somewhere else. However, Reiju chose to follow him. He didn't know the reason, but according to Robin, as long as she wasn't ordered face-to-face by Judge, she still had some freedom.

In other words, the well-behaved young lady had finally entered her rebellious phase!

"As long as you won't be defeated by Germa 66, I won't betray you, Captain!" Reiju's hair was dyed black, and she had made some changes to her face. She also covered the "66" tattoo on her long legs with long pants.

She hadn't had a chance until now. Even when going on missions, she always had Yonji with her, so she couldn't have such intentions. 

She could only choose to obey and suppress her desire for freedom, keeping it deep in her heart. According to Robin, as long as she didn't encounter direct orders from Judge, she still had some freedom.

In that case, the young lady who had been an obedient daughter for many years finally reached her rebellious phase!

"Except for you, Captain! With you, our future seems quite bleak," she said.

"Indeed, indeed."

"Hey, can you guys give me some face? I am the captain, you know!"

"Captain, can you give us some funds? We need to buy supplies." Robin reached out to Rodney, asking for operating expenses.

"No hurry. Let's wait until we finish building the ship. Afterward, we'll take a Sea Train to the Capital of Culinary Delights, and then we'll find a more reliable cook."

"That's right. We do need a cook, or else we might end up in trouble if we eat the Captain's Dark Cuisine." Robin seriously considered the matter.

After all, her cooking skills were just average—not delicious, but not terrible either. As for Reiju, there was no need to think about it. She was a young lady, and as for Rodney, he didn't even need to be mentioned. 

Last time, after cooking, he blew up the kitchen. So, they definitely needed a cook. Therefore, it was essential to take the Sea Train to the Capital of Culinary Delights and find a cook who could also fight.

As they walked and chatted, the atmosphere was harmonious. Suddenly, Rodney smiled and said, "Blown up."

"What blew up?"

"Germa's snail."

"Oh?"

...

Time rewinded a bit. The snail with the Germa 66 symbol on it was gradually getting closer to the moving snail ahead.

Wearing Germa battle suits, Ichiiji and Niji used their jet shoes to leave the castle and catch up to the snail ahead.

"Be careful. This is the territory of the Shichibukai, and there shouldn't be any defense system."

Ichiiji, with his red punk hairstyle, scanned the silent and eerie castle with his eyes hidden behind sunglasses.

"What's going on? Is there no one here?"

"Of course, this is our Germa's territory. They wouldn't submit to others. They must have been killed clean, right?" Niji, in contrast to Ichiiji's seriousness, casually walked inside.

Ichiiji furrowed his brows and followed behind.

The castle's design was basically the same, and they came to the hall familiarly. They saw Yonji, whose face was swollen like a bun, tied to a seat, unconscious, and Reiju lying on the side.

"Yonji, Reiju." Niji was about to go over and wake them up when Ichiiji held him back.

"Come out."

A clone emerged from the shadows, smiling. "You really are something, Niji. I didn't expect your senses to be this keen. Did you notice me?"

Ichiiji said, "I don't know you."

"Then, what about my ransom?"

Niji sneered, "You dare ask us for ransom? Do you know who you're dealing with?"

The clone flicked his ear and blew on his fingernails. "Who?"

"You! You will pay for this!"

Niji was accustomed to being arrogant and couldn't tolerate such provocation. He crackled with electricity and appeared behind the clone in an instant, trying to knee him in the back, only to hit thin air.

"Where are you?"

"That was a fake. Look at your leg." Another clone appeared with a smile that couldn't be any faker.

"Niji, your leg!"

Niji looked down and saw a detonation tag stuck on it.

Sizzle!

The tag ignited, and with a loud bang, Niji took several steps back. His leg felt numb, but for him, it was nothing more than an irritation. However, Niji was infuriated.

"I'll kill you!"