Chapter 94

"This..." Kizaru was completely caught off guard as the massive pillar of black lightning descended on the Marine battleship. However, Mihawk had a hint of a smile on his face, understanding that this wasn't a freakish act of nature.

"Rumble... Rumble..." The thunderclouds overhead roared ominously, as if they would descend any second. Kizaru was suddenly caught in a dilemma: whether to continue fighting Mihawk, check on the judge to secure his safety, or take care of the sinking Marine ship.

Suddenly, a deafening blast erupted from the center of Water 7 near the makeshift court. This was Doffy's handiwork, creating a distraction for them to vacate the island.

"Don't think this is over. Sooner or later, I will come find you," Kizaru commented, his usual lazy tone discarded, replaced with frustration in his eyes. For the World Government, the safety of the Judge from Enies Lobby was a higher priority than capturing an upstart pirate. After a moment of contemplation, Kizaru turned into light particles and rushed into the center of Water 7, disregarding the sinking Marine battleship.

Mihawk simply chuckled at Kizaru's threat. Sooner or later, he would surpass them all. He turned his attention toward the sea. Sheathing his blade, he dived into the ocean, as his skiff had drifted quite some distance away from the shore due to the unruly sea.

The chaos of the battle had left the southern shoreline devastated. The ground was torn and scorched from the exchange of powerful attacks, and the sea was a maelstrom of churning waves and lightning strikes. Onlookers could only watch in awe and terror, unable to comprehend the sheer scale of the conflict they had just witnessed.

Meanwhile, at the makeshift court in the center of Water 7, the blast caused by Doffy had thrown the proceedings into disarray. Judge George, who had just agreed to Tom's proposal for the Sea Train, was now forced to focus on the immediate chaos.

"Everyone, stay calm!" Judge George commanded, his voice cutting through the confusion. "Secure the area and ensure the safety of all civilians."

Amidst the pandemonium, Tom remained composed, his mind focused on the vision of his sea train. He knew that this project was his only chance to prove his worth and save his life. The trial had taken an unexpected turn, but he was determined to see it through.

Back at the shoreline, Mihawk emerged from the sea, his keen eyes scanning for his skiff. The storm continued to rage, but he moved with purpose, unaffected by the chaos around him. As he reached his skiff, he glanced back at the island, a silent promise in his gaze. This battle was just the beginning, and he would continue to grow stronger and reach the apex of this world and beyond.

In the distance, Kizaru reappeared at the scene of the explosion, his frustration palpable. The priority was clear: ensure the safety of the judge and maintain order. As he assessed the situation, he knew that the clash with Mihawk had only been a prelude to the greater battles that lay ahead.

The storm began to subside, but the impact of the events that had transpired would be felt throughout Water 7 and beyond. The world was changing, and new powers were rising. The paths of Mihawk, Kizaru, Doffy, and Ross were destined to cross again, each clash bringing them closer to their ultimate destinies.

A week had passed since we departed from Water 7. During this time, as we moved closer to Sabaody, we understood how much worse the sea had become. The waters were littered with pirates, making it clear why this era was called the Great Pirate Age.

"Seriously, you want my boat with such puny strength?" Doffy laughed as he held a pirate aloft, dangling him over the edge of the ship.

"Please... please let me go! I'll quit my pirate ways. I'll go back to my village and tend to the crops. I have a family back there...please," the man pleaded. Earlier, when they had attacked our boat, he had boasted about becoming the next pirate king.

But now, with Doffy burning their entire ship and its crew to cinders, the man was reduced to begging for his life. He must have been a civilian who recently took to piracy because of the allure of unbound wealth and grand aspirations. However, the truth was that most humans were cruel by nature, and when given the chance, they would show their true faces.

"Hahaha, you should have thought about all these things before you started calling yourself a pirate," Doffy chuckled while he used his flames to burn the pirate alive. The man screamed in agony, pleading for a swift end. After the screams subsided, Doffy casually tossed the charred remains into the sea.

By the side, Iceburg watched in horror, his blood running cold. One moment, these people interacted with him like family, and the next, in front of their enemies, they turned into absolute monsters with not a hint of mercy in their actions. He had no idea what kind of situation his master had pushed him into, but one thing he was sure of was that as long as he truly became a part of this so-called family, his safety would be secured.

The sea had become increasingly treacherous, with countless pirate crews vying for supremacy. Every encounter was a brutal reminder of the ruthless reality of the Great Pirate Age. As we sailed on, the ship's deck was often littered with the remnants of our encounters: broken weapons, tattered flags, and the occasional charred remains of those foolish enough to challenge us.

Despite the constant danger, Iceburg felt that there was a strange balance between the two brothers. Doffy, with his unpredictable nature, was both a leader and a tyrant. His power was unquestionable, and his methods were brutal, but they ensured their survival in these harsh waters. Iceburg, though still uneasy, began to understand the necessity of such ruthlessness in this new world.

However, Ross, who was about the same age as Iceburg, remained an enigma. Even Doffy openly admitted that he was no match for his brother when it came to strength. Despite possessing boundless power, Ross seemed content to let Doffy hold the reins. His mere calmness felt more threatening than Doffy's cruel actions. Iceburg was confused. He had always believed that the strongest led a pirate crew, but the dynamics in his new family defied that logic.

The next evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a fiery glow across the turbulent sea, they sailed into the archipelago. The atmosphere grew tense. The mangrove trees loomed overhead, their massive roots forming natural docks for ships of all sizes. The air was thick with tension—a palpable sense of danger that set Iceburg on edge.

For Iceburg, this was a trial by fire. His master had thrust him into this world of chaos and violence, but he was determined to survive. He knew that, in order to protect himself and fulfill his master's vision, he had to adapt to this brutal reality.

As the ship navigated through the labyrinth of mangrove roots, Iceburg remained vigilant, as this was all new to him. The archipelago was notorious for being a hub of activity, with pirates, bounty hunters, and marines all converging in one place. The tension was palpable, and every shadow seemed to conceal a potential threat.

Doffy stood at the bow, his eyes scanning the horizon, and addressed Iceburg. "Remember, this place is crawling with the strong and the ruthless," he said, his voice carrying over the sound of the waves. "Stay sharp, and trust no one."

As they docked, the crew disembarked, blending into the bustling crowd of pirates and merchants. The air was thick with the scent of salt and sweat, and the sounds of haggling and laughter filled the air. Sabaody was a melting pot of cultures and chaos—a place where anything could happen.

Iceburg stayed close to Doffy and Ross, his senses heightened by the unfamiliar surroundings. Every encounter was a potential threat, and every shadow seemed to conceal danger. He knew that in this place, only the strongest and the smartest would survive.

Seeing Iceburg flinching at every single movement made me chuckle. It seemed like Doffy had depicted Sabaody as akin to hell for him. Beside me, I saw Doffy snicker at Iceburg's unease. Doffy was playing a joke in his own way. I then turned my attention to Iceburg, who was already sweating buckets despite the cold breeze.

"Iceburg, do you know how to coat a ship?" I asked, trying to distract him with something he was comfortable with.

"You mean the bubble coating? Yes, I am familiar with the process, but I don't have the tools or necessary resources to coat even our modest ship," he replied. His unease seemed to drop a bit as he started listing the items he would need.

"We'll need resin from the Yarukiman Mangrove, some special tools to apply the coating evenly, and a stable environment to ensure the bubbles adhere properly. It's a delicate process, and any mistakes could lead to catastrophic results."

I nodded, appreciating the shift in his focus. "We can gather the materials and find a place to work. This island is chaotic, but it has everything we need if we know where to look."

Iceburg's eyes lit up slightly, his passion for shipbuilding momentarily overcoming his fear. "I can do it. With the right materials, I can coat the ship. It will take some time, but it will be worth it. The coating will allow us to travel underwater, avoiding detection and making our journey towards Fishmen Island much safer."

Just then, my observation haki picked up a conversation occurring in a nearby alley. A group of nearly a dozen fishmen were discussing something in a grave tone. Despite the danger of being captured, they had ventured into Sabaody for what seemed like a rescue mission.

"Did you find where they are keeping the mermaids they have captured?" one of the fishmen questioned his friends.

I couldn't help but smile. I was always thinking about how to build an amicable relationship with Fishman Island. It wasn't that I particularly favored them, but soon enough in the future, Poseidon would be born, and I needed Poseidon on my side.

Although we already had Pluton's blueprints, we had no idea if we could build it in time. Having one more ancient weapon by our side was a major advantage. From what I knew, the World Government had Uranus, and there seemed to be the original Pluton hidden in Wano.

"Doffy, take Iceburg and get the materials we need for coating. We might need a bigger ship; a small galleon should do," I suggested. Doffy simply nodded in acknowledgment, choosing not to question my sudden decision, and ushered Iceburg along.

"Iceburg, have the ship coated and ready within two days. We might have to leave in a hurry, have the ship ready to depart from the port of Grove 27." I commented while walking away from the two in the direction of the alleyway.

As I approached the alley, I made sure to keep my presence hidden. The fishmen were huddled close together, their expressions tense and determined. The leader of the group, a tall fishman with a scar across his face, spoke with urgency.

"We don't have much time; we have yet to find where they have kept the captives. The auction house is heavily guarded, and the mermaids are scheduled to be sold the day after tomorrow. We need a solid plan to get them out safely."

One of his companions, a burly fishman with a broken fin, nodded. "I've scoped out the area. There are Marines patrolling every entrance. We'll need a distraction to draw them away."

I stepped out of the shadows, drawing the attention of the fishmen. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation," I said calmly. "I think I can help you guys rescue the captured mermaids."

The fishmen tensed, readying for a fight. The leader eyed me warily. "Who are you, and why would you want to help us? For all we know, you're just planning to capture us too."

"You bastard! It was you humans who captured our family and brought them here to be sold as commodities!" Another fishman roared, readying his trident to attack me at any moment.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I whispered, my voice dangerously low. "You should always gauge your opponent's strength before raising your weapon against them. By raising your weapon on me, you make us enemies." My eyes locked onto the fishman, who was priming himself to launch an attack.

The leader suddenly took a step forward and placed a hand on the shoulder of the fishman, ready to attack, shaking his head to signal him not to take any action. He instinctively felt that the teenager in front of them was extremely dangerous. He had never felt such pressure, not even when facing ancient sea kings.

"You still haven't answered my question. Who are you, and why do you want to help us? You should know how the relationship between fishmen and humans is. What makes you believe that we will trust you?" The leader, after stopping his comrade, turned to me and questioned me again, despite the fear and unease in his heart.

"I'm someone with a vested interest in helping fishmen in their current predicament. I've heard that the recent influx of pirates has caused quite a bit of trouble on Fishman Island. The number of mermaids being abducted and sold into slavery has been increasing rapidly at an unprecedented rate," I replied. "You want to rescue those mermaids, and I want to build a relationship with Fishman Island. Helping you could benefit us both."

The leader considered my words, his eyes narrowing. "And what do you get out of this?"

I smiled, sensing a slight opening in their skepticism. "Let's just say that in the future, having the goodwill of Fishman Island and its inhabitants could be very beneficial. The world is changing, and alliances will be crucial. I see potential in an alliance with your people, especially considering the powers that will soon emerge."