Chapter 42: Cutting to the Chase
The development of a Devil Fruit's power relies on the user's imagination.
This imagination, unleashed upon the world, had created a marvelous sea.
Like a man drowning in a desert.
Or an ocean set ablaze.
...
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Roar after roar echoed across the water.
Raging flames spread, dyeing the azure sea a violent red.
"What in the world is happening?!"
The Alabastan patrol crews leapt into the sea, swimming desperately for the main fleet. They were rescued, many injured, but thanks to the Royal Guard's swift response, no lives were lost.
But…
Soon, a captain noticed the anomaly.
"Wait!"
He scanned the horizon. As he feared, the vast ring of fire had encircled their entire fleet, trapping them.
"He's not trying to kill us. He's pinning us here! Who is he?!"
A rescued sailor, face pale with terror, stammered, "In the sky… a dragon… flying over the sea… fire everywhere…"
...
The Uninhabited Island. Peace Talk Tent.
Those inside heard the surrounding explosions.
Cobra frowned, his eyes shifting to Wapol, who burst into uproarious laughter.
"WA HA HA HA! How about that?!" Wapol spread his arms triumphantly. "This is the latest 'power' your king has acquired! Impressed?"
"…"
The crude provocation didn't rattle Cobra. But the ring of fire surrounding the island put him on high alert.
"You fool…" Cobra's voice was low, a rare edge of anger in his tone as he stared at Wapol. "What have you done?"
"Don't fret. Just a little demonstration. No one needs to die." Wapol grinned excitedly. "So? Now that I've shown my strength, we can discuss tolls!"
"Your father was a friend. How could he sire a son like you?"
Cobra's mind raced for a solution when a messenger from the Drum Kingdom burst into the tent.
"Y-Your Majesty Wapol! Disaster! Our ships are under attack! Casualties!"
"What?!" Wapol's eyes bulged. This wasn't part of the "advisor's" plan! According to Vergo, a show of force would make Cobra yield. This was different!
"Where's the advisor?! Bring him here! NOW!" Wapol shrieked.
Despair…
Soft footsteps approached outside. The tent flap behind Wapol parted.
A man in a white checkered coat, sunglasses, lightning-shaped sideburns, lower face masked, stepped in.
[Demon Bamboo] Vergo, identity no longer concealed.
Wapol stormed over. "You! This isn't what you promised! Why are my people being attacked?! You—"
THWACK!
Before he could finish, Vergo's bamboo sword struck Wapol's abdomen, sending him crashing to the ground, blood spraying from his mouth.
Chess and Kuromarimo, witnessing this, trembled and wet themselves, cowering in a corner.
Adjusting his sunglasses, Vergo stated coldly, "When we first met, you agreed to call me 'Sir.'"
This was Vergo's true nature, restrained only for Doflamingo's mission. Why reveal it now? The reason was simple.
"As your kingdom's 'advisor,' let me answer your question one last time." Vergo's voice was a low growl. "Truthfully… even I don't know what attacked your ships."
Not him. Not even Doflamingo had figured it out.
But Doflamingo wasn't one to be cowed. If the enemy was unknown, discard the intricate plan. Take the fastest, most direct path to the goal.
"Time is short. Let's cut to the chase, King Cobra of Alabasta." Vergo stepped forward, bamboo sword in hand. "Answer my questions, and no one else gets hurt."
"Protect His Majesty!"
Pell and Chaka, sensing the man's monstrous power, shifted instantly into their hybrid forms, interposing themselves.
Three figures blurred.
THWACK! THWACK!
In an instant, both guardians were sent flying by the bamboo sword. Vergo's coat was slightly torn at the sleeves, his skin unmarked.
"Zoan users? Underdeveloped." Vergo shook his head dismissively, his gaze locking onto Cobra. "Does your kingdom truly hold a 'secret'? What is it?"
"…"
Cobra didn't answer. Couldn't answer. To protect Alabasta, he'd die before revealing the Poneglyph. It was the fate of Alabasta, the burden of the Nefertari name.
"Tch." Vergo knew Cobra was no fool like Wapol. He'd need… persuasion.
"You leave me no choice…" He raised the bamboo sword, aiming for a disabling strike. With unknown enemies about, kidnapping Cobra for interrogation was the most efficient move.
...
Truthfully, Doflamingo's intel was vague. He only knew Alabasta was likely connected to the Void Century—but not how. A Poneglyph? Some other secret? Regardless, it was something the World Government feared.
Possessing that "secret" would give Doflamingo leverage to blackmail the Government… for a Warlord title.
...
"I have always believed the Young Master will become the 'King' of these seas." Vergo's eyes behind the lenses were icy. "A mere 'king' of a nation… don't stand in his way."
Swish!
The bamboo sword descended toward Cobra.
At that exact moment—
CRASH!
A massive black shadow plummeted from above, shredding the tent canvas and landing between Cobra and Vergo with an earth-shaking impact, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Vergo leapt back, evading. He looked up.
What greeted him was a deafening, bestial roar.
ROOOOAAAAARRR—!!!
A monstrous sound, as if from a creature eager to drag all into a terror-filled abyss.
The dust settled.
Vergo saw the figure he'd anticipated. His throat moved.
"[The Demon]… has arrived."
"What?!"
Alvin Vergil swiped a hand through the lingering smoke, striding toward Vergo.
"Let's cut to the chase too. No more games."
He spread his arms wide, a fierce, exhilarated grin splitting his face.
"Come on. Let's fight!"
(End of Chapter 42)
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