OPTC Chapter 221 The Name of the God of Water Sounds Familiar
Before long, Tom and Perona staggered out of the cabin carrying a heavy treasure chest between them. It looked so heavy that both their legs were trembling. By the way, Perona walked with her toes slightly turned inward.
With a thud, they dropped the chest in front of Zhang Da Ye. Perona wiped the sweat from her forehead, and Tom copied her. Zhang Da Ye couldn't help but suspect that Tom's strength and stamina were always matched to his current partner.
The chest wasn't completely full. Inside was some gold, but mostly stacks of bills of different values. Tom and Perona had even collected all the scattered coins, piling them neatly inside.
Zhang Da Ye pulled out a few large notes and handed them to Perona. "Pocket money for you. Once we get to Water 7, I'll take you shopping."
Perona accepted the money, looking a little guilty. She had hidden a few bills earlier, afraid he might change his mind. Maybe she should sneak them back later?
Then Zhang Da Ye turned to Tom. With the cat's expectant eyes on him, he closed the chest and patted his head. "Here's a head rub full of love. Do you feel a warm current flowing through your heart?"
A question mark popped up above Tom's head. He clutched his chest. No warm current—only heartache.
Faced with such a shameless master, Tom chose to act spoiled.
"Alright, alright, don't cling to my leg. Here, take it. Why are you suddenly so heavy? Get off me already…"
After playing around with Tom, everyone noticed a large ship approaching from the distance. Its mast flew the World Government's flag. That had to be the judicial ship they were waiting for.
Instead of coming directly, the judicial ship lowered several smaller boats. A group of Marines rowed over to confirm identities. "Are you Mr. Zhang Da Ye?"
"That's me. We're the ones who contacted the Navy." Zhang Da Ye pointed at the pirate ship and tossed over a flag. "That's the Foxy Pirates' ship and their entire crew we defeated. Here's their pirate flag. Please take them."
The questioning Marine caught the flag and scanned everyone aboard the Amber, pausing a few seconds longer on Brook and Shark Chili—their appearances were the most striking.
Still, the seas were full of strange folk. He said nothing, only signaled the others to inspect Foxy's ship.
After confirming, the Marines reported in with their transponder snail. Only then did the judicial ship sail closer.
At its rail stood a white-bearded old man in a black hat. After receiving a bounty poster and a report from a soldier, he announced:
"Silver Fox Foxy, bounty 14 million. Fifty-six subordinates, none with bounties. Several weapons seized. One medium-to-large pirate ship with minor damage. Total bounty payout: 70 million berries. Any objections?"
This man was a judge. Despite his age, his voice was firm and clear, like he was reading a verdict.
"No objections." Zhang Da Ye hadn't expected Foxy's bounty to be so low. The rest was about what he'd guessed.
The old judge nodded, signaling the Marines to deliver the money and take custody of the pirates.
As two tall Marines carried Foxy away, Zhang Da Ye called out, "Wait! Please return the Sea-Prism cuffs on his wrists. Those belong to us."
"Oh?" The judge, about to return to the ship, turned back. "I heard you're from a small tavern in Sabaody. Why would you have Sea-Prism cuffs?"
Zhang Da Ye replied, "Because during a joint operation assisting the Navy against a major pirate, we contributed greatly. Vice Admiral Gion rewarded us with two pairs of cuffs. You can confirm it with her."
"So you've worked with Vice Admiral Gion. No wonder you were able to take down a crew of this size." The judge stroked his beard. He wasn't Navy himself, but he knew the names of a few famous Vice Admirals.
Soon, a Marine returned their cuffs, replacing the pair on Foxy.
This judge was a fair-minded man. Ten years ago, when Master Shipwright Tom proposed the Sea Train project that could save Water 7, he had sentenced Tom to ten years' reprieve instead of immediate execution. He was the kind of judge who cared about common people.
Today, those ten years had run out, and he had come to lead the retrial.
Since Zhang Da Ye's group had helped the Navy and didn't look like bad people, the judge took a liking to them. Chatting easily, he boarded the Amber with a few men and entered the little bar inside.
"Though it's small, the décor is refined," the judge said, glancing around. "And this pianist has great skill—though his appearance is…"
The Navy officer and agents who followed him nodded stiffly. A skeleton playing piano… if it were night, they might not have dared step inside.
"He once ate a Devil Fruit. After an accident, he ended up like this. Please don't bring up painful memories in front of him." Brook was one of their own now, and Zhang Da Ye wanted to defend him.
The judge bowed his head slightly. "Our apologies."
Brook finished his song and chuckled. "No need. I don't feel sad, because I don't have a heart anymore. Yohohoho~"
The judge politely laughed along. That kind of optimism despite misfortune stirred some respect in him.
Rui Meng Meng served drinks and snacks, then sat with Artoria to enjoy some herself.
Tom and Perona sprawled on the sofa, playing a board game. Every now and then, Perona groaned when she didn't roll the number she wanted.
Shark Chili and Ye Yan stood outside chatting with the Marines. One was a natural socialite, the other bold enough to trick a Demon King into cosplay. Casually, they gleaned plenty of useful information.
Inside, Zhang Da Ye told the judge about how he had hunted criminals in Sabaody and later set sail, naturally presenting himself as legitimate and winning more of the judge's favor.
The judge, in turn, explained his mission and the reprieve he'd granted Tom ten years earlier. Standing up to pressure for the sake of Water 7's people was something he remained proud of.
"So this time, you're heading to Water 7 to retrial the world's greatest shipwright?"
"Yes. Normally, a shipwright can sell his ships to whoever he wants, even a pirate. But because this involved Pirate King Gol D. Roger, things were different."
To conceal the secret of the D, Roger's name was still publicly given as GolD Roger.
"If the Sea Train really works as he claimed—defying the 'Gods of Water,' Aqua Laguna, and reviving Water 7—then his achievements may outweigh his crimes."
"What did you just call the Gods of Water?"
"Aqua Laguna. It's the massive tidal wave that often strikes near Water 7. Because it always causes great damage, people call it the 'Gods of Water.' That's why transporting raw materials to the city is so difficult, and even its famed shipbuilding industry has suffered greatly."
Zhang Da Ye barely listened to the long explanation. His mind stuck on the name. He wondered if, when angry, the people of Water 7 cursed out loud: "Damn Aqua!"
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