The Ark Maxim skimmed across the sea's surface, its hull brushing against the waves with a soft rustling sound.
Though the ark was capable of high-altitude flight, Bahr preferred sailing close to the water. The expansive aerial views were monotonous, and docking at night was more convenient this way.
Warm sunlight bathed the deck where Nico Robin sat cross-legged with an old book spread across her lap. The sea breeze flipped the pages with a fluttering sound as she cast a sidelong glance at the commotion nearby before ignoring it.
Bahr was amusing himself with "Sanctity," the large dog left behind by God Enforcer Ohm. The foolish canine had been trained to absolute obedience, and its clumsy backflips were genuinely entertaining.
Suddenly, the lookout's shout shattered the peaceful atmosphere: "A ship approaching dead ahead!"
Bahr, who had been directing Sanctity to spin in circles, paused mid-gesture. Slipping on his sandals, he walked to the railing and followed the lookout's pointing finger.
A black dot on the horizon grew larger with each passing wave, its sail bearing a glaringly conspicuous cartoon fox head wearing diamond-shaped sunglasses under the sunlight.
"That's..." Bahr's heart skipped a beat—that garish design was unmistakably the emblem of the Foxy Pirates!
Before he could finish speaking, a flash of blue light crackled as Enel materialized out of thin air, munching on an apple with an impassive expression. "The people on that ship say they're going to take this flying vessel."
Bahr wasn't surprised. Enel's Rumble-Rumble Fruit allowed him to detect bioelectrical signals, and when combined with his Observation Haki, it formed a unique electrical network that made him a living radar—nothing within several kilometers could escape his notice.
This was how he had monitored the entire Sky Island.
Enel crushed the apple core in his hand, electricity crackling along his fingertips as his expression darkened. "Insects daring to covet this god's vessel? They must taste 'Divine Punishment'!"
Bahr initially had no interest in such trivial matters, but as he turned away, he suddenly stopped and jerked his chin at Enel. "Hey, hold off on attacking. Come with me to their ship first."
He had just remembered—there was fun to be had with the Foxy Pirates.
The Foxy Pirates' deck was adorned with colorful flags. Silver Fox Foxy stood at the center of his crew, rubbing his hands together gleefully. The moment he had spotted the massive flying ship skimming the ocean, his jaw had dropped—only to be swiftly overtaken by greed.
A ship this magnificent was the only thing worthy of him!
Boom!
A burst of blue light exploded on the deck as Enel landed gracefully, casting a sidelong glance behind him with a mocking smirk. "Too slow."
Bahr followed close behind, ignoring the chuunibyou, and swept his gaze across the deck. Foxy's ridiculous split hairstyle exuded sleaziness, but the woman beside him was impossible to miss.
Tall and slender, with blue hair tied back, she wore a large white round hat atop her head and frameless deep-purple glasses perched on her delicate nose. A red short coat with metal epaulets adorned her shoulders, its cuffs trimmed with white fur pom-poms. Beneath it, a teasingly translucent blouse peeked out, while loose red pants were cinched at the waist with a pink sash. Black leather boots completed the ensemble, and she twirled a baton in her hand.
Though her outfit was eccentric, her looks were undeniably striking—this was Porche, the Foxy Pirates' Navigator and Cheerleader Captain.
Bahr, who aspired to become the "Sea Clam King," naturally wouldn't overlook such a minor character.
"Eeeh~ Why are you staring at me like that~?" Porche immediately noticed his gaze, swaying her hips coquettishly as she dragged out her words with an exaggerated tremble.
"Beauty is meant to be admired, especially when it's as outstanding as yours," Bahr grinned, his tone straightforward.
"Eeeh~ You're being so direct, how embarrassing~!" Porche covered her cheeks in mock protest, though the delight in her eyes was unmistakable.
What woman didn't enjoy being complimented?
"Hey! Who the hell are you two? How'd you suddenly pop up on my ship?!" Foxy finally snapped out of his shock, pointing at them indignantly.
"Daring to covet this god's vessel—you shall receive 'Divine Punishment,'" Enel declared, arms crossed and chin raised arrogantly.
"Vessel?" Foxy blinked, glancing at the distant Ark Maxim before suddenly clapping his hands. "Ohhh... So that big flying thing is yours?"
"It is this god's chariot," Enel corrected impatiently.
Foxy completely ignored him, bursting into laughter. "Fehfehfehfeh! You're pirates too, right? The name's Foxy—Silver Fox Foxy!"
He flicked three gold coins between his fingers with a flourish. "Listen up! The Foxy Pirates officially challenge you to a 'Davy Back Fight' with these three coins!"
"Davy Back Fight?" Enel raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with disdain. "What nonsense is that?"
"Fehfehfehfeh!" Foxy laughed until tears nearly spilled from his eyes. "You call yourselves pirates and don't even know this? What a bunch of country bumpkins, right, Porche?"
"That's right, Captain~" Porche chimed in sweetly, twirling her baton like a flower. "Davy Back Fight is the most glorious competition among pirates~ The losers have to obediently let the winners pick their most capable crewmember~"
"Exactly!" Foxy abruptly stopped laughing, puffing out his chest as his gold tooth gleamed under the sun. "If you're too scared to accept, then admit you're cowards—a disgrace to pirates!"
"Yeah, yeah! Only bugs would refuse a challenge!"
"Too chicken to even compete, yet you dare sail such a fancy ship?"
The crew erupted into jeers, jumping up and down as spit flew with their shouts.
Bahr scoffed, utterly unimpressed by such childish taunts. He turned to Enel. "Hear that? They say refusing would be shameful."
After a pause, he added, "Oh, right—I'm not a pirate. Are you?"
His 1-billion-berry bounty had spread worldwide, but it was for the grave crime of attacking a Celestial Dragon—not for the petty acts of lowly pirates.
Enel's eye twitched as his golden staff slammed onto the deck with a metallic clang, electricity crackling around him. "Pirates? Those garbage crawling on the sea dare compare themselves to this god?"
His gaze swept over the jeering Foxy Pirates, lightning flashing ominously in his eyes. "However... since they dared lay eyes on this god's chariot, they shall taste 'Divine Judgment'!"
"W-Wait, hold on!" Foxy stammered in shock, hastily raising a finger. "Slow-Slow Beam!"
A pink beam grazed Enel, freezing him mid-motion. His eyes bulged as his speech slowed to a crawl. "Wh...at...is...th..."
"Paramecia-type Slow-Slow Fruit's ability. If hit, your body slows down," Bahr remarked dryly, glancing at the nearly immobilized Enel. "I told you—the Blue Sea isn't as simple as you think."
Devil Fruits always came with bizarre abilities, and a moment's carelessness could lead to disaster. Enel could have dodged with his lightning speed, but his arrogance and ignorance had blinded him—he hadn't taken his opponent seriously at all.
Hesitation meant defeat. Even that basic principle eluded him.
Foxy gaped at Bahr, who remained completely unaffected. "H-How are you fine?!"
Bahr didn't bother explaining. The moment the beam had shot toward him, a transparent Space Barrier had unfolded before him.
What kind of light could pierce through distorted space?
Just then, Enel shuddered violently as he finally broke free from the slowed state. Humiliated and furious at having been made a fool of in front of Bahr, he roared, "You bastards! Daring to disrespect a god?! Die!"
"Hold on." Bahr clamped a hand on Enel's shoulder before turning to Foxy with a smirk. "Your challenge—I accept."
Enel: "..."
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