Chapter 38: Shared Suspicion
The Drum Kingdom fleet closed in.
Aboard the lead warship stood the Drum Kingdom's staff officers and two of Wapol's most loyal subordinates:
Chess, and Kuromarimo!
Both dressed like court jesters, Chess carried a massive bow, Kuromarimo wore oversized woolen gloves. They were Wapol's sycophants, endorsing his tyranny as the "correct" way to rule.
Naturally, they despised Dalton but had never found the right moment to oust him.
And now, while an opportunity had finally arisen, the timing was deeply inconvenient.
...
"That traitor Dalton fled to Alabasta! He's committing treason!"
"Hee hee, everything His Majesty does is right. Those who oppose him must be utterly wrong. Let's capture him!"
"Really, so stubborn. With more… 'suitable' people around His Majesty, Dalton is no longer necessary…"
"Speaking of which, with this new feeling… does His Majesty even need us anymore?"
"…"
...
"Spotted Dalton's ship!"
"Fire! Let's test those new weapons. Fire at will!"
BOOM—BOOM!
BOOM—BOOM!
After two volleys, Chess raised his telescope, scanning the Alabasta coastline against the dying sun's glare.
He vaguely made out a massive, hulking silhouette. Some kind of beast? Or a sculpture of an unknown creature? Odd black textures seemed to float around it.
An unspeakable dread washed over Chess. "Wh-what in the sea is that thing on the shore?!"
Before he could process it, a deafening roar tore across the water. A visible, churning torrent of force obliterated their mainmast, shattering the thick timber to splinters.
"What now?!" Chess watched the debris rain down, cold sweat beading on his brow. If that torrent had struck the hull directly…
"Phew! Lucky, it missed…" He'd barely caught his breath when a strange sound reached his ears.
The chaotic torrent of force… was moving. Downward.
BOOM!
With a cataclysmic roar, the warship carrying Chess and Kuromarimo disintegrated. Many crew were blasted into the distance. Chess and Kuromarimo, relatively lucky, were thrown into the sea.
"Quick! To another ship! Retreat!" Chess hauled the unconscious Kuromarimo, paddling frantically. Before they could reach another vessel, the chaotic airflow shifted again, sweeping laterally.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Four more warships were shattered. The sole survivor was peppered with holes from flying debris, barely seaworthy.
"Monster… a monster…" Chess's mind replayed the brief glimpse. That thing. It must have created that attack.
Terror overriding all else, Chess dragged Kuromarimo aboard the crippled ship. "Full retreat! Now! Go!"
Ignoring the soldiers still struggling in the water, he fled.
...
"Whew…"
The roar faded. A trickle of Ancient Armament Haki, like black liquid, dripped from the corner of Vergil's mouth onto the wreckage-strewn shallows, scattering into dark droplets.
His composite form receded. He was back on two feet, slightly hunched, arms spread wide, face tilted up to the darkening sky as the last crimson light bled from the horizon.
The darkening sunset bathed his form. Everyone on the coastline witnessed it. Even Pell, flying with Vivi and Dalton, looked back. Dalton, half-conscious, cracked open an eye.
They all saw the same thing.
Not human.
But whether viewed from heaven or earth, from any angle, in any state of mind, only one impression remained:
Unfettered, exhilarating freedom.
"…"
"How to describe it?" Dalton would muse years later, scratching his head. "It felt… sacred, in a way."
...
The Next Morning.
The fleeing Drum Kingdom warship, on the verge of sinking, finally limped into Drum Island's port.
After securing the still-unconscious Kuromarimo, Chess sprinted to the royal palace to report to King Wapol.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! There are monsters in Alabasta!"
"…"
"Hm?" Wapol turned, his mouth full of half-chewed steel. The Baku Baku no Mi allowed him to eat and assimilate anything. He hated interruptions during meals.
"What's all the panic?!" he snarled. "I sent you after the traitor Dalton. Where is he?"
"He fled to Alabasta—No, that's not the point, Your Majesty!" Chess trembled. "There's a monster there! It destroyed our entire fleet!"
"What?!" Wapol was furious at the unsatisfactory answer. He waddled to the opposite sofa, yelling, "What nonsense is this? Explain yourself!"
On that sofa sat the person Chess had vaguely referred to.
...
He was tall, stern-faced, wearing a white checkered coat, sunglasses, and distinctive lightning-shaped sideburns. The lower half of his face was covered by a mask.
Had Alvin Vergil been present, he'd have recognized him instantly.
One of the top executives of the Donquixote Family:
[Demon Bamboo] Vergo.
Currently, he had suspended his deep-cover mission within the Marines. He was in the Drum Kingdom posing as a "black market arms dealer" consultant, biding his time.
...
"Your Majesty, allow me to ask a few questions."
Vergo's gaze shifted to Chess. He asked about the monster's appearance, its attack, the aftermath…
After a brief interrogation, Vergo understood. He stood, bowed to Wapol, and returned to his temporary quarters in the palace.
He retrieved a Den Den Mushi and contacted his true master.
Pururu… Pururu…
Click.
"Fufufufufu… Vergo. Report."
Vergo spoke calmly. "[Sir Crocodile] has returned to Alabasta. [The Demon] is with him."
"Good. That confirms our suspicion." Doflamingo's grin was audible. "Leave the line open next time. I want to hear that idiot king's next move before deciding."
"Understood."
Vergo concealed the Den Den Mushi in his coat and returned to the throne room.
...
Wapol was now fretting over the "monster." "What do we do? Why are there monsters in Alabasta? Can't they just comply and pay higher taxes?!"
Vergo inwardly sneered. An idiot through and through.
Just then, frantic footsteps echoed outside.
"Your Majesty! Terrible news!"
Another soldier rushed in with a fresh report from the sea.
"Our merchant convoy was attacked! Destroyed!"
"What?!" Wapol roared. "It must be Alabasta! Don't they know my power now?"
...
"We suffered an attack. Several merchant vessels destroyed."
Alabasta, Nanohana, temporary command post.
A Royal Guard soldier reported to Cobra. "We've launched search and rescue. No survivors found so far."
Compared to previous harassment, this was an act of outright war.
"…"
Cobra frowned, deep in thought.
Beside him, Pell and Chaka seethed with anger. "Damn those Drum Kingdom bastards!" Chaka growled.
"…"
Cobra remained silent. He glanced at Crocodile. A shared suspicion passed between them.
Was all of this truly the work of Wapol?
...
Drum Kingdom, Vergo's Room.
Vergo had listened to Wapol's inane war council. He remained on the open line with Doflamingo.
"Young Master, your plan to sow discord is perfect. Attacking both sides' trade… the rift will only widen."
"…"
"Young Master?"
"…"
Silence from Doflamingo.
After a long pause, his voice finally came, serious, devoid of its usual mockery.
"Vergo. There is something you must understand."
He spoke slowly, each word weighted.
"My goal is not to push these two nations into all-out war. Therefore…"
Another pause.
"This attack was not arranged by me."
Vergo: "…"
The implication sank in. A cold shiver ran down Vergo's spine.
...
Different locations. Nearly the same moment.
Cobra. Crocodile. Vergo. Doflamingo.
Even Alvin Vergil.
They all pondered the same, unsettling question simultaneously:
Who, then, was behind the attack on the convoy?
(End of Chapter 38)
✨Enjoying the story? You can support me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/MizuSan
✨ Patreon members get early chapter access, bonus content! 🥰
🎉 Plus, I'll release 1 extra chapter for every 5 reviews!💎 Or grab 1 bonus chapter for every 50 Power Stones you send my way! 🥳
🌊 Let's reach 20 Patreon members to unlock 5 extra chapters together!