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"An island eater? What's the fuss about?" Burgess scoffed, his laughter booming. "If it dares to show itself, I'll show it the power of my laser cannon, Wiiihahahaha..."
Doc Q's eyes gleamed with malice as he remarked, "The Sea Kings haven't succumbed to poison yet. Perhaps it's worth a try."
Law held Kikoku, his demeanor unchanged as he remarked, "This is the first time I've heard of sea beasts that devour islands."
Kuro adjusted his glasses and spoke with reason, "If the giants mentioned it, then there must be something extraordinary about this island eater. With its massive size, its defenses are likely formidable. It's a Sea King with both offense and defense."
Lafitte smiled gently as he rested his cane in front of him. "If it's too weak, it won't be entertaining."
"Since we're feeling bored, let's use it as entertainment to pass the time," he suggested.
Suddenly, there was movement ahead at sea level.
*Clatter!*
The waves surged violently, rising like a tsunami, creating a towering wall of water.
It was tense and frightening!
With a thunderous crash, the island-eating monster emerged from the sea, looming before them.
They beheld an enormous goldfish with eyes the size of lanterns, glaring coldly at everyone aboard the Leviathan Fang.
"Wow, that's a massive goldfish!" exclaimed Pato, sitting on the railing, wide-eyed with amazement.
Apis blinked her big eyes from her seat and spoke in a childish voice, "It's saying it'll devour us all, along with the boat."
Nami's gaze remained fixed, her fair face registering surprise as she remarked, "So this is the island eater—truly colossal. Now it makes sense how it devours islands."
Alvida, bearing the hefty black iron rod, nodded with a smile. "This is the largest goldfish I've ever seen."
Carina's eyes gleamed mischievously as she suggested, "If circumstances allow, keeping such a colossal goldfish as a pet sounds intriguing..."
Perona, floating in the air, chimed in with a laugh, "Indeed, this goldfish would make a splendid pet. I'd love to have it head to head, Horohorohorohoro~~"
Honey Queen shot Perona a disapproving glare and snapped, "Can you even afford to feed such a massive goldfish? It would bankrupt you—it'll devour all your money!"
Robin, brushing her black hair, chimed in with intellect, "This island eater shouldn't be classified as a Sea King but rather a Sea Beast. It's a more fitting categorization."
"It's truly unbelievable," she continued. "A goldfish reaching such proportions is beyond belief."
Princess Vivi, her eyes gleaming, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's hard to fathom. With its size, any ship encountering it at sea would be in grave danger."
"If it were to stir even slightly, it could generate a stormy sea, potentially capsizing ships. It's a terrifying thought."
At that moment, the island eater's massive pupils shifted, emanating a chilling intent.
Its bloody maw slowly parted, revealing teeth as white as snow, glinting in the sunlight.
The teeth appeared razor-sharp, indicative of formidable biting power.
Surrounding seawater surged into its body with a crashing sound, while the sea level continued to undulate violently.
Moreover, peering into the island eater's gaping maw revealed a seemingly endless expanse of dark water—a truly eerie sight.
"With a mouth that vast, it's no wonder it can devour islands," Gin remarked, eyeing the ominous passage before them. "But it's foolish to target us."
Hawkins, still as stoic as ever, muttered darkly, "Today, it will meet its end, for it already seems dead."
Van Augur, tapping his shoulder with Senriku, spoke with his usual impassive expression. "From the moment of its appearance, its fate was sealed."
"Dare to obstruct my path? I'll crush it!" Burgess bellowed, his mouth emitting a growing blue-white light, signaling the gathering of a powerful attack.
Though no strike had been unleashed, the pressure building around them was palpable, thickening the tense atmosphere.
Dorry gazed down at Burgess with solemnity. "That mouth can harness light and lightning, possessing immense power."
"The abilities of this Devil Fruit are truly formidable," he added, acknowledging the potency of Burgess's power.
Broggy chimed in with a hearty laugh. "This island eater has never encountered a worthy opponent, believing itself the ruler of the sea."
"Now, it shall meet its end for sure," he proclaimed confidently.
At that moment, the island eater turned its massive eyeballs, seemingly unfazed by the impending danger, and continued to widen its maw.
"GROARRRRRRRR"
A deafening roar filled the air as Burgess's blue-white light coalesced to a critical point, casting the surroundings in a brilliant hue.
With a piercing whistle, the concentrated beam, tinged with lightning, tore through the void, illuminating the inland river in a dazzling display.
In a flash, the beam struck the island eater's gaping mouth, transforming the previously dark passage into a vivid display of blue and white.
*BOOM*
A hiss echoed as the creature emitted a mournful cry, blood staining the sea as the beam pierced its body with relentless force.
The beam, undiminished in power, continued its trajectory toward the sea's surface, generating a deafening boom upon impact.
The resulting shockwave rippled through the air and sea, leaving onlookers in awe.
With a resounding crash, the island eater plummeted into the depths, sending waves cascading in its wake.
Its eyes, filled with resignation, met the gaze of the Ethan crew before it succumbed to the abyss, sealing its fate.
The crew, overcome with shock, could only watch in disbelief as the creature met its demise.
"That blue-white beam was utterly overwhelming," Dorry remarked from the shore, his expression grave. "A direct hit would surely be fatal."
Brogy nodded in agreement. "The penetrating power was indeed fearsome, leading to its demise."
"The Devil Fruit wielded by Burgess boasts formidable offensive capabilities," he concluded.
Even Robin, known for her composure, was taken aback. "I can't believe what I just witnessed," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the aftermath.
"What an intimidating Devil Fruit power," Makino remarked, her expression reflecting a mix of awe and curiosity.
"Indeed, it speaks volumes about Lafitte's strength that even someone like Burgess falls short for the deputy captain position," noted Desire, emphasizing Lafitte's combat prowess.
"Ethan's strength is unparalleled, and it's no wonder his crewmates are equally formidable," chimed in Princess Vivi, her charming smile underscoring her agreement.
"That's the law of attraction in action, isn't it?" she continued, her watery blue hair swaying with her nod.
Nami grinned knowingly. "The island eater made a grave mistake underestimating us. It could've escaped Burgess's beam if it had any sense."
"But it's used to being the top dog around here," she added with a shrug. "Too bad for it."
Carina's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Picking a fight with us was its last mistake. It's in for a rude awakening."
With a gesture, Reiju suggested they return to their training regimen now that the island eater was no longer a threat.
Honey Queen assured them that Lafitte and the others would handle any remaining issues, freeing them to focus on their training.
Alvida led the way to the training room, her determination was evident as she urged them to continue honing their skills, particularly Armament Haki.
With laughter and determination, the girls resumed their training, eager to grow stronger.
Meanwhile, Burgess reveled in his victory, his laughter echoing through the air.
Law, his voice calm as ever, remarked on the devastating power of Burgess's laser cannon.
"The island eater's sheer size made it an easy target, leaving it with nowhere to hide," he observed.
Kuro, his expression unchanged, analyzed Burgess's abilities with precision.
"Burgess's long-range attacks are exceptionally suited for combat," he noted.
"The speed and explosive nature of his laser guns make them difficult to defend against, posing a lethal threat to opponents."
Meanwhile, The Leviathan Fang navigated from the inland river to the open sea, expanding its size as it went.
Lafitte twirled his cane, wearing a slight smile, and said politely, "Leviathan Fang, expand the deck to accommodate the two giants."
Upon hearing Lafitte's request, Dorry and Brogy exchanged puzzled glances, utterly unable to comprehend what was happening.
As they looked on in confusion, the Leviathan Fang trembled slightly before gradually expanding, growing larger and larger.
From one meter to three, then ten...
The sight left many onlookers in shock, their faces contorted in disbelief as they struggled to process what they were witnessing.
"It's truly unbelievable how it can change size!" exclaimed Igaram, shaking his head in wonder. "This ship is truly remarkable."
He hurriedly nodded in agreement, his eyes wide with astonishment, his voice croaking with surprise.
Sharing a glance, Dorry and Brogy, along with Princess Vivi, burst into laughter, thoroughly delighted by the unexpected turn of events.
"Just a moment ago, the captain mentioned that we could board the ship, and I was wondering what was going on," chuckled Dorry. "Now it all makes sense!"
Brogy chimed in, his smile wide, "We've lived for over a century, but never have we seen anything like this!"
"But truly, this is the first time we've encountered a ship of such incredible power," he added with a hearty laugh.
As the Leviathan Fang reached its maximum size, it transformed into an imposing black-hulled ship, exuding an aura of power and strength.
In his role as vice-captain, Lafitte stepped forward and addressed the two giant brothers with a gentle tone, "You two giants, feel free to board the ship now."
Without hesitation, Dorry and Brogy made their way onto the Ethan, their decisive actions speaking volumes.
The sudden influx of their weight caused the ship to noticeably sink, and its draft increased significantly. The immense burden of their presence was unmistakable.
"It's quite the load," Burgess remarked, his expression reflecting a mixture of surprise and resignation. "I didn't expect it to handle their weight so easily."
Gin remained unconvinced and spoke with indifference, "Our ship is the strongest in the world. It could easily handle not just two giants, but even a few more."
Kuro, maintaining his composure, pushed his glasses up and offered a rational perspective, "If the Marines were aware of our ship's capabilities, they would certainly be displeased. The Marine hierarchy wouldn't tolerate the existence of vessels capable of outmaneuvering their warships."
Meanwhile, Lafitte addressed the two giants with a smile, his cane resting in front of him.
"Dorry, Brogy, welcome to the Black Sun Pirates. I'm Lafitte, the vice-captain," he announced warmly. "Let me brief you on the ship's protocols and our plans..."
The scene unfolded over a day.
Inside the Leviathan Fang's training room, Alvida stood by her large black iron rod, wiping the sweat from her forehead. She spoke with grace and generosity, "It seems Ethan has encountered a challenge."
Meanwhile, Ethan sat on the deck, deep in thought.
Nami focused on her sword practice, and remarked casually, "Ethan rarely shows this side. It seems he's facing hurdles in his training."
Honey Queen, gently stroking her pale golden hair, remarked with a smile, "Our captain's talent is remarkable. Even facing obstacles, the skills he aims to develop must be extraordinary."
Robin, brushing her black hair, assured the group, "Have faith, everyone. Ethan will surely overcome this. We must trust him."
"Indeed," Carina chimed in, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Ethan possesses a multitude of talents. His mastery in swordsmanship is already at the level of a grand swordsman."
"And in physical prowess," she continued, "his Morning Peacock can best Crocodile, Daytime Tiger can defeat Doflamingo, and Leaf Dragon God could even take down an Admiral!"
"Regarding Night Guy," she added, "Ethan mentioned he hasn't developed it yet."
Floating gracefully in the air, Perona nodded emphatically, her smile brightening. "Exactly, exactly! Ethan mentioned that Night Guy is the pinnacle of Taijutsu."
"Developing it is incredibly challenging, and there are still many mysteries surrounding it."
Reiju, crossing her legs and supporting her delicate chin, spoke with a smile.
"I won't delve into swordsmanship and physical skills, but Ethan's creativity with Devil Fruit development is remarkable."
"Previous users of the Reberu Reberu no Mi had mediocre abilities and didn't fully explore its potential."
"However, Ethan has unlocked its secrets, developing a myriad of unconventional skills."
"So far, he's crafted over a dozen unique techniques." Reiju's gaze followed Ethan's form with admiration evident on her pretty face.
"Especially his absolute defense technique, Shinra Tensei! It's truly awe-inspiring."
Makino, nodding gently, added her agreement. "I remember Ethan mentioning that he's pushed the repelling fruit's abilities to their limit, culminating in the ultimate technique: repelling death!"
"If Ethan masters this skill, he'll be invincible. Even if the world crumbles, he'll endure, becoming an eternal presence!"
Kaya, gazing at Ethan with pure sweetness, chimed in. "He is simply the best, he'll surely achieve it, Hehehe~~"
Just then, an alarm sounded from outside.
"Report..."
"Ahead is the Drum Kingdom, whether to land or not! Ahead is..."
Nami leaned her wooden sword against her, taking a moment to catch her breath before bursting into laughter. "Finally, the Drum Kingdom!"
"Next stop, Alabasta, where we'll face off against Shichibukai Crocodile, Hahaha~~"
Princess Vivi nodded, her smile gentle as she spoke. "The journey from the Drum Kingdom to Alabasta is short. We'll arrive soon."
Robin, engrossed in the Devil Fruit illustrated book, couldn't tear herself away. With a faint smile, she spoke with intellect and elegance. "Indeed, Crocodile's days are numbered."
At this moment, Ethan stood with his back to them, his demeanor as composed as ever. "Inform the crew and set a course directly for Alabasta."
Ethan was well aware of what the Drum Kingdom had to offer. Its inhabitants and affairs held little interest; there was no valuable information to be gleaned nor any potential crew members to recruit.
Therefore, the stop at the Drum Kingdom was deemed inconsequential.
"You all continue with your training. I'll step out for a moment, just for a stroll, Hehehehe."
Carina's smile was sweet and mischievous, adding a lively and charming touch to the atmosphere.
Perona bobbed up and down in the air, a smile playing on her lips. "Let's go together, the princess is heading out too."
With that, the two chatted animatedly as they made their way outside.
Honey Queen leaned against the table, wiping her hands. "It seems Ethan knows the Drum Kingdom well."
"Otherwise, why would he choose to bypass it instead of making a stop?"
Betty, cigarette in hand, practiced her Devil Fruit abilities, casually waving a banner. "Skipping it is fine. No need to waste time. The best course of action is to keep moving forward."
Moodie shrugged, a smile on her lips. "I recall Vivi mentioning that the Drum Kingdom is renowned for its medical prowess. If there's a chance, I'd love to see it."
"But since Ethan has decided otherwise, we'll just have to wait for another opportunity."
Alvida took a sip of water, her smile sweet. "The fleet must press on and venture into the New World."
"If we ever want to revisit these places, it'll be years down the line. It's inevitable."
Desire ran a hand through his red and yellow hair, speaking casually. "The sea is vast. We can't stop at every island."
Reiju glanced at Baccarat, her expression solemn. "If Ethan has made the call, then there must be nothing noteworthy about the Drum Kingdom, correct?"
"I don't feel particularly disappointed. It doesn't seem worth the stop," Baccarat replied with a slight smile, her elegance and luxury enviable.
Above deck, Burgess rose to his feet, laughing heartily. "Let's go! Alabasta awaits, our destination at last! Wiiihahahaha..."
Doc Q reclined in his chair, chuckling softly. "From the South Blue, across the globe, and now we've arrived on the other shore. Hehe~~"
"I feel my blood boiling with anticipation. I can't wait to meet the Shichibukai," Gin exclaimed as he wielded his tonfas, practicing Armament Haki.
Suddenly, footsteps approached, and Carina appeared, wearing a smile. "Ethan has ordered us to set sail directly for Alabasta. The Drum Kingdom is of no concern to us."
Hearing her words, Kuro adjusted his glasses thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with insight. "It seems the Drum Kingdom holds nothing of value for us, so the captain chose to bypass it."
Bartolomeo chuckled, twirling his nose ring. "That's the way to go! Let's reach our destination early and get into the action."
As a doctor, Law might have been interested in the Drum Kingdom's renowned medical facilities, but he spoke with a detached tone. "Though I'm curious about the Drum Kingdom if the captain says otherwise, we'll have to wait for another opportunity."
"After all, the captain decides the ship's course."
Lafitte adjusted his top hat, maintaining his polite demeanor. "The captain must have his reasons for this decision, so it's not for us to question."
"Since we're bypassing the Drum Kingdom, Alabasta is our next stop. It's where our journey to fame truly begins."
"It's been a long time coming, and it's finally happening. I can't wait," he added with enthusiasm.
Van Augur tapped his shoulder with his gun, his expression unreadable. "The next stop marks another turning point in our fate!"
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Titles of the next chapters. (Spoilers)
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114-115:Arriving at Arabasta and Going directly to find Crocodile.
116-117: Onigumo starts to hunt Ethan
118-119: Crocodile Debut.