Chapter 121: Concerning Vander Decken IX
Boom!
The Ryugu Palace shook, and King Neptune raised his head, furrowing his brow. "Again? How many times is this now?"
Fukaboshi, with a cold snort, remarked, "That guy! I hope I never find him, or I'll make him experience the power of Fish-Man Karate!"
Rodney looked puzzled and asked, "What's going on? Is someone attacking the Ryugu Palace?"
King Neptune sighed and replied, "It's just a petty thief. Please don't worry, Mr. Rodney. It's our concern on Fish-Man Island, and we'll handle it. Next, the Ryugu Palace will hold a banquet to thank you for your assistance."
"That's not a problem. Oh, by the way, when I arrived here, I heard about a pervert who's been threatening and intimidating the princess for ten years, preventing her from leaving her room, right?"
"Well..."
Shirahoshi's situation was not a secret on Fish-Man Island, and a little inquiry would reveal it. King Neptune shook his head and sighed, "Today, Mr. Jinbei and I were discussing this matter. That's why we delayed you. But we can't do anything about it. That guy... sigh."
Helplessly, they all sighed. Rodney asked, "That guy is called Vander Decken, right? I recall hearing that he has a bounty here, am I correct?"
"That's correct. Because he's been harassing our princess for ten years, we've been pursuing him. The bounty is 450 million belles! Mr. Rodney, are you...?"
"Yes, I'll take this job!" Rodney patted his chest and declared, "As long as you pay the reward, I can catch that guy!"
"Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Rodney. It's really dangerous, though. That man possesses the 'Mark-Mark Curse,' which never misses. If he targets you, it's a perilous situation for you," King Neptune firmly refused, not wanting their benefactor to take risks.
"The Mark-Mark Curse? Isn't that from the Paramecia Devil Fruit, the Mark-Mark Fruit? What's there to fear?"
Vander Decken had consumed a Paramecia Devil Fruit, allowing him to touch a target and record their information with his hand. His ten fingers could record information on ten different people.
After acquiring a target, any item he threw would automatically track the target until the ends of the earth. However, if it was obstructed or destroyed along the way, the tracking would cease.
Honestly, given the right cover, this ability had limitations, but what made it formidable was that objects thrown with this ability required minimal force to hit their target with tremendous force.
For the past seven or eight years, Vander Decken had relentlessly pursued Shirahoshi. Starting with love letters and now more aggressive tactics, he had sent countless gifts. From courtship to threats, he was persistent but also loathsome.
It's worth noting that seven or eight years ago, Shirahoshi was only six years old. Despite inheriting her father's enormous body, she was just a crying little girl. A pervert like Vander Decken would be imprisoned for touching her.
Once, when Queen Otohime passed away, Vander Decken secretly touched the young Shirahoshi. Since then, to avoid losing her location, he had been wearing gloves and hadn't washed his hands.
Well, his hands were really dirty.
When he said he wouldn't wash his hands, he meant it. That was Vander Decken's obsession!
"I've always suspected that guy had a Devil Fruit power. It seems my intelligence network was right about that," Jinbei felt that there was no privacy for Fish-Man Island in front of this man.
What a terrifying intelligence network! He couldn't help but shiver. Was Fish-Man Island under surveillance? Or was he actually a Celestial Dragon, commanding even CP, the elusive Cipher Pol?
His rapid rise to become one of the Shichibukai could be explained by this.
Jinbei wondered what exactly went through Vander Decken's mind. Rodney said, "There's nothing to fear from a Devil Fruit. It's just that you've been unable to find him, which makes it troublesome."
Vander Decken's elusiveness was the most troublesome aspect. Otherwise, with Shirahoshi around, he would have been dealt with already.
"That's right, and it's precisely because of this that he's been eluding capture!"
King Neptune slammed his fist on the armrest, frustrated that his daughter had to remain confined in the Hard-Shell Tower, making him feel ashamed of his wife and daughter.
"Well then, since we can't find him, let's make him come to us," Rodney revealed a confident smile and said softly, "That kind of person should just die. A Fish-Man who ate a Devil Fruit and lost one of Fish-Man's greatest advantages. He traded sesame for watermelon!"
If it were a Logia Devil Fruit, it would be no big deal to eat it without hesitation. But Vander Decken had eaten the Mark-Mark Fruit, which wasn't a bad fruit per se. The problem was that he had no idea how to use it. Was this how you were supposed to use the Mark-Mark Fruit?
This incredible ability was used by Vander Decken to send love letters. Once you touch the target, you can hide anywhere in the world and throw objects at the target.
The target wouldn't even know who was doing it. Although buildings might obstruct the projectiles, not every building was as hard to penetrate as the Hard-Shell Tower.
Just throw heavier objects, and under the influence of gravity, they would have considerable destructive power. If you used sharp objects, it would be even more dangerous.
You could throw cannonballs with ease. One hundred percent accuracy. With some training, you could throw a basketful in one breath. What about a mobile artillery platform?
Fish-Men had robust physiques, and Fish-Man Karate and Fish-Man Jujutsu were potent martial arts. With rigorous training, they could possess significant strength. Shirahoshi's strength was also notable in this world.
Rodney pounded his chest, saying, "Leave it to me. This minor difficulty is the easiest for me. I tell you all, this is my profession. As long as you pay, I'll take this job!"
The group exchanged glances, and Shirahoshi coughed and asked, "So, Mr. Rodney, what's your plan?"
"Like this."
With a bang, Rodney transformed into "Shirahoshi," leaving the five of them dumbfounded.
"Another... Shirahoshi?!"
"Huh? Why is there another Shirahoshi here?"
"Idiot! That's Mr. Rodney!"
"Shirahoshi" spoke in a rough voice, "I have the ability to transform into other people. Once I meet the princess and take on her appearance, I'll lure him out and then... snap!"
He made a beheading gesture, and Shirahoshi nodded in understanding.
He said, "This way, we can ensure the safety of Princess Shirahoshi and lure Vander Decken out. It's a win-win. Your Majesty, what do you think?"
King Neptune was still hesitating, concerned for Rodney's safety. Shirahoshi knew what this kind and generous king was worried about and reminded him, "Your Majesty, Mr. Rodney is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, just like me. How could he be harmed by someone as insignificant as Vander Decken?"
This reminder made King Neptune realize that Rodney's strength was assured. He had eliminated two Warlords, and his power was undeniable. Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "Very well, we entrust this task to you, Mr. Rodney. Please allow my daughter to experience the outside world."
Shirahoshi was the Ancient Weapon "Poseidon," the ruler of all Sea Kings!
She possessed the power to control all Sea Kings, although she couldn't fully control it yet. The first time she used this power, she summoned a massive Sea King, which Vander Decken and Hody Jones witnessed at the time.
Hody Jones aimed to destroy this power, while Vander Decken sought to obtain it because it was the power his ancestor, Vander Decken I, had pursued for generations. Legend had it that the mermaid princess who could control Sea Kings would control the world, and he wanted to marry Shiraoshi!
People like him deserved to die!