Chapter 186: The Beginning of a Major Event
"Marine Admirals?"
Law thought for a moment, realizing that it was expected, considering what Luffy did to the Celestial Dragons. It was only a matter of time before the Marine Admirals got involved.
Sabaody Archipelago wasn't far from Marine Headquarters.
Thinking this, Law's expression darkened.
"Bepo!"
An orange figure suddenly dashed out from somewhere, swiftly knocking over a group of Marines. It was a white bear dressed in an orange work suit, appearing in a graceful crane-like posture.
"Huh-ba!"
"Oh, are you furballs too? Pets and the Straw Hat crew's pets all seem to enjoy fighting. I remember your pets were worth 500 Berries," Rodney said, stroking his chin. Just like Chopper, Pepo was classified as a pet by the Marines, despite their staggering combat capabilities, worth billions.
"I'm the captain's crew member!" Bepo, the furball, retorted.
"Is that so? I thought you were a pet," Rodney chuckled.
"Alright, Bepo, we need to leave."
He then shifted his gaze to a tall slave sitting nearby. This slave was brought by the Celestial Dragons, and it seemed like they could become an asset.
"Yes, Captain!"
As they were talking, a yellow light suddenly flew towards them, creating a small explosion behind them. A towering and burly figure emerged, wearing a somewhat ridiculous bear-eared hat. His fluffy hair was flattened by the hat, and only the whites of his eyes were visible, giving him an eerie and emotionless appearance.
His arrival prompted Law to mutter, "Shichibukai, Bartholomew Kuma!"
Bartholomew Kuma, the former king of Sorbet Kingdom, is known as the "Tyrant." He was a ruthless pirate with a former bounty of 296 million Berries, a user of the Paw-Paw Fruit, which allowed him to repel anything, including fatigue and pain. He could even repel air, achieving near-light-speed movement and spatial displacement.
He was an undercover agent for the Revolutionary Army, having contact with the genius scientist Vegapunk. Vegapunk gradually turned him into an emotionless cyborg, but the exact purpose remained unclear.
Law thought it was a considerable loss to send Kuma undercover, especially considering his incredible abilities. Repelling pain and fatigue alone made him invaluable as a support.
Rodney commented, "Fake. The real Kuma wouldn't be this weak, and he's a Paw-Paw Fruit user. He always wears gloves and carries a Bible."
These replicas were created by the Marine's science division and were pacifistic in nature. The specific model wasn't clear.
"Fake?"
Law raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't you going to help Straw Hat? Don't you know him? You guys are friends, right?"
"Knowing someone doesn't mean you have to step in. This kid hasn't faced real hardships yet. Let him experience the taste of being beaten by society. Otherwise, he'll be too headstrong and won't survive in the New World."
"Do you have a lot of confidence in Straw Hat?"
"Sort of. Hehehe, I'm looking forward to seeing him get beaten up. Not everyone he encounters can be easily dealt with. People who don't know their place often meet miserable ends," he chuckled maliciously.
But Luffy needed to face setbacks; otherwise, he wouldn't survive in the New World. It was his own way of caring for him, thanks to the hundreds of episodes they'd spent together.
Why was it getting more interesting the more he thought about it?
Seeing the uncontrollable smile on Rodney's face, Law felt a chill run down his spine. This man was clearly unhinged.
"I'll be going now. I'll consider your proposal," Law finally said.
"Oh, take this. You can find me directly at Avallon," Rodney said, tossing him a book.
Law received the book, glanced at the cover, which read "Icha Icha Paradise," and raised an eyebrow.
Law: ??
He could tell it wasn't a serious book but decided to keep it. He left with his new companions and Bepo.
Meanwhile, the headstrong Kid had already clashed with the pacifistic replicas. He used his magnetic powers to attract metal objects and formed a steel hand to strike at the replicas.
"Ula!"
"Mr. Rodney?! It's great to see you here!"
Nami, still shaken, emerged with the help of Usopp and the others, wearing a collar around her neck.
Seeing this, Rodney understood the situation. Nami must have been captured by the people at the Human Auctioning House, brought here, and then the Straw Hat crew stormed in, leading to the current Marine presence.
"I've unlocked it. Be careful; things are about to get chaotic," Rodney warned.
"Isn't it safer with Mr. Rodney here?" Usopp asked.
Zoro chimed in, "This is our adventure, not his. He's already done enough by helping us. We need to take responsibility for our actions."
Hearing Zoro's words, Rodney silently nodded and left the scene, heading towards the commercial district.
There, a battle had already erupted.
A tall man in a Justice cape, a yellow striped suit, teacup glasses, and standing over three meters tall confronted a golden-haired man sitting by a fountain, using tarot cards for divination.
"Have you seen someone named…"
The golden-haired man continued to divine without paying attention to the tall man. His face, usually expressionless, displayed a strange look.
"This is the first time I've seen such a reading. Escape rate 100%, death rate 100%, yet no signs of death."
He paused his divination and replied to the tall man's question, "I don't know the person you're talking about."
"Is that so? I can't afford to lose him. Since I have some free time, I won't let my guard down when I meet you, Pirate Captain and 'Divination Specialist' Basil Hawkins! Speed equals weight! Have you ever been kicked at light speed?"
He raised his long leg, and his face emitted a golden light. In an astonishing display of speed, he aimed a kick at Hawkins' head.
Boom!
Hawkins was sent flying into a nearby building. The tall man then raised a single finger, and golden light shone from it, creating a laser beam that shot toward Hawkins.
Boom!
Another explosion occurred!
"Oh, it's Borsalino, Admiral Kizaru! You really go all out," Rodney landed next to him and commented.
Kizaru, one of the Marine Admirals, had eaten the Glint-Glint Fruit. Nicknamed "Borsalino," he was a laid-back, ambivalent man. He loved to follow a nine-to-five work schedule, take tea breaks, and trim his nails during work hours.
On Sundays, he acted as a kindergarten headmaster, and in the evenings, he danced to PPAP…
(TL/N: He does look like that guy who sang PPAP)
"Oh, isn't this Shicibukai Rodney? What brings you here? I recall you were on vacation here. Such a leisurely life you lead, it's truly enviable," Kizaru's voice dragged on, making it difficult to discern his emotions. But his aura clearly gave away his "slacker" demeanor.