Kapitel 167: Chapter 167
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A few months ago, the port town of Firth, which had been half-destroyed by the Black Cat Pirates, had now recovered to a new level of prosperity. (If the name is different don't blame me, author doesn't really remember the names he put to the OC towns.)
Through somewhat less-than-honorable means, they successfully persuaded the surrounding town residents to join the Axis Cult, turning the place into the "Sanctuary of the Water Goddess."
At the center of the town stood a statue several meters high, depicting Aqua in a solemn and dignified pose.
The clean, tiled harbor was bustling with activity when a group of fierce-looking pirates arrived, seeking to "purchase" supplies. Of course, by "purchase," they meant extorting or outright stealing.
In this turbulent world of the Grand Line, there were few true adventurers and many more marauding pirates.
"Captain, this town has just developed. If we take out the defenses, all the money and women will be ours!"
"Ha ha ha! I heard the Marines stationed here couldn't handle the crazy townsfolk and left. This is a golden opportunity for us!"
Led by their captain, the pirates laughed without restraint, as if the town's wealth was already theirs.
However, what this pirate crew, with a total bounty of 3.3 million Berries, didn't expect was that as soon as they entered the bustling main street, they were surrounded by a dozen civilians holding strange application forms.
The townsfolk weren't scared by the pirates?
"Hey, are you pirates? You are, right? Come, come, I've been waiting for you. Please fill out this form!"
The speaker was a slender, sexy woman—though the perverse glint in her eyes was quite unsettling.
For some reason, the pirate captain felt a strong sense of unease.
Before he could react, the woman was already in front of him, holding his hand with her soft, delicate fingers.
"Unhand me, woman! I'm a pirate—wait, this strength?!"
Just as he was about to get angry, the pirate captain was shocked to find he couldn't easily break free from her grip!
(Those who believe in Aqua receive slight blessings, not overly exaggerated but comparable to minor benefits like Belo Betty's fruit.)
"Don't be shy. Once you come to Firth Town, you become a follower of the Axis Cult. Fill out this form and stay here to live a harmonious and happy life!"
The woman smiled, her eyes forming crescents, as she forcibly shoved the application form into his hands.
The people behind her crowded in, their smiles sinister as they surrounded the pirates.
Since discovering that faith in Aqua granted physical enhancements strong enough to repel pirates, the townsfolk's behavior had become increasingly bizarre.
"Are you kidding? I'm 'Iron Mountain' Maiteniki with a bounty of 2.5 million for two years!"
The pirate captain roared, forcibly breaking free from the woman's grasp, and drew his large cutlass.
Just as he was about to strike, a metal ball with a handle crashed into the ground in front of him, creating deep cracks.
"Believe me, this place is a better home for you than the seas where you burn, kill, and loot. Try to become a good person."
A lean, dark-skinned man with a shaved head approached, his gaze sharp and intense.
That was...
The former battle commander of the Krieg Pirates, Gin!
Recognizing the man, Maiteniki broke into a cold sweat, his raised cutlass frozen in the air.
Though unsure why Gin, with a bounty of over ten million, was here, Maiteniki knew he wouldn't make it out of this town alive today.
"Come on, comrade, take a look at this sacred, noble photograph."
The woman pulled out a wanted poster from her unknown cleavage.
Forced by Gin's intimidation, Maiteniki glanced at it.
The ruthless pirate captain immediately went weak at the knees, collapsing to the ground.
"Two...two hundred and twenty million, Aqua the Water Witch?!"
Thump, thump!
He was struck on the head twice.
"What witch? Some idiot must've printed it wrong!"
"Look closely, this is Aqua the Water Goddess, your new object of worship."
Seeing the pirate captain still dazed, the woman's smile vanished, and she shouted, "Do you understand?!"
"Y-yes."
Maiteniki nodded weakly, tears welling in his fierce eyes.
Who would understand his plight? He just wanted to rob and take a few women!
Swallowing his humiliation and resentment, he took the pen they handed him and signed his name in tears.
The contract was thus sealed.
Although the current level of faith was minimal, it would grow strong under the town's fervent worship.
Far away on the Grand Line, Zyhark, who was probably dreaming, had no idea that the lazy Aqua, like the diligent King and Meowth, was also growing stronger!
The difference was that Aqua's strength came from her fanatical followers...
Elsewhere in the East Blue
Those who had crossed paths with Zyhark and Aqua, such as Zoro and Kuina in Shimotsuki Village, Nami in Orange Town, and the villagers of Windmill Village, were all shocked and worried by Zyhark and Aqua's attack on the Celestial Dragons.
Yet, they were also glad that these two had become stronger and found reliable companions.
In Windmill Village, the villagers celebrated Zyhark and Aqua's safe escape with a grand feast.
On Mt. Colubo, with the Dadan Family of mountain bandits:
"Ha ha ha, Lin Zhi and Aqua finally became powerful pirates!"
Little Luffy grinned, holding up the wanted posters of the sea restaurant crew.
"Luffy, Zyhark, and Aqua only attacked the World Nobles. That doesn't necessarily make them pirates."
Makino, the barmaid with a headscarf, gently corrected him.
She glanced at the high bounty amounts on the posters, worried about Zyhark and Aqua's safety.
Meanwhile, on a distant clearing, Ace, with a grass stem in his mouth, leaned against a tree.
Seeing Luffy, who ignored Makino's explanation, jumping around with excitement, Ace frowned.
For some reason, his younger brother had grown incredibly strong recently, almost matching him in arm wrestling!
Ace wasn't jealous—if Luffy became stronger, then he, as his older brother, would simply become even stronger!
Still, Ace couldn't understand how Luffy, who had been no match for him a few months ago, had become so powerful.
Could it be because Luffy ate one more bowl of rice each day?
Unable to figure it out, Ace sighed and picked up the newspaper that had arrived with the wanted posters.
The article about the Celestial Dragons made his eyes complex, with a touch of gratitude.
Unbeknownst to Zyhark, who had killed the Celestial Dragon Charlos, he had indirectly avenged Sabo's death.
So, that debt is now settled.
Ace wondered how Sabo was doing in heaven, probably still striving to become a world-famous pirate.
Thinking of Sabo's determined face, even the usually stoic Ace couldn't help but smile.
After all, that was their long-standing promise.
Ace had no idea that Sabo, who he missed so dearly, was now welcoming a new life on a hidden island in the Grand Line.
Revolutionary Army Headquarters
"What's wrong, Sabo boy? Even if Dragon and Kuma are very impressed by this newcomer, Zyhark, there's no need to stare at it for so long."
The Okama King, Ivankov, watched Sabo with concern as he stared intently at the newly delivered wanted poster, sweat pouring from his forehead.
The boy Dragon had saved from the East Blue had great talent, but had lost some of his memory due to head injuries in an explosion.
Ivankov was worried about Sabo's mental state.
The mention of "Zyhark" seemed to be the final straw, breaking through the barriers in Sabo's mind.
The memories of Goa Kingdom, the trash heap, the bandit group, Ace and Luffy, and the damned restaurant owner came flooding back, tearing at Sabo's nerves and making him howl in pain.
Ivankov and Kuma rushed to check on him.
The gentle Kuma removed his gloves, ready to use his Paw-Paw Fruit ability to expel Sabo's pain and endure it himself.
But Sabo, clutching his head and shouting, gradually calmed down.
"I remember! I remember everything!"
As Ivankov and Kuma looked on in confusion, the now fully remembered Sabo grabbed the wanted poster from the table and yelled:
"That bastard Zyhark, the unscrupulous restaurant owner, give back the money Ace and I worked so hard to earn!!!"
...
Meanwhile, on the Endless Dream, sipping tea and reading the newspaper, Zyhark suddenly sneezed.
"Strange, is someone thinking of me? Well, after all, I did kill a Celestial Dragon. It's normal for people to secretly admire me."
He muttered to himself, unconcerned, as he took another sip of tea and continued reading the articles.
It was clear that his decision to establish good relations with Morgans in advance was very wise.
Normally, the World Government would have painted them as heinous criminals, but thanks to the ambiguous language of the articles, their actions seemed almost heroic.
For those non-member nations oppressed by the Celestial Dragons, he was a hero of absolute justice!
Whatever the case, Morgans' goodwill was evident.
Whether Morgans was sweating under the World Government's pressure, Zyhark didn't know, but he was sure the "Water Witch" on Aqua's wanted poster would infuriate her.
(End of Chapter)
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein