Capítulo 54: Chapter 54: Family Support
"Tch, you managed to get ahead of me?"
As Rosinante was approaching the docks, he halted in his tracks.
In front of him stood a youth in a black suit, sporting a floral scarf and short, slightly curled black hair.
Celnior Pick,
He must have rushed over from the orphanage, and the fact that he had intercepted Rosinante indicated that he had already consumed the 'Water-Water Fruit,' right?
The Water-Water Fruit, despite its name sounding like a 'Nature type,' was not one.
This ability could turn a portion of the ground or a wall into a watery ripple-like substance. The user could freely dive into this watery surface or wall, moving through it as though swimming and utilizing it for swift interdimensional movement.
In simple terms, you could think of this ability as a Devil Fruit version of 'Nimbus.'
Or it might be more fitting to call it the 'Swimming Fruit.'
Because he could swim straight through solid ground, he was able to block Rosinante's path.
"It's unnecessary for you to say anything, because we'll be leaving this city soon."
Since Rosinante had already decided not to wade into this mess, she had no intention of engaging with the other person.
Whether Pick was a CP3 agent, an orphanage prodigy, or a role as the Queen's guard—it was all irrelevant to Rosinante!
"Wait."
Although Rosinante didn't want to create complications, the young man before her had a different perspective.
Stepping to the side, Pick blocked Rosinante's path and assumed an attacking stance.
"Infiltrating the orphanage, getting close to Miss Joira twice—what's your purpose?"
Tch, if it weren't for you CP3 people showing up, who would be bothered to investigate the orphanage?
"What purpose would I have?"
"Hmph, do you even have the right to question me?"
Since the other party had already taken an aggressive stance, and Rosinante's mood wasn't good to begin with, she had no patience for small talk. She stepped forward, throwing a punch directly at Pick!
After receiving sufficient nourishment, Rosinante's body had entered a rapid growth phase.
Keep in mind that more than twenty years later, Rosinante would stand at a towering 'super-tall' height of over 4 meters. Even now, her appearance made her look like a teenager of around 10 years old.
Hoo—
Her fist created a dull sonic boom as it shot through the air.
Although it was a simple straight punch, Rosinante's current strength was such that "one punch to kill a bull" wasn't just a boast; it was a straightforward reality.
Thud!
Her fist landed solidly on Pick's face, but Rosinante couldn't help feeling surprised.
It shouldn't be possible; Pick was a CP3 agent, so there's no way he couldn't avoid even this kind of punch—
Allowing Rosinante's fist to strike his face, Pick's hands grabbed Rosinante's arm at the same time. He then suddenly pivoted, tripping Rosinante and sending her off balance, smashing her harshly into a nearby concrete railing.
So that's how it is.
In the corner of her eyes, the blunt angle of the concrete railing rapidly grew larger. It suddenly hit her.
Allow the opponent to attack, then, in the moment of the opponent's pause, seize them and slam them into the ground or a building. This was the fighting style of a professional wrestler.
Smack!
However, this fierce move didn't manage to harm Rosinante. Just before making contact with the concrete railing, Rosinante had adjusted her posture in midair.
She pressed her hand against the railing, and then her five fingers began to curl. Her palm touched the concrete, and finally, her elbow joint began to bend—layer upon layer of cushioning, dissipating the brutal impact.
?!
"My turn—"
The arm that had been caught by the opponent suddenly swelled up and then instantly shrank!
Her muscles undulated like snakes slithering, forcefully breaking free from Pick's grasp. At the same time, her entire body traced a half-circle through the air, maneuvering out of Pick's line of sight and circling behind him.
"Take this!"
Both arms encircled Pick's waist, her leg muscles tightened abruptly, and she exerted force! Rosinante lifted Pick off the ground, then tilted her head back and hurled him forcefully backward.
A belly-to-back suplex,
None other than the renowned 'German Suplex'!
Splat,
As Pick's occiput and the ground firmly 'kissed' each other, a deep pit was forcefully carved into the cement floor!
"Just as I thought..."
The cement ground formed a neatly circular 'ring' depression, and half of Pick's head disappeared into it.
The scene had a somewhat comedic vibe, but if it weren't for Rosinante's understanding of the opponent's ability and her immediate response, this suplex could have ended up injuring her own neck.
The Water-Water Fruit was most suited for assassination!
In the face of this Devil Fruit, whether it was a fortress of steel or a sturdy castle, they were all like paper tigers. In terms of infiltration, it might even be more formidable than the 'Invisibility Fruit.'
As Pick's entire upper body 'sank' into the cement, Rosinante had to release him and roll away.
"Devil Fruit user?"
Rosinante smirked, knowingly asking,
"I thought you wanted to have a tough guy brawl with me, exchanging punches and kicks."
"...I apologize."
With his upper body immersed in the rippling cement, Pick turned to face Rosinante, his face showing a trace of solemnity.
"If possible, I would like to engage in a man-to-man fight with you."
"But my identity doesn't permit me to do so,"
Squelch,
He finished speaking and his entire body sank downward, vanishing into the ground. As the ripples on the cement ground gradually settled, Pick completely disappeared underground.
Left behind in a vigilant stance, Rosinante didn't know from which direction the attack would come!
"Do you think I'm helpless because you've gone underground?"
In a few strides, she sprinted toward a nearby lamppost, leaped up, and caught hold of the lampshade, nimbly flipping onto the top of the lamppost.
While the Water-Water Fruit allowed Pick to move through all matter as if 'swimming,' just as whales couldn't splash around in a small puddle, he couldn't activate his ability within substances significantly smaller than himself.
But where is he?
With Pick's 'field of view' as he roamed through the earth, it was roughly akin to seeing through murky water. Originally, she had only seen a silhouette, and after she had sprinted several steps, no traces were left behind.
Did he stop on top of a building?
Squelch,
The youth with black, wavy hair poked his head out from beneath the cement ground, looking at Rosinante atop the lamppost with a speechless expression.
Although it was her first battle, she had already quickly found a way to counter his ability.
Now things were troublesome...
"Troublesome,"
Rosinante, who was crouching on the lamppost, furrowed her brow in displeasure. If she had consumed the 'Thread-Thread Fruit,' she could simply cover the ground with threads and wait for the opponent to 'walk into her trap.'
However, against someone like Pick, who could easily infiltrate the ground and buildings, the Silence Fruit... had almost no effect.
After a probing exchange, both sides realized that the other was a formidable opponent.
"Let me say it again: I'm not interested in what's about to happen here."
While contemplating how to deal with the 'Water-Water Fruit,' Rosinante impatiently put all her cards on the table.
"I won't delve into the issues of this city, and I hope you won't persist."
"...It seems you indeed know a lot."
From Rosinante's implications and words, Pick understood that she was aware of the impending 'disaster' the city was about to face. Ironically, Pick was partially responsible for this disaster.
"I understand,"
His entire body emerged from the ground, and he stood solidly on the cement floor. Having realized Rosinante had no intention of harming 'Miss Joira,' Pick now understood her stance.
She was a passerby who had unintentionally learned the truth and simply wanted to leave this place of trouble.
Moreover, the arrow was already on the bowstring; even if someone discovered the truth, what difference would it make?
"Good to know."
Since the other party no longer had the desire to continue the fight, Rosinante leaped down from the lamppost.
"Well then, goodbye... no, farewell."
Just as Rosinante was about to turn and leave, a voice suddenly sounded from behind.
?
"Although I don't know who you are, I would like to ask you for a favor."
Rosinante turned her head and saw Pick kneeling on both knees, facing her.
??
"Hey, what kind of act are you putting on now?"
————
Don Quixote's Ship,
"Rosinante, what's wrong with you?"
With a stern expression, Rosinante pushed open the door to the captain's cabin and walked in, prompting Doflamingo to raise an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Don't even mention it. I've run into a whole heap of troublesome matters—"
From the information obtained from the orphanage, it was clear that at this point in time, "Polyziaño Joira" was undoubtedly a good person. The reason she would later become the annoying, self-centered, cruel, and neurotic Big Mom was most likely due to this catastrophe.
As for Señor Pick, he was currently a member of CP3. However, since he would later become one of the executives of the Donquixote Family alongside Joira, it was likely that he would betray the World Government in the events that were about to unfold...
Perhaps it was precisely because of this upcoming 'betrayal'—not a betrayal of the CP organization, but a betrayal of Joira's trust—that Señor Pick subconsciously concealed his true identity from his wife in the future, leading to a series of tragedies.
Just moments ago, when faced with Pick's request to 'take away' Joira while he kneeled, Rosinante had inexplicably not refused.
"Huff, huff, huff, I know what's troubling you."
Setting down the book in his hands, Doflamingo pushed up his sunglasses.
"Rosinante, do you want to help this city resist the pirates, right?"
...
"I mean, seriously?!"
Torreborl turned her head with an astonished expression,
"That's like more than ten pirate crews, plus strong individuals like the 'White Dragon' Barufu Tani! Rosinante, are you sure you're not running a fever—"
In response to Torreborl extending her hand, Rosinante rolled her eyes.
"Stop messing around. I know the opponents are strong..."
If it were just random people, Rosinante might not have hesitated this much. However, in the 'original' timeline, Joira and Pick would become executives of the Donquixote Family.
Knowing both of them were genuinely 'good people' made Rosinante even more conflicted.
To help or not to help, that was the question.
"Doflamingo, what's your take?"
With her sword in her arms, Diamondtii looked to Doflamingo. As for Vergo and Pica, they belonged to the category of those who followed the 'whatever you say, we do' principle, still in the age of 'you guys say what we do.'
Not everyone matured as early as Rosinante and Doflamingo.
"Doffy, of course—"
"Stay back and witness the grandeur of the North Sea's number one pirate!"
???
Amid the surprised expressions of the others, Doflamingo propped up one leg, his aura of a warlord slowly revealing itself.
"If this city wins, we can build a favor with them, laying the groundwork for future maritime trade. If the Pirate Alliance prevails, we'll seize the opportunity to plunder during the chaos and compensate for our cargo losses!"
"As for the detailed plan... that's your task, Rosinante."
"Doffy, you're spoiling Rosinante too much..."
Torreborl, who didn't want to face the legendary North Sea 'White Dragon' Barufu Tani, subconsciously muttered a complaint, but Doflamingo just chuckled.
"Who said Rosinante is my brother? Besides, I don't want to flee all gloomy like that—what are your opinions?"
"I agree with staying,"
The high-pitched and sharp-voiced Pica was the first to voice her agreement.
"I also agree,"
The solemn Vergo followed suit.
"To be honest, compared to challenging powerful opponents, I prefer 'bullying the weak.'"
Facing the family members present, Diamondtii expressed her sentiment without any care. But then again, everyone was saying the same thing—
"You all call me a genius, so I'll be the one to face the 'White Dragon' Barufu Tani!!"
No, no, no, nobody called you a genius, come on...
"What should I say about you guys..."
Torreborl, wearing small sunglasses, rolled her eyes. Since everyone else had decided to 'test' the Pirate Alliance that was about to attack this city, she naturally could only—
"Fine, let's use those guys as stepping stones for the fame of our Donquixote Family!!"
The Donquixote Family unanimously voted to stay and witness the future of this city.
And the reason? It was all for Rosinante alone!
"...Thank you,"
Rosinante looked around. After all, wanting to help this city or change Joira and Pick's fate was just her wishful thinking.
However, whether it was Doflamingo, Pica, Vergo, Torreborl, or Diamondtii, they all chose to unconditionally assist her.
—And none of them even asked for a reason!
"What's with the thanks? Quickly come up with a detailed plan~~"
————
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(End of this chapter)
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