Bab 72: Lamenting Lame Antagonists #72
"So this is the Red Port..." I muttered, my eyes widening as I noted the port town on the horizon ahead of the ship. "It looks surprisingly peaceful..." I added as I shielded my eyes from the sun and squinted to get a better look.
The Red Port was a sight to behold, and as we sailed closer, I couldn't help but marvel at its unique appearance. The town was seemingly built on two Yarukiman Mangroves, giving it the same properties as Sabaody Archipelago, with occasional bubbles floating in the area.
As we approached the shore, I saw a large ship's bow structure with the World Government symbol under its bowsprit, surrounded by smaller ports for ships.
Beyond the town, I could see the towering Red Line, which seemed to loom over the port like a guardian, a reminder that we were entering dangerous territory and the Red Port was just the gateway to the treacherous New World.
But what caught my attention the most were the Bondolas, the port's most distinct feature. These two large vessels made of bubbles were connected by wires, acting as lifts back and forth from Marijoa at the top of the Red Line.
They were an impressive sight, capable of carrying even the largest of ships, including those of royals and their parties. The numbered "1" and "2" Bondolas at the Paradise port were impossible to miss. They symbolized the port's importance as a link between the Grand Line and the New World.
As we drew closer, I could say the rough outline of the port town. The low buildings with cylindrical roofs were eye-catching, and I could make out at least one decorated with intricate Chinese designs, likely a shop or a restaurant. ship
Finally, there were Smaller ports for ships arranged around it, making it clear that this was a bustling harbor, evidenced by the many vessels brandishing the flags of various world-government-affiliated counties as they sailed toward them.
"Don't let appearance fool you, brat..." Garp calmly said, interrupting my line of thought as he walked up to me from behind. "This place is rotten to the core and so is Marijoa..." He added as he stopped beside me in the ship's bow and crossed his arms.
"Say, brat...." The vice admiral said with a frown, trailing at the end of his sentence. "Do you know why I brought you here with me today?" as he gave me a side glance, sounding surprisingly solemn, much to my surprise.
"I honestly have no idea..." I said as I scratched my head. "But if I had to guess, I'd say you enjoy watching me suffer..." I added with a shrug.
"If only it were simple..." Garp said, shaking his head. "I'm afraid nothing is... as marines, it is our duty to protect the innocent and the helpless..." He added as he turned away from me and gazed at the Red Line.
"The truth of our reality is not so straightforward... you've witnessed the darker side of the marine for yourself in South Blue..." The vice admiral said. "And as much as I hate to admit it... you've only scratched the surface..." He added with a sigh.
"I brought you here today to see the truth of our world for yourself..." Vice Admiral Garp said as he turned back to me. "In the future... you will face many dilemmas..." He added, his tone grave as he locked eyes with me.
"There will no doubt be times when your orders clash with your morals..." Garp said, his expression growing more and more severe as he spoke. "I want you to remember what you will see here when such times inevitably come..." He added as he turned around and walked away.
"I might have said too much... but the point is..." The vice admiral said, regaining his relaxed tone as he glanced at me over his shoulder. "You should always do what you think is right..." He concluded, and I could only watch him leave with wide eyes.
...
"Alright, big guy... I'm going to need you to stay on the ship..." I said as I patted Chuchun's feather, prompting him to tilt his head. "This place is dangerous, and I want you catching the eyes of the space pigs..." I added with a chuckle, to which the giant bird chirped in protest.
"I'll be fine... and if I need your help, I'll just whistle..." I added with a grin, and Chucun let out another reluctant chirp but nodded. "I'll be sure to get you a treat, so sit tight and wait for me here," I added, causing the giant bird's face to light up, much to my amusement.
"Come on, brat... we're gonna be late," Vice Admiral Garp called for me as he got off the ship, and I could only sigh, waving Chuchun goodbye as I followed suit and joined Garp on the port.
"I see a lot of government agents..." I said as we walked deeper into the port town, noting the many black-suited men hiding around every corner of the bustling streets.
"Oh, you noticed them, did you? You've got a sharp eye, young man," Bogard said, smiling as he moved to walk beside me. "It's only natural considering how many important people are gathering here..." He explained with a shrug.
"Still... we're halfway through to the Bondolas and haven't seen anyone of them yet..." I added, raising an eyebrow as I turned to the vice admiral's aide. "I'm unsure if I should take it as a good or bad sign..." I added with a sigh.
"Take it as you will, brat," Vice Admiral Garp interjected. "The fact of the matter is we won't be seeing any of them... not in the Red Port anyway..." He explained, much to my bewilderment.
"Even amongst scumbags, there are those with common sense at least..." The vice admiral continued as he seemed to sense my confusion. "They realize losing even one country could affect their standing..." He went on, pausing as Bogard gave him a meaningful look.
"Well, wait, and you'll see for yourself, brat..." Garp calmly concluded with a shrug. Still, what the vice admiral said was enough for me to connect the dots and figure it out.
Even amongst the world's nobles, there were ranks, evidenced by the five elders who ran the world. It's likely that those with higher positions were responsible for holding back their more dimwitted compatriots from antagonizing the kings of the affiliated countries.
'Hmm? Isn't that...?' I mused, frowning as I noticed a little girl with light blue hair in a pink dress ahead of us. 'Yeah, that's definitely Vivi...' My frown instantly turned into a smile as I inspected the men walking beside her and recognized them.
'Nefertiti Cobra, Bill, Chaka, and Igaram... and that's...' I mused, my smile dimming as I noticed a cartoonishly short and obese man with a metallic jaw accompanied by three men, two of which looked as dimwitted as their king.
'Wapol...' I barely held back the urge to make a face as I recognized the current king of the Drum Kingdom. The man was one of the lamest antagonists in the original work and the least likable.
As far as One Piece villains went, each was likable in their own way. Even people like Akainu and Black Beard had some redeeming qualities, like their devotion, intelligence, and toughness. Even Don Krieg had cool golden armor going for him and looked like an actual pirate, at the very least.
Then there was Wapol. He wasn't smart. He wasn't strong. He wasn't fast, and his devil fruit let him transform into a friggen house. Even his underlings were lame as fuck, with one shooting arrows and the other fighting with boxing gloves that looked like afros.
Orochi was probably the only one comparable to Wapol in terms of being lame, obnoxious, and insufferable. Ironically enough, they're both responsible for the death of two great flashback characters.
'Luckily, I don't have to interact with Wapol or his lot...' I mused as I shrugged my shoulders and turned away from the imbecile and his entourage.
'I'll just have to stand guard over Pangaea Castle's entrance...'
...
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