Chapter 80: These Are Small Fry?
Chapter 80: These Are Small Fry?
At the Palace, Lida and Klah had already arrived.
There was no need to break through the grand gates—the barrier had already been destroyed by the slash Shanks unleashed earlier. Klah stared at the tall Palace’s vertical gash and clicked his tongue in disbelief.
An attack of this intensity? He could replicate it, but barely at this scale.
Stepping inside, Klah found the Palace’s interior swarming with small fry already incapacitated by Kuro’s Killing Intent. Yet as he scanned the room, his expression twisted oddly. “These are small fry?”
The staff didn’t count, but some of these unconscious pirates were familiar. Klah recognized several from their Wanted Posters.
The man with jet-black and white stripes covering his body—including his teeth—was Checker Pirates’ captain, wanted for 53 million.
The brute with jagged, beastly jaws and rows of molars was Boar King Pirates’ captain, boasting a 49 million bounty.
The one wearing a helmet shaped like a wine cup? Wine Pirates’ captain, with an 85 million bounty.
Higher than Crocodile’s!
Bounties didn’t tell the whole story, but these captains couldn’t be dismissed as “small fry.” At least Klah couldn’t afford to.
Approaching one captain, Klah pressed his claw blade against the man’s neck. A thin line of blood erupted.
Lida, munching an apple from her backpack, watched indifferently.
“Kuro told us to destroy those serums. Where’s the serum lab?”
“Let’s search for it.”
After finishing off the captains, Klah adjusted his glasses. “Let’s split up and search.”
As he spoke, a series of pfft-pfft noises echoed from deeper within the Palace.
A pale man in a jester-like outfit appeared before them.
“You Navy types sure caused a mess. But it’s pointless. You can’t beat Shank’s officer.”
Indigo grinned at the duo.
Lida wrinkled her nose, waving a hand in disgust. “This guy reeks of chemicals. Must be him.”
“Got it.”
Klah crouched, his claw blade humming with energy.
“Chemical Magic Ball!”
Indigo extended his palm, conjuring a green flame sphere like a magician. Dozens more orbited above his head before assembling in his other hand.
“Go!”
With a snap, the fireballs hurtled toward the pair.
“Fire?” Lida scoffed, sidestepping effortlessly.
Swish! Klah’s claw blade slashed downward, rupturing a fireball. Thick smoke erupted, cloaking him.
Indigo prepared another attack, but a glinting claw blade pressed against his throat.
Klah had appeared behind him, arm draped casually around his neck like an old friend, whispering,
“Tell me where the serum lab is. Or if I slip…”
“Wait, wait!” Indigo flailed. “Keep that thing away! I’d hate to die!”
“Smart. Now—where’s the lab?”
Indigo’s face suddenly twisted into a smirk. “Find me first.”
Boom!
“Roar!”
A thunderous crash erupted behind Klah, sending a shockwave through his body. A colossal force slammed into his side.
“Iron Body!” Klah roared.
Crash! His body flew across the room, smashing into a jade pillar that crumbled under his weight.
“Shakkyudo, you’re too slow,” Indigo said without turning. “If I died, Shank’s officer would lose his chance.”
“Grrrrrrr!”
Behind him, a towering gorilla in a red suit bellowed.
“Damn it!” Klah emerged from the rubble, blood trickling from his mouth.
This gorilla’s strength was monstrous.
He’d been on guard, Observation Haki active the entire time—and still couldn’t evade that attack. Shakkyudo’s speed was no joke.
Indigo chuckled. “Meet Shakkyudo. We usually test animals from the Grand Line, but he’s the exception. King of East Blue’s Beast Island, with incredible intelligence—and power.”
Grrr! Shakkyudo pounded his chest proudly, then froze, locking eyes on Lida.
Lida remained in her usual girl form, her youthful appearance sparking instant adoration in the beast’s eyes.
“Grrrrr-grr!” Shakkyudo bared his teeth in what he hoped was a charming smile, striking a pose with a blush.
Clearly smitten.
Lida shuddered. “Not sure what you’re saying—but gross.”
Grrr! Shakkyudo lunged.
“Watch out! He’s strong!” Klah warned.
As the gorilla’s massive hands closed in, Lida swallowed her apple bite, spreading her arms.
Boom!
The paw that could crush her was halted effortlessly. The shockwave from the blocked strike rippled outward.
“Huh?!” Shakkyudo recoiled, pressing harder—but the tiny girl didn’t budge.
“Strength? I’ve never lost at that.” Lida smirked, twisting her hands under his palms.
“Energy Drain!”
“Agh!” Shakkyudo recoiled as if electrocuted, leaping backward with a terrified screech.
“Not bad,” Lida mused, raising her hand. “But big bodies make big targets.”
“Fishman Karate.”
Pow-Pow-Pow!
Her fingers flicked in rapid succession, unleashing Flying Fishman Karate. Each strike shredded Shakkyudo’s flesh, leaving bloody craters.
“Agh! Grrrr!”
Shakkyudo tried escaping, but his legs suddenly weakened, slowing him.
Pow-Pow-Pow!
Lida’s relentless barrage pummeled his body. The beast’s movements slowed until, mid-step, his massive frame collapsed with a thunderous crash.
“Shakkyudo!” Indigo screamed. “Impossible! Fishman Karate’s just like bullets! It shouldn’t hurt him!”
Shakkyudo groaned weakly, his eyes drooping.
Bullets wouldn’t faze a beast this strong—but Lida’s technique drained his energy with every blow.
“Klah,” Lida said, pulling out another apple.
Klah approached the trembling Indigo, grinning menacingly. “Time for a lesson, pirate.”
“No, no! Stay back!” Indigo scrambled backward, but Klah charged—
Inside the Palace, Indigo’s screams echoed.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
