Chapter 511: The Red-Haired Encounter
While Vista was taking action, a dispute arose between Fūki Aigolu and Tamago.
Tamago was eager to pursue the Phoenix Fruit and compete for it once more, but Aigolu was visibly growing impatient. He had his own objectives and could not afford to keep dragging Tamago along.
"Your speed is too slow. You better help me deal with my target first," Aigolu said lazily, carrying his Scythe. Though his tone was casual, a hint of irritation was evident. "Once that's done, I'll be stronger, and then I will help you."
Tamago, intrigued yet skeptical, responded, "Who knows how long it will take you to finish things?"
"Soon," Aigolu assured him. "As long as you cooperate, it will be quick."
Hearing Aigolu's words, Tamago's curiosity deepened. Although Aigolu was generally on good terms with him, choosing him as a partner to vie for the treasure was not unusual. However, during their journey together, Tamago often caught Aigolu looking at him with a strange, pitying expression.
What exactly had this man done?
"Aigolu, be honest with me. What do you want me to do?" Tamago asked.
Aigolu let out a slightly guilty laugh and said, "You will know when the time comes."
His evasive response only heightened Tamago's unease. "You jerk! If you don't tell me, I'm not going with you!" Tamago snapped.
Seeing Tamago, a grown man, throwing a tantrum, Aigolu sighed helplessly. "I will tell you, but don't get angry. And don't worry, it's not life-threatening. At worst, it will just be a bit uncomfortable."
"What is it? Just tell me!" Tamago pressed, his impatience growing as Aigolu continued to dodge the question.
Aigolu glanced at Tamago's frustrated expression and coughed lightly. "You know my goal this time."
"Wind Weasel! I know, you mentioned it from the start," Tamago replied. "That creature is usually fast. I thought you wanted me to help you corner it and make it acknowledge you."
As he spoke, Tamago's expression turned suspicious. "But now, it doesn't seem like that's the plan."
Clink!
Aigolu lightly flicked the Scythe in his hand, producing a crisp sound. His voice took on an ethereal tone as he said, "Actually, you don't know this, but that creature is quite fond of you."
"Fond of me? Really? Why don't I feel it?" Tamago asked, confused.
"It spoke to me," Aigolu said, his eyes darting around. "It wants to taste the roasted eggs inside your eggshell. Every time it secretly watches you fight and sees the eggs that fall out, it drools with greed."
"What?!" Tamago's face darkened, and he practically shouted a question mark. "So, it's after me?!"
"You want to feed me to it?!" he roared, his voice rising sharply.
Aigolu covered his ears, wincing at Tamago's outburst, and tried to soothe him. "Brother Tama, don't be angry. It's just a little feeding. You have immortal flames, so you can't die."
This attempt at reassurance only shattered Tamago's composure further. A hundred thousand curses raced through his mind as he glared at Aigolu's shameless expression. Without holding back, Tamago opened his mouth and began cursing him.
As the two argued fiercely, the golden streak of the Gold and Silver Monkey King flashed across the sky, catching the attention of many contestants who grew greedy upon seeing it.
Morgans' broadcast had already spread the news that the Monkey King held the Mythical Beast Phoenix Fruit, prompting several fast-moving contestants to take off or run in pursuit, eager to join the chase.
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Elsewhere, in a forest on Mythical Beast Island, a unique battle was unfolding.
Whoosh!
Bang bang bang!
A red light flashed, and a tree in the forest was sliced clean through. Its crown, trunk, and leaves were blasted away by a shockwave, crashing to the ground and kicking up a cloud of dry dust.
A group of renowned pirates from the outside world stood back-to-back, warily scanning their surroundings. Their Observation Haki and magical perception were fully activated, yet they could detect nothing concrete.
"This is such a hassle! Why are they pursuing us so relentlessly?" one of the pirates grumbled while taking a bite of a chicken leg.
"Damn it, Roux, this is your fault!" another pirate snapped. "You just had to go and mess with their business. Why else would these guys be so persistent?"
"You can't blame me!" Lucky Roux retorted. "The smell was too tempting. What was I supposed to do?"
"You're still not sorry? This is giving me a headache!" another pirate complained.
"Enough! Now's not the time to argue!" Beckman interjected, taking a drag from his cigarette and silencing the bickering between Lucky Roux and the others.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a cold Scythe sliced through the air from the void.
Red-haired Shanks, who had been on high alert, swiftly swung his saber, infused with Armament Haki and demonic energy, to meet it.
Clang!
The Scythe in the void clashed briefly before retreating.
"Red-haired Shanks, you're ruining my plans. Hand over that fat pig, or you'll regret it!" a young, somewhat hysterical voice echoed from all directions in the forest.
Shanks, who had been trying to pinpoint the enemy's position, frowned slightly. The Tarot Totem of the Dark Curtain was indeed strange. This individual, codenamed Shinigami, seemed particularly troublesome, as did their companion, the Hermit.
Shanks spoke loudly while remaining vigilant, "It's just a pig. There's no need to escalate this into a full-blown conflict! Give me some face and let this matter go."
This situation was peculiar for Shanks. The legendary Tarot Totem from the Dark Curtain had appeared in this forest, though only two members were present.
Shanks recognized them: the Hermit and Shinigami. The one codenamed Shinigami was a relatively new figure in the seas, rising to fame in just three months and rumored to possess the strength of a diamond-level hunter. The Hermit, however, was an older name, known for even greater power.
But their strength wasn't the core issue. The conflict stemmed from the fact that these two Tarot Totem members had been hunting a wild boar with oily flames emanating from its back—a purebred Mythical beast, albeit a weak one. It was likely the weakest Mythical beast Shanks had ever encountered.
Just as Shinigami was about to capture it, Lucky Roux rushed in to save the pig. The situation was odd, to say the least.
According to Lucky Roux, the pig's delicate, greasy aroma was so irresistible that he couldn't help himself. Driven by gluttony, he acted impulsively, saving the pig without thinking. Unfortunately, the pig fled swiftly, showing no gratitude for Lucky Roux's intervention.
"It's just a pig? What do you know? That's… that's the taste of my childhood!" the voice of Shinigami roared. "You all deserve to die!"
Elsewhere in the forest, the Hermit, who was using a decoy to conceal himself and his companion, observed the green-haired young man beside him. The young man, ruffling his hair frantically and looking unhinged, was none other than Shinigami, codenamed Zalik. The Hermit's face showed a trace of sympathy.
This guy Zalik seemed to be more than a little unwell. The Hermit resolved to be more patient with him in the future.
(End of this chapter)