Chapter 85: Island Number 7? Sea Beast Weapons?
"Anyone who successfully lands on their island within one hour passes."
Sengoku's simple sentence silenced the entire demonstration venue.
Not because the test was too hard, but because... it was too easy.
The artificial islands were at most a few nautical miles from the coast. With boats available, anyone who could sail could easily reach them in an hour.
But that was the problem—this was the Tri-Force Demonstration, representing the face of the World Government and the Marines!
So...
"Something's wrong."
Roy muttered, looking at the sea.
The surface seemed calm, but in the distance, a ring of Marine warships surrounded the area. Some flew special flags.
Roy recognized them—flags of the Medical Unit.
"I heard the demonstration would be dangerous—but this many emergency rescue ships..."
He smiled, unconcerned.
He looked at Smoker. "Hey, Cigar-Man. Looks like we're really gonna clash."
"Hmph."
Smoker grunted, but a serious smile touched his lips.
Sengoku's words were clear—those who drew the same island were opponents.
So...
"Just what I wanted."
Smoker took the cigar out of his mouth. "Roy, don't collapse before you even reach the island."
He hadn't been slacking off in his training either.
"Hah? That's my line. I'm terrifyingly strong right now. Just waiting to get on the island and beat you up."
After their exchange, Smoker turned to leave, shouting into the crowd, "Hey, Tashigi! Let's go!"
"Yes! Captain Smoker!"
Roy saw a blue-haired girl carrying a katana follow Smoker.
"Captain?"
He keenly noted the address.
"Yes. He was promoted to Captain a few days ago. The order will be official after the demonstration," Hina said, snuffing out her cigarette.
"After this, he'll leave Headquarters for Loguetown in the East Blue."
"I see."
Roy nodded. "In that case, let's get together before he leaves—party at Granny Kara's tonight?"
"Hina isn't paying."
"Don't worry, Smoker will pay. Look at those cigars on his chest; he's loaded."
Hina shook her head helplessly. "You guys are so dishonest... Hina is exasperated."
Roy just smiled.
His rare friend at Headquarters was leaving, but it couldn't be helped.
After all...
"Everyone has their own path to walk."
He tossed his cola to Fal behind him.
"Keep it safe. I'll finish it when I get back."
He walked toward the shore.
"..."
Captain, I ate the Fresh-Fresh Fruit, but I'm not a refrigerator.
Fal wanted to say that.
But in the end, he exchanged a look with the Detention Unit soldiers, and then...
"Captain! Good luck!" (xN)
Hearing their cheers, Roy didn't look back.
He reached the water's edge and leaped forward.
BANG!
Using Geppo, his figure shot into the distance!
Nearby, Smoker transformed into white smoke and flew out.
Not just them—almost all participants launched themselves like dumplings into a pot.
"The Demonstration begins! The first test is 'Landing'! We can see the participants making different choices!"
The WEP commentator fulfilled his duty faithfully.
"Giant Vice Admiral Harmo... Oh! He jumped straight into the water! Swimming across? Makes sense—for a Giant, swimming is faster than sailing!"
"And Vice Admiral Gion! She's so beautiful... Ahem, I mean, look at her speed! Too fast! I believe the audience can't even see her, because I can't!"
"And that... that participant in the white mask... Why don't I have info on him? Logistics! Logistics!"
"Oh, it's 'Vile Tongue' Sora! He's walking on the sea... no, the water is solidifying... Is that his ability!?"
"Of course, some chose the boats at the dock... Hmm, I must say, that choice is a bit mediocre."
As he commentated, most of the audience held their breath.
Because just like Roy predicted—anyone with a brain knew...
The test wouldn't be this simple!
And indeed, the change came quickly.
VMMM!
The calm sea surface... began to churn.
No—not began!
"There's something under the water!"
Sharp-eyed spectators spotted massive shadows emerging from the depths.
Next moment...
BOOM!
With a massive roar, a National Guard ship was sent flying by churning water.
A colossal figure burst from the sea.
"A giant Sea Beast!?"
Looking at the bear-faced monster, nearly a hundred meters tall, the crowd gasped.
"Damn it!"
On the flying ship, a sniper shouted, "It's just a Sea Beast! I'll blow its head off!"
He aimed and fired.
BOOM!
The bullet hit the Sea Beast's head, exploding violently.
"Heh! I'm an elite of the North Blue's Dole Kingdom! My explosive rounds are..."
Before he could finish, the smoke cleared.
The giant Sea Beast stared at him with red, savage eyes. Unharmed.
Only now did the participant notice—the beast's body shimmered with a metallic luster.
"What is th—AHHH!"
Before he could scream, the beast's tail smashed him and his ship into the sea.
A nearby medical ship rushed toward him.
The commentator's regretful voice followed: "Ah, 'Gun Knight' Buffy of the National Guard is eliminated—what a pity... But he's not alone!"
"Because... there are too many Sea Beasts! And they're huge!"
Yes.
As the participants reached the sea, a terrifying number of massive Sea Beasts emerged, blocking the path to the nine islands.
This instantly eliminated a huge number of ordinary participants, forcing the rest to stop.
They formed a "wall," blocking everyone.
"Idiots—who fights those things head-on?"
"The sea is blocked, so go by air!"
A scientist-looking participant with a rocket pack soared into the sky!
But...
"ROAR!"
Below him, growling as if communicating, the Sea Beasts began to gather.
CLICK! CLICK!
Their tails folded and connected like latches! In moments, they formed an even larger structure.
This combined behemoth leaped from the water—towering into the clouds!
"AH!?"
The scientist only managed a scream before being swatted out of the sky.
As he fell, smoking and unconscious, onto a medical ship, everyone realized the truth.
This was the real first test.
Not just landing, but crossing this barrier of Sea Beasts.
But...
"Even the sky..."
"No matter how you look at it, those aren't normal Sea Beasts, are they!?"
Someone couldn't help but shout.
Sea Beasts with bodies like steel that could connect to each other?
"With monsters like that in the way, who can..."
Before the complaints finished...
SHING!
A clear sword ring echoed across the sea.
BOOM!
A Sea Beast's massive head fell.
Blood sprayed, revealing steel blood vessels and bones inside the neck—proving the participants right. These were not normal beasts.
But on the falling head...
Swish!
A figure stood. A curvaceous figure in a Marine coat.
'Momousagi' Gion.
"Flash Cut: Manul!"
Her Meito 'Konpira' danced, rabbit ears on her head swaying in the wind.
Swish!
She vanished at invisible speeds. The heads of four Sea Beasts in front of her were severed instantly.
She flashed across the falling heads, rushing toward the distant island as if on flat ground.
And she wasn't alone.
"Mere Sea Beasts! Even modified, so what!?"
Toward Island 2, Giant Vice Admiral Harmo didn't stop. He dove headfirst into the swarm of beasts.
Next moment...
BOOM!
With a massive sound, the giant beasts were blasted away.
Everyone saw Harmo had drawn the massive sword on his back—a sword so huge it matched his own size.
"Fighting things like this won't please the God of Elbaf!"
The Giant roared, looking more like a beast than the Sea Beasts themselves.
And again.
"I thought the opponents were something special. Just a bunch of animals."
Toward Island 4, the sinister-looking man, Sora, extended his long tongue.
"Don't let this trash touch me."
He giggled, extending a hand toward an attacking beast.
Instantly, the beast's body changed—its sharp claws and steel body turned into a soft, cotton-candy-like liquid.
Sora waved his hand, and the seawater turned into sharp solid spikes, piercing the beast.
Scenes like this silently stated a fact.
"Un... unbelievable!"
"Momousagi, Vile Tongue, Giant Sword... The strong are pulling away from the pack!"
"Look, everyone! This is the Tri-Force Demonstration! This is the young generation protecting the seas!"
The commentator shouted passionately.
At this moment...
"These Sea Beasts..."
Roy observed them.
"Vegapunk's Sea Beast Weapons?"
He guessed the answer.
Biological modification technology researched by Vegapunk.
But...
"Clearly not the finished versions—no lasers, no ship-destroying power... Prototypes?"
"But even prototypes are strong. Most people won't pass this."
Roy analyzed.
Clearly, this first test was a filter to weed out the weak.
And it was working.
Roy scanned the area. Those breaking through were almost all the powerhouses recorded in Hans's booklet.
Including several masked figures in the distance.
Two in black suits—Kaku and Lucci.
And one in white, with a mask-like face.
"CP0 Guernica... he's here too."
Roy recognized the strongest CP0 agent.
While Roy was surprised, he saw Guernica and the CP9 duo split up—Guernica heading for Island 3, the other two coming toward Roy's direction.
Just then...
"Hey! Roy!"
Smoker's voice called out.
Roy turned to see Smoker, wrapped in smoke, punching a Sea Beast away.
"What are you spacing out for?"
Clearly, he noticed Roy stopping.
Roy grinned.
"Who said I'm spacing out? I'm just judging the range and numbers."
"Range and numbers?"
Smoker frowned. What does that mean?
Roy didn't answer directly. "Right, Smoker... I just agreed to meet Hina at Granny Kara's tonight. Let's make a bet."
He extended a hand. "Whoever reaches the island last pays for dinner!"
"...Are you serious?"
Smoker looked at Roy strangely.
"I know you got stronger training with Zephyr, but look around... My ability has the advantage here, doesn't it?"
As he spoke, a Sea Beast's tail hit him.
POOF!
Smoker dispersed into smoke and reformed.
"Woo?"
The Sea Beast looked at its tail, confused.
Yes.
As Smoker said—his Logia ability was perfect here.
The Sea Beasts didn't have Haki. He could fly straight to the finish line without expending much energy.
"Just tell me, bet or no bet?" Roy grinned.
"...Since you want to treat me, I won't say no!"
Smoker snorted, assuming Roy was just trying to be nice before he left.
More smoke rose from his body—he prepared to accelerate.
But then...
"Since you agreed... then... make way!"
He heard Roy's words and saw his clenched fist.
Golden fluctuations flickered on the fist.
Within the gold, blue and crimson lights shimmered faintly.
At that moment...
"Hm?"
On the sea, Momousagi Gion, rushing toward Island 1, paused, sensing something.
"Oh?"
Giant Vice Admiral Harmo frowned, looking toward Roy with battle intent.
Across the sea, every truly strong participant sensed a powerful aura rising.
Feeling the power inside him, Roy smiled.
[Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daibutsu LV4: Transform into a giant Buddha, gaining immense golden body and strength. Can release powerful shockwaves. Deep-Dive Development: 'Buddha Golden Body' becomes tougher. Shockwaves are stronger, can be shaped at will, have larger range, and linger longer.]
[Human-Human Fruit LV5: Awakening. Gain limit human strength/intellect. Maintain human form constantly.]
"Smoker, I told you—I'm terrifyingly strong right now."
"Super · Wave Fist!"
☆☆☆
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