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The Strongest Frost Loli (137)
🕑 Added 2024-10-06 17:00:08 +0000 UTCChapter 137 - White Beard
“That’s what I’m saying! Why are you so quick to leave?! You’re not in a position to just disappear without a word!”
“It’s functioning well enough as a deterrent. Feiyun will take care of any spies Big Mom or Kaido sends, so they won’t even know I'm gone.”
“That’s not foolproof! You can’t keep it up for days!”
Tiger heard Kanata’s voice as he slowly regained consciousness. He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the familiar ceiling of his cabin on the ship.
Most pirate ships only had one large sleeping area. Only massive vessels, difficult to maintain, could afford to give everyone private quarters. Crew members usually slept together in separate areas for men and women.
Tiger and Jinbe, being particularly large, couldn't fit in the standard hammocks or beds. So, a larger bed had been prepared for them in the corner of the room.
Tiger sat up, and an ice pack, wrapped in cloth, slid off his thigh.
His left cheek throbbed with pain.
“You’re awake.”
Kanata set down the receiver of the Den Den Mushi after a brief conversation, and turned to face him.
“…Where am I? On the ship?”
“Yes, on your ship. It seems the Marines attacked, but your crew managed to escape. You wouldn’t know, considering you were unconscious.”
“That’s right… You knocked me out.”
“Knocked you out? You asked me to hit you.”
Kanata leaned back in her chair with an exasperated look on her face.
He remembered asking her to hit him, but he hadn't expected that kind of force. Kanata looked the same as when they had parted ways, but her strength had clearly grown significantly. Tiger mentally revised his assessment of her.
He looked around the empty cabin. He saw sunlight through the window, indicating it was still daytime.
He rubbed his throbbing cheek. It was still swollen.
“What about Jinbe and the others? Are they alright?”
“Yes, there was a bit of a scuffle, but… Everyone’s fine.”
Things had gotten a bit messy after Kanata knocked him unconscious, but he didn't have any other injuries. They had subdued the Marines and sailed away.
Kanata had been making calls while Tiger was unconscious, and it seemed he had finally woken up.
“I contacted the Five Elders. They weren’t happy, but I convinced them.”
“I can’t imagine those geezers backing down so easily…”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing important.”
Twilight was special, even among the Seven Warlords. They had privileges other Warlords didn't.
The right to release Devil Fruit users from Impel Down – The Five Elders had reluctantly agreed to revoke that privilege as a compromise. Or rather, she had forced them to.
If she could control the Five Elders, the top of the Celestial Dragons, then the rest would fall in line. She didn’t have time to deal with every single Celestial Dragon.
Losing a privilege was a setback, but she wasn't particularly attached to it. Sukura would be furious, but there were plenty of Devil Fruit users among pirates. They could capture them and bring them to Hachinosu.
It seemed the government had prioritized releasing Devil Fruit users from the lower levels of Impel Down. Most of those who had been handed over weren't particularly strong.
Their abilities weren't very useful, and the users themselves weren’t that strong. They were only good for human experimentation, so she wasn’t particularly bothered by losing them.
“The Five Elders will deal with the Celestial Dragons, and the Marines will follow suit. They might demand some compensation, but Twilight won’t go bankrupt over a few berries."
She had initially planned to resign from the Seven Warlords, but considering Tiger’s objective, it would be more beneficial to utilize her position.
There was no need to unnecessarily disrupt the seas.
“I owe you a lot. I’m in your debt.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We still have to deal with Fish-Man Island.”
She needed to visit Fish-Man Island and speak with Queen Otohime. She had to confirm King Neptune’s intentions as well before deciding on their next move.
…But there was something more important she had to do first.
“First, we need to speak with Newgate. Fish-Man Island is his territory.”
Neptune was the official ruler, but it was also Whitebeard’s territory. She had to speak with him directly.
He was a man who valued “honor.” She couldn’t afford to create unnecessary problems by ignoring him.
…She could already imagine the Five Elders’ reaction, but she decided to ignore them.
***
After a few days of sailing from Foolshout Island to Sabaody Archipelago, they crossed the Red Line with George's help. And after several more days of travel, they arrived at an island in Whitebeard's territory.
They had used Tiger’s ship, and Kanata, hiding from the Marines, spotted the Moby Dick – a massive ship shaped like a whale.
It wasn’t her territory, so she didn't know their exact location, but she was fortunate to have found them.
Unlike Big Mom and Kaido, Whitebeard didn’t have a permanent base. He moved from island to island within his territory, so if she was unlucky, she might never find him.
“We were lucky this time.” Said Kanata, relaxing on deck under a beach umbrella. She looked like she was on vacation.
Arlong, who hated humans, didn’t welcome her presence, but Tiger had given his permission, so he reluctantly allowed it. He still glared at her with murderous intent, but Kanata simply ignored him.
As they approached the Moby Dick, a figure descended from the sky onto the deck. It was Marco, the Phoenix Devil Fruit user, and the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
“I know who you are, Sun Pirates. But… Why are you here with her?!”
“It’s been a while. You’ve gotten stronger, Marco.”
“Don’t patronize me! What are you doing here?! Did you come to start a war!?”
Marco pointed at Kanata, who was relaxing as if she didn’t have a care in the world. He seemed tense.
But Kanata simply sighed. “If I was here to start a war, I would have brought my entire fleet.”
“I’m here to discuss Fish-Man Island. Is Newgate on board?”
“Yes, but…”
“I’ll speak with him directly. Tell him that.”
They were close to the Moby Dick.
Kanata closed her book, stood up, strapped Muramasa to her waist, and looked at Marco.
Marco hesitated for a moment, then, realizing he couldn't stop her, returned to the ship.
Kanata called out to Tiger, telling him to follow her. She could have gone alone, but Tiger was involved in this as well. He should be present for the discussion.
Arlong opted to stay behind, but Jinbe insisted on accompanying Tiger.
Tiger’s ship was much smaller than the Moby Dick. He was wondering how they were going to board when Kanata swiftly created a staircase of ice.
“That’s convenient.”
“My ability allows me to control ice. It comes in handy sometimes.”
She wouldn’t drown even if she fell into the sea, as she could simply manipulate the water. Creating a staircase was more difficult than simply freezing the water, but for Kanata, who had honed her skills, it was a trivial matter.
The three of them climbed the ice staircase and stepped onto the deck of the Moby Dick.
The 15 Division Commanders were present, along with a giant of a man with a distinctive crescent-shaped white mustache – Edward Newgate.
Kanata, walking towards Newgate, released her Conqueror’s Haki.
The air crackled, and the deck creaked under the pressure of her Haki. Even the Whitebeard Pirates, notorious for their strength, weren’t immune to its effects. One by one, the weaker members collapsed.
“Stop that, you fool. Are you here to start a war?”
Newgate, sipping sake, sighed and glared at her.
His long blond hair was now streaked with white, and he looked much older than when they had first met. But his Haki was still as strong as ever, directed solely at Kanata. It was a testament to his strength, proving he was still the strongest man in the world.
Kanata narrowed her eyes and dispersed her Haki.
“…Yes, I’m not here to start a war. This time, I’d prefer to settle things peacefully.”
“That’s a surprisingly humble attitude. What are you scheming this time?”
“This time? You make it sound like I schemed something before.”
“Joining the Seven Warlords, controlling the world’s shipping… It’s all part of your grand plan, isn’t it? Am I wrong?”
Newgate didn’t underestimate Kanata.
He knew she was an intelligent pirate, unlike himself, who had received little education. He didn't know her objective, but he assumed it was something nefarious.
Kanata didn't respond. She simply frowned and glared back at him.
“This is about Fish-Man Island.”
“…That island belongs to my friend. I won’t stand by and watch if you try anything.”
“Don’t be so arrogant. That island’s king is Neptune, not you. You’re not the one who decides.”
The atmosphere grew tense.
Tiger, sensing the danger, stepped forward.
“Greetings! It’s an honor to meet you, Whitebeard!”
“I know who you are. The “Hero of Slave Liberation”, right? I heard you made the Celestial Dragons look like fools."
“I simply broke a pointless rule. I caused a lot of trouble… and I’m simply trying to clean up the mess.”
“Is that why you’re working with her?”
Newgate took a swig of sake, a bored expression on his face.
No matter how many achievements Tiger had, he was still someone “unworthy of trust” to Newgate.
Tiger, desperately trying to find a way to mediate the situation, watched as Kanata spoke.
“Do you know Queen Otohime?”
“The Queen… Neptune’s wife? I don’t know much about her.”
“She’s striving for the peaceful coexistence of humans, Fish-men, and merfolk.”
Newgate stopped drinking. He seemed to have understood her intentions, and turned to face Kanata.
…He didn't seem particularly wary, despite his constantly shifting gaze between Tiger and Kanata. But that didn’t mean he was letting his guard down. He was using his Observation Haki to monitor Kanata’s every move. He simply wasn't motivated to fight, but that was a different matter from being careless.
“Tiger’s attack on Mary Geoise destroyed any chance of peaceful coexistence. But Tiger doesn’t want that… so I’m going to help him. I’ll start by getting Fish-Man Island back into the Reverie.”
“…Why are you telling me?”
“Because that island is your territory, at least in name. I don’t want you causing any problems by interfering.”
“Are you treating me like a child? You’re right, that island belongs to Neptune. I have no intention of telling him what to do… As long as you’re not trying to take it for yourself, I don’t care. It's true that I can't do anything about official matters.”
Fish-Man Island was officially a member of the World Government, but it was also a country where the Marines had little influence.
Therefore, it had been targeted by pirates at the beginning of the Great Pirate Era, and many Fish-men and merfolk had been kidnapped.
It was currently under Whitebeard’s protection, but without him, it would happen again. So, Fish-Man Island had two rulers. But Newgate had no connections to the World Government.
Even if Fish-Man Island appealed to the World Government, Newgate couldn't help them.
It was a frustrating situation for Newgate, but he had no choice but to rely on Kanata.
“I thought you were going to try to convince me that taking Fish-Man Island for yourself would be more efficient."
“That would be more efficient. But it would also be more troublesome to deal with you.”
Whitebeard wouldn't tolerate anyone harming his crew.
He had openly declared Neptune as his friend. If Kanata intervened forcefully, Newgate would surely retaliate.
Besides, she doubted Neptune would accept her proposal.
“Do as you please. As long as you don’t jeopardize Neptune’s position, I won’t interfere.”
“I appreciate that, old man.”
Newgate chuckled, and Jinbe bowed his head in gratitude. Kanata stopped him.
“Kanata-san?”
“Don’t bow your head, Jinbe. You’re currently under my protection. There’s no reason for you to bow to him.”
As she had said, Newgate couldn’t interfere in this matter.
Governing Fish-Man Island was Neptune’s responsibility. Newgate was simply lending his name to protect it. He had no right, nor intention, to interfere in their policies.
Kanata had visited him to pay her respects.
While they were both pirates, they weren't friends or allies. They were closer to enemies, but even then, there were certain formalities she had to observe.
“That’s all I wanted to say.”
Kanata turned and left the Moby Dick, accompanied by Tiger and Jinbe.
There were no farewells. They returned to their ship and immediately set sail.
“Was that really enough?” Tiger asked, looking towards the Moby Dick.
“It was enough. That’s how our relationship works.”
“I see…”
“But…”
It had been over a decade since they had last met. Newgate had aged considerably.
No one could defeat time. Even Octavia had lost some of her strength compared to her prime.
Kanata could glimpse Octavia’s full potential by reading the memories embedded in Muramasa, but she had been stronger back then.
Perhaps even Newgate would be defeated someday, Kanata thought.
“I can’t imagine him losing…”
“There are a few people in this sea who could defeat him. Me, Big Mom, and Kaido are all considered potential contenders.”
But humans were mortal.
Even Octavia and Rocks had been called the strongest pirates in the world. Many had said they would never be defeated.
And besides…
“I could defeat him now. He’s grown weak from all that drinking and neglecting his training. I wouldn't lose to him.”
Kanata, neither overestimating nor underestimating Newgate, stated this matter-of-factly.
