Chapter 99: Return to Headquarters

Vander Decken quickly pushed his underlings toward Ain and ran for his life on his four legs!

Ain showed her twin blades without changing her expression, held them in a reverse grip, and slashed in a cross. The four pirates blocking her path were killed instantly.

Hearing the screams from behind, Vander Decken felt a shock and increased his speed.

Run, run for your life! Don't look back!

This was the only thought in Vander Decken’s mind. He now understood that the talk of seeking a husband for Shirahoshi and the Marines leaving Fish-Man Island were all smoke screens to lure him into the island.

Is this what the Marines are Move Move Like? It seems a bit different from what he imagined!

It’s a good thing he hadn't been roaming the sea; otherwise, his entire army would have been wiped out long ago.

"Huff, huff~"

Hiding behind a coral tree, Vander Decken gasped for air, his heart pounding. Looking at the gap in the wall not far away, a surge of strength gradually welled up in his body.

He couldn't die. Only by living could he marry Shirahoshi, control that power to command Sea Kings, and reach the pinnacle of his fish-man life!

Sneaking a look around to confirm no one was following, Vander Decken rushed toward the gap.

"Two-Sword Style: Reverse Spin Slash!"

Two sword lights flashed. Vander Decken felt a pain in his legs, and then his four legs lost all sensation.

"Ah? Ahhhhh! It hurts so much!"

Vander Decken’s four legs had been severed by Ain in one strike. Now, only his upper body could move.

"Don't kill me! I surrender!"

Ain remained unmoved and was just about to kill him when she suddenly stopped and asked in a low voice: "Are you a Devil Fruit user?"

"Yes, yes, I am a user!"

Ain nodded thoughtfully and then severed Vander Decken’s arms. Another miserable cry of pain followed.

"Tie him up!"

"Yes!"

Shirahoshi Hall.

"Done?"

Ain nodded with a smile: "Very easily!" Then Ain ran to Shirahoshi’s side and said with a smile: "Little Shirahoshi, you never have to live in the Hard-Shell Tower again! Are you happy?"

Shirahoshi looked at Ain in surprise: "Really! Will that bad guy never come to bully me again?"

Ain said firmly: "Of course. I believe your father will definitely not let him off."

"Thank you, Sister Ain!" Shirahoshi happily hugged Ain and spun around in place.

And indeed, after Neptune learned that Vander Decken IX had been captured, he happily threw him into prison, intending to find a time to execute him and eliminate the threat forever.

Then he immediately apologized to all the residents of Fish-Man Island, explaining the ins and outs of the situation.

After that, Fish-Man Island was completely fine. For this, Karl even wrote a diary entry.

January 12th, seventh day on Fish-Man Island.

Matters on Fish-Man Island have basically come to an end. I plan to use the remaining time to familiarize myself with my powers to avoid dealing with an unpredictable future.

January 13th.

Mermaid Cafe.

January 14th.

Mermaid Cafe.

January 15th.

Mermaid Cafe.

January 16th.

Ain discovered I went to the Mermaid Cafe every day. After comforting her well, I snuck off to the Mermaid Cafe once she wasn't angry anymore.

January 17th.

Karl, oh Karl! How could you be so degenerate? Are the young ladies at the Mermaid Cafe that tempting? Don't forget you’re a Marine; what about practicing justice?

I can't go on Move Move Like this. From today on, I will have nothing to do with gambling or vice!

That’s right, I’m not going to the Mermaid Cafe anymore!

January 18th.

Mermaid Cafe.

January 19th.

Mermaid Cafe.

February 2nd, 28th day on Fish-Man Island.

Tomorrow I return to Marine Headquarters. There won't be many chances to come back in the future, so I’ll go to the Mermaid Cafe one last time!

On the return journey.

Karl sat in the lounge, staring blankly at the ceiling. At this moment, he actually felt a sense of relief that transcended the mundane.

"Smoker, stop smoking that damn cigar of yours. The whole room is full of smoke. If you aren't choked, I am!"

Smoker shook his head helplessly. With a snap of his fingers, all the smoke returned to his body.

"You guy, is the coffee made by mermaids really that good? If Headquarters hadn't urged us, you probably wouldn't have been ready to leave, right?"

Karl let out a long sigh: "You wouldn't understand."

"By the way, did Headquarters say what the mission is?"

Karl shook his head: "Not clear. In any case, let’s go back first and see."

Marineford, Fleet Admiral’s office.

"I really didn't expect that there was actually another story behind Queen Otohime’s death! You kid didn't know Hody Jones was a problem early on, did you?"

Karl shook his head: "How could that be! Who told him to jump out himself?"

"By the way, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is something I found at Hody Jones’s stronghold. It’s said to be a treasure of Fish-Man Island."

Bang~

Karl placed a full bag of E.S. Energy Steroids on Sengoku’s desk.

"Eh~"

Sengoku picked up a black and red capsule and frowned: "What kind of medicine is this?"

Karl scratched his head: "Something Move Move Like an enhancement drug! This thing can temporarily increase human physique, but the side effects..."

Before he could finish, Sengoku said with pleasant surprise: "Doesn't that work the same as your ability!"

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, let me finish. This kind of drug can indeed significantly improve physical functions in the short term; strength, speed, and endurance will all be greatly enhanced."

"But this is at the cost of lifespan, and the stronger the person’s own strength, the worse the effect of this drug."

Karl had eaten one when he was bored; it reduced his lifespan by three days, but the effect was mediocre.

Upon hearing that the side effect was a reduction in lifespan, Sengoku immediately lost interest.

"Is that so! Then this drug, it doesn't seem very good. You handed it to me, are you wanting the Marine Science Unit to study it?"

Karl nodded: "Correct. Although this drug has flaws, if it were handed over to Dr. Vegapunk to study, there might be surprises."

"Fine, I’ll arrange it when the time comes." After saying this, Sengoku handed a bounty poster and some documents to Karl. "Take a look."

Karl took the bounty poster. The man on the poster was wearing a Marine uniform, had a broad chin similar to Whitebeard’s, and golden-brown hair.

"Marine traitor, Gasparde."

Sengoku nodded: "He was originally a Marine Ensign at Headquarters. During a mission, he suddenly rebelled, killed his colleagues, and stole a warship to escape."

Karl, who was flipping through the documents, looked up and said: "For a Devil Fruit?"

"Correct. This Gasparde has seriously affected the reputation of the Marines. I want you to bring him to justice as soon as possible. He must not be allowed to remain at large."

Karl nodded: "Mission guaranteed. By the way, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is a specialty senbei from Fish-Man Island. It’s very delicious. I brought it specifically for you to taste."

Sengoku revealed a smile: "Hahaha, good kid, you have a heart."

After accepting the senbei, Sengoku looked around vigilantly and secretly hid the senbei in a hidden corner.

Seeing Karl’s strange gaze, Sengoku explained: "I have no choice. That bastard Garp always runs over here to scavenge. I have no choice."

Karl: You two really have a complicated relationship!