Chapter 138 Becoming the Kind of Person I Once Hated Most
"Ah!!!"
A blood-curdling scream rang out, hair-raising to all who heard it.
Looking toward the source of the cry, it was none other than Trebol, one of the top officers of the Donquixote Pirates!
As for why he was screaming so piteously, his current state explained everything.
He was covered in cuts, and the wounds were filled with mercury, which was constantly seeping into his body.
"Stop struggling. How can your disgusting mucus compare to my mercury? It has already seeped into your body; nothing but agony awaits you."
Deactivating the mercury blades his arms had become, Wyper looked at the screaming Trebol with a hint of dissatisfaction.
He had picked the wrong opponent.
He didn't know where this fellow ranked among the enemies, but based on their brief clash, such a person couldn't serve as a whetstone for his skills.
Too many wolves and too little meat.
This was the sentiment shared by the Hunting Team officers and the Donquixote Pirates' officers.
From the moment the enemies appeared, the Hunting Team officers had quickly divided the opponents among themselves.
Wyper was clearly dissatisfied with Trebol, whom he had claimed.
Especially when he looked into the distance at Bones and Diamante, who were still locked in a fierce battle.
His eyes didn't show contempt for Bones being in a tough spot; instead, they showed a hint of envy.
He could see that Bones' struggle wasn't due to weakness, but because the opponent he had snatched was far more formidable than his own.
'I must work harder to awaken my Observation Haki. Otherwise, even if I get into a fight, it'll be too depressing if I don't get a strong opponent,' Wyper thought to himself.
Kamakiri, Roche, Eddie, Bentham, and the others were also engaged in combat.
Aside from Baby 5 and Nico Robin, who were guarding the ship, all the Hunting Team officers were invested in the battle.
This wasn't because the Donquixote Pirates' officers were so powerful that Zane needed all his officers to work together.
It was because none of the Hunting Team officers wanted to miss out on the fight.
Having sensed the ambush by Monet and the others in advance with Observation Haki...
Zane had summoned the officers before being the first to land.
He had originally intended to pick individual volunteers for the fight.
He just hadn't expected that everyone would refuse to give up the opportunity.
Thus, Zane could only transport them all and let them fight for their own targets.
Because they had the numbers and no one wanted to yield to the others...
Aside from Bones and Wyper, who relied on their superior strength to take on solo opponents, the rest had to share.
"What's the deal? This guy can't take a hit at all. How'd he go down so fast?"
"It's only natural. I just landed a heavy blow on him; of course he'd collapse."
"Hey, hey, hey! You're talking like you won this by yourself. My claws were the ones that heavily injured him first!"
"Eddie, was my flying kick stylish just now?"
"Uh... it was all right, but I feel like my 'Wind Wing Slash' was a bit cooler."
"Hmm?"
"What a bunch of energetic fellows. Gem, our cooperation was the most synchronized."
"You're lying through your teeth. The enemy was clearly defeated by my explosion. What cooperation?"
"...You bastard! If my candles hadn't restrained him, when would your explosion have had the chance to hit?!"
Kamakiri and Roche VS Senor Pink: Kamakiri and Roche win!
Eddie and Bentham VS Gladius: Eddie and Bentham win!
Galdino and Gem (Bomb-Bomb Fruit) VS Machvise: Galdino and Gem win!
The enemies fell one after another.
But before the Hunting Team officers could enjoy the joy of victory, they were already bickering over who the victory belonged to.
"What a group of troublesome subordinates."
Sitting cross-legged on a ball of clouds created by a Cloud Dial, floating high in the sky, Zane looked down at the battles below.
Seeing Kamakiri and the others bickering over the victory, he helplessly covered his face.
Window to the Soul was very effective, but perhaps too effective.
To inspire his subordinates' pursuit of power...
He provided guidance not only in training but in combat mindset as well.
This was why even a loafer like Galdino would be so active in battle.
With such high battle spirits, fighting over opponents wasn't surprising.
Arguing over the credit for the win was the same.
Observing the situation and confirming that it was just bickering and wouldn't lead to a real brawl, Zane nodded slightly.
It seemed the guidance of Window to the Soul was still within controllable limits.
Bickering was harmless; it would foster competition among them, leading them to train even harder in the future.
Wait.
This approach feels so familiar.
'I've actually become the kind of person I once hated most.'
Zane scratched his head with an innocent look.
*
"Bones, your injuries are so bad! Oh no, you've lost too much blood. You need a transfusion right away!"
"...It's just a minor injury!"
When the New Riding the Wind and Waves slowly docked at the port, it was met by Bones, who was carried onto the deck by Wyper and the others.
Seeing Bones covered in wounds, his face pale from blood loss, Chopper immediately rushed to treat him in a panic.
In contrast, Bones, the injured one, was exceptionally nonchalant.
To the side, Wyper curled his lip.
This guy got the best deal and is still acting so cool. It's really irritating.
"Captain, let Manlong guard the ship next time! I want to fight with you too!"
"Captain, how did the battle go?"
Zane, having also returned to the deck, was immediately greeted by his beautiful maid and his mature assistant.
The two women first carefully examined their captain. Confirming he was unharmed, they finally relaxed and began to speak.
"All right, next time there's a decent opponent, I'll let you come along," Zane said, smiling as he patted Baby 5's head, noticing her pouting over missing the battle.
He then smiled at Nico Robin. "Everything's been handled, and the harvest was quite significant."
And it was true.
The officers of the Donquixote Pirates were all Devil Fruit users.
Under his prior instructions, Wyper and the others had tried their best not to kill their opponents outright during the fight.
Now that the battle was over, these people had already been moved into the Munch-Munch Space, waiting for the subsequent plundering.
Although he didn't care much for their specific Devil Fruit abilities...
Just the mental attribute points they could provide and the excellent effect Devil Fruit abilities had on Imprint Entries made this a bountiful haul.
"That's good. Once we finish restocking, we can head straight to the Sabaody Archipelago." Confirming no accidents had occurred, Nico Robin also smiled.
Sabaody Archipelago.
Yes.
During these days of sailing, although Zane had taken his time, they had already approached the Sabaody Archipelago.