Chapter 34 The Changing Sea
Ron stood in front of Rocks. "I want you to go to Fishman Island. Stay hidden there. A Heavenly Tribute will be passing through—take it," Rocks said.
Ron frowned in confusion. "Why though? Fishman Island is 10,000 meters under the sea, while the Holy Land is 10,000 meters above it. Taking it through Fishman Island doesn't make sense. And why this one specifically?"
"I don't know the details," Rocks replied. "But you're a non-Devil Fruit user, and with your strength, you'd be hard to trap. If the government is taking such a long route, it must be something valuable."
"Tsk, fine," Ron said as he turned and walked back to his room.
"Yo, Gloriousa, I'll be out for a while," he said as he entered.
Gloriousa blinked. "Not taking me?"
"Nope. I'm going to Fishman Island, so as a DF user, it would be a disadvantage for you. And it's a stealth mission."
"Fine. Be back soon," Gloriousa said, waving at him.
Ron kissed her and walked toward Shakky's bar. "Yo, Shakky, make extra for me. I'm going out for a while."
Shakky didn't ask many questions. She personally prepared the food and handed it to him. "Be safe."
Ron flew off from Hachinosu. After flying for a few days, he spotted a ship.
His Conqueror's Haki flared, and the crew collapsed instantly, foam forming at their mouths.
Ron's height shrank as he adjusted himself to around 3 meters. His wings folded and were hidden under his clothes.
He rubbed his head, annoyed at the two horns. "Tsk… too eye-catching."
He picked up a straw hat from the ship and placed it on his head. "Tsk, why isn't there any other hat? Is the universe playing games with me? What next? The Nika fruit is going to come swimming toward me?"
He complained as the ship sailed toward the Red Line.
Back on Hachinosu, Gloriousa sat in Shakky's bar, drinking juice with Stussy and Linlin.
Katakuri and Perospero were nearby, with Perospero casually shaping candy with his ability.
"You look in quite a good mood, Stussy," Gloriousa said.
Stussy was practically glowing. "Don't tell me Newgate agreed to your proposal?"
Even Linlin and Shakky perked up at the mention of gossip.
Stussy's face darkened. "If only that was the case. Ahem… well, it's been a week since Ron left."
"So?" they asked, confused.
Stussy shot a glare at Gloriousa. "Of course, it's because I can finally sleep properly."
She still felt embarrassed thinking about all those sleepless nights. Just thinking of the movements were she had to do all kind of things just to calm herself made her face red.
Her eyes shifted to Shakky, who acted completely normal, as if nothing had happened. But Stussy knew.
Her mouth twitched as she imagined everyone's reaction if they found out where Shakky slept at night.
Gloriousa and Shakky noticed her staring but didn't care.
Both liked Ron, and neither of them hid it.
Shakky smiled more often and personally made food only for Ron, while others constantly hovered around her. It wasn't her fault they liked her.
Just then, Rocks walked in, clearly in a good mood.
A pirate approached Shakky. "Shakky-chan, I came all the way from East Blue. I heard you make meat stew with your own hands."
"Ara, thanks for the compliment," Shakky replied coldly. "But I don't make it personally for the likes of you."
Instead of being offended, the pirates started cheering with hearts in their eyes.
Shakky walked over to Rocks, carrying his usual drink. "Looking extra cheerful today, Rocks?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Rocks asked.
"Mamama… a woman's intuition is scary, isn't it, Rocks?" Linlin laughed, stuffing cake into her mouth.
"Dummy, it has to be about a woman. He's grinning like he's expecting a child," Stussy added.
"Shut up. It's none of your business," Rocks snapped.
Just then, the doors slammed open.
"Shakky-chan! We're back for you!"
The Roger Pirates burst in with hearts in their eyes.
"Roger, get your ass off my island!" Rocks shouted.
"Don't you know fighting in the bar is prohibited? So shut it," Roger replied with a grin as they stood forehead to forehead.
"So it's the Roger Pirates?" Shakky said calmly.
The Roger Pirates immediately began complimenting and proposing to her.
"Piss off," Shakky rejected every single one without hesitation.
Newgate walked out, drinking. "Those guys are too noisy. Wonder when Ron is coming back."
Gloriousa and Shakky heard him and fell silent.
"Well, he's probably out there charming some mermaid princess. He'll be back soon," Gloriousa said lightly.
Shakky chuckled, though both of them quietly looked out toward the sea.
On an unknown island, Ron panted, coughing up blood.
"Bhahaha… never thought a day like this would come," Ron laughed as he charged forward, flames bursting from Surtr.
The island trembled with every strike he made.
Few days later, On Elbaf's lowest realm, Conqueror's Haki burst outward as Harald and Rocks clashed.
The wind was violently pushed back. Loki and Hajrudin clung to nearby trees, watching the clash of two kings.
"You've lost your damn mind! You're going this far just to be their dog?" Rocks roared, blood leaking from his mouth.
Harald was also bleeding. "No matter what, they have the influence to change Elbaf's image. I am the king of Elbaf. I must do this."
"Then fuck you and your kingdom," Rocks snapped. "Let's see your face when Elbaf turns from a nation of giants into a nation of slaves. You will be its doom."
Loki watched as Rocks retreated.
"A nation of slaves…?" he muttered.
His gaze shifted to Harald walking back toward the castle, then toward the sea.
"What is the right thing to do…?"
A grinning face appeared in his mind.
"Become so strong that they see a savior, not a monster."
Loki grinned and picked up his hammer.
Back at sea, Newgate stared into the distance.
"Why do I feel like something big is about to happen?"
And he wasn't the only one. Many others across the seas felt it too.
Something was coming.
{Sorry for the delay. You see I'm working 9to9. 🥲Life is tough I'm 21 so gotta earn something to keep living wethout reciving insults from parents. Indian parents problem. Money= Respect. 😭😭}