Chapter 42 Ship Slaying! The Side Effects of the Devil Fruit!
"Hahaha! Scared now? It's useless being afraid. You attacked us—you're an enemy of the Whitebeard Pirates! Watch me smash you flat!"
"Villain Whirlwind!"
Ufian leaped high, gripping his spiked club with both hands, spinning like a top. The weapon cut through the air with a deafening whoosh.
Before the attack even landed, a fierce whirlwind surged outward.
"It's here! The captain's ultimate move!"
The crew struggled to maintain their footing, seeking shelter from the terrifying winds.
"Its power can shatter rock walls. Even captains wouldn't dare face it head-on!"
The black whirlwind swept in all directions. With Ufian's height, reach, and 2-meter-long club, the attack's radius stretched five meters. This was the move that had defeated Montburi in his bear-man form.
"Full of flaws," Lister chuckled. As the whirlwind neared, his figure vanished.
In the next instant, Ufian was hurled from the vortex. His cheeks dented from invisible fists, eyes bulging, teeth and blood flying from his mouth.
"So fast!"
Ufian realized what Lister had done—he'd been punched mid-spin. Observation Haki should have prepared him, but Lister's speed was overwhelming.
Boom!
Ufian crashed onto the deck. His spiked club flew from his hand, the wooden deck splintering beneath him. Blood dripped from his mouth.
The ship fell silent.
"Hoo... hah..."
Ufian struggled upright, staring at Lister, rising and falling mid-air in a bizarre dance of combat.
"The honor of the Whitebeard Pirates cannot be tarnished! I will kill you!" he roared, bloodshot eyes blazing.
Like Montburi, Ufian had once dreamt of conquering the New World. Reality shattered that dream. Unlike those who retreated, Ufian had joined Whitebeard's crew—proud to serve in an unmatched team. Losing to an unknown stranger here would tarnish the flag he served.
"Whitebeard?"
Lister smiled and raised his foot. "Storm Kick – Ship Slash!"
Ufian's eyes widened. He slammed his fist down to block—but it was too late.
Lister's Mythical Zoan-enhanced strength cleaved the entire ship in two.
In the distance, Montburi and the survivors of the Bear ship gawked, mouths agape. A young man flying like a demon had destroyed the ship they had feared moments ago.
As expected, the New World wasn't meant for them—too many monsters.
"Mom, I want to go home!" the pirates silently cried.
"You were attacked by villainous pirates because you refused to join Whitebeard? And now you fled to me?"
"Yes."
Montblanc froze. Witnessing Lister's power, he lacked courage. They couldn't escape on their ship anyway—and trying to take Lister's vessel? Impossible. Even the vampire bats alone were more than enough to deter them.
Lister yawned.
Devil Fruit powers had side effects. Beyond making the user unable to swim, they could influence personality: the impulsiveness of fire, the stubbornness of magma, the inertia of ice, the laziness of light, the cunning of darkness, the arrogance of lightning, the treachery of a wolf, the cowardice of a rat, the loyalty of a dog.
Overuse could backfire, even shorten lifespan—Tremor-Tremor's recoil, Dark-Dark's absorption, Gum-Gum's Gear techniques.
The Bat-Bat Fruit (Mythical Zoan, Vampire Form) had its own quirks. Lister was now a night owl—sleepy by day, energized by night. Darkness amplified his abilities. Fortunately, he wasn't a real vampire and could eat regular food.
After experimentation, he found blood and dim lighting could suppress the side effects—even human blood.
Leaning back in his chair, he said calmly, "I'm heading back to the first half of the journey. I can give you a ride, but what are you offering in return?"
Montburi, visibly relieved, said tentatively, "We have a treasure worth about 15 million Berries..."
Lister interrupted, "Your bounty is higher than that, isn't it?"
Montbouli coughed, unsure what to offer.
"Is the naval base far from here?" Lister asked.
Montburi fell silent.
Can the New World return to Paradise? Yes. From Mary Geoise's Holy Land, elevators can link Paradise and the New World—and even traverse the world. Ships travel via ocean currents, dive through deep-sea paths like the "Giant Hole," pass Fishman Island, and reach Paradise. Timed currents allow round trips, like tides.
Lister did not linger on Fishman Island. Changing times demanded opportunity. Whitebeard already protected the island; interfering would be like challenging a New World Emperor. King Neptune wouldn't even glance at him. Racial and species discrimination ran deep—humans and fish-men were essentially two different races.
The atmosphere on the island where the villainous pirate crew had been stationed grew somber since Ufian's return two days prior.
A small boat approached the island.
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