'Cover Story: Chopper and the Quack Doctor Vol. 9 , "The Snow Monster Boy"'
Another day, another chase.
Hiriluk fled from an angry mob of villagers, clutching his hat as he ran out of town and into the endless blizzard. As he ran, his old illness suddenly flared up. Dark circles spread beneath his eyes. He clutched his chest, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and collapsed into the snow.
Through his fading consciousness, he saw a brown-haired boy walking toward him. But as the figure drew closer, the boy gradually became shorter... His body became covered in fur... And a pair of antlers slowly appeared atop his head...
---
A Marine battleship sailed into the Red Port beneath the Red Line.
After disembarking, Aokiji rode the bubble elevator up to the top of the Red Line, crossed Mary Geoise while yawning the whole way, and then took another bubble elevator down to the Paradise side. Before long, he boarded another battleship and continued on his way.
When the ship reached Marineford, Aokiji returned to Headquarters to report in. Before he even reached Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office, Kizaru suddenly appeared beside him with his usual carefree grin.
"Yo~~"
Aokiji nodded.
"I heard you had quite the battle with the Charlotte Family's second son~~" Kizaru said as they walked side by side.
Scratching his curly hair, Aokiji replied casually, "They had a flyer with them. In the end, they still managed to escape."
"Well, nothing you could've done about that~~ Flying abilities are pretty rare~~" Kizaru pursed his lips. "I also heard Giorno helped keep the others occupied?"
'You already know this much, so why bother asking?'
Aokiji scratched his head. He knew exactly what Kizaru actually wanted to hear.
"I gave him the invitation. He had a few complaints... But he'll probably come to Headquarters in a few days to officially accept the position of Seven Warlords."
"That's good~~" It was impossible to tell whether Kizaru was relieved or simply didn't care either way.
"What about you?" Aokiji asked. "I heard something happened at Dr. Vegapunk's research facility, the one you're responsible for."
"Oh, that~~" Kizaru answered as casually as ever. "Some 'failed products' that were supposed to be disposed of got stolen~~ The Government already sent someone very reliable to deal with it~~"
'Reliable compared to who?'
Aokiji adjusted his round sunglasses. For a moment, he wondered whether Kizaru was taking a jab at him... Then again, maybe he was making fun of himself.
---
After hearing both reports, Sengoku nodded at Kizaru. "Good. Since Giorno accepted the invitation, notify the other Seven Warlords. If they want to attend, they can come. If they don't, leave them be. Also, make arrangements with the newspapers."
Kizaru nodded. "There's one small problem~~ The new Warlord, the Empress of Amazon Lily, doesn't seem to have a Den Den Mushi we can use to contact her~~"
"...That is troublesome." Sengoku thought for a moment. "Send one of the newly equipped battleships fitted with Seastone. Deliver the message to Amazon Lily. If the Empress agrees to attend Headquarters, bring her back aboard the ship. It'll also serve as a good field test for the new Seastone-equipped battleships."
"So..." Kizaru asked, "who should we send~~?"
At that exact moment, both he and Aokiji silently prayed the same thing.
'Please don't let it be me.'
That woman was simply too troublesome to deal with.
Sengoku took one look at the two of them and could practically smell the words '"I feel like slacking off today."' His blood pressure instantly rose.
"Get out! Both of you! Now!"
---
New World
The story returns to Liam.
Under the night sky, the singing Homie ship cut through the dark sea. Following the navigator's instructions, it sailed toward the island indicated by its Log Pose.
"How much farther until Interest Island?"
"Judging by the Log Pose, we should be close. We ought to arrive around dawn."
"Damn that Loan Shark King. Why's his base hidden in such a remote place?"
"Well, he's a loan shark! Hahaha... Shh, don't say things like that too loudly. Hahaha..."
The two pirates at the helm whispered while fighting off yawns. On the table beside them, a Homie teacup and teapot eagerly poured tea on their own before floating into their hands.
Outside the cabin, Liam silently slipped past.
One of the Six Powers, 'Kami-e', allowed the body to become as light and flexible as paper. Naturally, it also muffled one's footsteps. With Liam's mastery of the Six Powers, if he wanted, he could move as quietly as a sheet of paper drifting through the air. The tiny sounds he made were effortlessly swallowed by the crashing waves outside.
Like a ghost, he silently made his way toward the strongest presence his Observation Haki had detected. Along the way, the cabin doors, cargo on deck, and even parts of the ceiling had all been infused with souls, turning them into Homies capable of seeing, hearing, and talking. Every one of them noticed Liam. None of them made a sound.
Liam gently patted one of the Homies on a window frame with a hand coated in black Stand energy. Then he pressed himself against the outside wall and quietly listened.
Observation Haki required active use. Everyone aboard was completely relaxed aboard their own ship; no one would waste energy constantly sweeping the surroundings with Observation Haki. Besides, just because this was a Big Mom Pirates ship didn't mean everyone knew Observation Haki.
Of course... the powerful presence inside certainly did.
Liam munched on a pile of snacks he'd casually stolen along the way while eavesdropping through the window. A delicious aroma drifted out through the crack. He sniffed.
'Deep-fried fish? Breaded? ...With some kind of special seasoning.'
Whatever else could be said about the Charlotte Family, they never mistreated their own people when it came to food. Very much like their mother.
Liam continued eating while listening for entertainment. If he finished his snacks without overhearing anything interesting, he'd simply free all the Homies on board and leave. But after listening for a while, his expression turned to surprise.
"Oh? So Robin's been having quite a bit of fun."
---
"Baron Tamago and Poppy actually sent out a distress signal. I wonder how they're doing now..."
"Relax. They're not dying that easily."
"But they're up against Jolyne Cujoh!"
"According to Lord Katakuri, Giorno hasn't been traveling with Jolyne lately. She's just some woman who only got a '300 million Belly' bounty because of Giorno. What's there to worry about?"
"It's '330 million', not 300!"
"Close enough..."
"To reinforce them, even Lord Snack personally set out overnight."
Inside the cabin, a group of pirates surrounded a large pot of bubbling golden oil. They fished out crispy fried food one piece after another while chatting casually.
Nearby sat a tall man wearing a scarf. His hair was tied into a towering topknot held together with long steel pins. He had been resting with his eyes closed. Hearing his subordinates talking, he finally spoke.
"Idiots." His voice was calm. "If Baron Tamago and Poppy had to ask the family for help... what makes you think Jolyne Cujoh is just some weak woman hiding behind Giorno?"
"Well said!"
Suddenly, someone outside the window started applauding. The pirates around the fryer jumped in shock.
Snack's eyes snapped open. "Who's there?!"
'Crash!'
Liam smashed through the window, brushing shards of glass off his clothes. He looked Snack up and down before flashing a grin.
"So... you're the one they call... 'the shame of the Sweet Commanders?'"
---
(End of Chapter)
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