Chapter 120: The Slime's Menace
"Shurororororo...!"
Outside the research institute, in the icy zone.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
In the distance, a red, translucent monster charged towards them on six legs. Its heavy footsteps caused the entire snowfield to tremble.
Slime!
Created by Caesar Clown using compressed H₂S gas and imbued with the power of an artificial Salamander SMILE Fruit, Model: Axolotl, this poisonous gas monster could display its unique, amphibious form. Its body shifted flexibly between liquid and solid states.
"This damn lunatic is even broadcasting his commentary for us to hear?" Peacock snarled, disgusted by the arrogance. "A poison gas monster that ate a Devil Fruit? Little Red, burn it to a crisp! Crack!"
She cracked her whip, commanding her newly tamed red dragon. 'Little Red' was the name she had given it.
ROAR...!
WHOOSH!
A massive pillar of fire erupted from the dragon's maw, striking the Slime head-on.
But in the next moment...
BOOM!
The poisonous gas monster Slime exploded violently upon contact with the flames. The scorching shockwave devoured the ice and snow, instantly melting most of the thick white layer. The Slime's originally huge body shattered into pools of red mucus, scattering everywhere.
The ice layer had absorbed most of the blast's force, so the officers weren't seriously injured. Doll brushed the snow from her face and stared ahead. "It explodes when burned? It really is a monster. Is it finished? It doesn't look that powerful! That Frankenstein wannabe talked a big game for nothing!"
Nami pointed forward, her voice tense. "Look! Something's wrong... The scattered red liquid is turning into smaller Slimes! The ability to split and coexist? What kind of terrifying creature is this... They're... colliding and merging again?!"
The bizarre scene sent a chill through everyone. The unique, monstrous creature caused the live broadcast's viewership to spike again and again.
"Right-Angle Pheasant!"
T-Bone stepped forward and unleashed powerful sword slashes. The sharp energy passed through, cutting the reforming Slime apart once more. But it only slowed its rate of reformation; it didn't cause any substantial damage.
"Damn it!" T-Bone growled in frustration. "Slashing attacks are useless?"
Caesar Clown's voice echoed once more through the live broadcast and the nearby speakers: "Struggle! Fear! Poor, pitiful Marines! Just as you set sail into the New World, you are about to fall into the abyss. Enjoy the charm of SMILE! Shurororororo...!"
[Dressrosa Kingdom!]
Doflamingo: "Fufufufu... Well done, Caesar! Jock Ian, I finally get to watch you disappear from this world with my own eyes."
[Gran Tesoro, The City of Gold]
Gild Tesoro: "A poisonous gas creature... Looks like it might be worth buying for some entertainment."
[Pleasure District, Queen's Mansion]
Stussy: "Ian, don't die so easily. I'm not done with an interesting man like you. Let me see how you survive this crisis."
The underworld big shots watching the live broadcast were all in a relaxed mood, enjoying the spectacle. Ian's team, facing the actual crisis, were not having such a comfortable time.
"If attacking the Slime directly doesn't work..." Speed ventured, noticing the Slime's glowing eyes fixated on the giant candy, "maybe we should destroy that giant candy? It seems to be heading straight for it!"
Ian shook his head, advising against it. "Don't even think about it. If you break that candy first, the high-concentration toxic gas inside will leak out instantly, and the situation will only get worse. The candy coating itself is also a toxic substance. Caesar wants it to mix with the Slime to create even greater lethality."
His words exposed the true nature of both threats, pushing the tense atmosphere to its peak.
"Everyone, please stand back," a soft but firm voice spoke up. "I think... I might be able to handle that poison gas monster."
While everyone was at a loss, Skylark slowly stepped forward, her eyes determined as she looked ahead.
Ian smiled inwardly, a sense of pride swelling within him. The 'evolved' Skylark was about to reveal her terrifying new power to the big shots of the New World!
"Skylark? You're going to deal with that monster?" Doll asked, surprised. "I remember you were a sniper at Headquarters, right? Fire and slashing attacks had no effect. Bullets must be the same! I think—"
She was cut off mid-sentence as Peacock pulled her back. "Alright, alright, little Doll. Have a little more faith in your comrades and say less. When a comrade says to leave it to her, just watch the show calmly."
Doll was the only one in the current team who didn't know Skylark had consumed the Dark-Dark Fruit. She was genuinely concerned for her comrade's safety. Even while being pulled back by Peacock, she insisted, "But it's too dangerous! Lieutenant General Ian, aren't you worried about Skylark's safety? ..."
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