Chapter 96: Sulong Diddy
As we left Chandelier City, we headed directly west, right where the entrance to Paradise was, and to say I wasn't slightly excited would be a lie; I was probably more excited for this than I was when Freyja and I first started our pirate journey. After all, unlike before, when I had no idea what awaited us in the South Blue, I already had an idea of what I'd encounter within Paradise, and I couldn't wait; this world is weird, so who knows what other crazy things we may come across.
I've already come across a Fishman back on Karate Island, more like Freyja used her noble connections to acquire a Fishman slave, but tomayto tomahto. Still, thanks to Freyja being a noble, I know there exist many different species besides Humans, Minks, and Fishman, and I wanted to meet them if possible. However, that was just a tiny part of my excitement, as I was really anticipating the people I'd end up fighting along my adventure; just thinking about it gets my blood boiling in exhilaration.
'Hehe, my dream is to reach the epitome of strength, but who says I can't have some fun along the way? After all, you only live- actually, that saying won't work.' Mused Diddy with a smirk as he sat at the front of the ship while looking up at the darkening sky, the moon becoming more prominent with each passing minute.
"Hoho, it's rare to see you here, Captain; what are you thinking about?" Asked Sebas with a slight chuckle as he approached Diddy, who was sitting on the railing while he stood on the deck just adjacent to him.
"Heh, just thinking about Paradise." Replied Diddy with a grin as he glanced at Sebas before looking ahead, searching for the entrance to Paradise.
"Hmm, you seem rather excited about Paradise, Captain, though I can't blame you as I feel the same; I've lived a long time, roughly six decades, and throughout my life, I've read and heard rumors and stories about the craziness of Paradise. I may have never desired to be a pirate, but I've always wondered what it would be like to go on an adventure and experience the vastness that this world has to offer; however, I've always been tied down by the Elegant mafia, so it merely stayed as a wishful dream of an old man." Said Sebas lightly with a soft smile as he leaned on the railing, letting the ocean breeze brush against his face while his hair flew in the wind.
"At least, that was until I came along and forced you to join the Frenzy Pirates; is that what were you going to say?" Remarked Diddy as he turned and looked at Sebas, who merely laughed in response.
"Hohoho, I wasn't going to put it like that, but yes, if it weren't for your interference, Captain, I would've stayed confined within Briss Kingdom, most likely until the day I died, along with a long-forgotten ambition. So I do thank you for that; your presence awakened my slumbering drive, you could say, and although none of this stuff is what I'm used to, I've never been happier. For an old man like me, that's all I could ask for." Replied Sebas with boisterous laughter, unbefitting of his old age as he looked at Diddy.
"I don't think happiness is the correct word you're looking for; I'd say thrill is more appropriate." Commented Diddy with a smirk.
"You're probably right. Anyways, I'll leave you to it, Captain." Remarked Sebas with a smile as he turned around and walked away with his hands behind his back, leaving Diddy alone at the ship's bow.
After my little chat with Sebas, time passed like usual, and within the next thirty or so minutes, amidst the night sky, I saw what looked like an absolutely massive structure in the distance through the night fog.
'No, that's not a structure, that's a freaking mountain.' Mused Diddy with furrowed brows as he stood up and landed on the deck behind him.
"Trenza, is that what I think it is?" Yelled Diddy with a grin as he leaped up to the top of the mast, digging his nails into the wood and standing horizontally on the mast.
"Y-Yeah, that's it, Captain; the Red Line. It's so unbelievably massive." Replied Trenza once she finally climbed up the ladder to the crow's nest and looked out into the sea, only to spot a massive red stone wall that stretched for as far as the eye could see.
"Heh, well, it's said to stretch around the entire planet, and it doesn't even matter whether this is a small planet; that would still be incredibly massive to beings such as ourselves." Remarked Diddy with a feral grin as he released his hold from the mast, causing him to land back on the deck.
Landing on the Deck, I ran back towards the ship's side, only to notice that the water, which is usually relatively calm, was slowly getting more aggressive; it was still fine right now, but I could tell the current was increasing.
"Hehe, since we're reaching our destination, what better time than now?" Said Diddy with a smirk as he suddenly jumped overboard, leaping into the water and disappearing into the sea amidst the cover of night.
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Seeing Diddy vanish into the ocean, I grunted in annoyance as I knew what was about to come; every time he transforms, he lets off a large discharge of lightning, so transforming in the water was better than possibly damaging the ship.
"Tch, dammit; this will be dangerous." Muttered Freyja with an intense frown and a rapidly beating heart as she stood up from the helm and walked around, calming herself down.
I usually wasn't scared of Diddy; sure, if we ever got into a real fight, he'd win, yes, but I've never been scared of him. However, when he transforms, that's an entirely different story; the sheer power at his disposal is worrying enough, let alone the fact that he acts like a true beast who would kill any of us without hesitation.
"Freyja, do you know where Captain went? I was just talking with him a few moments ago, but then he suddenly disappeared." Asked Trenza as she walked up the stairs, only to see Freyja seemingly panicking while walking around in circles.
"Haa, he jumped into the ocean a few seconds ago; however, that's not important; quickly get everyone. I need to give you all some advice before Diddy returns." Replied Freyja seriously as she stopped walking and looked at Trenza, who nodded in confusion, though she did as she was told.
"O..kay. I'll be right back." Said Trenza as she turned around and quickly gathered everyone.
There was no point in formulating a plan or anything like that; even without transforming, Diddy was the strongest one here, and he'd only be widening the gap. Besides, creating a plan would be detrimental since if he found out; he may get annoyed and kill everyone.
"You've requested us, Freyja?" Asked Sebas as he, Trenza, Grand, and Scar walked up the stairs and approached Freyja.
"Listen, Diddy has just left to transform, and since I'd prefer if you all don't stupidly throw your lives away, here's one thing you all need to understand: No matter what happens, don't ever show cowardice before him!" Declared Freyja solemnly as she didn't even bother sugarcoating her words, though that caused Trenza to nervously gulp while three frowned in response.
"I've never seen you act so frightened before, Freyja; is it that terrifying?" Asked Scar with a deep frown as he looked at Freyja, noticing signs of fear in her eyes.
"Yes, but it doesn't matter; you three won't understand; you are all too weak to fully comprehend Diddy's strength, let alone when he's transformed. However, that also doesn't matter; you all need to understand that you can't show cowardice if you wish to live through tonight. Fear is fine, but you mustn't show cowardice; if Diddy attacks, you attack back. As long as you four do that, you will live, mos-" Stated Freyja gravely as she intently looked at the four, who all nodded in response, though before she could finish speaking, a large eruption of lightning suddenly happened behind them, illuminating the nearby area.
Seeing that familiar explosion of lightning, I didn't hesitate and transformed into my Satan's soul form as I could instantly feel my looming death, and it seemed I wasn't the only one as Sebas's expression turned dignified.
"Get ready; he'll be here any minute-Urgh." Said Freyja while warily looking behind her, though she was interrupted as she was suddenly lifted into the air from the neck by a large figure coiled in lightning.
"Freyja, what's the matter? Why transformed? Worried that I was going to kill you for earlier?" Questioned the lightning-clad figure with a deep, raspy voice that frightened Trenza, though just as she was about to take a step back, she remembered Freyja's words and stood her ground.
"Hehe, good job, Trenza; if you'd have taken a step backward, you would've lost that leg." Said the lightning-clad figure as he appeared behind Trenza while Freyja was still lifted in the air.
"N-No, I-I just m-making s-sure you k-knew w-who I was." Replied Freyja as she hit the figure's arm several times, yet the creature hardly flinched.
After I said that, Diddy chuckled before releasing my neck, causing me to drop to the deck while gasping for breath. Looking up at him, the lightning coiling around him slowly dissipated, revealing Diddy much bigger than before with long silver fur, a long, bushy tail, and larger teeth and nails.
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Elven Legacy (Chapter 184: Massive Horde Arrives!) || Hero of Harmony (Chapter 65: Wife & Husband(R18)) || One Piece: Chaos Kong (Chapter 106: Pirate Royal Begins!) at [patreon.com/Ozonelayer691]