109 Confrontation #109

Cedric groaned, his body aching as he slowly regained consciousness. He blinked several times, trying to clear his vision, only to find himself lying on the ground amidst the debris of his stolen pirate ship. The ship was in ruins, its masts shattered, and its hull breached. He could only sigh as he realized he was alone.

He quickly pushed himself up, wincing at the pain in his ribs that quickly faded as his body rapidly produced the enzymes and hormones necessary for healing. Looking around, he saw no sign of his crewmates. The once bustling ship was now eerily silent.

"Damn... not the best start to be sure," Cedric muttered, his voice filled with annoyance as he recalled how the stolen ship was wrecked in the depths of the water.

It had happened too fast for him or the others to react as two gigantic shadows appeared, towering over the ship. Cedric only realized they were Wadatsumi and the giant anglerfish that worked for Vander Deckens when it was too late.

Naturally, Cedric had seen the two creatures coming, but he couldn't do anything about it due to the limitations of his devil fruit power. His ability to control fire was useless underwater, leaving him powerless to defend against the massive assailants.

He still managed to wound the giant angler fish with a cocnetrated beam of fire, but it did little to detter the two creature, subdued by the sea water as it was.

"No use crying over spilled milk," Cedric muttered, forcing himself to shake off his frustration as he dusted himself off and started looking around.

As he explored the area, Cedric's eyes darted across the ruined landscape, taking in the sight of dilapidated buildings and fishmen in tattered clothing in the distance, moving about with weariness etched on their faces. The realization slowly dawned upon him—he was in the fish-man district outside the Ryugu Kingdom's main island.

As he cautiously stepped forward, carefully avoiding the debris, Cedric couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The fishmen he encountered along his path wore expressions of distrust and veiled hostility.

The fishmen, huddled in small groups, cast wary glances at Cedric as he passed by. They seemed to have little trust for outsiders, especially pirates. Cedric understood their wariness, but he could only ignore it for now.

With each step, Cedric's frustation grew more pronounced, evidenced by a scowl. He needed to find his crewmates, but he also had a responsibility to navigate this unfamiliar territory cautiously. He couldn't rely solely on his strength or devil fruit powers. He needed to use his wits and diplomacy to make his way.

As Cedric continued his exploration, his line of thought was abruptly interrupted by heavy footsteps approaching. Turning his gaze, he saw a massive figure emerging from the shadows. It was Dosun, the hammerhead shark Fishman, a member of the New Fishman Pirates.

Dosun, a towering figure among the surrounding fishmen, stood at an impressive height. As a hammerhead shark Fish-Man, his most distinctive feature is his head like a hammer. His eyes were positioned on the edges of his head, while the top of his head was darker than the rest of his body, giving him a unique and formidable appearance.

Dosun's menacing presence was accompanied by a squad of fishmen armed with handheld cannons. They eyed Cedric with suspicion and hostility, their fingers hovering near the triggers of their weapons.

Cedric tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for his spear, only to stop as he realized it wasn't there, destroyed by Vice Admiral Onigumo. Still, he put on a smile and instantly relaxed.

Dosun's cold gaze bore into Cedric as he stepped forward. His sharp teeth glinted in the dim light, and his voice carried a hint of aggression. "Well, well, what do we have here...? A human lurking in our territory...?" he snarled, his tone laced with disdain.

Cedric met Dosun's piercing gaze, his expression shifting to one of calmness and composure. He raised his hands in a non-threatening gesture, his voice projecting a tone of diplomacy. "I come in peace," Cedric said, his words steady and measured. "I mean no harm to your people or your territory. I am just looking for my crewmates. We got separated, and our ship got wrecked..."

Dosun's eyes skeptically narrowed as he listened to Cedric's words. He remained silent for a moment, contemplating the stranger before him. The fishmen behind Dosun, armed with their cannons, maintained their defensive positions, ready to act at a moment's notice.

"You expect me to believe that, human?" Dosun questioned, his voice filled with skepticism. "Humans like you only bring trouble and destruction...."

Cedric's face remained calm, his tone earnest. "I understand your concerns, friend. But I assure you, I am not your enemy. In fact, I have no intention of interfering with your affairs or causing harm to your people. My only goal is to find my crewmates and leave this place peacefully."

Dosun's hammerhead-shaped brows furrowed, his grip tightening around the handle of his hammer. "Words mean nothing. Humans are known for their deceit. I won't fall for your tricks."

Cedric's expression flickered as the tension escalated, making his annoyance and thinning patience pronounced. Without warning, Dosun swung his massive hammer, aiming a blow at Cedric.

However, in a swift motion, Cedric caught the hammer with his bare hands, his muscles rippling as he transformed into his gigantic Heavenly Ape form.

The air crackled with fire as Cedric's body grew, his muscles bulging with herculean strength. His hair turned a shimmering gold, and his eyes glowed with an intense golden light. "I don't have time to waste on you," Cedric declared, his voice resonating with power as he lifted Dosun up high.

"But if you insist on getting in my way, then I can spare a few minutes to play with you, lot..." Cedric concluded as he let go of the hammer, causing it and its wielder to fall to the ground.

Dosun's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and trepidation crossing his face. The squad of fishmen behind him took a step back, uncertain how to react to Cedric's transformed state.

Gritting his teeth, Dosun ignored Cedric's warning as he turned to the fishmen behind him. "Fire! Take him down!" He ordered, believing they had the firepower and number advantage, despite Cedric's intimidating appearance.

In a swift and coordinated motion, a barrage of cannonballs shot through the air toward Cedric, aimed at overwhelming his immense form. The projectiles whistled and crashed, creating explosions and sending debris flying in all directions.

Cedric's golden eyes narrowed as he assessed the incoming onslaught. With a thunderous roar, he called upon his devil fruit powers, manipulating the flames around him. As the cannonballs approached, they met a wall of scorching flames that melted them mid-air, reducing to molten liquid.

The fishmen, witnessing their cannons' ineffectiveness, exchanged nervous glances. But it was too late. Cedric unleashed his wrath, his massive form lunging forward in a blur of speed. His fist, wreathed in fiery energy, collided with the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the area. The force of his blows shattered the fishermen's line and file and sent them sprawling in every direction.

Dosun, witnessing the swift defeat of his comrades, felt a mixture of rage and apprehension. He realized that Cedric was not an opponent to be taken lightly. Gathering his resolve, he charged towards Cedric, his massive hammer raised high, ready to strike.

However, Cedric anticipated Dosun's attack. As Dosun swung the hammer down with all his might, Cedric merely opened his mouth and unleashed a beam of concentrated flame that hit Dosun in the chest and pushed him back into the ground, creating a crater.

Dosun groaned, his body aching as he slowly regained consciousness. He blinked several times, trying to clear his vision, only to find himself lying on the ground amidst the wreckage of the fishmen's district. The impact of Cedric's attack had left him battered and on the edge of death.

As Dosun struggled to push himself up, he glanced around, his eyes widening with disbelief at the sight before him. His subordinates were strewn all over the ground, and whatever dilapidated buildings that once stood in the area were now gone, replaced by ruins and fire.

Cedric stood tall nearby, his massive form slowly reverting to its human state. The golden flames around him receded, leaving behind a trail of devastation. His eyes, still glowing with a faint fiery light, locked onto Dosun.

"Now then... since it's come to this, I'm gonna need you to answer some questions..."

...

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