Chance Encounter at Sea

Chapter 59: Chance Encounter at Sea

The news of Rodney becoming one of the Shichibukai quickly spread in the World Economy News. The scene of him having a friendly exchange with Tsuru was captured by a Den Den Mushi camera and appeared in the newspaper.

The article exaggeratedly depicted him as a "Just Partner," portraying him as a partner of the Marines, a lackey of the World Government, and an enemy of pirates. The appearance of the new member of the Shichibukai shocked many people.

…

Dressrosa

Doflamingo looked at the newspaper and laughed heartily, "Fufufu, Crocodile, it seems your ambitions weren't fulfilled. Fufufu, I thought you would succeed."

Tossing away the newspaper, he picked up a glass of red wine and drank it, savoring the joy of victory, even though he had experienced it before.

…

Whitebeard Pirates

The world's strongest man heard the news from his sons and laughed while drinking, "Gurara, has that kid been defeated? Rodney, a newcomer, how long can he roam these seas?"

"He should be able to roam for a while." A man with a pineapple hair smiled and said, "If he can't even reach the New World, then he won't have much to say."

Only the New World is the true territory of pirates. Compared to the New World, the Grand Line is like a playground, and the Four Blues are like paradise.

"Gurararara, Marco, this kid is no ordinary person; he will reach the New World."

"Why do you have such high expectations, old man?"

"That's just the feeling I have. Alright, boys, let's have a party!"

"Oh, oh, oh, oh!!"

For a moment, the ship was filled with a lively atmosphere.

...

"Wow, Captain, you're now famous across the seas!" Robin sat on the ship, flipping through the newspaper with a smile.

Rodney lay on a deck chair and said, "Is it a big deal? I just took over as one of the Shichibukai. I can gain many benefits, and the World Government gets a powerful force in return. It's a fair deal. Besides, I have a plan, so I need this position."

"Oh, Captain, can you tell me about the plan?"

"Hehe, it's a secret. But in a few days, another Shichibukai's days won't be easy."

He had shared some of Crocodile's plans with Tsuru. This clever old woman probably wanted to find a flaw in Doflamingo to capture him.

However, Doflamingo's methods were similar to Crocodile's, but cleaner. It would be challenging for the Marines to find a flaw in him. Still, Tsuru would undoubtedly make him uncomfortable.

Patting the deck, Rodney admired the Marine's ship; though it was a lifeboat, it wasn't a small one, having its own sails and cabin. He and Robin had more than enough space to live on it.

"If we had some books, it would be even better." Robin said more than once.

"Big sis, to have books, we need a large ship. Crocodile's bounty is enough to build a good ship in the Water 7." Rodney covered his face with the newspaper and said, "Call me if anything special happens; I'll take a nap first."

Robin looked at him speechlessly, sighing that she was unlucky to have such a lazy captain. With normal wind speed and weather, everything was ordinary. Robin was almost a navigator herself; though not as professional as Nami, she had learned enough to survive on the sea for so long.

The weather in the Grand Line was as unpredictable as a child's mood. It could be sunny one moment and cloudy with heavy winds the next.

Looking at the dark, rain-soaked sky, Robin quickly woke up Rodney, and they stowed the sails to prevent the mast from breaking. They stored everything on the deck and took shelter in the cabin together.

"We're in trouble. How can this weather change so suddenly?"

"Captain, have you never experienced this before?"

"I used to travel underwater. When did I encounter this kind of weather?" 

After entering the Grand Line, they followed Laboon underwater, and he had never encountered such weather. This was the first time.

"That's probably because of me, Captain. I've been an inconvenience."

"It's alright, Robin. This experience is fascinating." The small boat tossed up and down on the waves, making Rodney feel nauseous.

"Captain, cheer up! Feeling seasick is too pathetic."

"Sorry, Robin, but I really...can't hold it in..." His face turned ugly. Seeing waves nearly ten meters high approaching, Robin quickly said, "Captain, over there!"

Rodney remained silent and rushed out of the cabin.

"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" A water wall rose beside the boat, blocking the crashing waves and ensuring their safety.

"Captain, it's reassuring to have you around." Robin smiled.

"Of course, I...bleh." He leaned over the ship's rail and vomited.

Robin: "..." 

I take back what I said.

The rain stopped, the temperature dropped, and snowflakes fell on Rodney's head.

"It's snowing? This weather is ridiculous." 

He quickly recovered and stood on the mast, washing away the seawater on the deck with Water Release.

Freshwater was also useful for cleaning the deck, preventing the salty seawater from corroding it. The ship's wood was coated with a special substance, protecting it from the salt's corrosive effects.

The temperature continued to drop, and Robin wrapped herself in her clothes. Rodney's skin turned red, and white steam emanated from his body.

Boil Release!

The combination of fire and water chakra created a Bloodline Limit, Rodney's first one. It had an amplification effect, enhancing his taijutsu for battle by manipulating the power of steam. 

It could strengthen his strength and speed and produce powerful corrosive acid mist. The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, had used it to dissolve the Susanoo of Madara. However, it required a confined, narrow area without ventilation to be effective.

With his arms crossed, the snowflakes around Rodney melted within a meter due to the heat. Sensing the surging power within him, Rodney couldn't help but clench his fists. If he didn't use Natural Energy with it, the recoil from combining Boil Release and Natural Energy might exceed that of opening the Third or Fourth Gate. With his current body, he would likely be injured after one attack.

The snow stopped soon, and the temperature rose again, deactivating Boil Release.

"Captain, we've deviated from the course." Robin's pointer on the recording device showed a slight deviation due to the earlier storm.

"Really? No problem, Robin. Get ready to fight, our target is here." Rodney activated his Sharingan, gazing into the distance, and remarked, "He's still a formidable opponent." 

"Captain, do you know him?" 

"Yes, they are infamous in North Blue." He dispatched a shadow clone to gather information while he and Robin raised the sails and accelerated the ship.

The shadow clone moved swiftly on the sea surface, using wave riding to approach the pirate ship.

Though it seemed like a full-scale battle, it was just a pirate ship. Besides the vessel, there was a giant snail floating on the sea, resembling a small house.

A cry of fear emanated from the pirate ship. A burly young man with green hair was mercilessly carrying out a massacre. Not a single pirate was a match for him; his cruelty was evident as he dispatched one pirate after another with his iron fists within seconds.

"Hey, hey, this is getting really boring. Tell me, where is Wesker?" The young man inquired while holding a pirate in his hand.