novelraw Chapter 292 292: The Situation Becomes Clear
Chapter 292 292: The Situation Becomes Clear
Ace's anger evaporated almost instantly.
Moments ago, he had been all high and mighty, but now he looked utterly lost, as if danger lurked around every corner. "Wait! When did I ever say that?! Uncle Reed, you're slandering me! You're making things up! Mom, don't listen to his nonsense!"
Reed said calmly, "Kid, I've eaten more rice than you've walked steps. Don't even think about challenging me."
From a distance, Rouge's gentle voice carried a soft, inquisitive "Oh?" "Ace? Is what my brother said true? Is Mom's fried pork really that bad?"
Ace immediately broke into a cold sweat. What do I do now? I'm already online waiting, and this is urgent.
"No! Absolutely not! Mom, let me explain! It's Uncle Reed…"
But Reed had already retracted his blood-mist loudspeaker. Ah, another day, another full harvest.
The children looked at their uncle. In an instant, he shifted from "unfathomable Sea Emperor" to "immature, shameless tattler to parents." Their carefully built image of him as a "top-tier monster" shattered immediately.
Respect? Awe? Leisure above all else?
None of it remained.
Meanwhile, on the island that had risen into the clouds on the updraft—a location marking the end of Two Piece—the atmosphere was entirely different from the "warmth" of Gold City. Here, reality seemed almost frozen.
The first to use technological power to ascend the island, Vinsmoke Judge, did not immediately locate the treasure chest. Or rather, he dared not.
Soon, other factions arrived almost simultaneously, instantly forming a tense standoff around the seemingly ordinary central treasure chest. No one dared make the first move.
At present, this island might contain power capable of destroying Marine Headquarters itself. We call it the "Power of One Sea."
It was roughly divided into five distinct groups.
The two who had just been locked in mortal combat now stood back to back, vigilantly observing the others.
Buggy split into countless hands, arms flailing wildly. "What are you staring at?! This fifty billion Berries are all mine! Red-Haired, if you try to stop me again, I'll dismantle your Red-Haired crew and burn them for firewood!"
Shanks held his straw hat, wearing a helpless but excited smile. "Hmm, hmm… Buggy, let's team up first to deal with the outsiders. We can settle our feud later."
"Settle what? It's all mine!"
Perospero's face was grim. He hadn't expected the situation to become this critical. Katakuri stood beside him. They regretted bringing only the two of them. At this point, they seemed severely outnumbered. Look at the Whitebeard Pirates—they had mobilized the entire crew.
Perospero was surrounded by several massive candy puppets, glaring fiercely at everyone, especially the Whitebeard crew. "Perospero… looks like we'll have to take care of these pesky flies first~"
Marco remained expressionless. Jozu, Satch, Teach, and every available Whitebeard ally had arrived. In short, no one was missing, except Whitebeard himself. Vista's right hand rested in his pocket, ready to scatter flowers when battle began.
Honestly, I always thought Vista's flowers were part of his sword technique. But after checking his profile, I found they scatter from his pocket, just like Cavendish.
The other commanders were equally high-spirited. They had the largest numbers, the smoothest teamwork, and were top contenders for the treasure.
"Tch, what a hassle… we grab the treasure and go feast," Marco yawned.
Do not let Marco's current nonchalance fool you. The Whitebeard Pirates were notoriously broke. They had territories, yes, but anyone who knew understood.
They didn't collect protection fees openly, nor did they operate criminal enterprises like Reed. Like Roger, they were just a gang of street fighters.
Now to introduce the third group. This combination was unique, yet surprisingly harmonious.
Donquixote Doflamingo grinned, fingers weaving threads. "Heh heh heh… never thought we'd work together, huh? How about we deal with the two loudest ones first?" (referring to Buggy and Shanks)
Crocodile, cigar clenched between his teeth, sneered. "Hmph. No nonsense. Once we get it, we take care of our own business."
Dracule Mihawk, holding his black blade Night, said simply: "I'm not interested in money."
Doflamingo raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"
Mihawk's gaze swept across the restless junior pirate factions. "Watching the show. Maybe take out a few boring ones while I'm at it."
Crocodile snorted. "All show, no substance."
Without Doflamingo, it would have been just the Cross Guild.
Then there were the largest group—numerous but uneven in strength. Each had hidden motives. Blinded by five hundred billion Berries, they hoped to scavenge leftovers while the big players fought.
"Move! There are only a few of them!"
"Five hundred billion Berries! That's enough to live lavishly for generations!"
Then there were the Queen and Germa 66. They simply watched from the sidelines, clearly aware the cost of claiming the treasure was far too high.
Just as the tension reached its peak, a sharp, arrogant voice cut through the silence.
"Boring."
All eyes involuntarily turned toward her. Queen Boa Hancock stood atop the Serpent Pirates' giant serpent, her long hair streaming in the sea breeze. She didn't even glance at the fifty billion Berry treasure chest, as if it were nothing more than a pebble by the roadside. Her gaze swept across the battlefield at the murderous, foolish men, and a clear expression of disdain and contempt crossed her stunning face.
"For a few measly Berries, men tear each other apart like wild beasts. Their greed and stupidity are disgusting," she said firmly, tilting her head slightly. "I, a humble woman, will not participate."
In that moment, Hancock displayed the decisiveness befitting a queen. The Serpent Pirates were not just pirates—they were citizens of Amazon Lily. As their queen, she was responsible for her people.
Without waiting for a reaction, she waved her delicate hand. "Serpent Pirates, return to base! Uncle Reed said he left us cake."
The giant serpent obediently turned, carrying the Amazon Lily queen and her warriors away from the island, which was rapidly becoming a battlefield. They leisurely made their way toward Gold City.
Hancock's departure was clean, precise, even slightly disdainful, as if "even looking at you one more time would soil my eyes."
Her action was like a bucket of cold water, sobering some of the greed-blinded pirates. But that small dose of reason was quickly washed away by the lure of five hundred billion Berries.
The Germa snail ship quietly pulled back a little. Judge's expression was grim. Ambitious though he was, he understood his limitations. In this chaotic free-for-all among top-tier fighters, his technological power could not guarantee absolute dominance. He was likely to become a target. Sacrificing Germa's main forces for a mere fifty billion Berries was not worth it. He chose to wait and observe, hoping to pick up leftovers.