(Bellamy POV)
When I first heard that we were heading this way, I hadn’t expected much of anything. According to the movie, the Straw Hats had still been sailing on the Going Merry when the events of that movie took place, which set the date prior to the Enies Lobbie arc. The events at Enies Lobbie had already transpired, as my stack of newspapers could attest to, and as such I had believed that we were too late to the party. Thus, imagine my surprise when I arrived at the island bar, only to witness Bigalo come swaggering into the underground pub. My eyebrows must have receded very much past my hairline with how wide my eyes became at the sight of a supposed-to-be-dead man being lead through the side door.
“Captain? Is something the matter?” Ross asked me, placing his tankard down. The others didn't outwardly react, but their eyes quickly started scanning the crowd for any threats. In response, I gestured for them to relax.
“Guys, there's no need to be so tense. It’s nothing serious, but if my hunch is right, we may have stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity here.” I said, before getting up and slowly making my way over to the barkeeper. It was fairly amusing to note the difference in attitude he displayed, when he had been dealing with the Straw Hats compared to when he was suddenly faced with me. With Luffy and friends, he'd been condescending and had treated them like kids who'd stumbled into something they weren't supposed to.
With me, the man went ramrod straight, his arms still mechanically wiping a mug, as drops of sweat began to coalesce on his brow. I was also picking up similar responses from the other patrons, all conversations dying a quiet death and all eyes being glued on my person. This wasn't terribly surprising to be honest. If I remembered correctly, the largest bounty mentioned in the movie had been General Gasparde’s 95 million belli, so I had to be one of the largest fish they had ever seen in their tiny little pond.
While it was flattering in its own way, it was also far more annoying than I was willing to accept and I decided to make my displeasure with the situation very clear.
“Gentlemen." I opened, addressing the crowd but without turning around to face them. "I believe that good manners are fundamental to society, even for one as liberal and free, like the world of piracy we are all proud to be a part of."
"..." The bar had gone deathly silent, that you could have heard a pin dropping on the floor, if any of the patrons had been relaxed enough to allow that to happen. They were not.
"Yet, I am truly saddened and disappointed, that the lessons we all should have learned in our childhoods are not being remembered and implemented as they should be. Though if you were to rub your two brain cells together, I am certain that you will all recognize, that attempting to overhear a private conversation is the height of rudeness.” A lot of people began to swallow nervously, but for some reason did not dare to look away. I decided to change that. “If I still see someone paying attention to this part of the establishment by the time I count to three, I will personally give that person remedial lessons in manners. One. Two.”
It was astonishing how quickly one could get people to turn around and mind their own beeswax, if you were a notorious pirate. It was at times like these that I loved being me.
“W-what can I get you, Bellamy sir?” Ah right, the barkeep.
“Just a few questions, my good man.” I told him, putting on my most genial smile.
“Of course, sir. Ask away.” The nervous man replied, but he seemed to have calmed down significantly after I revealed that I wasn't here to complain about the service. Which had been excellent by the way and very much above and beyond my expectations of such a run-down pub.
“When is the Dead End Race happening?” I asked, getting straight to the point. After all, there was no use in beating around the bush. It would likely be a lot more embarrassing to try and be all subtle, only to find out that the race had already happened. Admittedly, that was an unlikely scenario, what with Bigalo being alive and present, but it was still a non-zero chance.
“I thought you knew, sir.” He trembled a bit when I levelled a glare in his direction. Just a little. “You’re right on time, for the race is set to begin tomorrow.”
“Fantastic. Just through that door, yes?” I beamed at him, my finger pointing at the locked, heavy-set door and the barkeeper nodded frantically in silent confirmation. “Open it, will you?”
While that was being done, I motioned for my crew to join me, which they did with nary a query. And the one time Rivers tried to say something, Sarquiss shushed him into silence. “Right this way, sir. The password is two 100 belli coins.”
Thanking the man by throwing him a small purse, I led my crew down the tunnel with only a lantern to light our way.
“What’s going on, captain?” Rivers finally asked me, once we were near the end and I could only grin happily.
“Have any of you ever heard of the Dead End Race?”
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(Laki POV)
Being underground like this was honestly making Laki feel a bit…what was the word Muret used…claustrophobic. This had never been an issue up on the White White Sea, because there was literally nothing but open clouds anywhere as far as the eye could see. It wasn’t that bad when they were sailing down here either, because one could just replace the clouds with water and get pretty much the same thing, the few islands scattered around the place being a nice break from the blue monotony.
While spacious, the cavern wasn’t like that and Laki wouldn’t be too miffed to leave it behind. At least the place was brightly lit, with men and women everywhere, drinking and carousing and in one case, having an intimate exchange of bodily fluids in an alcove.
Gently covering Aisa’s eyes, Laki refocused on more important things like the registration for the race happening not two meters from her position, where Bellamy was questioning the official bookie.
“So, the final destination is Partia?”
“Yes sir. How astute of you sir. I’m certain you are going to be a crowd favorite to win.” The fat slob swarmed, rubbing his hands together in a very subservient manner. Was Bellamy really that much of a big deal? Thankfully, Muret saw her bewilderment and came to her rescue.
“Aisa is what people call a super rookie.” Muret explained to her, sounding very proud. “Only a select few pirates ever reach a bounty of 100 million and to do it in your first year on the grandline is an even greater accomplishment. That Bellamy has one of them on his crew implies, that his own bounty should be up there as well. For pirates, talking to Bellamy is essentially the closest thing they’ll ever get to meeting a celebrity. Perhaps he's not the biggest celebrity out there but certainly one expectant up-and-comer.”
While enlightening, that explanation made Laki cock her head in confusion, for the fat slob manning the registration booth seemed far more scared than excited.
“But why is he…” she tried to ask before stopping mid-sentence, mostly due to Bellamy's tone of voice having taken on a darker tinge. Though a glance at her captain's face revealed only a bright, friendly smile.
“Are you certain that this is the right eternal pose?”
“Of course, sir. On my honor.” the bookie swore, placing one hand over his heart. However, Laki hadn't missed the glint that flashed through her captain’s eyes at that response, as he began leaning his full weight against the man’s desk and causing it to creak ominously.
“I’m glad to hear it. Certainly the honorable bookie wouldn’t lie to me, would he? Not after he has staked his honor on this being the correct eternal pose. After all, there are many who will claim that honor is more valuable than life itself.” It wasn't difficult to understand what the captain was implying, not with the way he kept over-emphasizing certain words. Meaning, that most of this was an act for the bookie’s benefit, but before the man could so much as utter an excuse, Bellamy stood back up, lightly supporting his forehead with one hand. “No, I cannot force you in good conscience, to wager something that valuable.”
Laki blinked. When had this turned into a wager? Also, when Bellamy mentioned that honor was more valuable than life, surely he wasn't implying...
“Ah, it’s not proble…” The bookie had apparently reached the same conclusion because he opened his mouth to protest, but he was silenced near immediately by Bellamy placing a finger against his lips.
“I have a much better idea. Let us drastically lower the stakes.”
“Uhm…h-how low are we t-talking, Bellamy sir?” the bookie stuttered and in response, Bellamy smiled that smile which had ostensibly given him his epithet.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Very low. Your tongue should do. After all, an honorable man like yourself would have no need of a lying tongue, would he?”
“No, sir.” The slob squeaked, but the man wasn't out of the woods just yet, as Nero chose that moment to join the conversation.
“He’s obviously lying, captain Bellamy.” Even if Nero hadn’t said it, Laki would have been able to tell as much from how pale the bookie had become, and she was far from skilled in that department. For goodness' sake, the man was shaking like a dry leaf.
“Oh, why do you say that, Nero?” Bellamy's voice sounded almost playful when he looked at Nero expectantly. It was a bit odd to see him like this, very unlike the kind captain she had gotten to know. This had to be an act…right?
“It's obvious if one considers the way his heart rate changes, as well as the telltale signs from his micro expressions. And that's without even mentioning the obvious drainage of blood from his face.” Nero said, giving Bellamy a casual shrug. “It’s what I was raised to do, gather intelligence and all that.”
At that, the bookie did the impossible and turned even paler when Bellamy focused his smile back on him. “You heard my man. Now, I could forgive an honest mistake, if it’s accompanied by an earnest apology. What do you say?”
What choice did the bookie have other than to nod and comply?
Unsurprisingly, the man complied.
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(Ross POV)
If you had told Ross three months ago, that he would be sailing a ship off the edge of a waterfall in order to compete in a race worth 300 million belli, he would have punched you for trying to make fun of him. After all, the old Ross had been one of the most risk averse people on the six seas.
The new Ross was still a risk averse person, but the events of the recent months had shifted the boundaries of what constituted a risk…radically upwards. Which meant, that what they were doing now barely qualified as a risk when compared to sailing off the edge of the White White Sea.
In addition, their new ship was much better suited for the dangers of the Grand Line, which included the occasional cannon broadside. Which begged the question…
“Why are we staying at the back, captain? I thought this was a race.”
“Because there is no need at this stage. Most of them aren’t part of the competition.” Bellamy replied. What did the captain mean…right, the bookie had given most of them the wrong log pose, hadn’t he? “We can catch up to Gasparde once we’re out on the open sea.”
General Gasparde, a marine deserter and the real prize of this race. It may be wrong of him to do so, but after their success with Enel’s fruit, was it any wonder that almost the entire crew was salivating at the chance of another logia? Ross didn't have a clue where the captain might have learned that little tidbit, but frankly he didn't care.
The Bellamy Pirates were on the hunt.
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(Eddy POV)
Apparently, all of the other crews were morons with horrible ships. These were supposed to be veteran crews, who had survived for years on the Grand Line. When looking at the wreckage all around him, Eddy couldn't understand for the life of him how they hadn't all died already, especially with how flimsy their ships had been.
After witnessing a frigate be dashed to pieces against the side of the canal, Eddy had been very relieved that the Black Pearl was a much tougher lady. As she should be, with how much she had cost them, but he was thankful nonetheless.
Anyways, the competition was literally bonkers, one of the greatest examples of idiocy coming from the pair of giants, who had been some of the favorites to win. How they became the favorites was a mystery he would likely never solve, because they took themselves out in a fit of drunken recklessness, by attempting to (loudly) gain more speed and taking to the air. To make matters worse, they did so in a boat obviously not equipped for flight and in the wrong direction to boot. Thus, when they crashed into the middle of the city, they must have irreversibly ruined several residential buildings along with their chances of intelligent thought.
…idiots.
As a man who prided himself on his common sense, Eddy gently guided the Black Pearl around the capsized ships, through the canals and out into the open sea, instead of committing an act of stupidity of a similar magnitude. Sure, they were currently in last place but they were definitely not out of the running yet, especially once they activated their new jet dial propulsion system.
And lo and behold, Gasparde was leaving the main column to sail off into the distance. What was surprising though, was that Willy the Fishman had started giving chase. Perhaps he was another competitor who had seen through Gasparde’s trick?
Also, why was the log pose not pointing in the direction Gasparde was sailing in?
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(Rivers POV)
“Willy just got thrown overboard, captain!” Rivers called out from his perch atop Fuza. The battle, if one could call it that, had been short and brutal, with Willy’s crew enthusiastically boarding Gasparde’s ship, before being just as enthusiastically thrown back into the sea. Sometimes in pieces. Jeez, that Needless guy was brutal, carving up his opponents into fish bait. “By the way, seakings incoming on the port bow! Thought you should know!”
“On it!” Laki replied, taking aim and firing a shot through the first dinner guest. Rivers joined her by cooking another’s eye with his plasma bolts, and soon the air was filled with pale blue beams of heated gas and the smell of cooking meat. He could also see Mani whispering in Aisa’s ear, no doubt encouraging the little girl to join in. She wasn't strictly needed, as the sea kings were starting to just focus on the meal Laki and Rivers were providing instead of hunting down the Black Pearl, but this was a good opportunity for Aisa to get her feet wet.
Not many could experience combat (against seakings) in such relative safety. Also, whatever Mani had said, it had clearly worked and the final blow of their fishing session was delivered by Aisa against a rather stubborn yellow seaking. One didn't tend to think about it very often with how cute she was, but that was a frightening amount of firepower packed into a tiny package.
Maybe he should offer more headpats as a bribe? She seemed to like it when the captain did it.
Getting back to the task at hand, Gasparde had clearly taken notice of their impromptu light show, judging by the way he had started speeding up.
Rivers giggled as he imagined the rogue marine’s panic, when instead of gaining ground, his ship started rapidly losing the lead it already had.
He should have lived an honest life, that one.
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(Hewitt POV)
“Captain, you can’t be serious.” Hewitt protested.
“You’ll find that I can be and am.”
Just this once, Hewitt would like to punch his captain in the face and wipe that smirk off of it.
“Its just not possible. This is going to be worse than with Gedatsu! At least that guy offed himself and I highly doubt that Gasparde is going to do the same.”
“It’s not like I’m telling you to do this on your own.”
If only such an act would not constitute a mutiny or if it were even remotely likely that he'd be able to touch the smiling jerk in the first place.
“Sir!”
“I have the fullest confidence in your abilities.”
But alas, Hewitt was too weak. Which made the captain's plan even more ludicrous.
“Captain, he’s a logia. Even if we ignore Mani and myself, neither Sarquiss nor Lily have any options of hitting a logia, something that has been made painfully clear whenever we train with Aisa.”
“You’re a cook. He’s candy syrup. I really don’t see the problem.” Bellamy shrugged dismissively.
“Captain!”
“You’re like, his natural enemy. Just take some flour from the kitchen and coat the man in it. He’s not had a serious fight in years and is bound to be rustier than a nail at the bottom of the ocean.”
Wait, would that work? How did Bellamy know that it would work?
“But, captain...”
“You’ll be fine.” The captain said, patting him on the back. “And should things turn ugly, I can always step in. Plus we do have seastone, if you didn’t know.”
Their total supply of which amounted to one small rock and a pair of shackles but yes, they did have seastone.
Hewitt stared at the innocuous little rock being tossed up and down in his captain’s hand. It had never seemed more beautiful than it did now.
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(Bellamy POV)
Iceburg really hadn't been exaggerating when he called the Black Pearl the fastest ship he had and likely would ever built. Gasparde was running his engines on overdrive and yet my ship still had at least several knots on his. At this rate we would catch up to him within half an hour at the latest.
Gasparde eventually recognized this too and brought his ship around to face us. To be honest, I had expected him to do so much earlier, being the stereotypical arrogant paradise logia that he was, but he had tried to avoid us at first. If I had to guess, it would be because of my new bounty, which had convinced him that fighting me was an unnecessary risk.
Now that I…uh…had forced his hand, he had decided to fight, likely trusting his logia invulnerability to carry him through the battle unharmed.
We were going to dissuade General Gasparde of that notion.