Chapter 774: Chapter 773: If You Dare Destroy My Banana Plantation, Even If You’re an Admiral, I Won’t Let You Off!
"The results are in, but trouble is likely on the way. This isn’t a natural disaster, it’s man-made."
Staring at the analysis results in his hand, Queen’s face was clouded with darkness.
He finally figured out the reason and understood why he had been failing all this time.
This time, he discovered the components causing the bananas to get sick were not what he previously thought, but an artificial product, made by none other than his old acquaintance.
"That bastard Caesar, when I see him again, I’ll make him plow the ground with his face!"
"Caesar?"
"Caesar Clown, just a loser. I used to work with him in a research group. This thing is a result of his failed experiments. I should say it’s an improved version. At first, I didn’t realize what it was, but now I can confirm it."
"Like what? A new type of virus?"
"No, that guy’s experimental direction is a bit different from mine. He always liked artificial fruits but never succeeded. He followed some plant cultivation traits while cultivating his fruits and ended up with this special ’pesticide.’
There’s no point in explaining more; you wouldn’t get it anyway. Thankfully, it’s not too troublesome, and I should be able to handle it."
Queen didn’t explain more about the technicalities but instead used a brief way to help Zeraora understand what it was.
"But this thing couldn’t have appeared here out of nowhere. Now that he’s a lapdog for the World Government, it’s really a conspiracy against me!"
A conspiracy was anticipated by Queen, but when he confirmed it as a genuine conspiracy, his feelings were complicated.
"So, what are you going to do now?"
"Well, about that..."
Logically speaking, after identifying the problem, he should leave immediately. He could prepare an antidote after leaving, but doing so would waste valuable time, and these bananas might not make it.
"Do you mind... waiting a few more days?"
"You... you’re going to talk yourself to death one of these days."
Seeing Queen’s hesitant yet reluctant expression, Zeraora felt like kicking him. Suddenly, he understood what Shaina said before.
[I don’t know why I want to kick him; I just can’t resist the urge when I see that face.]
At this moment, someone made the decision for them, as the laboratory rang with alarms, helping Queen make up his mind.
Taking advantage of his speed, Zeraora was the first to see what was happening outside.
"Queen, I’ve got good news. You won’t have to struggle with how to deal with this anymore."
"Hmm???"
The sounds of explosions echoed in his ears, giving Queen a bad premonition.
"You mean..."
"Almost everything’s burning. You probably won’t have time to save those bananas. This is a big problem."
The distinct explosion sounds in his ears were unlike ordinary gunpowder blasts. When Queen reached the window, he saw banana groves turning into seas of fire, with molten projectiles falling amidst regular bombardments.
Not far away, the silhouette of a warship was growing larger.
"It’s that mad dog..."
Spotting the red-suited Navy officer on the ship’s bow, wearing a Cloak of Justice, Queen instantly recognized him. Only one person in the Navy used magma as a weapon, the Headquarter Admiral Sakazuki, codenamed Akainu.
Due to past grudges between Olga and him, Akainu was always referred to as mad dog within the Hundred Beasts. Escaping him back then cost Olga a lot of effort.
"Lord Zeraora! Lord Queen! We’ve been attacked by the Navy, and leading them is..."
"Alright, no need to say more. I’ve seen it. Take everyone and evacuate. Don’t stay and cause more trouble."
This island of the Hundred Beasts was used for planting. The population was already low, mainly consisting of a few pirates and workers. Two full ships could carry everyone away.
The island’s purpose wasn’t combat, mostly housing retired pirates, who were of little help in such battles.
"Yes, understood! What about you two, my lords?"
"I’ll cover you for a while, report the situation here back to Ghost Island."
Zeraora quickly arranged these matters and then looked over at Queen.
"I’m going to delay him a bit. What about you?"
If he wanted to leave, he could do so right now. Sakazuki couldn’t stop Zeraora. In terms of flexibility, he had no way of restraining him. But doing that would mean the other pirates on the island would be in danger. The Navy’s top strength wasn’t something they could handle.
But he did have some sense of responsibility, even though he promised Setsuna he would prioritize his own safety above all.
The safest thing to do in this situation would be to leave directly, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
A man’s promise at home and his actions when out often had a slight, reasonable discrepancy.
He initially thought Queen would want to retreat together, but this time Zeraora underestimated Queen.
"Delay him? I want to kill that guy! I don’t care what kind of dog he is; he dared to burn my banana grove. Even if it’s Big Brother Kaidou, I’d fight him to the death!"
Queen’s eyes were bloodshot, his adrenaline pumping. Messing with his food, no matter who the enemy was, was unforgivable. At this moment, he was so angered that he lost his reason.
He made the bravest decision he had in over a decade.
His skin started to squirm, the muscles inside him continuously swelling and transforming. As he walked out of the room, he had turned into a massive Tropius, flying towards the Navy warship.
He didn’t care about the casualties among the common pirates. He only wanted revenge for the bananas that hadn’t even been born yet.
...
"Admiral Sakazuki! The target has appeared; he didn’t run away and is approaching us!"
The substance created by Caesar to destroy plants, and Akainu showing up here, were all actions orchestrated by the World Government, part of their attempt.
Staff couldn’t be placed inside Ghost Island, but sneaking an intelligence officer onto the surrounding islands was simple. By analyzing Queen’s preferences, a CP Squad planned this operation.
They merged the potion created by Caesar into rain clouds, causing the plants here to fall ill, and had Sakazuki nearby on a mission. From the current situation, capturing him alive quickly and eliminating the target under special conditions was the most foolproof course of action.
Theoretically, Borsalino was more suited for this task, but he was responsible for Vegapunk’s security, so the Navy didn’t reassign him.
"The plan doesn’t change. Continue with the bombardment and wipe out all the pirates on the island!"
His arm continued spewing magma into the sky. The operation needed to be thorough. Since they had already engaged, there was no need for mercy. Whether it was Queen or common pirates, eradicating them all was his decision.
