Vikengam felt that Saint Saturn's reason was fairly convincing, but he still thought it was only one of the reasons. He had the feeling that the old man had other plans in mind, but he had no intention of poking his nose into them.
You wore underwear that fit your own ass. Clearly, as a kid who had just turned eighteen, he did not yet have an ass—or underwear—big enough to handle something like this.
So Vikengam nodded along and said, "I see. Grandfather truly plans far ahead. How could those pirates possibly be your match? It surely won't be long before Rocks and the others are brought to justice."
It was a small bit of flattery, but Saint Saturn showed no particular reaction. He merely continued, "I heard you learned quite a lot from him as well?"
This sort of thing could not be kept hidden. Never mind whether Saint Saturn had arranged watchers and guards around him during his training trip; Professor Clover himself was not tight-lipped enough. Once Cipher Pol interrogated him, they would surely get everything out of him, especially since Vikengam had never asked him to keep it secret.
From the very beginning, Vikengam had known it could not be concealed.
So he nodded calmly. "Yes. I found it quite interesting, things like the Ancient Language..."
If anyone else had said that, it would not have been excessive to drag them out and shoot them for twenty minutes. After all, this was something explicitly forbidden by the World Government, written directly into the law.
But when it came to Vikengam, it did not matter at all. The law? The highest articles of the law clearly stipulated that Celestial Dragons were exempt from all laws.
Vikengam was also using this to show that he was merely interested in things like the Ancient Language. His openness meant that although he knew it was a crime, he did not care, because he did not understand the terror and secrets hidden behind it.
Of course, Saint Saturn knew that Vikengam had been deeply interested in all kinds of knowledge since childhood. He was one of the rare Celestial Dragons who loved learning, so Saint Saturn was not surprised by what he had done.
Seeing Vikengam be so candid, he felt that the boy truly did not understand the meaning behind it all.
It was nothing more than curiosity and a desire to explore at work.
Thus, he did not pursue the matter further. He only said, "Do not study it anymore. The more you know about these things, the less good they will do you. At least for now. When you stand higher and can bear greater responsibilities, what you ought to know will naturally not be kept from you."
Vikengam immediately nodded. "Understood, Grandfather. Then I won't concern myself with this matter anymore, and I won't have any further contact with Professor Clover."
Come to think of it, relying on the Sharingan, he had already learned how to decipher the Ancient Language. There really was no need to keep wading through these muddy waters. Obviously, Saint Saturn did not yet know that he had mastered this ability, though he would most likely learn of it from Professor Clover later.
But so what? Would he kill Vikengam over it?
That was certainly impossible. Besides, they would be heading to God Valley in the West Blue in two days, and Saint Saturn would be going with them. As for Professor Clover, the old man clearly intended to deal with him after they returned.
By then, Vikengam would probably already be roaming the seas anyway, so it would not matter.
Seeing how obedient Vikengam was, Saint Saturn did not mention it again. He waved a hand and said, "In two days, we set sail for God Valley in the West Blue. Go back and make your preparations. While you are at it, think about how to develop the new power you have gained."
"Then I'll take my leave, Grandfather." Vikengam rose to his feet.
Without lingering any longer, he soon left Pangaea Castle.
But the moment he stepped outside, he saw his servants being surrounded by another group of people.
At the head of them was a woman no shorter than Vikengam. She wore black sunglasses, had a pair of horns on her head, and sported a fluffy, flowing hairstyle. The left side of her hair was dark purple, while the right was silver-white. She had a slender figure, a cigar between her lips, and led a thoroughly tamed tiger around as a pet.
The tiger was still chewing on a bloody half of a human arm, looking as though it were savoring a delicacy.
Vikengam naturally recognized her at a glance: Maffy of Maffy Palace, an official member of God's Knights.
Before Vikengam could make a move, Maffy spotted him. The bored look on her face immediately turned into a teasing smile, and she called out from afar, "Dear Viking~ I heard you were coming back today. I've been wandering around here for ages, and I finally caught you. I've missed you so much~"
Hearing that call, Vikengam frowned slightly in annoyance. "Don't call me in such an intimate tone. It makes us sound like we're close, old woman."
As he spoke, Maffy casually tossed the tiger's leash onto the ground and strode over to Vikengam. Laughing heartily, she said, "What a heartless man you are. Have you forgotten our passionate embraces, our wild kisses, and that night of unrestrained, blissful pleasure?"
Having lost its leash, the tiger immediately bared its fangs and prepared to attack, only for Bartholomew Kuma to seize its head with one hand and hold it completely still.
Vikengam glanced at the tiger and replied casually, "As you said, I'm a heartless man, so I forgot it all a long time ago."
Before Maffy could say anything else, Vikengam asked directly, "What are you waiting here for?"
"Of course, I remembered what we once had. We haven't seen each other for months, and I couldn't help wanting to do it again with you..." Maffy spoke openly, without the slightest restraint, of indulging her desires.
But that was normal for Celestial Dragons. Apart from a very few taboos, they were utterly lawless and never regarded anyone outside their own race as human. So even with many people around, they never hid their desires. They said whatever they wanted, without any sense of shame.
"I refuse. The experience you gave me last time was terrible, so I'm no longer interested in you," Vikengam said.
"The experience was terrible!?" Maffy immediately flew into a rage. "Forget anything else, but my skills have been honed through countless trials..."
"Your teeth are too sharp. It made me uncomfortable, and I had to use Haki to protect myself. Too troublesome," Vikengam cut her off mercilessly.
"??? You brat!" Maffy glared fiercely at him. Then, too lazy to argue, she put away that insatiable look and curled her lips. "Forget it. I can't be bothered arguing over this with a little brat who doesn't understand romance. It would make me look like I lack an adult's grace."
"So you finally understand that, to me, you're an old woman?" Vikengam drove the knife in further. Without waiting for her to respond, he asked again, "So what exactly is it?"
Seeing her about to sling an arm around his shoulders, Vikengam released wisps of cold air. Frost rapidly froze the ground beneath his feet, forcing Maffy to stop.
"Hm? When did you become a Devil Fruit user?" Maffy asked in surprise.
"Just now," Vikengam replied casually, without hiding anything.
"Hmph!" Maffy snorted unhappily, then said, "Garling told me to pass along a message. He thinks highly of you and hopes you perform well during this school trip. Once this grand event is over, he will represent God's Knights and extend you an invitation to become a Blade Recruit..."
It seemed old man Saturn had already hinted something to Garling.
Suppressing the thought, Vikengam nodded calmly. "I understand. Please thank Senior Garling for his kindness. I'll do my best."
But before his words had even faded, Maffy stepped onto the ice with Haki, forced her way across it, and threw an arm around his shoulders. Leaning her head close, she giggled and said, "There's another piece of good news I can tell you in advance. The rewards for this grand event are incredibly generous. Shakky, the woman adored by countless people across the seas and known as the most beautiful woman in the world, is one of the prizes too. Whoever takes first place in this competition gets to win the beauty's hand~"
Maffy had thought that Vikengam, at an age when he was as impulsive as a raging bull, would be extremely interested upon learning that the world's most beautiful woman was one of the rewards. Yet Vikengam seemed completely unmoved?
With that reaction, could he really face his little brother?
Did he not know to find a way to let his brother enjoy something nice?
Even Garling was determined to win her. And not just the men—Maffy herself was quite interested in Shakky. If she got the chance, she would certainly find a way to take first place and bring that woman back to her chambers to play with properly.
"I told you not to get too close, old woman..." Vikengam frowned, and the cold aura around him suddenly erupted, instantly freezing Maffy solid into a block of ice.
This woman always pushed her luck. If he did not stop her now, she might be draped all over him in a moment. Right now, all he wanted was to return and develop his ability. Why would he waste time on her?
Not caring whether this might cause any trouble, Vikengam lightly waved a hand, signaling Bartholomew Kuma and the others to follow, then headed straight toward God's Residence.
A moment later, Haki erupted. Maffy broke free of the ice without a scratch, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth as she watched Vikengam's retreating back. Smiling, she said, "Damn it, that little brat is getting colder and colder. It only makes me want him more~"
At the same time, she was curious. What ability had Vikengam gained? Given Saint Saturn's favoritism toward him, it was probably no worse than the "Azure Dragon" the Figarland Family had specially prepared for Garling, right?
Before you continue