Pirates: I Can Repel Anything

"That's what matters most!!"

Burgess leaned back in his chair and grumbled.

"Fine. Like I'd dare mess with her again. I'll steer clear of that little demon from now on. Damn, she makes me mad."

An hour later.

"Report..."

"Island spotted ahead to port! Shall we land? Ahead to port..."

The alarm came from the Lookout.

At the sound, Perona scrunched up her little face and complained, "That lookout's voice is awful!"

"What do you think? Should I let them have a taste of Negative Hollow later?"

Honey Queen looked at Perona floating in the air and gave a wry smile.

"That's enough. Don't give them too hard a time."

"Your pranks have had everyone on the ship walking on eggshells these past two days. Can't you behave?"

Belo Betty glanced at Perona. "Don't say I didn't warn you. If you make Chris angry, you'll regret it."

Baccarat waved a hand at Belo Betty and smiled.

"All right, don't scare her."

"But Perona, you really should rein it in. You can't keep playing pranks."

Perona drifted back and forth through the air, laughing like a silver bell. "As long as they stop badmouthing this princess, I won't play tricks on them anymore!"

"Good."

Baccarat nodded, then looked toward the busy figure with a radiant smile. "Chris, I have a feeling good luck is coming."

Honey Queen's eyes lit up, excitement spreading across her pretty face.

"More good luck? That's wonderful!"

Belo Betty shrugged and exhaled a puff of smoke. "I'm used to Baccarat's ability by now."

"Really? Maybe we'll get a new friend."

Perona flew over to Baccarat, her little face full of anticipation. "Will they be like Pato? That would be fun!"

"Let's go out."

Chris tossed his barbell aside and headed for the door.

Honey Queen sprang to her feet, beaming. "Let's go. I can't wait."

Belo Betty glanced back at Perona.

"Chris doesn't bite. Do you really have to be so afraid of him?"

Perona immediately protested. "How could this princess be afraid of him? You've got it all wrong."

"I'm showing the captain respect. Respect, got it?"

Baccarat smoothed her dark red hair and smiled. "Yes, you respect Chris very much."

"You don't even dare speak loudly in front of him. That's certainly respectful."

Chatting and laughing, the group soon reached the deck.

When Lafitte saw Chris, he gave a polite smile. "The captain's here. That means good luck is on its way again."

"I hope we get a man this time. I'd like to see a Division Commander Challenge."

Doc Q gazed at the island ahead with curiosity.

"From the looks of it, a Devil Fruit seems more likely."

Burgess burst out laughing. "Who gives a damn what it is? Good luck's good luck!"

Just then, a rumble came from deep within the island.

Someone was clearly fighting in there.

"Looks like we'll be getting a new recruit."

Belo Betty exhaled a puff of smoke as she gazed toward the lush island.

Honey Queen nodded in agreement. "A new recruit would be good. We can settle the division commanders' rankings sooner."

"Interesting."

Decisive as ever, Chris jumped straight onto the island.

Pato hurried after him with a grin. "Boss, wait for me!"

Burgess blinked. "What did the captain mean by 'interesting'?"

"The captain has Observation Haki. He must have sensed something ahead of us."

Lafitte tucked his cane behind his back and leaped lightly onto the island.

Doc Q watched enviously and muttered, "When will I learn Haki? It really is a useful ability."

The others followed, chatting as they made their way forward...

Deep within the island.

Two men and an animal faced one another.

"Fuffuffuffuffu..."

Doflamingo stood with his hands in his pockets and his feet splayed apart. "Luo, now that you've seen your young master, aren't you going to greet him?"

"Young master?"

Luo looked at him and sneered. "Doflamingo, are you dreaming? Whose young master are you?"

Doflamingo threw back his head and laughed.

"Fuffuffuffuffu..."

"It's been years. That little brat has grown up and even learned to mock his master."

Doflamingo's gaze turned cold. "Do you know who you're talking to, Trafalgar Luo?"

"Captain..."

Bepo was terrified of Doflamingo. Standing behind Luo, he couldn't help calling out softly.

"Of course I do, Doflamingo."

Luo surveyed their surroundings, his expression as cool as ever. "You're one of the Shichibukai, and you're a major figure in the Underworld—Joker."

"But what does any of that have to do with me? Do you think your famous name will make me submit?"

"Fuffuffuffuffu..."

Doflamingo laughed wildly. "What a sharp-tongued little brat. You've grown a lot bolder over the years."

"You dare talk to me like that? You're asking to die, Luo!"

Five Color Strings!

Doflamingo curled the fingers of his right hand. Five nearly invisible threads appeared and slashed forward.

Room—Shambles!

A hemispherical field spread out from Luo, enclosing him and Bepo.

With a whoosh, they vanished an instant before the five threads reached them.

Boom...

The threads struck the ground, carving into the earth with an explosive crash.

Dust billowed upward. Five long, deep gashes scarred the ground, a chilling sight.

If they hadn't dodged, the threads would have cut them to pieces on the spot.

"Fuffuffuffuffu..."

Doflamingo threw back his head and laughed. "Run. Savor the approach of death while you flee."

"Rosinante misses you down there. It's time you went to keep him company. Fuffuffuffuffu..."

Still laughing, he kept his hands in his pockets and strolled slowly to the left, his feet splayed outward.

On the outskirts of the island.

"There's more noise coming from inside. Sounds like quite a fight."

Honey Queen showed no fear. A sweet smile graced her face, and her voice was lovely as ever.

Belo Betty took a drag on her cigarette. "Judging by the noise, whoever's joining us this time must be pretty strong."

"Captain, can you give us a hint? Is the new recruit a man or a woman?"

Burgess looked at Chris, unable to resist asking.

Lying atop Strong, Doc Q coughed. "Why would the captain answer a question like that? Don't get your hopes up."

Chris looked ahead, his expression calm, and gave them an answer.

"They're here."

Here?

Everyone hurriedly looked ahead.

Trees shaded the path ahead, flowers and grass grew thick, and small animals appeared from time to time.

Suddenly, with a whoosh, two figures appeared out of thin air.

"Captain..."

Bepo spoke in a rush, his face full of worry. "That Doflamingo is way too strong. What are we going to do?"

"Are we going to die here, Captain?"

Luo wiped the sweat from his brow. He looked exhausted; that move took a heavy toll on his stamina.

"Don't worry. We won't die here."

"Until I avenge Corazon, I refuse to die!!"

Then a calm voice came from ahead.

"You won't die, because you're going to join us."

Chris appeared in Luo's view, the others following behind him.

Burgess sized Luo up and shrugged. "Captain, this guy doesn't look all that strong."

"He's clearly being hunted and running for his life. How strong can he be?"

Doc Q gave a mysterious smile, plainly intrigued.

"A talking animal. Now that's worth studying. Heh heh heh..."

Lafitte straightened his top hat. "You've overlooked something. He appeared out of nowhere just now."

"That kind of speed is beyond an ordinary person."

Perona floated in the air, laughing like a silver bell, her eyes fixed on Bepo.