(Bellamy POV)
When I first heard that we were heading this way, I hadn't expected much of anything. According to the movie, the Strawhats had still been sailing on the Going Merry when the events of that movie took place, which set the date prior to Enies Lobbie. Enies Lobbie already happened as my newspapers can attest to. Thus, imagine my surprise when I arrive to find 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 a side door.
"Captain? Is something the matter?" Ross asks me, placing his tankard down. The others don't outwardly react but their eyes quickly start scanning the crowd for any threats.
"You guys can all relax, it's nothing serious. But if I'm right, there may be an unexpected opportunity to be found here." I wave away their concern and slowly make my way over to the barkeeper. It is fairly amusing to note the difference in his reaction between when he was dealing with the Strawhats and when he is faced with me.
He goes ramrod straight, his arms still mechanically wiping a mug as drops of sweat begin to coalesce on his brow. I'm also picking up similar responses from the other patrons, all conversations dying off and all eyes on me. If I remember correctly, the largest bounty mentioned in the movie had been Gasparde's 95 million belli, so I have to be one of the largest fish they have ever seen in their tiny pond.
While it is flattering in its own way, it's also far more annoying and I decide to make that clear. "Gentlemen. I believe that good manners are fundamental to society, even for one as liberal and free like the world of pirates we are all proud to be a part of. 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'm certain that you will all recognize that trying to overhear a private conversation is the height of rudeness." A lot of people begin to swallow, but for some reason dare not to look away. Let me fix 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."
How quickly one can get people can turn around and mind their own beeswax if you're a notorious pirate. It is at times like this that I love being me.
"W-what can I get you, Bellamy sir?" Ah right, the barkeep.
"Just a few questions, my good man."
"Of course, sir. Ask away." The nervous replies, but he seems to have calmed down significantly after it's revealed that I'm not here to complain about the service. Which was excellent by the way and very much above and beyond my expectations.
"When is the Dead End Race happening?" No use beating around the bush. It would likely be a lot more embarrassing to try and be all subtle if it turns out that the race has already happened. Unlikely with Bigalo alive and present, but its still a chance.
"I thought you knew sir." He trembles a bit when I glare at him. Just a little. "You're right on time, for the race is set to begin tomorrow."
"Fantastic. Just through that door, yes?" My finger points at the locked and heavy-set door and he nods. "Open it, will you?"
While that is being done, I motion for my crew to join which they do with nary a query. And the one time Rivers tries to say something, Sarquiss shushes him. "Right this way, sir. The password is two 100 belli coins."
Thanking the man by throwing him a small purse, I lead my crew down the tunnel with only a lantern to light the way.
"What's going on, captain?" Rivers asks and I grin.
"Have any of you ever heard of the Dead End Race?"
(Laki POV)
Being underground like this is 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 only open cloud everywhere as far as one could see. It wasn't that bad either when they were sailing because one could just replace the clouds with water and get pretty much the same thing, the few islands around 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 refocuses on more important things. Like the registration for the race happening not two meters from her.
"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 is rubbing his hands together in a very subservient manner. Was Bellamy that much of a big deal?
"Aisa is what people call a super rookie." Muret explains, 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 in 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 not the celebrity but one expectant up-and-comer."
While enlightening, that explanation makes Laki cock her head in confusion for the man seems more scared than excited.
"But why is he…"
"Are you certain that this is the right eternal pose?"
"Of course, sir. On my honor." Laki doesn't miss the glint that goes through her captain's eye as he leans his full weight against the man's desk.
"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 true eternal pose. After all, there are many who will claim that honor is more valuable than life itself." It isn't difficult to understand what the captain is implying with the way he's over-emphasizing certain words. Meaning, that most of this is an act for the bookie's benefit. Then Bellamy stands back up, lightly supporting his forehead with one hand. "No, I can't force you to wager something that valuable."
When had this turned into a wager? "Ah, it's not proble…"
The bookie apparently thinks the same thing because he opens his mouth to protest, but he is silenced near immediately by Bellamy's finger.
"I have a much better idea. Let us drastically lower the stakes."
"Uhm…h-how low are we talking, Bellamy sir?" And Bellamy smiles that smile which had ostensibly given him his epithet.
"Very low. Your tongue should do. After all, an honorable man like you won't need a lying tongue, will he?"
"No, sir." The slob squeaks.
"He's obviously lying, captain Bellamy." Even if Nero hadn't said it, Laki would have been able to tell from just how pale the bookie became, and she is far from skilled in that department.
"Oh, why do you say that, Nero?" Bellamy sounds almost playful as he looks at Nero. It's a bit odd to see him like this, very unlike the captain she had gotten to know. This is an act…right?
"The way his heartrate changes as well as from his micro expressions, even if we don't mention the obvious drainage of blood from his face." He shrugs. "It's what I was raised to do, gather intelligence and all that."
The bookie does the impossible and goes even more white when Bellamy turns his smile back to him. "You heard my man. Now, I could forgive an honest mistake if it's accompanied by an earnest apology. What do you say?"
(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. 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. What they were doing now? It was a walk in the park 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 grandline which included the occasional cannon broadside. Which begs the questions…
"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." 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, 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 the whole crew was salivating at the chance for another logia? No clue where the captain had learned that little tidbit, but frankly it didn't matter.
The Bellamy Pirates were on the hunt.
(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 grandline. From the wreckage all around him, Eddy can't imagine how they didn't all die already, especially with their flimsy ships.
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. She should be too with how much she cost, but he was thankful nonetheless.
Anyways, the competition is 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 is a mystery he'll likely never solve, because they took themselves out in a fit of drunken recklessness by attempting (loudly) to gain more speed and taking to the air. In a boat not equipped for flight. In the wrong direction too and thus straight into the city.
…idiots.
Instead of doing something similar, like everybody else with common sense, Eddy just gently guides the Pearl around the capsized ship, through the canals and out into the open sea. In last place but definitely not out of the running yet once he activates their new jet dial propulsion system.
And lo and behold, Gasparde is leaving the main column to sail off into the distance. What is surprising though, is that Willy the Fishman is giving chase. Another one who saw through Gasparde's trick?
Also, why is the log pose not pointing in the direction Gasparde is sailing?
(Rivers POV)
"Willy just got thrown overboard, captain!" Rivers calls 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 into the sea. Sometimes in pieces.
Jeez, the Needless guy is brutal, carving up his opponents into fishbait. "Seakings on the port bow!"
"Got it!" Laki replies, taking aim and firing a shot through the first dinner guest. Rivers joins her by cooking another's eye with his plasma bolts, and soon the air is filled with pale blue beams of heated gas and the smell of cooking meat. He can also see Mani whispering in Aisa's ear, no doubt encouraging the little girl to join in. She isn't needed as the sea kings are starting to just focus on the meal they are providing instead of the black pearl, but this is a good opportunity for Aisa.
Not many can experience combat (against seakings) in such relative safety. Whatever Mani said, it worked and the final blow of their fishing session is launched by Aisa against a rather stubborn yellow seaking. One doesn't tend to think about it with how cute she is, but that's a frightening amount of firepower packed into a tiny package.
Maybe offer more headpats as a bribe? She seems to like it when the captain does it.
The big downside to their lightshow is how visible it is and Gasparde has clearly taken notice from the way he's started speeding up.
Rivers giggles as he imagines the rogue marine's panic when instead of gaining ground, his ship starts rapidly losing the lead.
Should have lived an honest life, that one.
(Hewitt POV)
"Captain, you can't be serious."
"You'll find that I can be and am." Just this once, Hewitt would like to punch his captain in the face to 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 that wouldn't constitute a mutiny. Or if it were even remotely likely that he'd be able to touch him.
"Sir!"
"I have the fullest confidence in the your abilities." But alas, Hewitt is too weak. Which makes 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."
"Captain!"
"You're like his natural enemy. Just take some of the 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 does he know that would work?
"But, captain..."
"You'll be fine." The captain says, 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 amounted to one small rock and a pair of shackles but yes, they did have seastone.
Hewitt stares 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.
(Bellamy POV)
Iceburg really wasn't exaggerating when he called the Black Pearl the fastest ship he ever built. Gasparde is running his engines on overdrive and yet my ship still has at least several knots on his. At this rate I should catch up to him within half an hour at most.
Gasparde eventually recognizes this too and brings his ship around. To be honest, I had expected him to do so much earlier, being the stereotypical arrogant paradise logia that he is, but he had tried to avoid us at first. If I had to guess, it would be because of my new bounty which convinced him that fighting me was an unnecessary risk.
Now that I…uh…forced his hand, he was trying to fight, likely trusting his logia invulnerability to carry him through the battle unharmed.
Let's go dissuade General Gasparde of that notion, shall we?
Author's note:
And there we have about half the movie without all the drama surrounding the bounty hunter & co because...different pirate different experiences.
Plus, Bellamy & Crew didn't make a scene so Gasparde didn't send the kid to try and kill Bellamy (he knew it wouldn't work either).
Next time: Hewitt and team try to survive against Gasparde.
P.S. comments and discussion make the author happy.