ALL NOVEL Chapter 53 – Thunderclap
"Who are the best shipwrights in Water Seven?" Ask that question to anyone on the island, and you'd get a variety of names.
It all came down to who Kanata would choose…
Following George's intel, Kanata and her crew visited a particular shipwright.
"So, that’s why you came to me?" the shipwright said.
"Yes. We heard you were a skilled craftsman," Kanata replied.
The man, known as Tom, was a pufferfish Fishman. It wasn’t a surprise to find a Fishman in Water Seven, an island close to Fishman Island.
Tiger, a Fishman himself, followed behind, intrigued by Tom, who had been a shipwright on this island for a long time.
"When's the deadline?" Tom asked.
“We haven't set one. We’re novices when it comes to shipbuilding, so we’ll leave the timeline and price to you. It’s not urgent. Take your time.”
“Hahaha! You’re so generous! I’ll take you up on that, and do my best.”
They could reuse some existing blueprints, but even for Tom, building a ship large enough to carry giants was not something he had done often.
It would take time.
Water Seven didn’t have much wood or iron, so they would need to travel to other islands to procure materials for this project.
While some materials were brought in by trading ships, it wouldn’t be enough for a ship of this scale.
“It’s been a while since I’ve worked on a project this large. I wondered what I’d do when the ‘Golden Lion’ set up shop here.”
"Yeah, but you never know what life throws at you.”
Tom's secretary, Kokoro, a two-tailed mermaid, began calculating the budget on her abacus, while Tom laughed along.
Tom’s Workers seemed to be composed mostly of Fishmen and Merfolk. There was a young frog from the ‘Angle Frog’ species, and a two-tailed mermaid, Kokoro.
There was also an apprentice, a young boy.
"Tom, you've been a shipwright here for a long time, haven’t you?”
“Yeah… I’ve been on this island for a while.”
“Fishmen and Merfolk often face persecution. You could have built ships in Fishman Island. Why did you choose this island?”
"Well, Water Seven is an island that has dominated the shipbuilding industry for a long time. Human or Fishman, it’s all the same to a craftsman.”
More than anything, he loved building ships, and that’s why he decided to learn from this island.
Tiger, with a nod, crossed his arms. As an adventurer who travelled the world, he had his own thoughts.
"Sorry, I’ll let you continue."
“Right, any requests for the ship? Let me know now. I’ll draw the blueprints and have them reviewed, but it’s best to minimize any discrepancies.”
Kanata listed their requirements, and Tom meticulously wrote them down.
There weren’t any special features. It was a basic ship, similar to those made for the Navy. They would need to create separate sections for humans and giants, but that was about it.
“Alright, I’ve got it. Anything else?”
"No, that’s all. Then I’ll start drafting the blueprints."
"If we need to send a ship to procure materials, I can send some of my crew. They're experienced sailors.”
“Hahaha! That’s very kind of you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
They had finalized the basic layout, so the next step was for Tom to draw the blueprints and then review them again once the materials were gathered.
There was nothing left for Kanata’s crew to do, so they stood up and headed towards the exit.
Just then, they heard a voice.
"I’ll do my best, Tom!"
"Hahaha! Good work, Iceberg!”
A young boy, filled with enthusiasm, was eager to help. Kanata smiled, patting Iceberg’s head.
He blushed, a combination of embarrassment and something else. Kanata met his gaze and said, “You’re Tom’s apprentice, aren’t you? Work hard and build a fine ship.”
"Y-yes! Of course!"
"Fufu… You’ve got a good attitude."
“Contact me once the blueprints are ready,” Kanata said before leaving the room.
There was nothing else for them to do, other than gathering supplies.
However, with Shiki having taken control of the area, there wasn’t much hope for them.
A few days later, the newspaper announced Big Mom’s defeat, and Kanata realized that this was what Garp had been so secretive about.
She was curious about where Big Mom had gone after leaving Sabaody Archipelago, but she didn’t want to dwell on it.
Shiki, during their conversation, had said something that made Kanata believe he was targeting her.
If he couldn’t ambush her, then his target would be easy to deduce. And unfortunately, Kanata’s worst fears were confirmed. A single ship appeared on the horizon. The gigantic vessel was heading straight towards the cape where Kanata’s crew was docked.
“Hey, is that ship coming towards us?”
“The flag matches. That’s Big Mom’s ship.”
“The one that was driven out of Sabaody a while back? Why is it here?!”
“Well… what do you think?”
Scotch and Samuel turned to Kanata simultaneously. While Scotch looked as if he was about to let out a sigh of exasperation, Samuel nodded, as if he had come to a realization.
"You’re the one who needs to sigh,” Kanata said, shrugging her shoulders. She had no time to rest. New World pirates were constantly attacking them.
“We can’t move the ship. Fighting in the city isn’t ideal. Prepare for a sea battle.”
They grabbed their weapons, left the ship, and stood on the cape, watching the approaching vessel.
As the ship, the Queen Mama Chanter drew closer, a powerful burst of Conqueror’s Haki erupted from it.
The ground trembled, dark clouds gathered in the sky. Kanata countered with a similar display of Conqueror’s Haki.
"Holy crap, they’re… I’m getting cold sweats.”
“The younger crew members are Big Mom’s children. They’re probably around Kanata’s age, but they’re all strong, undoubtedly.”
"…………Linlin…"
Some members of the crew stiffened, focusing their will to resist the overwhelming pressure. Others, enjoying the presence of a powerful figure, grinned.
Only Feiyun looked conflicted as she stared at the ship carrying Linlin.
"Let’s go. It doesn't matter if it's a Great Pirate. We’re sinking that ship!”
"OoooOOOoooooo!!!"
The sea, frozen during the battle with Shiki, had finally begun to melt. But with a wave of Kanata’s hand, it froze again, stretching to the horizon.
The Queen Mama Chanter came to a complete stop. Cannonballs flew from the ship, heading towards Kanata.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Kanata countered by creating a shield of ice, allowing them to steadily advance, closing the distance.
It seemed they had decided that cannons weren’t enough, as several powerful figures descended from the ship, heading towards the ice.
Amongst them, one figure stood out.
“So, you’re the ‘Witch’?”
A woman with pink hair and a bicorne hat called ‘Napoleon’ glared at Kanata.
Zeus, a cloud of thunder, and Prometheus, a flaming sun, hovered beside her. The giants’ size made Kanata’s crew halt in their tracks.
"Yes, that’s me. You’re targeting me?"
"Mamahahaha! Of course!"
Linlin’s hatred for Octavia ran deep. She stared at Kanata with an expression of pure anger.
"You’ve got that annoying face, just like your mother’s… You’ll regret standing before me!”
She wielded Napoleon, her sword, and brought it down on Kanata with a powerful, Haki-infused strike.
Boom!
Kanata stood her ground, blocking the attack with her spear. The clash of their Conqueror’s Haki reverberated, sending a shockwave through the air.
Both of them traded blows, their weapons clashing. Linlin took a step back, placing her left hand behind her.
“Prometheus!”
“Yes, Mama!”
"Heavenly Fire!”
Prometheus, now in Linlin’s left hand, slammed toward Kanata, attempting to engulf her in flames.
The inferno threatened to consume Kanata and her crew, spreading rapidly.
“Niflheim, Silver World—! Fenriswolf, Devouring Wolf!”
A gigantic ice wolf emerged from the sea, engulfing Linlin and the flames.
The wolf evaporated quickly, but at least the flames were contained and prevented any damage to the crew behind Kanata.
Suffering a minor burn, Kanata ordered her crew to retreat, maintaining a distance from the ship. Linlin seemed to have only eyes for Kanata. She completely ignored Feiyun.
"This might be a problem…”
Kanata could easily deflect Linlin’s swordsmanship, but Prometheus and Zeus were problematic.
She threw a Haki-infused ice spear, hoping to find an opening, but it have no effect. Their attack range was vast, and any close combat could inadvertently harm her crew.
She needed to lure Linlin away from her ship, maintaining a safe distance.
The sea was to Kanata’s advantage, anyway. Linlin’s attacks had shattered and melted some of the ice, but it wasn’t a major concern.
"You're trying to run away, you little…"
Linlin swung Napoleon, aiming directly at Kanata. Kanata, with lightning-fast reflexes, dodged the attacks. When she was a safe distance from the ship, she struck.
“──‘Country’s Might’!”
“That technique is from the giants…?! Why are you…!” Linlin’s eyes widened in shock, blocking Kanata’s attack.
"Is it so surprising that I can use a giant’s technique?”
Kanata had heard about Linlin’s feud with the giants from Feiyun. Anything she said would only make matters worse, but she could use it to provoke her. It would be problematic if Linlin’s attention shifted to the rest of her crew. It was best to keep her focused on Kanata.
"Unlike you, I have a giant who’s close to me."
“You… You’re asking to die!”
Linlin’s attacks intensified. Kanata, using her spear, blocked each blow, her Observation Haki spread wide, searching for an opening.
It seemed she couldn’t be defeated by simple swordsmanship. Linlin, grabbing Zeus, brought it down on Kanata.
“Thunderclap!”
“Tch–”
Kanata knew she couldn’t block this attack. She retreated, dodging the thunder. The ice on the sea shattered and the water vaporized from the heat.
Kanata, hidden amidst the evaporating water, launched a powerful kick toward Linlin’s face. It was a decisive blow, but it didn’t knock her back. It only managed to make her stagger a few steps.
(She’s tough… It’s not doing much damage.)
She was like steel. A normal opponent would have been shattered by that kick, but Linlin’s body was tougher than expected.
But it wasn’t completely useless.
It would be a long battle, but with enough time, she could defeat her. Just as that thought crossed her mind, Linlin infused Napoleon with flames from Prometheus.
"Emperor Sword Cognac – Shattering Blade!”
She swung the burning sword, aiming to sever Kanata’s head.
Kanata raised her spear to block the attack, but the flaming blade was too powerful. She lifted herself into the air, launching herself backward to avoid the full force of the attack.
Then, she created several ice blades from the sea, aiming to impale Linlin, who was pursuing her.
But…
"This won’t do…"
Linlin, without even taking a defensive stance, charged into the ice blades. The blades had no effect on her. It seemed she couldn’t be wounded by weapons, even those infused with Haki.
Moreover, she had Zeus and Prometheus flanking her, making it impossible to find an opening.
She was undoubtedly a formidable force.
But while Shiki had been equally powerful, he was easier to fight. There was no need to deal with the unpredictable movements of a three-dimensional aerial fight. She had more room to maneuver.
"Give me your head, you damn ‘Witch’!”
"Sorry, not happening! If you keep bothering me, I’ll sink you, ‘Big Mom’!”
The clash of their weapons caused vibrations that cracked the ice beneath their feet. It wasn’t a major concern for Kanata, but it would be a life-or-death matter for Linlin. However, Kanata’s thoughts were interrupted as she saw Linlin leap over the cracked ice and onto Zeus' back.
She would have to find a way to deal with Zeus and Prometheus to defeat Linlin.
Just as she pondered her next move, a streak of light fell from the sky.
“──!?”
“What?!”
The lightning struck between Kanata and Linlin, shattering the ice. From the debris, a figure emerged.
Black hair, a skull mask, a cheap saber strapped to her hip. This was someone Kanata had never seen before, but someone Linlin longed to kill.
“──So you’re still alive, Octaviaaa!!!”
"Quiet, Linlin. You haven’t changed a bit.”
Octavia, without drawing her sword, caught ‘Emperor Sword Cognac’ with her bare hands.
When Kanata looked closer, she saw that Octavia wasn’t even touching Linlin. The flames surrounding her body were blocked by a Haki-infused barrier.
"Nothing’s changed. You’re still fighting like a wild beast."
Octavia let out a sigh, knocking away the sword. She grabbed the cheap saber from her hip, a blade she had taken from a passing ship. Her left arm was still injured, so she opted for a one-handed weapon.
"Get ready… ‘Divine Evasion’."
Octavia swung the blade, sending Linlin flying back.
Linlin, managing to regain her balance, glared at Octavia.
“That technique… Roger’s!”
"If you see it, you can copy it. It’s not that difficult."
Octavia’s Haki and techniques were top-notch.
Rocks, once a formidable pirate, had been brought down by a combined attack by Roger and Garp. Octavia had been on par with that monster. It was needless to say how powerful she was.
Linlin showed no fear, not a hint of hesitation.
“You came here to die?”
"No, not really."
Octavia glanced at Kanata, then turned back to Linlin. “I came to see my daughter… And… I realize I didn’t teach you enough. I’m here to correct that."
"Educate me? You haven’t taught me a single thing! "
"No, I did. You must… Never… Oppose… Me…"
Octavia’s words, laced with a powerful burst of Conqueror’s Haki, sent chills down Kanata’s spine. She instinctively took a combat stance.
"You want to kill me? You couldn’t touch me when you were on Rocks’ ship. Do you really think you can beat me now? What a joke."
The air crackled with lightning.
Linlin, without a moment’s hesitation, infused Napoleon with flames from Prometheus and climbed onto Zeus.
There was a moment of intense eye contact, then they clashed.
“Guh–!”
"Only talk big, huh?"
Napoleon and Octavia’s blades didn’t meet. The blades were clashing, but it was the clash of their Haki.
Prometheus’ flames, while potent, were unable to pierce Octavia’s Haki shield.
"Zeus!"
"Yes, Mama!"
"Thunderclap!"
“──‘Divine Annihilation!’”
Linlin unleashed a powerful burst of lightning from Zeus, while Octavia, imbuing her sword with lightning, countered.
Octavia’s lightning was more powerful and shattered Zeus and the flames from Prometheus collided with it, creating a blinding flash of light.
“Gaaaahhh!”
“Prepare yourself, Linlin. I won’t be holding back.”
Octavia, discarding the sword, raised her left arm, which had regained a degree of functionality.
Linlin grimaced from the pain; clutched Napoleon and held Prometheus with her left hand.
"Pierce—"
Lightning struck Napoleon, knocking it away.
“──Stab—"
Lightning struck Linlin, staggering her, momentarily disrupting her movements. Then, Octavia unleashed a powerful strike.
“──‘Taranis-Mall-Jabro, Spear of Heaven-Piercing Thunder!’”
The lightning spear, capable of slaughtering even the largest sea kings, pierced through Linlin’s body.
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