Chapter 12: Chapter 12 - The Ship Wrecker
Chapter 12 - The Ship Wrecker
The weather was clear and refreshing, with a cold sea breeze blowing.
A fifty-meter-long green three-masted warship, with its sails full of wind, was sailing across the vast blue sea.
The warship was sailing with the wind at full speed, leaving a long white trail on the ocean's surface.
"Admiral Sakazuki! We're about to enter the coastal waters of Senga Island. Should we slow down and wait for the reception ship from Branch 177?"
The navigator on the mainmast's lookout shouted while holding a telescope.
"No need. I've already informed them. We'll dock directly."
Akainu stood on the warship's deck, the sea breeze billowing his Justice cape behind him.
"New recruit! Stop staring. Only officers above lieutenant rank can wear the Justice cape. If you want to wear it one day, work hard! Now, go furl the jib sail. We're docking and need to slow down!"
A burly man with a thick beard interrupted Rosha's contemplation with his gruff voice.
Rosha looked at his new recruit uniform, which resembled an elementary school uniform from his past life, awkwardly fitting his towering frame that was much taller than Yao Ming. It was extremely uncomfortable.
But as a new recruit in the Navy, he could only wear this blue and white sailor suit. Only officers ranked lieutenant and above could choose their clothing.
And to wear the white Justice cloak, one had to become an officer of at least captain rank.
"Yes, sir!"
Seeing the bearded lieutenant glaring at him, Rosha quickly stepped forward, grabbing the dangling rope.
The warship Akainu was on was a large model from the headquarters.
Over fifty meters long, it was equipped with double-deck cannons and a massive main cannon at the bow, rivaling coastal defense cannons in power. It was escorted by two hundred elite headquarters soldiers.
On the way to Branch 177, Rosha finally witnessed his first naval battle in this world.
It happened two days ago.
Their warship encountered the Wolf Fang Pirates in the North Blue.
Their captain was said to be a powerful rookie pirate with a bounty of 44 million Berries.
The Wolf Fang Pirates had a fleet of three ships, one large and two small, making them a dominant force in this sea area.
But as the three pirate ships entered within 200 meters of Akainu's warship, the ship's firepower points unleashed a barrage of cannon fire.
There was no need for Akainu or the ship's officers to act.
Under the command of the enlisted men, the double-deck cannons of the warship fired two rounds, reducing the three pirate ships to floating wreckage, sinking slowly amidst smoke and flames.
Throughout, the pirate captain on the opposing ship didn't even manage to complete a boast before being obliterated by the overwhelming firepower.
This result gave Rosha a new understanding of the power of cannon fire in this world.
According to Dr. Doss, even a pirate with a bounty exceeding a hundred million Berries couldn't last long under such a bombardment, eventually succumbing to exhaustion.
Even Douglas Bullet, the so-called Demon Heir and a peak-level powerhouse with massive Armament Haki was severely scarred by the Buster Call's artillery barrage.
It was clear that the warship's firepower was not as weak as depicted in the manga.
"New recruit! What are you doing? Haven't you eaten? Put some effort into it!"
Seeing Rosha daydreaming again, the bearded lieutenant roared.
"Ah? Sorry, sorry!"
Rosha smiled awkwardly, grabbing the thick rope with both hands and pulling it down hard.
Swish!
The thick rope tightened abruptly, and the sail instantly bundled up to the top of the mast. Amidst the excruciating creaking sound, the tough canvas began to tear from the middle.
Whoosh.
The torn sail flapped loosely, billowing in the sea breeze above everyone's heads.
But that wasn't the end.
As Rosha instinctively exerted more force, an immense power surged from his now healthy body, traveling up the rope to the top of the ship's secondary mast.
Before the bearded lieutenant and the Marines could react, they heard the snapping of wood.
The next second, the top half of the sturdy mast snapped.
The four or five-meter-long mast tilted and collapsed, the pointed top piercing into the main sail.
Under everyone's stunned gaze, the Justice emblem of the seagull slowly split from the middle.
Riiip.
The full sail tore open, the half-mast crashing heavily onto the deck with a loud thud.
Bearded Lieutenant: …
Akainu: …
Rosha: …
Rosha laughed dryly, scratching his head. "Sorry, I messed up again."
"New recruit Rosha! What are you doing? This is the third time!"
The warship echoed with the bearded lieutenant's exasperated roar.
"You brat, are you really not a pirate sent to cause trouble?"
Doss, with a cigarette in his mouth, clapped Rosha on the shoulder.
"I really didn't mean to. I didn't expect the mast to be so fragile…"
"It's because you're too strong, kid. Who else can break a mast with one pull?"
Doss sighed, glancing at Akainu. Seeing the admiral's black-gloved fist clenching, he shivered and quickly pulled Rosha away.
Passing by the bearded lieutenant, Doss muttered, "Jason, didn't I tell you not to give him tasks? This kid's body just recovered from a decade of malnourishment and hasn't undergone systematic training. He can't control his newfound strength."
"But new recruits are supposed to do these tasks. Everyone goes through it. Who knew this would happen…"
Lieutenant Jason was almost in tears.
The ship was damaged like this, and as the logistics officer, he would face a reprimand back at headquarters.
Watching Rosha being dragged away, Jason looked forlorn.
"Asked him to clean the deck, and he made holes in it."
"Asked him to furl the sail, and he tore it along with the mast."
"Asked him to adjust the cannon, and he dented it."
"Asked him to carry cannonballs, and he crushed them."
"This kid, besides having a big appetite, what other virtues does he have?"
"No, being a big eater isn't a virtue. Ever since he boarded, I haven't had a full meal in three days."
As Rosha approached the cabin door, he saw Hibari, rubbing her eyes and yawning, walking out.
She was about to greet Doss and Rosha when she noticed the mess on the deck behind them. Her mouth fell open, and her eyes widened.
"Brother Rosha, did you break the warship again? Amazing! How did you do it? Uncle Denno said the masts are made of top-quality wood and very sturdy."
At the bow, Akainu's mouth twitched.
"Truly a mess-maker."
When the warship docked at the port of Branch 177, the base commander, Major General Adilla, Akainu's former subordinate from the North Blue, looked in shock at the broken mast and torn sails and cautiously asked Akainu.
"Admiral Sakazuki, which great pirate attacked you? To break through your defense and damage the warship like this."
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