Chapter 443: Acting Separately
As NEO Navy headquarters—naturally couldn't just be this deserted island's row of unremarkable houses.
Just these few crude stone houses—couldn't even house enough people to form a tiny village.
Though NEO Navy's forces mostly scattered throughout their jurisdiction—warriors stationed at headquarters absolutely couldn't be just this few.
The real reason lay beneath the sea surface.
Having Fish-Man Island as allies—constructing an undersea city wasn't impossible.
Beneath the azure sea surface—craftsmen Fish-Man Island supported came over—creating a seabed-based base for NEO Navy comrades.
Using several layers of bubble coating separating areas—creating an undersea base where humans could comfortably survive.
Besides the undersea base—this deserted island's underground was also hollowed out. Similarly excavating spacious areas. This way—even if the undersea base had problems—could promptly evacuate toward the island.
What displayed above sea surface was merely camouflage. Fleets and warriors all stationed where people couldn't see.
Combined with Fish-Man Island's deep-sea freight technology—so even after rampaging through the New World for several years—the World Government still couldn't locate NEO Navy's main nest.
Brett and Zephyr stood on this deserted island's coast—gazing at the distant azure boundless sea surface.
Vice Admiral Momousagi's group had already been thrown into the undersea prison.
If they had no thoughts of changing their minds—then very likely couldn't emerge for quite a long time.
"But must watch them carefully, Zephyr-sensei."
Brett enjoyed the sea breeze—comfortably stretching lazily. "Though artificial—now they're also Fish-Men. If they cause trouble on the seabed—your side might have difficulty handling it."
Zephyr nodded lightly. "I naturally understand."
Vice Admiral Momousagi naturally posed no threat to Brett. Simply negligible.
But her—already transformed into a Fish-Man—facing NEO Navy in deep seas could completely be described as invincible.
In this base constructed on the seabed—probably nobody could stop her.
"Still that saying—I'll try getting them to stand with us." Zephyr said.
"Saying so has no persuasive power."
Brett smiled. "After all—it's been so long already. Haven't you also failed to persuade Akainu and Aokiji?"
Zephyr-sensei's expression stiffened slightly.
Then he snorted. "Those two bastards are extremely stubborn!"
So Vice Admiral Momousagi wasn't stubborn?
Brett chuckled lightly. But had no intention embarrassing Zephyr-sensei.
"Anyway—still be careful. Don't become careless because she's your disciple."
"What—treating me like some greenhorn rookie? Already made preparations long ago."
Zephyr-sensei glanced at Brett. "I equally yearn to personally witness what the post-change world looks like."
"Not far anymore."
Brett said smiling.
"Yes."
Zephyr nodded lightly. "Absolutely won't be too far away anymore."
"So, Zephyr-sensei—at this juncture, don't drop the ball."
"You bastard brat—never-ending, huh!"
"Hahahaha!"
While these two conversed cheerfully—in the undersea prison.
Vice Admiral Momousagi—bound by layers of chains—was staring wide-eyed at two others.
Those were two separate cells opposite hers.
Under bright lighting—she clearly saw—two small-figured individuals similarly bound by thick chains. Bodies could only half-lean against walls. So weak they could barely move.
"Ara ara—the more I look, the more familiar this seems?"
Opposite—those two obviously also saw her appearance clearly. One with messy black curly hair spoke lazily.
Gion saw very clearly—clearly a small-bodied child. But whether facial features or that lazy expression—all extremely familiar.
"Clearly a Fish-Man—but however I look, feels like a familiar person. Don't you think so, Sakazuki?"
The neighboring cell's other child snorted coldly. "So Gion—how did you end up looking like this?"
His face was full of seriousness. Voice also harsh. But helplessly age-limited—that tender voice combined with childish face only felt comical.
Momousagi fell silent briefly. Then tentatively asked. "Are you—Sakazuki-senpai and Kuzan-senpai?"
Ain's ability?
Actually became like this.
Zephyr-sensei was truly cautious enough.
"Really is Gion?"
The black-curly-haired kid—or rather—captured former Marine Headquarters Admiral Aokiji said surprisingly. "How did you become like this?"
"Hard to explain."
Gion shook her head. "As for you two—continuously unable to obtain news about you—Headquarters even had rumors you'd both died."
"Well, though captured—Zephyr-sensei actually treats us quite well."
Aokiji said casually. "Aside from being imprisoned—haven't suffered any torment."
"Becoming a Fish-Man—because of operations targeting Fish-Man Island, right?"
The similarly child-transformed Akainu spoke. "Gion—what's the current seas' situation?"
They'd been disconnected from the seas far too long.
"..."
Momousagi fell silent briefly. After these two predecessors were captured—truly too many things happened at sea.
Then she said. "Biggest change—probably that Brett guy's threat became even greater."
"...Can it—" Aokiji blew hair hanging from his forehead. "Become even greater? Already completely can't imagine."
Akainu already frowned tightly.
Before Momousagi could say more—footsteps suddenly sounded in the corridor.
A woman wearing NEO Navy uniform came over.
"Ara ara—it's Ain—" Aokiji looked at the arrival shaking his head helplessly.
"Kuzan-senpai—please be quiet. Didn't come for you."
The woman named Ain walked before Momousagi's cell door.
"It's Ain?"
Momousagi's expression was somewhat complex. This was originally a junior she'd highly regarded.
"Pardon me, Gion-senpai."
Purple-red flames appeared in Ain's hands. "This is all for safety."
Flames flew toward Momousagi.
...
Brett didn't stay long at Zephyr's place. Immediately embarked on the return journey to Fish-Man Island.
Reason—he received a phone call from the island.
"Brett! You should hurry back! Dr. Vegapunk wants to cut off his own head!!"