OPTC Chapter 247 Treatment and Evolution
"Boss Da Ye, is it really necessary to go this far?" Shark Chili asked nervously.
"Of course. Ye Yan, come hold him down. Artoria, Meng Meng, help too!"
"But…" Shark Chili looked at his four companions restraining his limbs, and his confidence wavered.
"No buts. You're Shark Chili, the one determined to become a strong and mature man. You can't just back out now!" Zhang Da Ye grabbed one of his legs tightly and shouted, "Tom, Brook, begin!"
Ye Yan secured his other leg with a grip even more professional than Da Ye's. Shameless as always, he had no idol burden at all. Artoria and Rui Meng Meng each held down one of Shark Chili's arms. With the four of them working together, he couldn't move.
At Da Ye's command, Brook's bony fingers danced skillfully across the piano keys, music filling the air. Tom joined with his violin, and the two melodies blended together.
They weren't bullying Shark Chili, only helping him treat his fear of singing with music therapy. The piece chosen was Binks' Sake.
It was the only song Shark Chili had ever listened to completely, and only the Rumbar Pirates' final chorus version. Back on Thriller Bark, he thought he had overcome his fear. But yesterday, Brook had been in high spirits, playing with Tom, and in the heat of the moment began to sing. Everyone else thought it sounded great. But Shark Chili, who had been charting their route, was so terrified that he leapt straight into the sea.
It took Da Ye and Tom half an hour, with Tom's fishing net, to drag him back onboard. Realizing his trauma was still there, Shark Chili had reluctantly agreed to treatment today. Yet the moment he heard singing, he still wanted to dive into the sea. After fishing him out five or six times that morning, Da Ye lost patience. He gathered everyone, determined to hold him down. If not to cure him outright, then at least to make him listen to a few lines.
The intro ended, and Brook began to sing: "Yohohoho, yohohoho…"
Shark Chili tensed, ready to bolt, but since he'd heard Brook's "yohohoho" laugh countless times before, he didn't react too badly this time.
Brook continued: "Binks' sake, we'll sail the seas, against the storm and waves…"
"No! Don't sing! I hate singing! Let me go!" Shark Chili struggled violently.
Artoria and Rui Meng Meng tightened their grips, pressing on his shoulders to block his strength. Zhang Da Ye and Ye Yan locked down his legs, the four of them dragging him back with sheer determination.
But Shark Chili's raw power was no joke. Since he couldn't break free, he simply dragged all four of them toward the exit. Brook sang the third line: "Our beloved flags will wave beneath the sunny skies…"
Shark Chili thrashed harder. The four clung desperately.
Crack!
The wooden floor couldn't withstand their struggle, splitting open. Everyone tumbled down in a heap. Shark Chili seized the chance to break free and escaped the cabin. The music abruptly cut off. The group climbed back to their feet, exchanging awkward looks.
Rui Meng Meng winced. "Boss, I feel like we're being cruel. Isn't this too harsh on Shark Chili?"
Ye Yan said calmly, "Overcoming weakness isn't easy. For someone with such a deep mental block, pain is inevitable."
"The method is rough, but at least he listened to three lines." Da Ye rubbed his chin. "I'll apologize to him later, then ask his opinion. If he doesn't want to continue, we'll think of a softer method."
"We'll do our best." Artoria nodded. "If he overcomes this hurdle, his willpower will grow stronger. It'll be worth it."
Da Ye called, "Tom, let's go fish him out again."
In a flash, Tom stripped off his tuxedo, slung his fishing net over his shoulder, and followed Da Ye. Strangely enough, Tom had begun to find some fun in the process. The first time he pulled Shark Chili up, the man's cramped expression in the tiny net was priceless. Now, though, the novelty had worn off.
"Sorry for causing trouble." Shark Chili apologized once back onboard, immediately preparing to repair the floor he'd broken.
"No, I pushed you too hard." Da Ye shared everyone's thoughts. "Shark Chili, do you want to continue this therapy?"
Everyone gave him encouraging looks. Perona even pumped her little fists. "Fight!"
Shark Chili stood firm. "Of course. I'm going to be a strong and capable man. I won't be beaten by a song!"
"Good!" Da Ye slapped his back. "That's the spirit. Let's continue!"
"No way!" Shark Chili's face twisted. "At least give me a break! Once or twice a day is enough…"
And so the treatment plan was set. Da Ye watched Tom help Shark Chili repair the floor, thinking next time they should move to the dojo. It was sturdier, built for combat practice.
After sweating through training and charging his magic circle, Da Ye began his daily lottery. With the energy bar down to 80%, he didn't expect much. But the prize was still a surprise—a long, pitch-black sword from the Super God world. No name, only that it was made of Dark Alloy, a Noxian dagger's exclusive weapon, unbreakable and indestructible.
Da Ye didn't bother questioning "indestructible." He remembered Rui Meng Meng wielding it in an anime, stabbing a massive demon in the skull. The animation had been clumsy, but the sword was fierce.
He swung it a few times. Heavy, heavier than his lamp post or golden folding stool. Curious, he tested it against a dumbbell. One clean slash—split in two. No haki, no magic, no special technique. Purely the sword's sharpness.
This was too powerful to keep for himself. Da Ye decided it belonged to Rui Meng Meng.
"Huh? For me?" she exclaimed, eyes shining as she examined the blade's engravings. "It's so cool! Does it have a name?"
"No. Just called a Noxian dagger's exclusive weapon. You can name it yourself. Something like Exile's Blade, Storm Sword, Infinity Edge…"
"I'll call it Exile's Blade!" Rui Meng Meng declared.
"Fine. Now see if you feel anything special."
She gripped the sword, eyes sharpening.
"Wait! Not toward the mast!" Da Ye stopped her just in time. "Aim at the sea."
"Right!" She nodded sheepishly, then swung.
A translucent ripple burst forth, followed by a massive explosion at sea. Water erupted into a towering geyser, taller than those seen when Mo Ang Prince tamed his dragon turtle.
The Amber ship rocked violently. Hot cocoa and tea spilled, though Artoria managed to save her set.
"What happened? Earthquake? Underwater volcano?" Shark Chili rushed over, others following, only to be drenched in seawater and seafood.
"This is insane…" Da Ye drooled. "That's the ultimate fishing tool."
"Just a test swing…" Rui Meng Meng muttered. But her face paled. She collapsed.
"Meng Meng!" Everyone scrambled to catch her.
"I'm fine… just… really hungry…" she admitted, blushing.
Relieved, Artoria handed her snacks. "Eat. Where's Tom?"
"Fishing at the stern," Shark Chili answered. "But with that explosion, he should be here…"
Da Ye rushed back to find Tom struggling with a red octopus stuck on his head. Tom, desperate, tried to slam into the mast. Da Ye hugged him. "Don't risk your life for an octopus!"
Apparently, the creature had fallen with the seawater and refused to let go. At last, when Da Ye raised a knife, the octopus panicked and leapt back into the sea. Tom sighed, relieved but disappointed—no takoyaki tonight.
Later, Rui Meng Meng apologized again. "Sorry for eating so much."
"It's not the eating. It's that you cleared out two-thirds of the pantry…" Da Ye groaned. "We're only three days into the voyage. At this rate, we'll need daily hunts."
Rui Meng Meng waved her hands. "No, it's only because of today. It felt like I was evolving, every cell screaming with hunger. Normally, I won't eat like this. Only after battles."
"So it's tied to that sword?" Da Ye thought of her unfinished black armor set. Best to wait until they reached an island before giving it to her.
Rui Meng Meng shook her head. "The sword feels like a key. But training is what really matters."
Da Ye sighed. "So, how many times can you use that move?"
(TL/N: Author is making budget riven lmao)
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