MARINES - A ONE PIECE story (ENGLISH) - Part I

CHAPTER CXLIX - The white clown

Zell was still as sharp and combative as ever, but his agility had been reduced since the loss of his left arm, and his balance had suffered as a result. His lost eye was also reducing his ability to dodge, since the entire left side of his field of vision was now invisible to him.

Pierrot understood all this at once : his eyes, equipped with hyper-reactive detectors, had analyzed the morphology of his crippled opponent. At a glance, he had grasped his weaknesses. And it was certainly not this unfortunate prosthesis, attached to his stump, that would allow him to make the difference. Facing Pierrot's modified body, a latest generation cybernetic weapon, the shipwright could do nothing.

In a deluge of burning sparks, the clown's circular blade lacerated the marbled walls of the Leaning Tower. One of Zell's dreadlocks was sliced off, while drops of blood trickled down his cheek. He was already exhausted.

- Damn it... he grumbled, inspecting his shredded hair. Do you have any other surprises in store ?

- Of course I do ! Pierrot said with an excited air. I am very saddened to be that much underestimated.

He opened his mouth wide and stuck out his tongue. Pierced by a black and round hole, it contracted furiously. As soon as he heard the ominous crackling sound coming from it, Zell jumped, just in time to dodge a greenish, foul-smelling spray.

- Acid, now ?! How can your body store all that stuff ?

- I am not human anymore. At the request of my King, I was experimented on by Lord Vinsmoke, who turned me into a cyborg. I am only the weapon of my master, now.

- A weapon, eh ? Zell taunted him, dodging another shot. Your master uses you so openly and you're not even angry about it ?

- I do not know anger anymore, my young friend. Nor do I know any other emotion. In fact, no matter how hard I try, I can't even be truly sad.

His eye began to water again, a large black tear running down his white cheek. Zell was horrified when he realized the clown's tears were just a residue of sludge, of mechanical grease, probably due to a manufacturing defect. As Zell was reluctantly raising his chisels to him, the other held up a small blue pill to his eye.

- You cannot defeat me, Madeira Zell. Because, you see, I do not feel anything anymore.

He slipped the Blue Pill between his pursed lips and swallowed silently.

- Not joy, nor sorrow, nor pain.

And as he was breathing these words, the white of his eyes turned as blue as the clearest of skies, a deep, icy blue.

Like the other pills, the Blue Pills had their own effects : while the Red Pill was increasing muscle mass and the Green Pill brining one to a state of euphoria normally unattainable, the Blue Pill used to neutralize all one's emotions and afflictions to achieve an exceptional level of concentration. When Pierrot's men would swallow one, they would become true killing machines, just like their master. He was now unstoppable.

- Letale Balleto !

Like a feline, Pierrot leapt on his opponent. Whirling like a dancer, he twirled his saw-leg to split his enemy. But Zell, supple and light as a reed, lent himself to this deadly dance and started an impressive sequence of pirouettes to get out of trouble. Looking for the slightest flaw in his opponent, Zell waited until the end of a spin cycle to swing one of his ropes, ready to grab him. But Pierrot was too quick and Zell's throws had lost their precision : the clown immediately spotted the rope with his piercing eyes and, with a sharp movement, cut it down. And as Zell was grumbling in frustration, Pierrot raised his right arm towards him.