Chapter 243: Night by the Campfire: Setting Sail for Cake Island

Night had fallen. Three people sat roasting fish on the edge of the deserted island. Karl had dived into the sea himself and brought back chunks of lanternfish. No one expected the ship to take this long, so they had no choice but to fill their stomachs first.

After dinner, Achille settled by the campfire, tinkering with his chemistry set in the dim light. Earlier, Karl let slip about the power of nuclear weapons while chatting with him.

He’d mentioned how a single strike could wipe out a small island, and with several such weapons, even the Celestial Dragons’ Holy Land Mariejois could be turned into a wasteland.

If Karl hadn’t said anything, Achille might’ve stayed calm, but now he seemed almost activated, his old hatred for the Celestial Dragons coming to the surface. He and his wife had once been renowned scientists for world civilization, but since they refused to serve the World Government, they’d spent years on the run.

Now, after learning he might have a shot at personally wiping out the Celestial Dragons, Achille’s face turned red with excitement, as if he could reach out and settle the score himself.

He really was a top-tier talent in chemistry—even dabbled in physics. Right now, he was intent on discovering uranium-235.

Finding uranium-235 wasn’t easy. Even Karl couldn’t remember how humanity first discovered the stuff.

He just handed over some basic reaction principles, fission theory, and a few disconnected, half-remembered formulas. Achille set to work, banging away while refining them bit by bit.

“Karl, what’s taking so long?”

Olga leaned against a tree behind them, rubbing her round belly with a satisfied sigh. “I’m stuffed.”

“Chirp chirp chirp!”

Elizabeth sprawled nearby, her own belly just as round and full.

Watching them, Karl thought to himself, Good thing that constant pure gold radiation from Lanternfish’s head keeps working. Otherwise, this little dragon might’ve long since run out of lifespan.

Under prolonged exposure to pure gold, all creatures inside the lanternfish could live far longer than normal. Karl didn’t need pure gold for life extension just yet, but with Whitebeard, Roger, Golden Lion, and others joining forces, and the growing strength of his family, maybe—just maybe—they could topple the World Government.

“Dad, you promised to take me to every island for some fun!”

“You can’t go back on your word!”

“Don’t worry, Olga—Karl’s family owns over fifty islands. That’ll keep you busy for a long time.”

Ever since leaving Lord Lantern’s stomach, Olga most wanted to tour every island and sample their cuisine. Back inside the lanternfish, she survived on fruit and fish every day.

At Karl’s words, she couldn’t help but lick her lips, imagining islands packed with sweets. She drooled and blurted, “Yeah, Karl, I can’t wait! When’s the ship coming?”

Olga was nearly bouncing with impatience, desperate to devour everything on a dessert island.

Karl kept muttering to himself.

Shouldn’t it have been simple for the Fishmen to find a ship?

Why’s it been all afternoon with no news?

Hope nothing’s gone wrong up in North Blue…

Just as he was lost in thought, Karl’s mouth curved in a slight grin. “The ship’s here.”

“We can set off right away.”

He’d been using his Observation Haki, though it didn’t cover much distance. Just now, a ship sailed into range, steered by Fishmen.

Concentrating, Karl sensed it was the octopus Fishman and his squad—a total of twelve Fishmen.

As soon as Olga heard, she leaped to her feet and ran to her father. “Wow! I’m gonna eat my way across every island!”

“Dad, you’ve gotta come with me!”

“Haha, of course!” Achille said, packing away his bottles and jars.

Karl shook his head. “Is everyone in this world as ridiculous as a pirate? Your bellies were stuffed just a second ago. Where did all that food go?”

Luffy, the main character, could shrink his huge belly in an instant—thanks to the Gum-Gum Fruit and Return of Life technique. Even Chopper can’t pull that off!

Shaking his head to clear it, Karl fixed his gaze on the approaching ship.

His mind suddenly drifted. He muttered, “Lanternfish—dealt with. What else in this world haven’t I gotten my hands on yet?”

“Got the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. The Giant Kingdom is trading. Visited Sleeping Ancient Town.”

“Got the Blue Dragon Fruit, and Wano’s seastone shackles are being sold too.”

“Half of Fishman Island is basically under my control now.”

“Seems like, aside from the main cast, there’s not much left for me to do.”

While Karl was still daydreaming, the boat had nearly reached shore.

An octopus Fishman jumped down, marched up to Karl, and saluted. “Reporting, Lord Karl! I’m Apollo, Captain of the Fishmen Third Army’s Reconnaissance Company.”

Startled at the name, Karl replied, “Oh, your name’s Apollo?”

What a coincidence—Apollo sounded just like an anime character’s name.

Apollo saluted again. “Yes, Lord Karl. My name is Apollo.”

The rest of the Fishmen on board all saluted and greeted Karl as well.

They looked excited—this was the first time they’d met their idol Karl face to face.

Only the merfolk of the First Army had actually seen Karl’s face before. The Second and Third Armies came later and Karl hadn’t attended their formations.

So, most Fishmen only knew Karl from photos and video—this was their first time meeting him in person.

No need to explain why Karl was treated as their idol.

Without hesitation, Karl said, “Alright! Set sail now. We’re heading for Cake Island.”

Every extra second spent in North Blue meant extra risk of being discovered. Karl didn’t know why Im hadn’t attacked yet, but he wasn’t about to test his luck. The faster they got back to the New World, the better.

It seemed to Karl that Im couldn’t use the Heavenly King Uranus to blow up New World islands directly—there must be some restriction.

Otherwise, the New World wouldn’t be overrun with pirates. Even Rocks, for all his ruthlessness, only unleashed Uranus at God Valley in West Blue.

“Understood, Lord Karl!”

“Hurry, get on board!”

Karl turned and shouted behind him, “The ship’s here! Move it!”

At the sound, Achille pushed a makeshift wooden cart, dragging a metal barrel and their family’s luggage toward the ship.

Apollo didn’t ask questions—he just helped haul the barrel and the luggage aboard. Once everyone was on, they set out full speed for the Calm Belt on Karl’s orders.

Aside from flying, only by crossing the Calm Belt could they return to Cake Island as fast as possible. It should only take three to five days.