Chapter 435: The Diamond Fruit

"This is quite similar to what Jimbei mentioned before," Sanji said with a furrowed brow. "Jimbei also said he heard some rumors about the Blackbeard Pirates from Katakuri, suggesting they might be hunting Ability Users."

However, at that time, this information was merely a rumor and not something confirmed with absolute certainty.

But now it seems... it wasn’t just a rumor!

The Blackbeard Pirates are truly hunting Ability Users!!

"It seems there’s something off about Blackbeard’s Devil Fruit," Meiser remarked. "That guy wanted Whitebeard’s body back then, all for the sake of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, right?"

No wonder Blackbeard was so furious when I snatched Whitebeard’s body.

Thinking about this, Meiser couldn’t help but feel a little amused.

"It’s probably because of his Devil Fruit," Shakky said.

But she wasn’t entirely sure about the specifics, as she hadn’t read any descriptions about Blackbeard’s Devil Fruit and didn’t know exactly what his abilities were.

"It looks like we really need to be careful around that guy," Brook said.

Hearing Brook’s words, Meiser and the other two burst into laughter.

"Careful?"

Meiser shook his head and said, "Luffy’s dream is to become the Pirate King, which means we’re bound to clash with Blackbeard sooner or later."

So there’s no need to dwell on it too much. If we encounter him, we’ll just fight him head-on.

Upon hearing this, Brook tilted his head, realizing that it did make sense.

"I know you’ll eventually have a fight with that guy, but when I say be careful, it’s not out of fear—it’s about being cautious of his abilities," Shakky said helplessly.

"We naturally understand that, so don’t worry, Shakky."

Seeing that Meiser had said as much, Shakky didn’t press the matter further.

"What about the other piece of news?" Meiser asked.

"The other one..."

As soon as the other piece of news was mentioned, Shakky’s expression grew somewhat complicated.

"Do you know Diamond Jozu?"

Hearing Shakky’s words, Meiser’s mind involuntarily recalled someone from the Summit War era.

"You mean that guy whose body can turn into diamond, right?" Meiser said. "I remember he even had one of his arms frozen off by Aokiji."

That guy was also the captain of the third division of the Whitebeard Pirates, a pretty strong fellow.

"Exactly, that’s him."

"What happened to him?"

"He’s dead."

"Dead?"

Meiser was taken aback. A guy who could hold his own against a Marine Admiral was taken out?

Was it because losing an arm weakened him too much?

"Yes, he’s dead," Shakky confirmed.

"Shouldn’t he have been in Ace’s Pirate Crew? How did he die?" Meiser asked in surprise.

Under normal circumstances, that guy should have joined Ace’s Pirate Crew along with Marco and the others.

How could he have been killed in such a situation?

Could it be... that he died in a battle against the Blackbeard Pirates?

"No, he did not join Ace’s pirate crew." Shakky shook her head and said, "He left when Little Ace first formed his pirate crew."

"Because he lost an arm?"

"Perhaps."

Shakky said, "It might have been because of the lost arm, or maybe because Whitebeard died." Meiser fell silent upon hearing this, thinking it might be a combination of both.

Physical injury coupled with a broken spirit, so he no longer wished to remain a pirate.

Such people were not uncommon on these seas.

After shaking his head, Meiser asked, "Then do you know who killed him?"

"Not clear. No one has even seen his body."

"Huh?"

Meiser was taken aback, then asked in surprise, "Then how do you know he’s already dead?"

No witnesses, no body seen... How could they be sure he was dead?

"Because his Devil Fruit has been reborn," Shakky said with a complicated expression.

Devil Fruits only regenerate after the ability user dies, which was why she was certain the man was dead.

"So that’s how it is."

Meiser sighed, never expecting that the burly man who fought alongside him in the Summit War would meet such an end.

No one even knows how he died...

Then, Meiser asked, "Who ate that Devil Fruit?"

"No one has eaten it," Shakky said. "Yesterday, this Devil Fruit was bought at an underground auction."

"Bought?"

Meiser said in surprise, "That person has quite the nerve."

Aren’t they afraid of attracting Ace and his crew?

Although Uncle Whitebeard is dead, Marco and the others are still formidable fighters.

With the Four Emperors out of the picture, they can take on anyone!

"You’re overthinking it."

Shakky shook her head and said, "After Whitebeard died, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates lost much of their intimidation."

Without Whitebeard, the peak combatant, who would care about a group of remnants?

Even if Ace formed his own pirate crew, others wouldn’t fear him as they feared Whitebeard.

After all... he couldn’t even defeat Blackbeard.

Hearing this, Meiser shook his head helplessly and said, "You’re right."

Ace and his crew indeed lacked intimidation now, because... their strength hadn’t reached the level of the Four Emperors.

So other second-tier players really had no reason to worry about them.

"But Little Ace and the others are indeed searching for the buyer," Shakky said. "He even had Marco spend money to buy information from me, but unfortunately, I couldn’t get any leads on that guy."

After learning about this, she sent people to gather intelligence on the matter.

But unfortunately... all those in the know had been silenced, so she couldn’t find out who it was.

"Quite thorough," Meiser said. "It seems the other party came prepared."

As he spoke, Meiser pondered the purpose behind their actions.

Judging by their methods, they likely didn’t plan to eat the Devil Fruit themselves, as doing so would expose them!

So... what was their goal?

To use this Devil Fruit as bait, luring Ace and the others into some major scheme?

Thinking this, Meiser frowned.

"Another ambitious schemer..."

Forget it, this matter has nothing to do with them anyway. Let Ace and the others deal with their own headaches.

Shaking his head, Meiser asked, "Shakky, is there any other information?"

This time, Shakky didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she picked up the documents on the table and examined them carefully.

Then, she said, "There really is one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember the Vice Admiral—White Snake Smoker I mentioned to you before?"

"Of course I remember." Meiser nodded.

How could he possibly forget? After all, this guy was comparable to a Marine Admiral.

"Wait a minute."

Zoro widened his eyes and said, "Who are you talking about?"

"Smoker?"

"A Vice Admiral?"

Has that guy become so strong already?

"Yes, it’s Smoker," Shakky said. "Although I don’t know what you’ve been through with him, Smoker has indeed grown stronger over these two years, and... ridiculously strong at that!"

Being able to single-handedly kill Vald in a direct confrontation means his strength is definitely no joke!

Hearing this, Zoro fell silent, and Smoker’s image flashed through his mind.

He truly hadn’t expected that guy to become so strong.

Then... what about that female Marine named Tashigi?

Has she grown stronger too?

For some reason, Zoro actually hoped she had become stronger.

At this thought, Kuina’s image surfaced in Zoro’s mind again.

"Kuina..."

If she were still alive, she would definitely be much stronger than that girl named Tashigi.

Thinking of this, Zoro silently sighed.

"It seems that old smoker has been through a lot these two years as well," Sanji said with a furrowed brow.

Meiser nodded in agreement, guessing that the guy must have undergone special training with some powerful figure.

Special training with a powerful figure...

Could it be that old man Garp?

At this thought, the memory of old man Garp’s punch hitting him resurfaced in Meiser’s mind.

An attack infused with Conqueror’s Haki... damn, that really hurt!

"I don’t know what he’s been through these two years, but I know he’s currently in the New World," Shakky said. "Based on your previous descriptions, I suspect he’s the one hunting you down."

Upon hearing this, Zoro and Sanji were immediately rendered speechless.

Hunting them down?

Why is this guy so persistent?!

He’s been chasing them since Loguetown, and even after two years, he still hasn’t given up?

Is there something wrong with his head?

Meiser was also somewhat speechless, clearly not expecting Smoker to be so tenacious.

Shaking his head, Meiser said, "Alright, I got it."

"If that guy really dares to come looking for trouble, I won’t mind sending him to the bottom of the sea."

He’s already fought an Admiral, so why would he be afraid of a mere Vice Admiral?

Hearing this, Shakky smiled. With Meiser and the others’ strength, they really didn’t need to worry about a Vice Admiral...

No, not even a Marine Admiral would be of any use against them!

Then, as if remembering something, Shakky said, "By the way, those Devil Fruits you gave me have been sold. The price was quite good."

"Just keep the money with you for now," Meiser said. "I’ll come get it whenever I need it."

After saying that, Meiser paused for a moment before continuing, "Of course, if Hancock has time, she can come home too."

"You’re really good to her," Shakky said with a smile.

"Well, she is my wife after all," Meiser replied cheerfully. "Naturally, I should treat her well."

"My own wife, of course I have to spoil her."

As soon as these words were spoken, flames seemed to ignite in Sanji’s eyes.

Why does this bastard get the favor of the Pirate Empress?!

"Meiser, you deserve to die!"

Hearing this, Meiser rolled his eyes at Sanji. Why is this guy still like this?

"Hah, perverted cook," Zoro muttered with a smirk.

"Huh?"

"Moss Head, what do you mean?!"

"Who are you calling Moss Head, you bastard?!"

"You, of course!"

"Bastard, let’s fight!"

"You think I’m afraid?!"

Bang! Clang! Crash!

And so, the two of them started fighting in the snow again.

Meiser: ...

Brook: ...

Shakky: ...

All three fell silent at the same time. Those two really have endless energy.

"Ahem, anyway... I’ll let little Hancock know," Shakky said, clearing her throat.

"Alright."

Meiser nodded with a smile and said, "Then I’ll leave it to you."

"No need to be so polite."

Shakky chuckled. This kid still loves to be so formal.

"Well..."

Brook quietly reminded them, "If we don’t go find that person soon, he might freeze to death..."

If his body had fallen into the sea, the chances of freezing to death would be quite high.

"Ahem, you’re right."

Meiser cleared his throat and said, "Shakky, let’s stop chatting for now. We still have important matters to attend to."

"Alright, go ahead," Shakky said with a smile.

Meiser nodded, then turned to Sanji and Zoro and said, "You two idiots, stop fighting! We need to go find someone now!"

Click

Looking at the now silent Den Den Mushi, a hint of nostalgia appeared on Shakky’s face.

"Youth is wonderful..."

Just then, the bar door suddenly swung open, and a few people walked in from outside.

"Is this the legendary Rip-off Bar?" the leader, a man with messy hair, said with a frown. "You must be the owner. Come and have a drink with me, and I won’t let you go unrewarded!"

Hearing this, Shakky shook her head. There really is no shortage of people looking for trouble.

Oh well, since they’ve come knocking... she might as well take this head with a bounty of 50 million Berries!

Thinking this, Shakky gave the group a "friendly" smile and said, "Welcome~"

Meanwhile, on the other side.

In the chamber of Dressrosa, Doflamingo was holding a gleaming Devil Fruit in his hand.

"I never expected this Devil Fruit to end up in my hands," Doflamingo said with a smirk. "How interesting..."

"Fufufufufu..."

At that moment, Doflamingo’s eyes gleamed as a series of ideas began to form in his mind.

"Doflamingo, what do you plan to do with this Devil Fruit?" Trebol asked curiously. "There’s no one left in the family suitable to eat a Devil Fruit, right?"

Aside from Lao G and Dellinger, all the executives here are Devil Fruit Ability Users.

And those two have made it clear they won’t eat a Devil Fruit.

After a moment, Trebol seemed to remember something and said, "Are you planning to give this to Vergo?"

"No, Vergo won’t eat a Devil Fruit either," Doflamingo replied. "He made that clear himself."

The other party had explicitly stated he wouldn’t eat a Devil Fruit, so Doflamingo saw no need to worry about it.

"Then this is..."

"Don’t you think this is an excellent bait?" Doflamingo said with a smirk. "The World Government is very interested in Ace’s head, you know~"

"Fufufufufu~"

Once he captured Fire Fist Ace, he could... exchange him for a great deal of benefits from the World Government!

Fufufufufu!

Trebol understood immediately. As expected of the young master!

"Get ready. I’m about to start casting the bait."

"Yes."

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