Location: Banaro Island, Hanafuda's Ruins
"In this world, you need strength and connections."
Storm took the black flag from Robin, examined the horned skull, and tossed it into the mud.
"What a lowly lizard. Doing the same work as me, but for Kaido?"
Robin stared at the crumpled flag. "Boss... is it okay to disrespect a Yonko like that?"
"Kaido of the Beasts," she whispered. "The Strongest Creature. They say he can turn into a giant blue dragon."
She paused, looking at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon circling above.
"Blue dragon... White dragon..." Robin blinked. "Is that why you're targeting him? Professional rivalry?"
"My gaze is purely professional," Storm lied smoothly. "Anyway, did you find any Devil Fruits?"
Robin shook her head. "Not a single one."
"What?!"
Storm frowned. A Devil Fruit Collector with an empty vault? That was hundreds of millions of Berries gone!
He turned to the unconscious Warlord.
SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!
Storm used a clay hand to slap Hanafuda awake.
"Wake up, Lizard King!"
"Gah!" Hanafuda woke up spitting blood. "Who dares—?!"
"Where are the fruits?" Storm demanded. "Where is your stash?"
"I... I sent them to the New World," Hanafuda stammered, realizing his situation. "The two Ancient Zoans I just found... I sent them to Lord Kaido a few days ago!"
"Kaido?" Storm manipulated the clay to lift Hanafuda into the air. "So you are his dog."
"I am a member of the Beasts Pirates!" Hanafuda shouted, trying to use the name as a shield. "Behind me is the King of Beasts! If you kill me, Lord Kaido will hunt you down!"
"Did you send all the fruits?" Storm ignored the threat.
"Yes! The Mammoth Fruit! The Tarantula Fruit! The Spinosaurus Fruit! The Triceratops Fruit!"
Hanafuda listed them off like a grocery list.
'Jack's Mammoth Fruit? Page One's Spinosaurus? Sasaki's Triceratops? This guy supplied the entire Flying Six and the All-Stars?!'
"What about Paramecia types?"
"Paramecia?" Hanafuda scoffed. "Trash! Only Zoans grant true strength! In this world, only beasts survive!"
"Is that so?" Storm looked at him coldly. "Then tell me, lizard... can beasts see tomorrow's sun?"
"You—!"
[Ability: More-More Fruit - 100x Power]
THUMP!
Storm's fist connected with Hanafuda's skull. The impact reverberated through the Warlord's brain like a temple bell. His eyes rolled back.
[System Alert: Target Defeated]
[Platinum Trophy: Hanafuda]
[Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5-Stars)]
"Another 5-Star Trophy."
Storm grabbed Hanafuda by the neck and flew into the sky.
He didn't hesitate. This guy was a liability. A direct subordinate of Kaido couldn't be trusted or recruited.
CRACK.
Storm snapped Hanafuda's neck.
He activated the Devil Ring.
Moments later, a swirl-patterned fruit appeared in his hand.
[Ancient Zoan: Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Tyrannosaurus Rex]
"A T-Rex fruit," Storm tossed it into his dragon's storage. "Along with the Chameleon Fruit from earlier... I seem to be destined for lizards."
Storm pulled out his Den Den Mushi.
Pru-Pru-Pru... Clatch.
"Moshi moshi. Is Aokiji there?"
"Ara ra... Storm." The Admiral's lazy voice drifted through. "You think your life is too comfortable? Calling me again?"
"Admiral. I have credit for you."
"Credit?" Aokiji's tone shifted. "Is it about Nico Robin?"
"You really care about her," Storm teased. "Why don't you just leave the Navy and join me? You can see her every day."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Aokiji snapped. "I am a Marine Admiral!"
"For now," Storm chuckled. "Anyway, I just took out a Warlord. Hanafuda. Turns out he was a spy for the Beasts Pirates."
"Hanafuda is dead?" Aokiji sighed. "You really are cleaning house."
"Speaking of cleaning house... I received a fax from Headquarters today."
"Oh?"
"Your bounty."
Aokiji held up a poster on his end.
[WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE]
[Name: Vongola Storm]
[Alias: "White Dragon"]
[Bounty: 95,000,000 Berries]
"95 Million for a first bounty," Aokiji noted. "That's higher than the Pirate Empress's first bounty. You're making waves, Storm."
"Only 95 million?" Storm sounded disappointed. "I beat a Warlord and I didn't even break 100 million? The Navy is stingy."
"It's a warning," Aokiji said seriously. "Be careful. The higher your bounty, the more attention you attract. And not just from the Marines."
"Don't worry, Admiral. I know what I'm doing."
Clatch.
Storm pocketed the snail and looked down at Banaro Island.
"Robin! Pack up the loot! We're leaving!"
"Where to next, Boss?"
Storm grinned.
"To find a doctor."
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