Silence fell over the crowd.
If this had been said by the Straw Hats, laughter would have erupted.
But coming from Alistair, a "strongman," it only proved he knew about Skypeia and how to get there.
"Lafitte, your mission is to go to the island's east coast and tell the lone chestnut-haired man there that we'll be ascending to Skypeia in ten days. Also, find the South Bird and report back." Alistair turned to the newly joined Lafitte.
This was Lafitte's first mission. He suppressed his excitement, slightly adjusting his hat and bowing slightly. "At your service."
His wings unfurled, and he took to the sky, vanishing from sight.
Flight was incredibly useful, unlike Geppo's limited duration. Lafitte could cross harsh weather to Mary Geoise, attend the Shichibukai meeting, and recommend Teach as a replacement.
Teach's capture of Ace was a factor, but without Lafitte, Teach wouldn't have attended the meeting or conveyed this crucial information.
Lafitte was instrumental to the Blackbeard Pirates—even the Straw Hats' entry into Mary Geoise relied on Lafitte's hypnotic suggestion on the guards.
Gaining his allegiance—even partially through deception—gave Alistair a valuable asset.
"Hey, what about this guy?" Ace approached, carrying Bellamy the Hyena.
Bellamy was badly beaten. He wasn't the 55 million Berry Bellamy yet, just a minor figure. Inflation hadn't driven bounties into the hundreds of millions yet. He was fundamentally different from Ace, raised under Garp's iron fist.
"Seastone cuffs. We'll deal with him later." Alistair, looking at the smiling Ace, made a decision.
"Scribe." He called.
"Yes?" Nico Robin, momentarily startled, responded.
"Record: Devils Luck Pirates, collective third-class merit; Spade Pirates, collective third-class merit; Portgas D. Ace, individual third-class merit; Mihar, individual third-class merit; Masked Deuce, individual third-class merit."
Nico Robin turned the page and began writing.
This was… military merit?
She understood and deduced more.
This was a military group similar to Germa 66, still in its infancy, but with an excellent leader. What was the difference between collective and individual third-class merit? Ace defeated Bellamy (15 million Berry bounty), but Masked Deuce found her. Was she the same level as Bellamy? No, Bellamy was defeated, while Masked Deuce found her, implying she was more valuable?
Though Nico Robin hadn't fully accepted the group, this was pleasing.
The higher her value, the harder it would be to sell her to the Marines.
"Ran!" Alistair turned to a round-faced woman.
She seemed to be one of Hancock's subordinates. Her obedience suggested her position was higher than Robin thought.
"Alistair, are you sure?" Ran approached with a treasure chest, speaking quietly but audibly.
"This is a Logia-type Devil Fruit. It could save your life…" Ran was interrupted by Alistair.
He shook his head gently but firmly. "Trust me, Ran. This is calculated."
"If you say so…" Ran nodded, placing the chest in Alistair's hands.
"Ace! Come up!" Alistair pointed at Ace, holding the chest.
"Okay!" Ace handed Bellamy to Dalton, who applied Seastone cuffs, then leaped onto the platform.
"Ace and his crew's bravery was evident. From today, the Spade Pirates are disbanded, forming the Second Special Forces, with Portgas D. Ace as captain. But a single third-class merit doesn't justify a Logia-type Devil Fruit. Considering our need for top fighters, I'll vouch for Ace, granting him a Logia-type Devil Fruit on credit, to be repaid later!"
Alistair's words caused a stir.
Even the most foolish understood the power of Logia-type Devil Fruits. The three Admirals all possessed them; they were symbols of strength. They actually had one?
Everyone's eyes burned with desire. Eating it would make them incredibly strong.
Even Ace hesitated.
He looked at Alistair hesitantly. "Such a precious thing… is it really alright?"
Though he had joined the group and found love, he was still insecure about his background. Even after years with Whitebeard, he had doubted his place in the world. Facing such a responsibility—a Logia-type Devil Fruit, almost half the revolutionary army's strength—his hesitation, fear, and insecurity were understandable.
"What are you saying?" Alistair smiled, handing him the box, revealing the Devil Fruit.
"If I can't trust you, who can I trust, Comrade Ace?"
Under Alistair's unwavering gaze, Ace seemed to cast aside his doubts, grabbed the Devil Fruit, and took a bite.
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