Everyone's eyes involuntarily widened at that instant.
Even Shiki's cigar, clamped between his lips, dropped to the ground, and Kaido nearly crushed the sake gourd in his hand.
What did they just see?
Teach was holding a very ordinary apple just moments ago, but now, right before all their eyes, that apple had transformed into a genuine Devil Fruit!
"Roa!"
Although Shiki had suspected it, the shock was no less when he witnessed the scene firsthand.
"Don't tell me, brat, that this fruit is the ability possessed by that guy you just finished off?"
Everyone turned in unison to look at Roa, their eyes filled only with astonishment.
"Isn't it interesting?"
Roa curled his lips. "This is the true secret of the Dark-Dark Fruit—the ability to seize Devil Fruit powers!"
"Hiss!"
A chorus of sharp intakes of breath sounded simultaneously, almost making the surrounding air feel hot.
"Unbelievable, something like this exists!"
Katakuri couldn't help but gasp.
The ability to seize Devil Fruit powers!
Although the scientists under Roa had already mastered the technique to replicate Devil Fruits, capturing the Ability User allowed them to directly replicate the Devil Fruit via their Lineage Factor.
However, Logia and Mythical Zoan abilities were still difficult to reproduce, especially the Logia types, which even Vegapunk had no clue about.
But the Dark-Dark Fruit, with its power to seize abilities, was different.
No matter if it was a Logia or a Mythical Zoan, as long as the user was captured, the power could be taken!
No wonder that brat Teach said he wanted to obtain Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit!
"So, is the next target that guy Newgate?"
Charlotte Linlin lifted the corners of her mouth. "Mama-mama! Not just the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, but that Marco brat's Phoenix Fruit is also a fiercely powerful Mythical Zoan!"
"Wow, you really don't hold onto old feelings, Aunt Linlin,"
Roa sighed, watching her gloating expression. "No matter what, Uncle Whitebeard was once our comrade, wasn't he?"
"Are you kidding me, brat?"
Charlotte Linlin coldly snorted. "Gloriosa, that foolish woman, wasn't she also our comrade back then? Did you show her any mercy!"
"Haha."
Roa gave an awkward laugh.
But didn't I take good care of Aunt Gloriosa?
Though she was being 'taken care of' in a prison.
"Well, anyway, those few Soul Slaves I've kept for so many years can finally meet their natural end."
A moment later.
Three figures lay lifeless beside Roa, completely devoid of life.
And on the table in front of Roa lay three Devil Fruits.
"Paramecia Clone-Clone Fruit, Paramecia Barrier-Barrier Fruit,"
Roa's finger traced over the three Devil Fruits one by one. "And finally, the Paramecia More-More Fruit."
Kurozumi Higurashi, Kurozumi Semimaru, and Byrnndi World—the people Roa had turned into Soul Slaves many years ago had finally reached the end of their lives at this moment.
"Oh! Right! There's also Kurozumi Orochi!"
Roa smiled and turned back to look at the somewhat astonished Kaido. "That guy should still be alive and well, right, Brother Kaido? His Eight-Headed Serpent Fruit is a considerably powerful Devil Fruit!"
Although it didn't directly increase any formidable combat ability, the sheer fact of possessing eight lives after consuming the fruit was already completely unreasonable.
"That idiot is naturally still alive and well,"
Kaido said, the astonishment in his eyes growing even deeper. His voice was filled with disbelief. "Roa, did you plan this kind of thing from the very beginning?"
"Who knows."
Roa smiled.
His hand rested on the last of the three Paramecia Devil Fruits, the one called the More-More Fruit.
Honestly, this fruit somewhat tempted him.
No frills, it simply increased numerical values.
Even if he ate this Devil Fruit, he would become stronger.
But, becoming an Ability User meant having a weakness.
Should he acquire some unerasable weaknesses for the sake of becoming stronger?
Roa felt a little melancholic.
Such a dilemma.
Then, he suddenly turned and looked at someone in the crowd. "Red, how about this fruit for you?"
"The Paramecia More-More Fruit possessed by World. I don don't need to say how powerful it is, right?"
"Although the self-amplification doesn't remotely reach the one hundred times he boasted about, it can definitely strengthen the Ability User to an astonishing degree!"
Anyway, the replication of Paramecia types was already quite mature.
"Mmm—"
Redfield looked at the fruit in Roa's hand, hesitating slightly.
He was certainly clear about the More-More Fruit's ability.
Although the ability to enlarge one's own body was somewhat inexplicable, the ability to multiply one's own speed was already very formidable.
However.
"If I had to choose,"
Redfield pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "I'd prefer a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit."
"Mythical Zoan? Mama-mama!"
Charlotte Linlin immediately chuckled. "Then Red, you should go hunt the Whitebeard Pirates with that brat Teach!"
"Zehahaha! Welcome aboard!"
Teach burst into laughter. "Isn't the Phoenix Fruit also excellent?"
"No need for such trouble,"
Roa stroked his chin and slowly spoke. "If you want a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, you can have one right now."
"What?"
Charlotte Linlin looked back at him, somewhat bewildered. "Roa, what do you mean?"
"I still have a Mythical Zoan on hand."
And it was precisely the Devil Fruit Red was destined for.
"Eh!!"
In any case, the Mythical Zoan Vampire Fruit, which had been preserved in the Calamity Company for over twenty years, finally met its destined owner.
As for the More-More Fruit, it would be kept for now. Whether to eat it or not would be decided by his future self.
Then.
Roa said, "Start the hunt! Go bring back more Ability Users for me!"
Let the Ability User Hunt begin!
Roa then added, "Prioritize finding the whereabouts of the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Yes!!"
Teach's voice was particularly loud.
As long as he consumed a third Devil Fruit—the Tremor-Tremor Fruit!
Then, even if he still lagged far behind the Boss, he would definitely become the strongest being on the seas besides the Boss and Im! He would become an existence that truly surpassed the limits of humanity!
Dressrosa.
The damage caused by the pirate raid a few days ago hadn't even been repaired, and the country was already facing another problem.
And it was an even greater problem than the pirate raid.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
This was the continuous sound of explosions as cannonballs sliced through the air and smashed onto the coast.
Fierce plumes of smoke and flames erupted. The entire coast was instantly reduced to ruins.
The firing came from a fleet.
A fleet flying a pirate flag.
Of course, it was only flying a pirate flag.
Onboard were a group of soldiers in neat military uniforms. Although their uniforms were somewhat tattered, their appearance was certainly not what pirates would look like.
It must be said that the residents of Dressrosa should be thankful for the gigantic rocks surrounding the entire island. At this moment, they served as the country's natural walls, largely blocking the incoming cannonballs.
Even so, the Dressrosa military forces gathered on the coast were practically pinned down.
Dressrosa was simply too poor. The enormous taxes paid to the Calamity Company had already pushed the country to the brink of bankruptcy.
The pirates who raided frequently kept Dressrosa's soldiers running ragged. Not only were they constantly under physical and mental strain, but the consumption of weapons was a difficult problem to solve.
Where could Dressrosa find the money to replenish its military equipment now?
The result now was that the Dressrosa forces defending the coast were practically scampering for cover.
"We can't keep going like this! We're severely short on cannonballs and can only take passive hits!"
Amidst the flying artillery fire, Kyros yelled at the top of his lungs. "King Riku! We must let them land! We must engage them in hand-to-hand combat!"
"I will try to break through alone and kill the enemy commander!"
"Are you confident, Kyros?"
King Riku, who was on the frontline as usual, shouted back hoarsely.
"I can only try!"
Kyros took a deep breath.
There was no better solution now.
"Alright!"
King Riku nodded heavily.
And so, the Royal army defending the coast began to retreat.
This was another moment to be thankful for the country's unique terrain. The colossal rocks encircling the island once again became a protective barrier for the nation.
The narrow passages between the giant rocks leading into the country were easy to defend and difficult to attack. At this moment, the soldiers were hurriedly retreating along these paths toward the interior of the volcanic crater.
Meanwhile, on the sea, in the not-small fleet, a man wearing a military overcoat and looking like a general waved his command sword, his voice almost frantic as he roared, "Land!"
Warships surged forward, crashing one after another onto the coast of Dressrosa, carrying thick smoke and killing intent.
Soldiers then jumped off the ships. After organizing their formation under the cover of artillery fire, the officers led the soldiers in a charge.
"Charge! For Prodence!!"
The general, holding his command sword, charged at the forefront. His roar became the battle horn, leading the wave-like soldiers in a fierce assault on the narrow passage.
They were greeted by a hail of bullets from the other end of the passage.
In an instant, a large number of soldiers were struck down. Only the general continuously deflected several bullets with his command sword.
"Don't be afraid! Think of our families!"
The general roared, charging forward once more, leading the way.
The word family held a strange magic. The momentarily fearful soldiers immediately mustered their courage again, surging into the narrow passage. While suppressing the Dressrosan offensive with gunfire, they advanced.
"Duvy!!"
From the other end of the passage, the current King of Dressrosa, King Riku, roared hysterically, "Why are you doing this!"
The commander of this fleet, a man who showed no emotion even when facing a barrage of gunfire, the current Supreme Commander of the Prodence Kingdom Army, General Duvy, had a complicated look on his face at that moment.
"King Riku..."
The Kingdom of Dressrosa and the Kingdom of Prodence were neighboring countries, and both had originally been affiliated with the World Government. It was safe to say they had maintained friendly relations for generations.
Especially more than twenty years ago, before the Pirate Alliance seized the New World, and before King Riku was driven from his throne by the former Warlord Captain John, King Riku and the original King of Prodence, Elizabello III, were true, close friends.
Even during the turmoil of the past year, the Kingdom of Dressrosa had greatly assisted Prodence.
However.
"I'm sorry, King Riku!"
Tears nearly streamed from the General's eyes at that moment. "Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to reclaim our country from the pirates! Without your aid, we wouldn't have been able to restore order to our nation so quickly!"
"But, King Riku, we have no choice! The country is on the brink of collapse! All we can do is bet everything! If this battle is lost, the entire country will fall into the abyss!"
"Dressrosa is the closest country to Prodence, and the weakest country nearby. We have no choice!"
King Riku fell silent.
He had been old friends with Elizabello II for decades. Although that old friend was killed by an assassin under Roa, he was still heartbroken when he learned that the Kingdom of Prodence was occupied by pirates under Roa.
And upon discovering that Roa completely disregarded his subordinates—even if the pirates ruling certain countries were killed, the Calamity Company remained indifferent—King Riku first worked with Kyros to reclaim this country, then immediately collaborated with General Duvy to liberate Prodence.
That was only a year ago. At the time, everyone believed that the friendship between Dressrosa and Prodence would be passed down for generations.
Therefore, upon learning that the Prodence army was attacking, his heart was filled with anger.
But now, only sadness remained in King Riku's heart.
All morality, order, and camaraderie had vanished on the seas around the Red Line.
Roa, you monster, what exactly do you want to turn this world into!
As sorrow filled King Riku's heart, a figure suddenly swooped down from the mountain wall nearby.
The moment he landed, a dazzling sword light shot up, sending the soldiers guarding General Duvy flying.
Duvy's face paled visibly. His strength was much greater than an ordinary person's, but facing the charging man, he only managed to hold out for a few more moves before his command sword was knocked away, and a blade was held to his neck.
"Duvy!"
Kyros looked at the man he had been drinking with a year ago, speaking through gritted teeth.
"Kyros—"
Duvy also gritted his teeth. "Still so powerful! But, did you think I wouldn't anticipate a decapitation strike?"
He suddenly raised his voice, "Don't mind me! Follow the original plan! If a senior officer falls, a junior officer will step up! Do not hesitate! Do not retreat! Everything, for our motherland! For our families!!"
The Prodence army did not stop at all, still surging forward like a tide.
Kyros's face was rigid.
His hand was trembling.
What should I do?
"I'm sorry, Kyros,"
General Duvy said sadly. "Neither of us has a choice. Kill me. Consider it atonement."
"But, I hope you surrender. That way, both sides can minimize losses. Rest assured, we won't harm the people of Dressrosa. We are only here for the money, only to pay that damn tax!"
If the tax wasn't paid, the pirates under the Calamity Company would come for manual collection, and those scumbags would bring genuine hell.
Kyros's sword was held across the man's neck. He only needed to pull his hand to end the man's life.
But at this moment, he hesitated.
He couldn't bear to kill the invader of his country.
Because he felt empathy.
"Brother-in-law Kyros! What are you hesitating for!"
Behind him, his sister-in-law Viola screamed. "Kill him! Protect Dressrosa!!"
Viola released a school of Tear Whale fish, which essentially blocked the narrow passage, making it difficult for the surging Prodence soldiers to advance.
However, her stamina didn't support using her ability with such high frequency for long. At this moment, the woman was panting and sweating profusely.
So, when she saw Kyros hesitate, she couldn't help but urge him.
The enemy is willing to sacrifice everything for their country, so what are we hesitating for!
Kyros's gaze finally became resolute.
That's right, protecting this country is the most important thing!
He tightened his grip on the sword hilt.
General Duvy sighed deeply in relief, tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and quietly awaited death.
But just at that moment.
"The Paramecia Glare-Glare Fruit user is here, right?"
A calm voice suddenly descended from the sky.
The voice was not particularly loud or booming, yet it was remarkably clear in the chaos of the battlefield.
Everyone subconsciously looked up.
Then they saw a figure slowly descending, flapping dark wings.
The newcomer was wearing black leather clothing, had brown skin, and pure white hair.
The instant they clearly saw the figure, the entire battlefield fell silent.
"Stop! Everyone stop!!"
General Duvy's voice suddenly became shrill, as if trying to pierce someone's eardrum, his tone filled with terror and helplessness.
Why is that monster here!
"Nobody move!"
King Riku issued the same command as General Duvy at that moment. "Lord King has arrived!"
King, the Demon Scion!
A top executive of the Calamity Company, a high-ranking cadre under the King of Calamity Roa, and undoubtedly a monster standing at the very peak of this world!
Why would this man appear here?
Although they didn't know the reason for his appearance, they absolutely could not anger him!
Otherwise, it would truly be utter annihilation!
Wait!
King Riku's eye twitched suddenly.
Did King just say Glare-Glare Fruit?
King, slowly descending on fluttering wings, showed absolutely no interest in the two warring sides here. He simply looked calmly at Viola. "The Boss said to bring the Paramecia Glare-Glare Fruit user back for him. That would be you, right?"
He had just witnessed the woman continuously using her ability.
"..."
King Riku's forehead instantly broke out in a sweat.
It couldn't be, it couldn't be that he came for Viola?
Viola's eyes also widened gradually, her face turning pale.
The King of Calamity... wants her?
She instinctively wanted to turn her pleading gaze toward her father and brother-in-law.
But in the next instant, she stopped.
It was useless.
If Roa desired her, no one could stop it.
Refusal would only bring disaster upon the country.
"Yes..."
Viola stepped forward fearfully. "I am the Glare-Glare Fruit user. I will go back with you."
"Mmm."
King nodded slightly.
In this world, there weren't many people left who could say no to them.
King Riku silently clenched his fists, his teeth nearly grinding to powder.
Viola!
Has this child decided to sacrifice herself?
Kyros was also nearly tearing his eyes out.
But they all remained silent.
Let alone them, even Duvy, the enemy, now showed a sorrowful look in his eyes.
Everything they had endured was merely because of the King of Calamity's slight malicious whim.
"Yehahahahaha! Did you finish up on your side too, King?"
A figure flew in from the side.
Enel was holding a birdcage containing a girl the size of a doll, who was quietly weeping.
It was Princess Mansherry!
King Riku instantly recognized the little girl.
The princess of the Tontatta Kingdom, a kingdom of little people living on Green Bit Island, adjacent to Dressrosa!
He had been trying hard to hide any news of the Tontatta Kingdom to prevent them from being harassed by pirates!
What is going on!
"Mmm."
King nodded, looking at Viola, who was approaching with difficulty. "We can return now."
This woman is quite attractive, too. The Boss should like her.
It was at that moment that Viola suddenly mustered her courage. She spoke with difficulty, "Lord King, can I request your help for Dressrosa? This country is on the verge of ruin. If this war is lost again—"
Hearing this, Duvy's eyes widened sharply.
No!
Don't!!
King merely gave Viola a calm look. "The Boss only sent me to bring you back."
Viola instantly deflated.
As expected.
"Yehahahahaha, you're really strict, King. They're just a bunch of scumbags. What does it matter? It's easy work."
Enel grinned. He casually flicked his left hand, and a bolt of lightning shot into the sky. In the next instant, bolts of lightning crashed down, covering the Prodence soldiers on the coast and in the passage.
The roaring, leaping lightning instantly illuminated everything.
It illuminated the flicker of excitement at Viola's lips, the astonishment in Kyros's eyes, and the despair on Duvy's face.
At that moment, King Riku suddenly burst into tears.
What are we, after all?
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