He couldn't resist asking, "What power it gave you?"
Daniel carefully assessed the sensation.
"I... I can produce frost from any part of my body."
As he spoke, he activated his ability again.
This time, however, the frost emerged from his feet and rapidly spread outward in all directions, freezing everything it touched—the ground and all objects on it—in a ten-meter radius.
Lancelot mused, "Paramecia-type—Frost Fruit?"
He couldn't help but think of Charlotte Oven and his Heat-Heat Fruit.
Daniel's fruit was the exact opposite.
In that case, leaving him in the East Blue would be a waste.
He began to reevaluate Daniel, thinking... 'If Daniel developed this fruit ability well, he could be assigned to Whiskey Peak or even recommended directly to Marine Headquarters.'
"Hiss..."
Coming back to his senses, Mok couldn't help but gasp sharply.
Any Marine who had spent time in the Grand Line would immediately think of one person upon seeing Daniel's ability.
That person was Marine Admiral Aokiji.
Of course, this was a Paramecia-type fruit, so it lacked the elemental intangibility of Admiral Aokiji's Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit.
But even without intangibility... this ability was terrifyingly powerful.
Just imagining the sea itself being frozen over made Mok's blood boil.
He stared fixedly at the remaining two Devil Fruits, his gaze burning with fervor and greed.
Seeing his expression, Lancelot's lips curled into a slight smile.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
He then turned to Daniel and said, "Your promotion to Captain Inspector will be announced soon!"
Daniel was overjoyed once again.
"Thank you, Governor-General Lancelot! From this day forward, I, Daniel, will follow your lead without question...!"
At this moment, his loyalty to Lancelot was absolute.
It was because of Lancelot that he had achieved so much today.
After all, his greatest aspiration had once been to attain the rank of Ensign in his lifetime.
But now, he was about to become a Captain Inspector.
He had even become a Devil Fruit Ability User, with the potential to rise to the rank of Vice Admiral in the future—something he had never dared to dream of before.
Such immense grace was beyond repayment in this lifetime.
"Set off!" Lancelot was very satisfied with Daniel's attitude and nodded in approval.
He then turned his gaze to Zoro, Lina, and Mok. "You may depart now!"
Zoro and Lina replied in unison, "Yes, sir!"
Mok did not respond immediately.
Instead, he asked Lancelot, "If I serve under you and achieve sufficient merits, will you truly grant me a Devil Fruit?"
Lancelot smiled meaningfully at this. "That depends on the nature of your contributions... After all, some achievements can only earn you a promotion."
Mok's eyes flickered with understanding.
He straightened his posture, saluted, and declared, "I obey your command, sir."
The three of them then split into separate groups and swiftly departed.
Watching Mok's retreating figure, Lancelot couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips upward.
When Smoker had informed him that there were three Commodores in the East Blue, Lancelot had naturally investigated them.
He held no regard for Commodore Nelson of the 8th Branch or Commodore Drey of the 66th Branch—both were mere trash.
Only Commodore Mok of the 163rd Branch was different.
Born a commoner, Mok had offended someone powerful and was consequently exiled to the East Blue.
It was worth noting that, like Smoker, he was a disciple of the former Admiral Zephyr.
Moreover, he was proficient in Rokushiki.
Thus, although he was a Commodore in the East Blue, his strength was no weaker than that of a Commodore from Headquarters.
This was also the reason he firmly held his position as the commander of the 163rd Branch.
This time, he was originally heading to Headquarters for a debriefing and reassignment.
It was only because his teacher, Zephyr, could no longer stand his situation that he had leveraged his own connections and influence.
Otherwise, Mok would likely have rotted away in the East Blue.
Such a person was easy to win over and could be trusted.
As for the person Mok had offended... to Mok, they were a formidable figure, but to Lancelot and his connections, they were nothing significant.
At that moment, Miss Valentine approached Lancelot.
"Governor-General, the mercenary Eric has been located."
Lancelot raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
"Relay the message to Gin. He knows what to do."
Originally, he had intended to use Eric to eliminate the disobedient inspectors.
But now, with the far more powerful and skilled Golass in the picture, Eric was no longer necessary.
After all, the difference in their abilities was like night and day.
It was better to seize Eric's Scythe-Scythe Fruit ability and use it to win over someone else.
Miss Valentine replied, "Yes, sir!"
Lancelot then asked, "Has the Hurricane Pirate Crew been found?"
Miss Valentine frowned slightly.
"There is news, but their exact location is still unconfirmed. They were last seen near Sakura Leaf Island. If their direction remains unchanged, they will pass through Orange Town, which is currently occupied by the Buggy Pirate Crew."
"Buggy Pirate Crew? Orange Town?" Lancelot's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Interesting..."
He suddenly felt intrigued and wanted to meet this "Lucky Emperor" of the One piece world.
Perfect timing.
Lise was with Johnson in Syrup Village, and the mother and son had spent enough time together.
It was time to bring her back.
Later, he could have her and Lina together.
Sisters reunited... That would be quite an experience.
At the thought, he could no longer suppress his smile.
He turned to Miss Valentine and said, "I leave Loguetown in your hands. Make sure you guard it well."
Miss Valentine responded, "Yes, sir!"
Then, holding a compass and looking at the map of the East Blue, he headed toward Orange Town.
Once he found Matthew, the captain of the Hurricane Pirate Crew, his final piece in the East Blue would be in place.
He could then rest assured and go to Whiskey Peak to establish order.
...
In Orange Town, Buggy's expression was extremely grim.
Sitting opposite him was none other than Matthew, the captain of the Hurricane Pirate Crew.
Matthew said, "What's there to think about? That monster Gin, under Lancelot's command, is hunting down pirates all over the East Blue. In such a short time, the only pirates with bounties over ten million left in the entire East Blue are you, me, and that Straw Hat kid."
Beside them stood a stunningly beautiful woman.
Not only did she have a fiery figure and wore revealing clothes, but her skin was as smooth as silk.
She was Alvida, who had eaten the Paramecia-type Smooth-Smooth Fruit.
At the moment, however, she looked completely unconcerned.
"What does that Gin have to do with us? The most important thing for Buggy and me right now is to find that Straw Hat kid."
Hearing this, Buggy instantly returned to his "rightful path," nodding in agreement.
"Nothing is more important than finding the Straw Hat kid!"
Matthew: "..."
He was utterly stunned, truly.
And who was this woman in front of him? She could actually influence Buggy's thoughts.
And what's the big deal about losing to the Straw Hat kid? It's not like he took your life.
But that Gin—he's truly deadly.
Under his hands, no one has survived.
That's right... every pirate who has encountered Gin has ended up dead.
After all, he was even more ruthless back when he was with the Krieg Pirates.
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