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Three days later.
In the New World, on the Forgotten Island.
"Are you absolutely sure this is the correct fruit? There's no mistake in the drawing?"
As the saying goes: "If you try to force flowers to bloom, they won't; but if you plant willow trees carelessly, they'll grow into a forest."
Without a doubt, Iji was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions—complexity, astonishment, and overwhelming joy.
Overwhelmed by excitement, he couldn't help but tightly grip the shoulders of the intelligence operative sent by CP7's highest-ranking official, Feldt Holtz. In his fervor, Iji even lifted the man off the ground.
This display left everyone present—Roux, Mike, and others—stunned.
It wasn't just them. Even Isabel, Winslet, and Delia, the two sisters who had never seen Iji lose his composure before, were taken aback by his uncharacteristic behavior.
"I personally saw that fruit before and drew it from memory. I'm confident my artistic skills haven't deviated too much. However, Lord Iji, could you please put me down…?"
The intelligence agent, despite his rigorous training, winced in pain under Iji's grip. He struggled to maintain his composure while hurriedly responding.
In his right hand, he held a piece of white paper.
On it was a drawing of a purple, snail-shaped fruit resembling a pineapple.
Had Captain "Bloody Butcher" Geoffrey of the Geoffrey Pirates been present, he would have been shocked to recognize the fruit depicted—it was the very Devil Fruit he had obtained just days ago.
And this man in the suit? He was unmistakably one of Geoffrey's pirates.
Thud.
Iji finally released the operative.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized the spy, who was feigning calmness. "So, you're the mole embedded in that pirate crew?"
He never imagined fate would play such a cruel trick on him.
Despite his relentless search for the vampire-type Mythical Zoan fruit, he hadn't found it. Yet here was information about the most fearsome Logia-type fruit in history—delivered to him without him even asking.
"Yes, Lord Iji!"
The intelligence operative maintained a composed expression and spoke firmly. "But unless ordered by my superior, even if you were to kill me right now, I wouldn't divulge a single detail about that pirate crew."
He wasn't a high-ranking member of the Geoffrey Pirates, merely an inconspicuous grunt with no bounty poster. With Germa's intelligence network, they'd never be able to trace him back to any specific pirate group.
"Tell your superior I agree to his terms…"
Iji had calmed down, speaking with an authoritative tone that brooked no refusal. "However, I need to get my hands on that fruit first!"
Several days later.
In the middle segment of the New World, in the Bakusar Sea.
A massive warship charged across the ocean, leaving trails of white foam in its wake.
Today, Rou had decided against his usual intense training regimen. Instead, he chose to conserve his energy for the upcoming battle.
"Lord Iji... what exactly is this fruit?" Guiku, the long wild blade resting on his shoulder, asked curiously as he gazed at the vast blue sea beside Iji.
For some reason, this guy kept referring to Iji as "Boss," making it sound like he was the leader of a bandit gang. Annoyed, Iji sternly ordered him to stop using that term.
"It's a remarkable Logia-type fruit…"
Iji glanced subtly at the spy leading the way, whose ears visibly perked up despite his outward calmness. "Its value is comparable to the fruit I've been searching for."
"Come to think of it, I should thank Geoffrey for this. If he weren't already a Devil Fruit user, he might have missed it entirely..."
Standing at the bow of the ship, Iji smiled.
He never expected that Feldt Holtz, CP7's audacious leader who dared to plot the assassination of CP0 officials, would gift him something so extraordinary. It was truly a delightful surprise!
At first glance, he recognized the fruit depicted in the drawing. If accurate, there was a 99% chance it was the very Devil Fruit Marshall D. Teach of the Whitebeard Pirates had been desperately searching for all these years!
The fruit hailed as the most dangerous Devil Fruit in history—the *Dark-Dark Fruit*.
Perhaps calling it the "Darkness Fruit" would be more fitting.
"Lord Iji, Bridge Island is just ahead…"
Peering through a spyglass at the distant island, the intelligence operative reminded them bluntly: "That island is the Geoffrey Pirates' stronghold. Please refrain from sinking their ship immediately, as the treasures of the Geoffrey Pirates—and the Devil Fruit you seek—are likely aboard!"
Several miles away, on Bridge Island.
A large pirate ship was docked at the shore, its black Jolly Roger fluttering in the wind.
On the beach, groups of pirates lounged around in clusters. Some were eating grilled meat, others were drinking and gambling. The burly pirates shouted and cursed loudly, creating a raucous but lively atmosphere.
"Captain! A ship is approaching!"
Suddenly, the lookout stationed atop the pirate ship shouted in alarm.
"What?!"
"Is it another pirate crew or a merchant ship?"
"Even if it's pirates, they're just delivering supplies to us, the mighty Geoffrey Pirates!"
"Haha, of course! Our captain has a bounty of 357 million Berries after all…"
Hundreds of pirates paused momentarily, grabbing their weapons and gathering together. Though not particularly disciplined fighters, they exuded a fierce aura born from countless battles in the New World. One-on-one, they could hold their own against even elite Marines.
"Hahaha! Whether they're pirates or merchants, anyone who crosses paths with the Geoffrey Pirates must leave something behind…"
"Bloody Butcher" Geoffrey, leaning against a tree while guzzling alcohol, stood up with a roar of laughter, carrying his bottle confidently. His rugged demeanor radiated raw power!
Though the island was barren, passing ships—both pirates and merchants—were frequent enough to provide opportunities for plunder. Occasionally, raiding a few ships yielded bountiful rewards.
"No, Captain! It's neither a pirate ship nor a merchant vessel…"
The lookout stared at the approaching "war fortress," its colossal slug-like hull gliding across the water, bearing a black flag emblazoned with the number "66." Beads of sweat dripped down his face as he shouted nervously: "That flag, that massive ship… there's no mistaking it! It's the infamous 'Evil Army,' Germa 66, who've been making waves recently!"
"Germa?"
"Why are they here?"
"Wait… is that someone running on the water?"
"This is insane! They're sprinting across the surface of the ocean!"
The entire Geoffrey Pirate crew looked on in disbelief.
Their astonishment deepened as they noticed movement on the water—an unnatural sight.
Slap, slap…
A crimson figure raced across the water toward them, moving at an unbelievable speed. Geoffrey's pupils contracted sharply, and his face paled instantly.
It was clear—they were coming straight for them!
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