Diamond Fruit

"That's pretty much what Jinbe said before," Sanji said, frowning. "Jinbe also mentioned that he heard some rumors about the Blackbeard Pirates from Katakuri, saying that they might be hunting Devil Fruit users."

However, at the time, this information was just a rumor, and it wasn't 100% certain that it was true.

But now it seems... that wasn't just a rumor!

The Blackbeard Pirates are really hunting Devil Fruit users!!

"It seems there's something wrong with Blackbeard's Devil Fruit," Xi Yan said. "He wanted Whitebeard Uncle's corpse back then because he wanted the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, right?"

No wonder Blackbeard was so angry when he stole Whitebeard Uncle's body.

Thinking about this, Xi Yan felt like laughing.

"It's probably because of his Devil Fruit," Shakky said.

But she didn't know the specifics, because she hadn't read any information about Blackbeard's Devil Fruit, so she didn't know what his abilities were.

"Looks like we really need to be careful of that guy," Brook said.

Upon hearing Brook's words, Xi Yan and the other two burst into laughter.

"Careful?"

Xi Yan shook his head and said, "Luffy's dream is to become the Pirate King, which means we're destined to clash with Blackbeard in the future."

So there's no need to worry too much about it; just go for it when you encounter it.

Brook tilted his head upon hearing this, as if it were indeed true.

"I know you'll have to fight that guy sooner or later, but I'm telling you to be careful not because I'm afraid, but because I'm wary of his abilities," Shakky said helplessly.

"Of course we know that, so don't worry, Shakky-jie."

Seeing that Xi Yan had already said so, Shakky didn't say anything more.

"And what's the other message?" Xi Yan asked.

"The other one..."

When another piece of information was mentioned, Shakky's expression became somewhat complicated.

Do you know Diamond Jozu?

As he listened to Shakky's words, Xi Yan unconsciously recalled a person from the time of the Marineford War.

"You're talking about that guy whose body can turn into diamonds, right?" Xi Yan said. "I remember he lost an arm to Aokiji's freezing."

That guy was the Third Division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, right? He's a pretty strong guy.

"Yes, it's him."

What's wrong with him?

He's dead.

"Dead?"

Xi Yan was stunned. A guy who could go toe-to-toe with Marine Admiral had been killed?

Was it because his strength decreased so much after losing an arm?

"Yes, he's dead," Shakky said.

"Shouldn't he be with Ace's pirate crew? How could he be dead?" Xi Yan asked in surprise.

Normally, that guy should have joined Ace's pirate crew along with Marco and the others.

How could he be killed in this situation?

Could it be... that he died in the battle against the Blackbeard Pirates?

"No, he didn't Ace's pirate crew." Shakky shook her head and said, "He left when Little Ace formed his pirate crew."

"Because you lost an arm?"

Maybe.

Shakky said, "It could be because of his severed arm, or it could be because of Whitebeard's death."

Xi Yan remained silent upon hearing this, perhaps it was a combination of both.

Physically injured and heartbroken, he no longer wanted to be a pirate.

Such people are not uncommon on this vast sea.

After shaking his head, Xi Yan asked, "Do you know who killed him?"

"It's unclear; no one has even seen his body."

"Ah?"

Xi Yan was taken aback for a moment, then asked in surprise, "Then how did you know he was dead?"

There were no witnesses, and no body was seen... how can they be sure the person is dead?

"Because his Devil Fruit were reborn," Shakky said with a complicated expression.

Devil Fruit only revive after the user dies, which is why she was certain that the man was dead.

"Oh, I see."

Xi Yan sighed, never expecting that the burly man who fought alongside him in the Marineford War would end up like this.

No one even knows how he died...

Then, Xi Yan asked, "Who ate that Devil Fruit?"

"It wasn't eaten," Shakky said. "This Devil Fruit was sold at an underground auction yesterday."

"It's been bought?"

Xi Yan said in surprise, "This person is quite bold."

Aren't they afraid of attracting Ace's gang?

Although Whitebeard Uncle is dead, Marco and his crew are still quite powerful.

Without the Four Emperors present, they can defeat anyone!

You're overthinking it.

Shakky shook her head and said, "After Whitebeard died, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates were no longer a threat."

Without Whitebeard, a force at its peak, who would care about a group of remnants?

Even if Ace formed his own pirate crew, no one would fear him as much as they feared Whitebeard.

After all... he couldn't even beat Blackbeard.

Upon hearing this, Xi Yan shook his head helplessly and said, "That's true."

Ace and his group's current deterrent power is indeed not that great, after all... none of them have reached the level of the Four Emperors.

Therefore, the other Silver Medalist really don't need to pay attention to them.

"However, Little Ace and the others are indeed looking for buyers," Shakky said. "He even had Marco pay me for information, but unfortunately, I couldn't get any information about that guy."

Upon learning of this, she sent people to gather intelligence on the matter.

Unfortunately... all those who knew were silenced, so she had no way of knowing who the other person was.

"They did a pretty good job," Xi Yan said. "It seems they came prepared."

As they spoke, Xi Yan pondered the other party's purpose in doing so.

Judging from the other party's actions, they probably don't intend to eat the Devil Fruit themselves, since eating it would expose them!

So... what is their purpose?

Are they planning to use this Devil Fruit to entice Ace and his crew to do something big?

Thinking of this, Xi Yan frowned.

'Another ambitious person...'

Forget it, this has nothing to do with them anyway, let Ace and the others worry about it themselves.

After shaking his head, Xi Yan asked, "Shakky-jie, is there any other information?"

This time, Shakky didn't answer immediately, but instead picked up the documents on the table and looked at them carefully.

Then she said, "There really is something."

"What's up?"

"Remember when I told you about the Admiral Candidate — White Snake Smoker?"

"Of course I remember," Xi Yan nodded and said.

How could he possibly forget this? After all, this was a guy comparable to Marine Admiral.

"No, wait a minute."

Zoro's eyes widened as he asked, "Who are you talking about?"

"Smoker?"

"Admiral Candidate?"

Has that guy become that strong?

"Yes, it's Smoker," Shakky said. "Although I don't know what happened between you two, Smoker has indeed become stronger in two years, and... ridiculously strong!"

To be able to defeat World in a one-on-one fight, the opponent's strength is definitely not weak!

Zoro fell silent upon hearing this, while Smoker's image flashed through his mind.

He really hadn't expected that guy to become so strong.

And... what about that female Marine named Tashigi?

Has she become stronger too?

For some reason, Zoro actually hoped that the other person could become stronger.

Thinking of this, Zoro's mind was once again filled with images of Kuina.

' Kuina...'

If she were still alive, she would definitely be much stronger than that Tashigi.

Thinking of this, Zoro sighed silently.

"Looks like this Old Smoker has been through a lot these past two years," Sanji said, frowning.

Xi Yan nodded in agreement, guessing that the other party was probably undergoing special training with some powerful expert.

Special training for the strong...

Could it be old man Garp?

Thinking of this, Xi Yan recalled the feeling of that punch Garp had landed on him back then.

An attack Conqueror's Haki Infusion... that really fucking hurts!

"I don't know what he's been through these past two years, but I do know he's in the New World now," Shakky said. "Based on your previous descriptions, I suspect this person is after you."

Upon hearing this, Zoro and Sanji were immediately rendered speechless.

Chase?

This guy is so persistent!

They've been hunting them since Loguetown, and they still haven't given up even after two years?

Is this person mentally ill?

Xi Yan was also speechless, clearly not expecting Smoker to be so persistent.

After shaking his head, Xi Yan said, "Okay, I understand."

"If this guy really dares to cause us trouble, I wouldn't mind throwing him into the sea."

He's fought against Admiral, so why would he be afraid of a Admiral Candidate?

Shakky smiled upon hearing this. With the strength of Xi Yan and his group, they indeed didn't need to care about a Admiral Candidate...

No, even if a Marine Admiral went, it wouldn't make a difference!

Then, as if remembering something, Shakky said, "Oh right, those Devil Fruit you gave me have been sold, and the price was pretty good."

"You can keep the money for now," Xi Yan said. "I'll pick it up whenever I have time."

After saying that, Xi Yan paused for a moment, then continued, "Of course, if Hancock has time, she can go and get it home."

"You're so good to her!" Shakky said with a smile.

"She's my wife after all," Xi Yan said with a smile, "Of course I have to treat her well."

Of course I should pamper my own wife!

Upon hearing this, a flame ignited in Sanji's eyes.

How could such a scoundrel win the favor of the Pirate Empress?!

"Xi Yan, you deserve to die!"

Xi Yan rolled his eyes at Sanji upon hearing this, thinking, "Why is this guy still the same?"

"Ha, Color Cook," Zoro muttered, scoffing.

"Ha?"

"Green Algae Head, what do you mean?!"

"Who's the Green Algae Head, you bastard!"

It's you!

"You bastard, let's duel!"

"I'm afraid of you!"

"Ping ping pong pong~"

So the two of them started fighting again in the snow.

Xi Yan:...

Brook:...

Shakky:...

All three were rendered speechless; these two really had boundless energy.

"Ahem, anyway... I'll let Little Hancock know," Shakky said with a light cough.

"Good."

Xi Yan smiled and nodded, saying, "Then I'll leave it to you."

"Don't mention it."

Shakky smiled; this brat still liked to be so polite.

"That..."

Brook whispered a reminder, "If we don't go find that person soon, he might freeze to death..."

If the other person's body were to fall into the sea, the chances of them freezing to death would be extremely high.

"Well, you're right."

Xi Yan coughed lightly, then said, "Shakky-jie, let's get on with our conversation now, we have important business to attend to."

"Okay, go ahead," Shakky said with a smile.

Xi Yan nodded, then turned to Sanji and Zoro and said, "You two idiots, stop right there! We need to go find someone!"

"Kaga ~"

Looking at the now quiet Den Den Mushi, a hint of emotion appeared on Shakky's face.

"It's so good to be young!"

Just then, the bar Great Gate suddenly opened, and several people walked in.

"This is the legendary 'Rip-off Bar?" The man with the messy hair raised an eyebrow and said, "You must be the proprietress. Come and drink with me, you'll get your share of the benefits!"

Shakky shook her head upon hearing this, thinking, "They really don't lack people who're courting death."

Fine, since they've delivered themselves to her doorstep, then... she'll accept this head with a bounty of 50 million Beli!

Thinking of this, Shakky gave the group a friendly smile and said, "You're here~"

Meanwhile, on the other side...

In his bedroom in Dressrosa, Doflamingo was looking at a Devil Fruit that shimmered with light.

"I never expected this Devil Fruit to fall into my hands," Doflamingo said with a smirk. "How interesting!"

"Fufufufufu~"

Doflamingo's eyes were gleaming, and a series of ideas were already forming in his mind.

"Doflamingo, what do you plan to do with this Devil Fruit?" Trebol asked curiously. "There's no one else in your family suitable to eat Devil Fruit, is there?"

Apart from Oira G and Dellinger, all the officers here are Devil Fruit User.

Those two people will not eat Devil Fruit; they have made that clear.

Then, as if remembering something, Trebol said, "You're planning to give this to Vergo?"

"No, Vergo won't eat Devil Fruit either," Doflamingo said. "He's already said that."

The other party had made it clear that they wouldn't eat Devil Fruit, so he didn't intend to worry about it.

"Then what is this...?"

"Don't you think this is excellent bait?" Doflamingo said with a smirk. "The World Government is extremely interested in Ace's head."

"Fufufufufu~"

If he manages to capture Fire Fist Ace, then... he can get a lot of benefits in exchange with the World Government!

Fufufufufu!

Trebol immediately understood; as expected of the young master!

"Get ready, I'm about to start baiting."

"Yes!"