The whirlpool at the mouth of the sea churned, and the enormous dock fell into dead silence.
A massive black shadow emerged at its center, and a fruit covered in swirling patterns all over seemed to be spat out from the demon-like shadow's mouth.
The bizarre sight instantly set everyone's nerves on edge.
Even well-traveled men like Benn Beckman and Red-Haired Shanks wore expressions of utter shock.
"Th-this is a Devil Fruit? The rumors about Hachinosu were actually true!" Lucky Roux took a vicious bite out of the roasted meat in his hand, the first to lose his composure.
"Go get the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia and check what type of Devil Fruit this is!"
Zel, who stood behind Lucky Roux, quickly turned and headed for the Red Force.
He was equally curious and eager about this Devil Fruit that had emerged from legend.
"There's no need. This is Shiki the Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit. I never expected it to appear here again. When I first joined Rocks, there were rumors that he obtained the Float-Float Fruit on Hachinosu." Whitebeard spoke with a hint of nostalgia.
"Looks like this is fate."
Whitebeard paused, sensing the slightly hastened breathing around him as they faced the Float-Float Fruit once possessed by the legendary great pirate Shiki the Golden Lion, a fruit that had already been developed to its utmost limit.
This was an incredibly tempting prize!
Who knew—someone might even become a second Golden Lion.
"Alright, I know what you're thinking. The sudden appearance of the Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit here has indeed exceeded my expectations." Whitebeard spoke again in a deep voice.
"However, my word as Whitebeard will not change. Everyone present who witnessed the Float-Float Fruit's appearance has the right to compete for it fairly."
"But let me remind you: stop