The next moment, Fishhook snagged a glowing orb etched with bizarre patterns from Bartolomeo's body. The orb resembled both a fruit and the fundamental source of a power.
The power of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit was pulled out just like that by Fishhook.
"Ah!"
Bartolomeo cried out in pain, then panicked as he realized the Barrier-Barrier Fruit inside him was gone.
"Give it back to me!"
"That's my fruit!"
"Give it back!"
Looking at the power of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit struggling on Fishhook like a ten-pound grass carp, Naruto smiled slightly and stowed it away in his Fishing Basket.
He would study it when he had time.
"Thanks for the trouble."
With that done, Naruto spoke to Bartolomeo, then turned and slowly walked away.
At that moment, inside the marine base in Loguetown.
Tobias stood before his office window, holding a document.
Outside the window were the streets of Loguetown, bustling with pedestrians, everything looking normal.
Yet he knew well that once Smoker left, the weight of this place fell squarely on his shoulders.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. A marine hurried in and saluted.
"Lieutenant Commander Tobias, we have a situation to report."
Tobias turned around and placed the document on the desk. "Speak."
"A Devil Fruit user has arrived in town. According to my informants, this person shouldn't be a pirate."
Tobias frowned upon hearing this. "Are you sure?"
"Not a pirate, nor a member of any faction?"
The marine nodded. "Yes, Lieutenant Commander Tobias, I have verified it repeatedly."
"He didn't fly a pirate flag, nor did he contact any pirate crews, and he bears no faction insignia."
"I see."
Tobias pressed both hands on the desk, his knuckles tapping lightly twice.
"Where is he now?"
"Has he done anything out of line in