Ambush

The corners of Moke's mouth lifted involuntarily. This attempt had confirmed that even his own shadow could be absorbed and converted into an ability.

Then what was there that could not be absorbed?

It had to be said that this attempt had given him a new understanding of his Absorb-Absorb Fruit ability.

Another idea arose in his heart.

If that idea succeeded, he would gain another utterly heaven-defying ability.

However, it was time to make a trip to the New World. His target was M. Caesar Clown. The intelligence network there had yet to be established.

So he could only search through the Underworld's intelligence network himself.

That was also why he had sent Ata and the others to Champion Island first.

Thus, he could only part ways with Ata's group for the time being. That would save time...

And why was he looking for M. Caesar Clown?

Because there was a Dragon-Dragon Fruit there. Looking at how Momonosuke had eaten the Dragon-Dragon Fruit in the original story and initially mastered it, it was practically on par with Kaido's Azure Dragon Fruit...

Naturally, he had to get his hands on such a fruit. Then he could recruit Jesus Burgess and have him eat it.

Jesus Burgess's strength would immediately soar, reaching the level of a Shichibukai and becoming another capable subordinate in his Pirate Crew. By then, he and Weevil would be the two vice-emperors of his Pirate Crew.

Therefore, he was determined to obtain this Artificial Devil Fruit.

Moke transformed into a beam of light and headed for the Calm Belt. That was right—he chose to cross the Calm Belt and head directly to the New World.

Soon, he found a small island and landed.

He quickly located a tavern, one packed with pirates.

The waiter immediately approached Moke with a smile. "Guest, what would you like?"

Moke asked, "Do you have information on M. Caesar Clown?"

"M. Caesar Clown?"

The waiter froze for a moment, then understood that this man had not come for a drink. He had come looking for someone.

This was a big deal!

He immediately said, "Please wait a moment. I'll look into it right away."

Moke nodded, then found an empty seat and sat down.

"Hey, hey, hey... That guy seems to be Moke, the newly appointed Shichibukai!"

Moke's arrival immediately drew the attention of some of the pirates in the tavern. Some of them had already recognized him.

Their eyes held a trace of shock, but that shock soon turned into reverence.

Though the Shichibukai were not as formidable as the Four Emperors, they still represented strength and status. Yet some people looked at Moke with provocation in their eyes.

Some even looked eager to give him a try.

In the New World, there was never a shortage of strong, arrogant people. Of course, there was also no shortage of fools who became unable to recognize their own limits after gaining a little strength.

However, in a corner sat a tall, rugged, muscular man. His eating motion paused as he turned and glanced at Moke, cold light flickering in his eyes.

Even the sunglasses he wore could not conceal it.

"Hm?"

Moke seemed to sense something and turned to look at the man. All he saw was a profile with short black hair and lightning-shaped sideburns on both sides of his face.

Moke raised a brow. For some reason, this man gave him a familiar feeling.

It was as though he had seen him somewhere before.

Moke then shook his head. He did not have any acquaintances in this world.

So he did not dwell on it.

Before long, the waiter returned with a box in hand. "Guest, this contains information on M. Caesar Clown. This man's identity is rather unusual, so it is a little expensive."

Moke merely asked, "How much?"

The waiter replied, "Two million Beli!"

Without wasting any words, Moke directly took out a jewel of roughly equivalent value and handed it over.

The waiter accepted it with a broad smile. After inspecting it carefully, he placed the information on M. Caesar Clown before Moke.

After opening and reading the information, Moke smiled faintly at the waiter. "Then get me an Eternal Pose for Sicily Island."

That was right. At this point in time, Punk Hazard had not yet become Icefire Island!

So he could only search for M. Caesar Clown himself, not Punk Hazard... And according to the information, M. Caesar Clown was on Sicily Island at this time.

The waiter took another box from his clothes and handed it to Moke. "This is the Eternal Pose you requested. One hundred thousand Beli!"

Moke could not help smiling at that, nodding in satisfaction. "Your service really is thorough."

As he spoke, he paid the one hundred thousand Beli and tipped the waiter another ten thousand.

The waiter's smile immediately became sincere. "Guest, would you like something to eat as well?"

Moke said, "Three meat dishes and three vegetable dishes."

The waiter said, "Then I'll bring you several of our tavern's signature dishes!"

After eating, Moke left the tavern and headed out of town. When he had walked seven or eight miles beyond it, he stopped and turned toward the rear. The corners of his mouth curled into a cold smile. "You've followed me all the way. Come out!"

"Tut, tut..."

"Hahaha..."

Two men emerged from a relatively concealed spot to the right, laughing arrogantly.

The corner of Moke's mouth twitched when he saw them.

One was extremely tall and thin, like a bamboo pole; the other was short and fat, like a ball.

However, the way they looked at Moke carried a measure of caution. Clearly, the title of Shichibukai still possessed a certain degree of Intimidation.

The tall, thin man said, "We are the Brothers Pirates, the brothers Loki and Martin. Our bounties are 230 million Beli and 201 million Beli."

Moke asked, "So?"

Loki and Martin exchanged a glance, then grinned viciously. "So, we brothers would like to borrow your head."

"Heh..."

Moke laughed.

Neither of them even had a bounty over 300 million. He truly did not know who had given them the courage.

Martin said, "Big brother, I think this guy is laughing at us."

Loki said, "Then let him learn just how formidable we brothers are."

As soon as he finished speaking,

both men transformed. A layer of short gray fur grew over Loki's body as he entered his Hybrid Form.

Meanwhile, tusks grew from Martin's mouth.

Well, well!

Both of them were Zoan users. One possessed the Zoan-type Sighthound Fruit, while the other possessed the Zoan-type Boar-Boar Fruit.

Loki immediately charged at Moke, swift as lightning. Martin was clearly a power-type fighter. He followed behind Loki and charged at Moke as well.

With every step he took, the ground trembled.

But Moke should not underestimate him. Although he was not as fast as Loki, he was not slow either. He could be considered an agile fat man...

"Interesting..."

Moke's interest was piqued. Shusui instantly left its sheath in his hand, and a slash shot forth toward Loki, who was charging in front.

With a nimble dodge, Loki easily avoided the attack.

Martin behind him was braver... He directly revealed his true form, transforming into an enormous boar and charging straight at...