Confiscating Artificial Devil Fruits!

Stepping out of the cabin.

He stood on the deck and looked into the distance through binoculars.

Sure enough.

It was indeed the pirate ship with the iconic mammoth head on the bow belonging to Jack the Drought.

Moreover, Roya also discovered that this pirate ship was docked at the port, and quite a few bizarre toys were carrying boxes and lifting them onto the ship.

In addition, there were a few remaining pirates holding whips and directing these toys in the loading process.

Jack the Drought was nowhere to be seen.

I've long heard that Donquixote Doflamingo has private dealings with the Four Emperors Kaido, and it seems to be true.

"Rear Admiral Roya, shouldn't we avoid approaching for now and report to Marine Headquarters first?"

One of the marines asked.

After all, that was Jack the Drought, one of the three disasters (top officers) of the Four Emperors Kaido, so it was understandable that these marines felt some panic.

However, for Roya, there was nothing to panic about.

"No need, approach the shore right now. After going ashore, everyone is to inspect what is inside the boxes. If they are contraband, confiscate the lot. If anyone dares to resist or make a move, cuff them all. Merely a subordinate of a Four Emperors, nothing to be afraid of!" Roya decisively gave the order.

"Yes, Rear Admiral Roya!"

Hearing Roya's command, the morale of these marines was also boosted.

They had all witnessed Roya's power. Since Rear Admiral Roya said there was no problem, they had nothing to worry about.

The warship sailed at high speed and quickly approached the port.

After the warship docked, all the marines wielded their weapons and successively began to take action.

Of course.

Conflicts were naturally unavoidable, but they were just ordinary pirates. The marines held the numerical advantage, so there was naturally no need for Roya to make a move.

Before long, two marines carried a box over and opened it in front of Roya.

"Rear Admiral Roya, these boxes are all packed with Devil Fruits!"

Roya glanced at the fruits with strange patterns inside the boxes; they really were Devil Fruits.

However.

These were not genuine Devil Fruits, but rather Artificial Devil Fruits!

Donquixote Doflamingo had always engaged in underworld activities. Selling arms to various countries was a minor matter among them, while his primary business was producing Artificial Devil Fruits and selling them to the Four Emperors Kaido.

The marines had only suspected this all along without any evidence.

But now, the evidence was conclusive!

"Confiscate everything, and as for anyone who resists, round them all up for me," Roya commanded with authority.

In the palace of the royal capital of Dressrosa.

Donquixote Doflamingo was conversing pleasantly with Jack the Drought.

"Donquixote Doflamingo, the quantity of fruits you've provided recently is still far too small. Boss Kaido is somewhat displeased. You must increase the output, and at the next transaction, I want to see more Devil Fruits!" Jack the Drought said in a deep voice.

"Fufufufu!!!"

"The current trade volume is already the limit!"

"Want to increase output? Talk about it next year!"

"And Jack, don't forget, we are merely in a cooperative relationship. Spare me that commanding tone when you speak to me!"

Donquixote Doflamingo sneered with a look of disdain.

Although he harbored some dread toward Kaido, he certainly wouldn't be intimidated by Kaido's subordinates.

As a reckless brute, Jack the Drought naturally burned with anger upon seeing Donquixote Doflamingo's disdainful expression.

Just as he was about to fly into a rage, one of Donquixote Doflamingo's family members came panting into the room.

"Young Master! It's bad, it's bad. A warship has arrived at the port, and the marines on it started searching our things the moment they came down, and they've confiscated all the cargo!"

"What?!"

Hearing this news, Donquixote Doflamingo and Jack the Drought stood up almost simultaneously, crying out in furious shock.

Veins bulged visibly on Donquixote Doflamingo's forehead, making it clear he was angry to the extreme.

"Donquixote Doflamingo, this is your territory after all. Why would something like this happen?" Jack the Drought frowned and interrogated.

"Don't panic. Let's go out and take a look. I'd like to see which marine is so bold!" Murderous intent already filled Donquixote Doflamingo's tone.

At the port.

All the pirates had already been subdued by the marines, and the crates of Artificial Devil Fruits had all been confiscated onto Roya's warship. As for the toys responsible for carrying them, Roya did not make things difficult for them, letting them leave freely instead.

"Who dares to confiscate my things?"

At that moment, Donquixote Doflamingo's angry voice came from afar.

It was precisely Donquixote Doflamingo and Jack the Drought who had arrived, accompanied by the officers of the Donquixote Family under Donquixote Doflamingo.

"Right on time."

Roya stepped forward and said coldly, "Donquixote Doflamingo, I am Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral Roya, and I am hereby summoning you, a Shichibukai, to return to Marine Headquarters. Come with me. As long as you are willing to cooperate, I can consider not pursuing the matter of your violations here."

Donquixote Doflamingo, who was already bursting with fury, came close to flying off the handle when he heard these words from Roya.

You must understand, what status did Donquixote Doflamingo hold?

When was it ever the turn of a lowly marine rear admiral to tell him that his responsibility would not be pursued?

For someone like Donquixote Doflamingo who always cared deeply about his face, this was simply an insult, let alone with Kaido's subordinate Jack the Drought standing right beside him.

However.

Donquixote Doflamingo was not the type of impulsive and irrational brute.

"You are Roya?"

"I've heard of you, and I also know why Sengoku sent you to summon me."

"It's because you marines captured and imprisoned Fire Fist Ace, and you're worried about going to war with Whitebeard, right?"

Donquixote Doflamingo said.

These matters could not be kept hidden from Donquixote Doflamingo. After all, Donquixote Doflamingo had a mole inside Marine Headquarters. To say nothing of certain marine policy decisions, even Roya's name was something Donquixote Doflamingo had received word of long ago.

Yet, another reason prevented Donquixote Doflamingo from making a rash move.

Because he had heard of Roya's strength—having just assumed the post of marine rear admiral, he was able to defeat Blackbeard Teach, who had captured Fire Fist Ace, possessing extremely formidable power.

A direct conflict would surely result in mutual destruction. For Donquixote Doflamingo, he merely wanted to ensure that these artificial fruits could be taken away by Jack the Drought, so as to avoid incurring Kaido's wrath and prevent any loss to his own interests.

Otherwise, once the Four Emperors Kaido unleashed his fury, Donquixote Doflamingo had no confidence in his ability to withstand it.

Yet if he only faced the questioning of the marines, he had ways to resolve it. After all, his status was far more than just that of a Shichibukai.

Therefore.

Donquixote Doflamingo thought of a solution and proposed a trade to Roya: "Roya, I'll make a deal with you. As long as you return my cargo to me, I'll immediately return to Marine Headquarters with you. How about it?"

"A deal?"

"You, Donquixote Doflamingo, manufactured Artificial Devil Fruits in private, which already violates the regulations. You still want to talk to me about a deal?"

"I refuse! To be precise, you have no qualifications to discuss a deal with me!"

Roya's reply was resolute and decisive.