Devil Fruit

"We found out that the leader of that group was a scumbag who used to traffic people in Sabaody..."

Before long, through Diumil, Annus learned about the group's origins.

They were neither World Government agents nor backed by anyone. They were merely Water 7 thugs who specialized in petty theft and other dirty little crimes.

Their leader was a human trafficker who had once worked at a "human resources agency" in the Sabaody Archipelago. After retiring, he returned to Water 7 and formed this gang of thieves.

The Peace Research Institute members in the shipyard had no idea someone had attacked the place last night and continued working as usual.

"Aviation 1" had already been completed. Next came "Aviation 2," "Aviation 3"... Annus's group had five ships in total, and they would likely remain in Water 7 for quite some time.

Although the Peace Research Institute members were efficient enough, converting five sailing ships into spacecraft was still an enormous undertaking. It would take at least another two months or so.

Annus was not in a hurry, though. He could afford to wait.

The God Valley Incident had ended. For him and the members of the Angel Legion under his command, everything would begin anew.

Making ample preparations before returning to Sky Island would better serve their future operations.

His cooperative projects with Vegapunk involved more than just flying ships. There were also several key projects, including Enhancement Clouds, Bloodline Atavism, and Long-Distance Communication Den Den Mushi.

And once they returned to Sky Island, it would no longer be as convenient as it was now to meet Vegapunk in person.

Of the three Devil Fruits obtained at God Valley, one had been given to Kuma. Of the remaining two, one was the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon Form, while the last one was of an unknown type.

Based on its appearance, however, Annus guessed that it was the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Phoenix Form.

Still, that was only a guess based on fragmentary memories. Whether it truly was the Phoenix Fruit still needed to be confirmed.

Unfortunately, even Vegapunk could not identify that fruit's type, because he had never seen the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.

The Devil Fruit Encyclopedia was a treasure even rarer than Devil Fruits themselves. In the original timeline, very few people possessed one.

Aside from the World Government, only Donquixote Doflamingo, who controlled the underworld and had Celestial Dragon backing, possessed a complete encyclopedia.

Even CP9 only had an incomplete copy. During the Enies Lobby arc, Kaku and Kalifa had searched their incomplete Devil Fruit Encyclopedia for records of the Giraffe Fruit and Bubble-Bubble Fruit, but found nothing.

As for Vegapunk's team... Annus guessed they had only obtained one after partnering with the World Government.

It was precisely because Vegapunk joined the World Government that Vinsmoke Judge, who later worked alongside Vegapunk's team, was able to obtain a copied version through that connection.

"By the way, Diumil, have you considered becoming a Devil Fruit user?" Annus asked.

Diumil froze slightly, then bowed. "I will follow Lord Annus's will."

"You can have your own opinion on this matter, Diumil."

Many races existed in this world, and the Lunarians were undoubtedly among those at the very pinnacle. They possessed the power to manipulate flames and could switch between two different modes at will.

Therefore, for Diumil, who possessed Lunarian blood, there was absolutely no need to consume an ordinary Devil Fruit... Only Devil Fruits with powerful abilities were worth eating.

Mythical Zoans were widely recognized by the strong as the category of fruit that could raise one's potential to the greatest extent.

Not only did they enhance the body more powerfully than Common Zoans and Ancient Zoans, they also often came with the ability to control elements.

Annus had his own plans for the Azure Dragon Fruit, so the only Devil Fruit Diumil could choose was the last one—the Devil Fruit suspected to be the Mythical Zoan Phoenix.

"Lord Annus... won't you bestow that Devil Fruit upon Miss Lilith?"

Diumil still hesitated. He had always considered himself Annus's servant, so naturally, he would not take his master's belongings for himself.

Lady Lilith is a candidate to become Lord Annus's future wife, and she has yet to eat a Devil Fruit. How could I overstep my station?

As though he had heard Diumil's thoughts, Annus smiled and gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry. I've already decided on Lilith's future fruit. If that fruit does not appear, I will not let Lilith become a Devil Fruit user...

"On the other hand, if you miss this Devil Fruit, you will probably find it difficult to come across anything more suitable in the next few years.

"We're about to return to Sky Island. Only by eating this Devil Fruit can you contribute your strength to me more effectively."

Hearing this, Diumil hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.

"Please grant me this power, Lord Annus!"

"Come with me."

The two left the canal and returned to the shipyard. Behind them, the Angel Legion members murmured among themselves.

"Is Lord Diumil going to become a Devil Fruit user too?"

"I heard the leader of those thieves yesterday was a Devil Fruit user who could turn invisible! He almost broke into Lord Annus's residence..."

"Ah! I heard that too. Even Lord Diumil overlooked that guy, and in the end, it was Lord Annus who had to step in..."

"Hey, what kind of monster do you think Lord Diumil will become?"

"How can you describe him as a monster? Don't let him hear you!"

"But it's true! Lord Diumil is already incredibly strong. If he gets another powerful Devil Fruit..."

The Angel Legion members naturally assumed that the Devil Fruit Diumil was about to receive would be immensely powerful. After all, it was bestowed by Lord Annus, and nothing Lord Annus bestowed had ever been low-grade.

What was more, it was a treasure brought out of God Valley!

Staring at the strange fruit before him, whose crown resembled blue-and-yellow flames, whose peel was jade-green, and whose surface was covered in spiral patterns, Diumil instinctively swallowed.

Somehow... it seems to possess a certain pull, stirring a desire within me...

The Devil Fruit lay quietly in its treasure chest, yet it was like a black hole, constantly drawing Diumil's gaze.

"Have you decided? This is your last chance to regret it. Once you eat it, even I cannot be certain what ability you will gain. The only thing I can confirm is that its rank will not be too low," Annus said.

After all, it was a precious item that even the Celestial Dragons had stored in a treasure chest. Even if it was not the Phoenix Fruit, its ability should not be too bad.

"I've decided, Lord Annus. This fruit seems to be tempting me to eat it..."

With that, Diumil no longer hesitated. He picked up the Devil Fruit and took a bite.

It tastes awful!

An indescribable stench exploded in his mouth, making Diumil frown. At the same time, he felt an unprecedented transformation taking place within his body...