Devil Fruit

"We found out that the leader of that group was a scumbag who used to engage in human trafficking on Sabaody..."

Before long, through Diumil, Annus learned the origins of that group.

They were neither World Government agents nor backed by any powerful force. They were simply Water 7 thugs who specialized in petty theft and other dirty little crimes.

Their leader had once been a human trafficker working at a "human employment agency" on Sabaody Archipelago. After retiring, he returned to Water 7 and led the formation of this gang of thieves.

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

"Aviation 1" had already been completed. Next came "Aviation 2," "Aviation 3"... Annus and his group had five ships in total, and they would probably 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.

But Annus was in no hurry. 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 be more beneficial for their future operations.

His collaborative projects with Vegapunk involved more than just aviation 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 from 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 final one was of an unknown type.

However, based on its appearance, Annus guessed that it was the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Phoenix form.

Still, that was merely a guess based on scattered impressions. Whether it truly was the Phoenix Fruit still needed to be confirmed.

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

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

Other than the World Government, only Donquixote Doflamingo, who controlled the underworld and had ties to the Celestial Dragons, possessed a complete encyclopedia.

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

As for Vegapunk's team... Annus guessed that they only obtained one after cooperating 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 benefit from it and acquire a copied version.

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

Diumil froze slightly before bowing. "I will follow Lord Annus's will in all things."

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

Many races existed in this world, and the Lunarians were undoubtedly one of 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 eat an ordinary Devil Fruit... only particularly powerful Devil Fruits were worth consuming.

And Mythical Zoans were universally recognized by the strong as the type of fruit most capable of raising one's upper limit.

Not only did they provide greater physical enhancement than Common Zoans and Ancient Zoans, but they were often accompanied by the ability to control elements.

Annus had his own plans for the Azure Dragon Fruit, so the only choice left for Diumil was that final Devil Fruit, the one suspected to be a Mythical Zoan Phoenix.

"Lord Annus... will you not bestow that Devil Fruit upon Lady Lilith?"

Diumil still hesitated. He had always regarded himself as Annus's servant, so naturally he would not take something that belonged to his master.

Lady Lilith, as a candidate to become Lord Annus's future wife, has not even eaten a Devil Fruit yet. How could I overstep my place?

As though he had heard Diumil's inner thoughts, Annus smiled and gently patted his 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 likely have a hard time finding one more suitable in the next few years.

"We will soon return to Sky Island. Only by eating this Devil Fruit will you be able to contribute more effectively to me."

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

"Please grant me this power, Lord Annus!"

"Come with me."

The two left the waterway and returned to the shipyard. Behind them, the Angel Legion members whispered 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 transform into an invisible man! He nearly 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 powerful enough as it is. If he gets another powerful Devil Fruit..."

The Angel Legion members naturally assumed that the Devil Fruit Diumil was about to receive would be exceptionally 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!

Looking at the strange fruit before him, its crown resembling blue-and-yellow flames, its skin jade-green and covered in spiral patterns, Diumil unconsciously swallowed.

Somehow... it feels as though it possesses some kind of pull, stirring up a desire within me...

The Devil Fruit lay quietly inside the 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 low," Annus said.

After all, it was a precious item even the Celestial Dragons had kept in a treasure chest. Even if it was not the Phoenix Fruit, its power 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. Diumil could not help frowning, while at the same time, he felt his body undergoing an unprecedented transformation...