One of the Devil Fruit Targets

"Let's find a tavern to settle into first."

Wilton suppressed the urge to flatten Devil's Back Town to boost his reputation, deciding to first find a tavern to arrange for Sadi and the others before heading to Skypiea.

Before obtaining a desired Devil Fruit, it was best to do fewer time-wasting things like this, as there would be plenty of time later.

To achieve his ambitions, strength was ultimately the most crucial element.

"Understood, Lord Wilton."

Sadi shifted her legs, and upon closer inspection, her prominent chest bore some bruises. These were from Wilton's beating.

She had fallen ill twice in the span of one day and one night.

Four Jailer Beasts and over thirty Marines followed behind them; this was quite a large entourage.

As a result, no pirates foolish enough would come looking for trouble, as the four Jailer Beasts were quite intimidating.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

"Wait, is that Marine...?"

Some pirates, watching Wilton's retreating back, quickly pulled out a newspaper from their pockets. Their expressions changed drastically as they recognized the contents and the photo.

He knew that the Marine with the dumbbell and the person leading them looked familiar, like he'd seen them somewhere before.

Now it all added up.

"That's Vice Admiral Wilton, the tough guy who took down the Shichibukai, Desert King Crocodile, in the Kingdom of Alabasta just two days ago."

"What?"

"There's no mistake. The dumbbell, the cap, the tight vest, the fitness shorts, an extremely beautiful woman as his adjutant, and four humanoid beasts."

"It really is him."

"He's a Vice Admiral? I thought he was just some low-level Marine."

"Damn it, why would a Marine Vice Admiral be in Devil's Back Town? And it's even Marine tough guy Wilton, who took down a Shichibukai."

More and more pirates recognized Wilton's identity.

After all, the newspaper was still fresh.

The Alabasta incident had happened just two days prior.

A Vice Admiral.

They were quite intimidating in the first half of the Grand Line, let alone one who had defeated a Shichibukai.

Some pirates were terrified, while others were dismissive.

Suddenly, with Wilton's arrival, the atmosphere in Devil's Back Town gradually became oppressive, as no one knew Wilton's purpose for being there.

Perhaps he was just passing through, or perhaps he had his sights set on a certain pirate crew.

"This is it!"

Wilton proceeded without any obstacles, looking at the tavern named "Sunday" before him. It might not be the biggest tavern in Devil's Back Town, but it was certainly among the top two or three.

Just standing on the street, one could hear the boisterous noise from inside.

Wilton took the lead and pushed open the door, causing the entire noisy tavern to fall silent as if a needle had dropped. Many pirates were drinking and eating, some bare-chested with powerful physiques, others covered in tattoos and scars, with large swords, gear-swords, or great axes placed beside them.

There were also those carrying rocket launchers, sniper rifles, and flintlock pistols.

Facing such a scene, an ordinary person might have their legs turn to jelly upon first glance.

"Marines?"

Many pirates sized up Wilton, some recognizing him, others not yet, with a few looking on with amusement, wanting to stir up some trouble.

"Boss, bring us some alcohol and meat."

Sadi appeared from behind Wilton, flicking her long leather whip without the slightest regard for the fierce pirates. On the contrary, the pirates' eyes gleamed as they looked at Sadi.

In this life, men pursued power, wealth, reputation, and women.

"I'm very sorry, but we have no more seats available."

In the bizarre atmosphere, a bald middle-aged man emerged from behind the counter, looking at Sadi and her group with a troubled expression.

Wilton remained silent, instead scanning the tavern. His gaze finally settled on a window seat.

Quite unexpected.

He hadn't expected to encounter a Devil Fruit User target here.

It was like getting a pillow when you were sleepy.

An unexpected bonus.

Perhaps he had used up all his bad luck by stripping the Sand-Sand Fruit and the Explode-Explode Fruit; now his luck was turning.

"Lord Mahabais, that Marine is coming over!"

At the window seat, a group was drinking and eating meat. The most eye-catching was a robust man with long, curly hair, wearing a black hat, a revealing, ribbed one-piece leotard, a pirate crew tattoo on his right arm, and chest hair.

Before this man was a Den Den Mushi, currently in use for a call.

"Just ignore the Marines."

Mahabais took a large bite of his meat leg, glanced at Wilton as he approached, and then ignored him. He spoke into the Den Den Mushi on the table, "Lord Diamante, when will you and the young master arrive at Mock Town? That pirate named Bellamy has helped us deal with quite a few troublemakers."

"He said the young master lent him the Donquixote Family's Jolly Roger before, and he currently considers himself a pirate of the Donquixote Family."

"Bellamy? Sounds familiar. Ah, yes, I remember now. That's true. Also, is the business in Mock Town settled?"

A voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, belonging to Diamante.

He didn't pay much attention to the pirate named Bellamy.

"Of course. They were all small-time thugs who had no idea who they were messing with. I crushed them all into meat patties, leaving none alive."

Mahabais took a swig of rum. As a cadre of the Donquixote Family, he had been sent to Mock Town three days prior.

This was because some impudent faction on the island was competing with the Donquixote Family for business. Upon arriving in Mock Town, he had uprooted those factions entirely.

During this time, a pirate named Bellamy had caught his attention.

Not only did Bellamy provide him with a list of many enemy factions, but he also helped deal with many of the stragglers. Crucially, this guy greatly admired the young master and wanted to join the family completely.

He was no longer satisfied with the young master simply lending him the Jolly Roger.

It just so happened that the young master, Diamante, and Trebol had returned to the North Blue to handle some matters a while ago. Judging by the time, they should be passing through Mock Town soon!

"Very good."

"What? I just heard Marines?"

At the same time.

A pirate ship was sailing towards Mock Town on the Grand Line. The flag fluttering in the wind was unmistakably the flag of the Donquixote Family.

Whether on the Grand Line or in the New World, this flag was not to be trifled with by ordinary forces, for it belonged to the Shichibukai, the Heavenly Demon, Donquixote Doflamingo.

And he also held the identities of the hidden king of the underworld, JOKER, and a Celestial Dragon.

He was a legendary figure who dominated both the underworld and the legitimate world, possessing immense power.

Before Mahabais could answer Diamante, Wilton had already arrived at the dining table. Looking at Mahabais, he confirmed he had not mistaken him.

"Mahabais, Paramecia-type, Ton-Ton Fruit user."

Mahabais looked up at Wilton, still devouring his meat, his eyes filled with extreme contempt and disdain.

Upon closer inspection.

This Marine was not wearing the Justice coat, nor did he have a badge indicating his rank on his chest. It seemed he was indeed an unknown Marine.

Moreover, he was a cadre of the Donquixote Family, and their young master was a Shichibukai. Ordinary Marines would need to steer clear of them.

This was the deterrent power of the Donquixote Family.

Even if a Vice Admiral came, Mahabais would give face if he wanted to, and not if he didn't. What could the Marines do to him?

"What Marine are you? Get lost. We're from the Donquixote Family."

A subordinate next to him drew his pistol, aiming it at Wilton's forehead, and said arrogantly, "Even if we kill you here, Marine Headquarters won't dare to say anything..."