120 more chapters on my Patreon/SweetestDeath
At that very moment, Wano Country, Onigashima.
The instant the news arrived, as one of the three disasters, King the Conflagration rushed over after giving the crew an order.
"Captain..."
It appeared!
That Devil Fruit has finally appeared!
Most likely, the other forces were already drawn toward the East Blue.
With only Jack the Drought there, it would be difficult to reclaim the Devil Fruit. The captain needed to immediately decide whether to send reinforcements.
However, just as King rushed into the room, he found it empty. His entire body froze, then he let out a bewildered roar: "Where's the captain?!"
...
With the news of the Dark-Dark Fruit finally appearing, the Four Emperors' crews in the New World did not hesitate and immediately set off for the East Blue.
At the same time, the Marine Headquarters, upon receiving the news, took immediate action.
Although the worst-case scenario had still occurred, as the marines were tasked with maintaining justice and protecting the peace of the seas, they could not simply watch a group of pirates run rampant in the East Blue.
The Marines immediately deployed defenses along the important routes from the New World to Paradise and even dispatched two admirals along with the Great Staff Officer of Marine Headquarters to lead key fleets to guard critical points.
Meanwhile, Admiral Kizaru was also sent to the first half of the Grand Line at the same time.
Besides completing the tasks assigned by the research institute, he was to monitor developments in the East Blue and, if necessary, quickly coordinate with Vice-Admiral Garp, who was currently on leave in the East Blue.
At this very moment, a heavy atmosphere spread across the seas.
Everyone knew... If they weren't careful, a terrible war might erupt at any moment.
...
Meanwhile, in the West Blue, at the Umbrella Corporation base.
Although the situation had occurred suddenly and was confusing, the moment he heard that the Dark-Dark Fruit had appeared in the East Blue, Ian immediately went with Instructor Zephyr to carefully study the Devil Fruit Zephyr had brought to his daughter, Aria.
However, after a meticulous inspection, when they confirmed that the fruit Zephyr had brought back really was the Dark-Dark Fruit, both Ian and Zephyr fell silent.
So, how did that Dark-Dark Fruit appear in the East Blue?
For a moment, a web of conspiratorial speculations sprang up in their minds.
But who exactly was behind it?
The Marine Headquarters?
Was it intended to use this opportunity to throw all the pirates entering the East Blue into chaos, thus profiting while eliminating the majority of the pirates?
Or some other ambitious figure?
Planning to gain something from this chaos or setting a trap for the Four Emperors in the New World?
Or perhaps a scheme targeting their Umbrella Corporation?
The two of them considered all the possible conspiracies, but the information they had was far too limited, so they couldn't be certain of what kind of scheme it truly was, leaving both of them with headaches.
Especially Ian... Others might not understand, but surely he did.
This bounty had been initiated by him. If it ended up being used as part of someone else's trap, it would give him quite a headache.
Then, another piece of news arrived…
[The Dark-Dark Fruit was stolen by a certain rookie pirate wearing a straw hat.]
Immediately, Ian, who had been pondering what to do next, fell silent, a thought flashing through his mind: [Could it be that the straw hat kid found a Devil Fruit and someone mistook it for the Dark-Dark Fruit?]
And the more he thought about it... The more plausible it seemed. Finally, he slammed his hand on the table, looked at Zephyr, who was still deep in serious thought, and said irritably, telling the old man to stop overthinking and go back to sleep!
They had almost been led into a trap.
But unsurprisingly… Ian sighed with a touch of emotion. "The East Blue really is about to be in chaos!"
Meanwhile, in the East Blue, the Sambas Region.
Inside Baratie, the most famous restaurant in the East Blue, which is known for its combat reputation.
Teach, who had long since entered the East Blue, also received news that the Dark-Dark Fruit had appeared.
Although hearing the news filled him with excitement and desire, in order to realize his dream, he absolutely would not drop his disguise until he saw the Dark-Dark Fruit with his own eyes.
Still wearing a friendly, goofy smile, he disguised himself as a lonely traveler, as if he wasn't there to search for the Dark-Dark Fruit at all.
He listened carefully to gather intelligence about the East Blue while patiently waiting for the food he had ordered, like a hungry diner.
The ten-billion-belly bounty had such a huge impact that all the customers on the ship were talking about it. Soon, he had collected the information he needed.
Teach's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, his mind repeating four words: [Kid with straw hat!]
The Dark-Dark Fruit had been stolen by a kid with a straw hat, who, at the last moment, had successfully escaped from other pirate crews' pursuit, now vanished without a trace!
Furthermore, rumors had already spread through the East Blue that big players from the New World were about to enter the East Blue to compete for it.
Thinking of this, Teach's expression instantly changed. Unlike others who only knew there might be major figures coming, he understood clearly... Once the Dark-Dark Fruit truly appeared, the big players would inevitably enter the East Blue.
And if the captains of the Four Emperors' crews entered, he might have no chance to seize the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Impossible. Since it had appeared, he would not give up easily. He had to find the kid with a straw hat and take the Dark-Dark Fruit, preferably secretly, without others noticing.
But... Where exactly was that kid with a straw hat?
Just as Teach was troubled…
"Sir, your fried rice is ready!"
A plate of fragrant fried rice was brought before him, immediately catching his attention.
"Fine, I'll eat first. No matter what, I'll find it later!"
Teach shook off his thoughts, grinned, and even thanked the server, constantly maintaining his disguise.
He picked up the spoon beside the plate, scooped a large mouthful, and put it into his mouth.
The instant the fragrant fried rice touched his tongue, his pupils contracted.
As he swallowed, he praised: "Delicious!"
120 more chapters on my Patreon/SweetestDeath