Chapter 103: Your Blind Loyalty Is Meaningless
Roy was not stupid.
By now, he could practically map out the timeline of Skypiea clearly.
At least thirty years ago, Rocks came to Skypiea, took the gold, and left the message.
Later, Roger arrived during his final voyage and saw Rocks' message.
The Pirate King clearly knew something, so he asked Kozuki Oden to carve the Poneglyph message mentioning 'Star Lord'.
Of course, there were many questions.
For example, according to Roger's message, Rocks seemed to have made a 'choice.'
Or why Rocks called Roy 'partner' and didn't even hide his forbidden true surname.
But clearly, these were details.
The current intel was enough for Roy to deduce an answer.
"I went back at least thirty years, met Rocks, and made a promise with him?"
"Rocks came to Skypiea and took the gold because of that promise."
This was the only logical conclusion.
Based on Roy's current knowledge, only one method could achieve something like this.
The Return-Return Fruit.
"The Awakened effect of this fruit could potentially send me back... five hours."
"No, that's not right—the Return-Return Fruit affects the user. Rocks came here over thirty years ago. I can't revert back to that time!"
Roy frowned deeply. "Did I solve the side effects of the fruit in the future? But even then... what kind of situation would force me to use this ability?"
He knew his own personality.
The cost of the Return-Return Fruit's special Awakening was too high, and despite its power, it had many restrictions.
Normally, even if he solved the side effects, he would never consider using it.
Unless...
"A massive crisis forced my hand."
This possibility weighed heavily on Roy's heart.
He thought of many potential threats—the Three Admirals, Kaido, BIG MOM, Whitebeard, the Five Elders, or even Imu.
Roy wasn't sure who, but he knew what he had to do.
"Gather intel on Rocks, Skypiea, and Enel. Maybe I can deduce which point in time I returned to. There might be clues about the future crisis."
"Also, intel on the Roger Pirates and the Rocks Pirates..."
He pondered.
He hadn't paid much attention to Rocks before—he was a legend from two eras ago, and due to the connection to God Valley, intel on him was highly classified.
But things were different now.
Roy's current authority and status gave him access to these files.
Besides intel...
"I need to hurry up with the next slot too."
He muttered, looking at the Fruit Encyclopedia again.
In the phantom book...
After the page for the 'Fusion Fruit Slot' was turned, a new page had opened.
[Lineage Factor Expansion - Analysis Progress: 0.03%]
[Collecting Devil Fruits accelerates analysis. Current Fruit Count: 60]
[Unlock Special Slot 'Fruit Creation Slot' at 100% Analysis Progress]
Yes.
After unlocking the fifth slot, 'Fusion Fruit Slot', the Encyclopedia opened a new page as expected.
But unlike before, this page didn't require a specific number of fruits. Instead, it showed a progress bar.
Roy observed that the bar grew naturally every day.
So he wasn't in a hurry originally. With the cooperation of the Revolutionary Army and the usurpation of Baroque Works, he had a large annual income of Berries.
Plus, Yuji could rob Celestial Tributes occasionally, or Nezumi could take a few hit contracts.
He could afford to take a year or two to accumulate strength.
But now, his mindset changed.
He didn't know what would happen in the future, what happened in the past, or his fate in that crisis.
But he knew he couldn't slow down.
"I'm not strong enough."
"It's not time to relax yet."
Roy thought.
He realized—certain plans he had considered could be put on the agenda now.
"Although I didn't get the Skypiea gold, the money from Baroque Works and the Revolutionaries is barely enough."
The next day.
Coffin Island, Killer Town.
The Death House tavern was closed today.
"Yes—Lord Piekro, I've disposed of the reply from those two and all related intel. Your meeting with them will be absolutely secret."
"I'll go to the meeting island first to set up security measures."
"Don't worry, it's very covert... Nezumi hasn't noticed."
In a hidden dark room, Miss Spider whispered into a small Den Den Mushi.
Click.
After hanging up, she reached out to hide the snail in a secret compartment in the wall.
But just then...
"Is that a custom 'Parent-Child Snail'? Uninterceptable and only recognizes one user. High-end stuff."
The sudden voice made Miss Spider tremble.
She turned instinctively and saw a figure leaning against the wall nearby.
"!!!"
Seeing the Rat Mask, Miss Spider didn't hesitate. She curled her tongue.
Under her tongue... she bit down on a black pill.
It was 'Eternal Sleep'—a special poison developed by Piekro's company. Lethal upon contact with blood, no antidote.
Feeling the intense pain and fading life, a look of relief and pride appeared in Miss Spider's eyes.
Yes.
Suicide was the best response she could make in a split second.
As the manager of the Death House and mission dispatcher for killers, she knew better than anyone how strong Nezumi was—his 100% mission completion rate was proof.
She was no match for Nezumi.
And similarly, the 'Major Undertaker' Piekro's recent plans absolutely could not be known by Nezumi.
So she had to die.
Even now, she glanced at her wrist—a white piece of paper was pasted there.
Her Vivre Card.
She had a piece, and Piekro had a piece.
Due to the poison, the Vivre Card began to burn.
This was the source of her pride.
Piekro would see her burning Vivre Card, know the plan was exposed, and take precautions.
As an assassin raised by the 'Major Undertaker,' this was the death she expected.
"As long as Lord Piekro is safe."
She thought.
But the next moment...
"Truly decisive—such loyalty is commendable."
She heard another voice.
But it wasn't Nezumi's voice.
Simultaneously, she saw another figure appear beside her.
"What a pity..."
Next, she felt something furry touch her.
Then...
Miss Spider saw—her Vivre Card stopped burning. Even the burnt parts began to rapidly regenerate.
"Your blind loyalty is meaningless."
The voice spoke again, but it sounded incredibly familiar.
It was her own voice.
Miss Spider struggled to open her eyes to see what happened.
But even with all her strength, her barely open eyes could only see nine swaying shadows on the ground... and a mask.
One of the shadows retracted from her face.
The shadow of the mask... looked like a dog's face.
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