Ten thousand meters above the ground, the white sea of clouds spread out like silk, looking like a fairyland paradise.
The dome of the magnificent Thunder God Palace was surrounded by clouds. Ginny and Robin ran around inside the palace like curious babies.
It wasn't until this moment that they realized—
Just how wealthy Captain Beelzebul, who owned floating islands like Angel Island, Gods Island, and Gold Country, truly was. No wonder he was so generous; even the red envelope for joining the ship was 100 million Berries.
Just as Seven finished settling the crew, a hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the palace.
"Lord Thunder God, he's been found."
Gan Fall ran over in a hurry, purposefully pausing to catch his breath with his hands on his knees.
"We've found Eneru."
Seven didn't call out Gan Fall's little scheme. Perhaps giving the Riki Riki no Mi to the Shandia warrior Kalpa last time had given Old Gan a sense of crisis.
"I see. Good work."
"Arrange for Eneru to stay in the courtyard outside the palace first. I'll head over when I have time."
Whether Eneru, without the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, was qualified to become a member of the Morning Star Pirates was something Seven needed to test personally.
However, given Eneru's level of development with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit in the original timeline, changing to another Devil Fruit probably wouldn't be much of an issue.
It was just a matter of which fruit would be suitable.
The Float-Float Fruit? Or perhaps that legendary Devil Fruit from the Giant Kingdom of Elbaf?
He certainly wouldn't give those away. If he really obtained the Float-Float Fruit or the legendary Devil Fruit from Elbaf, Seven's first choice would be to find a way to use them himself, and the second would be to list them on the trading platform to earn points.
Being strong oneself is the only way.
Even if he gave Eneru a Devil Fruit, there were prerequisites: Eneru had to gain Seven's approval and maintain sufficient loyalty.
Seven was no old-fashioned do-gooder; he only maintained a necessary conscience and did what he liked and wanted to do.
"By the way." Seven took out the Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Lion. "This is the only Zoan Model: Lion left. You deal with it."
Gan Fall reported some more political affairs before standing up with the Devil Fruit, preparing to leave.
"Old Gan, tell Tesoro and Stella that I'll be taking them to the Blue Sea this time."
"Understood, Lord Thunder God."
Seven then instructed the sisters, Shani and Sharu, to prepare a banquet for the crew. Although the Sky Island was peaceful and comfortable, he didn't plan on staying for long.
After settling Robin and her mother, he would take Tesoro to the Sabaody Archipelago for coating, then dive down to Fish-Man Island to meet Jinbe.
After that, he would head to the New World, going straight to Hachinosu Island to reclaim the Morning Star Pirates' base from Directly Ruling and collect some interest along the way.
That puny Directly Ruling has occupied my territory for so many years; shouldn't he pay rent?!
This was perfectly reasonable.
That evening, in the banquet hall of the Thunder God Palace.
Ginny raised her eyebrows frantically, pointing toward the sisters Shani and Sharu, who looked seventy percent alike but each had their own charm. A teasing smile played on her lips.
"Captain, tsk tsk tsk, a pair of sisters, huh?"
"You really know how to enjoy life."
Seven rolled his eyes. "All this special Sky Island food still can't shut your mouth."
To be honest, seeing Shani and Sharu again upon his return, Seven did feel a ripple in his heart for a moment: Should I bring them on the ship?
He would be an adult in half a year.
It was about time he had a taste of the flesh.
But... as the saying goes, "With no woman in one's heart, the blade is naturally divine." Women would only affect the speed of his sword, devour his vitality, and slow his progress in becoming stronger.
But then again, having people around to serve him seemed like it could save a lot of time for cultivation.
Right? That makes a lot of sense.
Halfway through the banquet, Seven suddenly froze as if someone had pressed the pause button, only his pupils were filled with intense joy.
[Ding! The item you requested: Teigu - Water Dragon Possession: Black Marlin, has been submitted by a user from akame ga kill...]
"Phew~"
To the brother or sister who traveled to the akame ga kill world, I, Beelzebul, was wrong. You're really not a dishonest merchant.
You're an honest person.
Seven drained his glass in one gulp and couldn't wait to flash to the Gate of Heaven, then jumped from ten thousand meters high toward the vast sea.
The wind whistled past his ears.
Taking the dragon-shaped ring—the Ring Teigu: Water Dragon Possession—from the system warehouse, Seven slowly put it on his left middle finger.
Ring Teigu: Water Dragon Possession
If he encountered Akainu again now, he'd start with a hundred water dragons to douse the arrogant flames of that magma guy.
From now on, Seven would simultaneously control lightning, fire, and liquid—three different elements—making his Hito Hito no Mi, Mythical Zoan even more convincing.
What Lunarian Tribe?
Have you ever seen a Lunarian who can control seawater? I am Beelzebul the Thunder God, who ate the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu!
He landed gently on the dragon head of the east blue emperor.
At this moment, the Ring Teigu: Water Dragon Possession felt like the Heart of Dreams, as if it had become a part of Seven's body.
With just a thought, a massive wave suddenly rose from the sea level. Nine giant dragons formed entirely of seawater soared from the abyss, circling and churning around the east blue emperor.
Such a soul-stirring scene made Seven unable to stop himself from throwing back his head and laughing wildly.
"Ho ho ho~ Hahaha~"
The laughter tore through the whistling sea breeze, carrying a wild arrogance that looked down upon all living beings.
With Seven as the center, red and black lightning tore through the night sky, like an absolute will reigning over all life in heaven and earth—an extension of his current aura.
On the deck, Mihawk stood quietly.
"Have you gotten stronger again, Seven?"
Choosing a guy like this as an opponent really makes one feel despair sometimes; his speed of becoming stronger is completely unreasonable.
It's as if it's easier than eating.
Even though they both cultivated on the ship, Seven was also distracted by swordsmanship, boxing, and Devil Fruit development.
Two and a half years ago, when Mihawk sparred with Seven, the amount he held back could have filled half the East Blue.
Two and a half years, just two and a half years, and except for swordsmanship and Armament Haki being superior to Beelzebul's, Mihawk was completely defeated in all other aspects.
Fighting spirit surged in Mihawk's eyes as he drew the supreme grade blade, black blade yoru, from his back.
"Draw your blade, Seven."
Seven's aura retracted, and the nine giant dragons slowly sank into the sea. He didn't draw his blade, but instead took out a food box from the system warehouse.
"Mihawk, I brought you some food."
Hearing this, Mihawk silently put away Yoru.
"Thanks."
Although he was extremely surprised by the scene before him, Mihawk didn't ask why he could control seawater; perhaps it was a secret of the Lunarian Tribe.
Who doesn't have some secrets?
Since Seven didn't say, Mihawk didn't plan to ask.
As a Captain, the task of training his crew members could never stop, and this time Seven used—sincerity is the ultimate move.
Sparring can happen at any time, but training requires the right moment, like now.
Mihawk took the food box and asked out of the blue.
"Didn't bring any for Golden Lion?"
"And your Tyrannosaurus Rex pet Dou Ke'ai seems like it's been hungry for a day too."
Seven put a hand to his forehead. "My bad."
Golden Lion didn't matter; that legendary great pirate must have long been used to being hungry. But what if little Dou Ke'ai the Tyrannosaurus Rex got hungry? This concerned Seven's plan to raise a "mini Kaido."
"I'll head back up once more."
"Get some rest. We set sail tomorrow morning for the Sabaody Archipelago."