After the military expansion meeting, the night turned into a celebration.
By the next day, the crews of the three ships returned to their duties. While the Dawn sailed in the New World preparing for future conflicts, Sali's White Sage Beast ship and Wyper's Thunder Dragon Gaya in Paradise pushed their recruits through intense training, improving both combat ability and coordination.
Their activity quickly changed the situation in Paradise. Even though the Dawn had not yet clashed with the Red-Haired Pirates, battles began erupting across the first half of the Grand Line.
Many pirate crews had assumed Paradise would become safer once the Dawn left for the New World. They resurfaced, only to run straight into disaster.
The White Lion Bounty Hunter Group, which had remained stationed at the entrance to Paradise, suddenly began sweeping through the first half of the sea.
At the same time, the Thunder Dragon Gaya, previously disguised as a merchant and exploration fleet, dropped all pretense and launched a full-scale purge across the latter half.
To outsiders, it looked like coincidence.
In reality, it was coordinated.
With Paradise being cleared repeatedly, the number of strong pirate crews left was shrinking fast. Since both Sali and Wyper needed real combat to train their recruits, they agreed to divide Paradise into two zones, each taking responsibility for one half.
Their reach extended even further. The Four Seas were also split between them, as many targets listed by Ash were still hiding there.
Over the following days, Ash received a steady stream of updates while staying at Gran Tesoro.
Wyper successfully negotiated favorable terms with the Ryugu Kingdom, then eliminated Vander Decken IX without difficulty.
Members of Baroque Works who had been marked on the bounty list were captured one after another. After Sali personally verified them, they were all dealt with.
Then came another report. The Thunder Dragon Gaya encountered the Beautiful Pirates in Paradise. The battle ended almost instantly.
If not for confirmation in the World Economic Journal, no one would have known that Cavendish, the so-called Pirate Prince, had disappeared so quietly.
Two days later, three pink pirate ships charged directly at the Thunder Dragon Gaya.
Crews that attacked without hesitation were treated as immediate threats by the Dawn faction. Wyper gave the order without delay. Over thirty recruits rushed forward, eager to prove themselves.
Elemental attacks filled the sea, and within moments, all three ships were sent to the bottom.
When Ash heard the report, he was at Gran Tesoro examining the Holy Sword Durandal, which Wyper had sent over.
He quickly guessed the truth. Those ships were most likely formed by Cavendish's obsessive followers.
Ash did not dwell on it. Stopping people determined to throw their lives away held little meaning.
At least they would not return to cause trouble elsewhere.
While Sali and Wyper continued delivering results, Ash made progress of his own.
News of him acquiring three Devil Fruits at the Sabaody Archipelago auction had already spread across the seas. Many now believed that the Heavenly Emperor Ash was actively collecting Devil Fruits.
Ash had been considering how to bring this up with Tesoro, since Gran Tesoro's wealth and connections made it an ideal place for such a task.
Before he could act, Baccarat appeared at Sabaody to meet him.
Tesoro's awareness did not disappoint.
Baccarat informed him that Gran Tesoro would soon host its own Devil Fruit auction. The schedule would avoid conflict with Sabaody, taking place on the twenty-fifth of each month, about half a month apart.
Before leaving, she shyly asked Ash for a hug.
Ash understood the implication. Tesoro likely wanted to ensure his luck remained stable.
He accepted without hesitation.
After seeing her off, Ash queued with Bonney to buy ice cream. While waiting, he considered his next move.
It was June 18th, one week before the Gran Tesoro auction. Since he had already explored most of Sabaody, and the next auction there was still far off, it made sense to head back early.
When it was his turn, Ash casually tossed out 100,000 Berries, bought all the ice cream, and shared it with the children in line.
Amid their cheers, he opened a door and took Bonney straight back to Gran Tesoro.
Meanwhile, Baccarat, who had only just left Sabaody by ship, received a Den Den Mushi call from Mr. Tanaka.
When she learned that Ash had already returned, she froze in disbelief.
Seven days later, she arrived back at Gran Tesoro, exhausted from travel. After a quick wash and change, she immediately began preparations for the Golden Ship's first auction.
From time to time, she shot Ash a resentful glance.
Only then did Ash remember that he had left her behind.
Tesoro himself did not appear, but the auction was prepared on a grand scale.
For the first event, two Devil Fruits were presented.
The quantity was there, though the quality was average.
Ash did not mind. His goal was collection, not consumption.
The two fruits were a Zoan-type and a Paramecia-type.
The Zoan was the Cat-Cat Fruit, Model Lynx.
The Paramecia was the Bounce-Bounce Fruit.
The Zoan required no explanation, but the Bounce-Bounce Fruit was unusual. Its description suggested properties similar to a mix of the Gum-Gum Fruit and the Slip-Slip Fruit.
Of course, it lacked the true advantages of either. It did not possess the hidden potential of the Human-Human Fruit, Model Nika, nor the physical enhancements of the Slip-Slip Fruit.
Still, it was worth collecting.
The auction proceeded smoothly, and Ash secured both fruits.
Some factions and even the Celestial Dragons were clearly displeased, but none of them acted.
Strength remained the ultimate bargaining chip.
Ash updated his records.
On June 10th, he obtained the Impact-Impact Fruit at Sabaody, bringing the total to 45.
Wyper's actions at Ryugu Kingdom added another, raising it to 46.
The elimination of Baroque Works members contributed six more, bringing the count to 52.
Additional targets linked to the same bounty list yielded four fruits, though not all suspected users were confirmed. The total reached 56.
Among those were the Stir-Stir Fruit and the Huge-Huge Fruit, both unusual abilities that would likely interest Charlotte Linlin.
Finally, the two fruits from Gran Tesoro brought the count to its current state.
Sole Mission: Fruit Collection Quantity [58/500]