https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-687-Going-to-Sea-Breaks-the-Membrane-/13538992/
Chapter 686: We're All Navy, Right?
Chapter 686: We're All Navy, Right?
Devil Fruit
Another Devil Fruit.
Kuro had developed immunity, so he showed no surprise when Lida pulled out the Devil Fruit from his bag.
"Next time, before eating anything, at least check what it is. Look at it first, okay?"
Kuro took the Devil Fruit and examined it closely.
"Paramecia?" He paused, startled.
Devil Fruits came in all sorts of abilities and appearances. Any Devil Fruit would be possessed by demons and transformed into a miraculous fruit with supernatural power. But they still followed broad classifications.
Logia-type Devil Fruits usually resembled pineapples, with fire-like or cloud-like patterns on their surfaces. Whether it was the Mera Mera no Mi or Yami Yami no Mi, the differences between Logias were slight but recognizable.
Paramecia-type Devil Fruits typically looked like honeydews, with forms varying by ability. The Ope Ope no Mi bore a heart emblem, while the Nuru Nuru no Mi had a pink, smooth surface. Though specifics could be blurry, general identification was possible.
Zoan-type Devil Fruits usually resembled bananas, but this only applied to normal Zoans. Ancient types and mythical beasts had too many variations for clear classification.
But this didn't make sense.
Theoretically, since he had defeated Jack the Disaster, even if a Devil Fruit appeared in Lida's possession, it shouldn't be a Paramecia-type.
The Devil Fruit in his hand resembled a gourd with intricate patterns. It lacked the flaming cloud-like structure, looking more like a fist tapering at the top and widening at the bottom, radiating a striking aura.
"Have you killed anyone unusual recently?" Kuro asked suspiciously.
"Nope", Lida shook his head. "I've been with you the whole time."
"Strange... Klah, Klah, bring the Old Man's—"
Before he could finish, he stopped himself. "Right, that guy's gone now."
Lida rolled his eyes. "You talk about him like he's dead already."
"We should go check on him later. He has the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia."
With that, Kuro took the Devil Fruit and walked toward his office.
From Shabondy to G-3, the display cabinet for Devil Fruits had naturally changed locations too.
He had considered keeping it aboard the Golden Lion, but realized he wouldn't always have time to sail the seas. The safest place currently remained G-3.
Besides, there was no need to pilot such an eye-catching warship himself. That's what all those subordinates were for—let them handle the chores.
Still, he had placed another display cabinet aboard the Golden Lion specifically for sudden Devil Fruit acquisitions. Sure, he could just toss them into boxes, but that would look terrible.
After collecting so many Devil Fruits, he'd developed an interest in displaying them. They were free after all—why not showcase their beauty? Better to keep them here than let pirates in the Grand Line gobble them up.
The ship continued sailing through stormy seas toward the Headquarters. With so many warships in formation, they hadn't encountered any reckless pirates besides Jack the Disaster.
Pirates typically avoided Navy confrontations rather than sought them. Why fight when losing meant Impel Down or death in the Grand Line, while winning only increased bounties? This world always had bounty hunters and fame-seeking pirates after those bounties.
Only those strong enough could afford to ignore bounties. Weaker pirates would find increased bounties brought more trouble than benefit.
Pirates sought treasure, territory, and influence—some even aimed for the One Piece throne. Why waste strength fighting the Navy when even winning brought no real rewards?
The voyage proceeded smoothly. Days later, they reached Headquarters.
He had already departed with Donquixote Doflamingo in custody. Sengoku had disappeared somewhere with his usual hearty laugh. Yi Xiao temporarily reported back to Sakazuki, accompanied by Kuro.
In the Fleet Admiral's office, beneath the 'Absolute Justice' plaque, Sakazuki raised his head, his expression fierce as he clenched a thick cigar between his teeth.
"Tiring work, but I didn't expect you to encounter Big Mom", Sakazuki said.
"Fortunately, there were no casualties", Yi Xiao replied. "That woman seems to be after a scientist responsible for child disappearances, protected by the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
He paused. "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, does the Seven Warlords of the Sea system truly remain necessary?"
Here we go.
Kuro sighed inwardly. Throughout the journey, this man had been unusually quiet, clearly holding something back. It could only be this issue.
Back in Dressrosa, he'd postponed addressing it. Now face-to-face, a standoff was inevitable.
"Yi Xiao", Sakazuki's voice darkened, "the Seven Warlords of the Sea system was established by the World Government as one of the balances maintaining world order. It cannot be discarded. The Old Man knows your request to join the Navy, but now isn't the time to discuss this."
"Can't the Seven Warlords' sins speak for themselves?!" Yi Xiao countered, his expression grim. "The darkness hidden within Dressrosa, or the Arabasta incident I learned of before joining the Navy—Navy didn't pursue that one, did it? If I'm not mistaken, it took someone defeating them before the Government responded."
He revealed the white of his eye, locking gazes with Sakazuki. "The Seven Warlords system shouldn't have existed from the start—it's a harmful institution that must be abolished."
"Silence."
Sakazuki's voice dropped colder. "You have no right to criticize here. The Old Man remains Fleet Admiral. Say nothing more like this."
"Is the World Government some deity?!" Yi Xiao shot back, showing no deference.
"Yi Xiao!" Sakazuki's glare intensified.
The blind man met his gaze head-on, unflinching.
Tension thickened.
"Erm..."
A voice broke the stalemate.
Smiling, Kuro gently pressed Yi Xiao's shoulder before turning to Sakazuki. "Come on, we're all Navy personnel inside this organization. No need to argue over a distant World Government. Let's discuss things calmly. We're all Navy, right?"
While Fleet Admirals and Admirals maintained hierarchical ranks, they weren't strictly superior-subordinate. They belonged to the same tier with minor distinctions—like first-rank officials with slight differences in authority.
Both men shared recklessness as a trait.
Sakazuki took the cake for recklessness, but Yi Xiao came a close second across the Navy.
Though Yi Xiao appeared the kind uncle type, he was actually a fiercely independent soul. In the original storyline, he'd rolled dice to decide whether to arrest Luffy in Dressrosa, revealing his unpredictable nature.
As for Sakazuki? Rigid as steel.
Calling him outright evil would be too simple. People weren't purely good or evil—only different perspectives.
His "better a thousand die than one escape" stance might seem harsh, but in the Navy-pirate conflict, it wasn't entirely unjustified.
Back at Marineford, he'd initially tried persuading fleeing Marines rather than killing them outright, showing compassion. Even as Fleet Admiral, his temper had mellowed somewhat.
But the position itself remained burdensome—Kuzan's departure, mentor Zeff's transformation, the World Government's occasional hindrances, and internal personnel conflicts.
The Fleet Admiral title carried immense weight indeed.
(End of Chapter)
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