Chapter 144: Water Seven, A Fated Encounter

These two Devil Fruits differed in both color and shape.

One was pure white, shaped like a jade disc.

The other was pale yellow, resembling somewhat a cactus.

Siano studied them for a while but had little impression of either.

"Hey, what fruits are these? Do you recognize them?" He turned his head to look at Jabra.

"Cough..."

Jabra, lying on the ground, struggled to push himself up on his arms, glaring furiously at him, "Stealing our things and then asking us about them? How shameless! As if I would tell you..."

"Of course we know, Chapa-pa!"

Fukurou, who had been lying on the ground twitching, reflexively raised his hand:

"One is the Zoan-type Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: White Tiger, and the other is the Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit—the very fruit of Crocodile, that terrifying pirate and former Warlord of the Sea who was killed by the dreadful pirate Siano! Both are extremely rare types, chapa-pa!"

"Fukurou!!!!"

Jabra shouted through gritted teeth, clutching his chest, nearly dying on the spot from rage.

"Is that so?"

Siano merely raised an eyebrow.

Another Logia-type?

Was he somehow fated to clash with Logia-types, one after another...

However, just as Fukurou had stated, these two fruits were indeed of very high value.

The Sand-Sand Fruit needed no explanation, and among Zoan-types, the White Tiger Fruit was likely in the top tier, second only to Mythical Zoans.

No wonder he had heard them say earlier that the merit of obtaining these two fruits could offset the guilt of failing this escort mission.

He had originally just been passing through this island, intending to take a brief vacation along the way, yet the harvest turned out quite substantial!

Siano nodded with satisfaction, leisurely stowing the Devil Fruits back into his bundle and retying it securely; seeing this scene, Jabra, lying on the ground nearby, filled his eyes with unwillingness.

"Hey!"

Jabra shouted angrily, yet dared not make another move, "Someone like you is definitely no nameless nobody; stealing people's things is one thing, but not even daring to reveal your true appearance goes entirely against the demeanor of a strong person!"

Defeating all of them, the elite members of CP9, in a single exchange so casually—this strength could only be described as unfathomable!

"That does seem true..."

Siano pinched his chin and nodded, "Buggy, just call me Buggy; that one wearing the wolf mask just now is my pet, the lion Richie."

"Hm?" All three froze in unison.

Buggy, Buggy...

Wait, hadn't they heard this name somewhere before—

Thump!

Before they could recall, all three rolled their eyes back and fainted simultaneously.

"Since you were so cooperative, I won't kill you."

Siano easily lifted them up, one in each hand, and tossed the three into a garbage pile.

He controlled his force with precision, enough to keep these three asleep until tomorrow night, by which time he would have long since left this place, likely already arriving at Water Seven.

Toward these few who hadn't actively sought trouble, he harbored no intent to kill, but equally had no interest in recruiting them, especially someone like Fukurou...

It was better to let him continue displaying his talents within the World Government.

Of course, the wool that needed shearing still could not be spared.

【You sacrificed Fukurou's big-mouth zipper, gaining 300 points】

【You sacrificed Kumadori's entire head of hair, gaining 300 points】

【You sacrificed Jabra's handlebar mustache, gaining 400 points】

Totaling one thousand points, this raised Siano's remaining points to 32,500.

He hadn't sheared Jack yet; Siano wanted to wait a bit, feeling that the most valuable thing on that kid's body should be the two large elephant tusks he possessed after transforming into a mammoth.

Once Jack learned Life Return, he would use the excuse of checking progress to snap off a tusk and try sacrificing it.

Before leaving this alley.

Siano glanced back one last time at Jabra and the others.

These few agents were actually passable in terms of martial arts technique.

However, regarding both strength and speed, in his view, they were a complete mess, and they hadn't even mastered Haki.

This gave him a rough idea of the standard of the remaining CP9 members.

If this was all they were capable of...

Then it seemed there was absolutely no need to worry about the few companions who had gone ahead to Water Seven.

The next morning.

The Sea Train departed from the dock, speeding toward Water Seven.

However, this time, those riding the train were the girls.

Nami leaned against Robin's shoulder, listless, dozing off intermittently.

After arriving at the carnival site last night, she had played the wildest of them all; although she had caught a few hours of sleep after the event ended, she still lacked energy now.

Sister Sister Guyina sat opposite, holding those two Devil Fruits in her hands, bowing her head and quietly pondering something.

"Are you still not planning to eat the fruit?"

Nojiko asked, propping her chin up, "Clearly last night, when Big Brother handed these two fruits to you, I saw you were somewhat tempted by this White Tiger Fruit; how did you change your mind after just one night's sleep?"

Currently aboard the Falling Curtain, not counting the captain and the two pets, nearly all the remaining crew members were Devil Fruit users.

—Only Sister Sister Guyina and Zeff remained.

Uncle Zeff, well, he was still as stubborn as ever.

He kept ranting about his principle that a chef of the sea must never be a landlubber, refusing to eat a Devil Fruit even if it killed him.

This certainly had its reasoning.

But Nojiko also harbored a guess in her heart, thinking Uncle Zeff might believe himself too old, with limited potential for future growth.

Therefore, he simply chose to yield the opportunity to the younger ones boarding later, while he gradually faded from the ranks of the main combat force to devote himself to managing his kitchen and restaurant.

Just like... that Big Mom Pirates' Chef Long Bread her older brother had mentioned?

And Sister Sister Guyina...

Under Nojiko's gaze, Sister Sister Guyina ultimately shook her head and set down those two fruits.

"I won't eat them," she spoke softly, her demeanor calm yet firm.

"This White Tiger Fruit, when I first saw it last night, did indeed cause me some hesitation, after all, it is a precious treasure even among Zoan types."

"After consuming it, my strength, speed, and recovery ability would all gain greatly, substantially boosting my immediate combat power."

Sister Sister Guyina paused, her fingertips gently stroking the hilt of the sword at her waist.

"But, that is not my 'Dao'."

Her path had been set ever since she first gripped a bamboo sword in Shimotsuki Village.

—Relying on no external aid, depending solely on oneself, to ascend to the peak of the World's Greatest Swordsman!

This was certainly a harder road.

But precisely because of this, when stepping onto the summit of the sword path, that glory, that brand new era, would truly belong to her alone.

Just like Hawk Eyes, the current World's Greatest Swordsman.

"Eh—" Nojiko blinked: "How should I put it? As expected, that's your style."

She reached out to wrap an arm around Sister Sister Guyina's shoulder, saying with a grin:

"But this means you'll have to train even harder than now, you know? After all, the monsters on our ship are increasing; be careful your Vice-Captain position isn't lost."

Not to mention later arrivals; just the recently joined Jack was an out-and-out monster.

His physical constitution was astonishingly strong, his Devil Fruit ability was incredibly perverted, and despite looking dull-witted, his aptitude for practicing martial arts was surprisingly high.

In just these couple of days, there were already signs of him barely entering Armament Haki; estimated within a month or two, he would master it formally.

Sister Sister Guyina knew this point as well, yet she paid it no mind.

Train harder?

She glanced down at Wado Ichimonji, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly:

"It matters not; thus, it suits my intentions perfectly."

Descendants of Wano Country all speak in such archaic, strange ways, don't they? Nojiko secretly pursed her lips and put away those two Devil Fruits.

Tsk, when will we encounter a newcomer worthy of these two fruits?

Woo—woo—!!!

The Sea Train spewed rolling white smoke, speeding along the tracks at full tilt.

Suddenly, the car body jolted violently, accompanied by a dull "Thump," as if it had hit something.

The carriage swayed slightly, its speed halting for a mere instant, but it quickly resumed its original gallop.

Robin originally thought it an illusion, but when she looked out the window...

A light-brown giant frog was tumbling through the air, crashing into the distant sea surface with a "Splash," sending up waves several meters high.

Its limbs splayed wide, belly facing the sky, its eyes swirling like mosquito coils, it drifted dizzily on the water, its tongue lolling to one side.

One didn't know if it was still alive...

Was this frog attempting to block the train?

After the shock faded, a trace of pity and sympathy entered Robin's eyes.

Alas, with such a vast disparity in size and strength, how could it possibly succeed?

Just like her in the past, alone, facing the World Government, that colossal entity that made one gasp for breath...

But now...

Robin looked down at the someone lying prone on her chest, sleeping soundly, and smiled as she patted her cheek:

"We're almost there; wake up, Nami."

"Mm... are we there?"

The large bubble emerging from Nami's nose popped with a "Pop"; she rubbed her eyes and sat up in a daze.

She looked out the window.

Indeed, in the distance along the horizon, a magnificent and bustling city had come into view.

Water Seven.

This miracle land, hailed as the "City of Water and Shipwrights," was like a dream island growing out from the depths of the ocean.

Countless azure waterways, like blood vessels, pierced through the entire city, connecting districts of different heights into an intricate three-dimensional network.

And the most eye-catching feature was none other than that sky-piercing pillar-like fountain at the city's highest central point.

It elegantly hurled seawater high into the sky, where it scattered at the apex into a mist filling the heavens, draping the entire city in a dreamlike veil.

"Wow..."

Nami's sleepiness vanished instantly; she pressed her face almost against the windowpane, eyes unblinking as she admired the beautiful scenery before her.

A moment later.

Woo—!

With a long blast of the whistle, the Sea Train slowly pulled into the platform of "Blue Station."

"We've arrived!"

The moment the door cracked open, Nami shot out like a cannonball with a *whoosh*, clutching tightly to the drowsy, half-asleep Mochi in her arms.

"Slow down, wait for us, Nami!" Nojiko hurriedly grabbed their luggage and chased after her.

Robin and Sister Sister Guyina exchanged a glance, then shook their heads helplessly.

Indeed, without Siano nearby, that girl was just like an unbridled wild horse—lawless and utterly beyond anyone's control.

The two walked in the direction where the sisters had vanished, with Sister Sister Guyina speaking as they went:

"Before coming to Water Seven, my lord Siano entrusted us with three important matters."

"First, convert all the treasure obtained from the Gourmet City into cash, then take that cash to the island's shipbuilding company and have them inspect the Curtain Fall."

The treasure she referred to was precisely what they had confiscated from "Bloodsaw" Jax.

That night, after everyone finished their meal, they returned to their cabins; only early the next morning did they discover over ten treasure chests suddenly appearing on the deck.

Presumably, the townsfolk had helped carry them over; finding so much treasure yet taking not a single coin left Sister Sister Guyina unable to do anything but remark on the local populace's simple honesty.

"The chests are still on the ship; they probably won't arrive for another five or six hours."

Robin chuckled lightly, "However, since we arrived first, we can make preparations, such as locating the banks on the island and planning our route."

"Mm, leave that to me, Sister Robin; you go meet up with Nami and Nojiko."

Sister Sister Guyina nodded slightly, "Take them and find the most reliable Vivre Card artisan nearby; the previous towns were too small to find one, but in this metropolis, there must be someone."

"Is this the second matter the captain assigned?" Robin asked, "And what about the third?"

"The third..."

Sister Sister Guyina pinched her chin in contemplation, a habitual gesture of Siano's that she had somehow picked up without realizing when:

"I'm not entirely clear myself; my lord Siano only said that ambitious individuals are lurking on this island, perhaps allowing us to stretch our legs a bit..."

So we're being targeted, huh...

Robin frowned slightly, "Should we buy a few more masks?"

She was the type who disliked trouble.

The atmosphere of the Carnival Mask Festival clearly wasn't limited to Spring Queen City; here in Water Seven, one could occasionally spot folks wearing masks and dressed in outlandish attire even while traveling.

At the pier exiting the station, numerous vendors were likewise hawking masks.

"No, let him be."

She shook her head, letting out a cold laugh, "Since my lord Siano said so, they certainly aren't any formidable foes; masks are meant for festive carnivals, not for hiding like a turtle with its head tucked in; let it be—if anyone dares to obstruct us, let them first answer to the sword in my hand!"

Killing intent radiated fiercely from her; several passersby standing relatively close suddenly felt an inexplicable chill and shivered, stepping farther away.

"Being with Sister Sister Guyina really does make one feel safe." Robin, noticing the reactions of those around them, smiled gently.

"Is that so? Pity we have to part ways now."

Sister Sister Guyina said faintly; she suddenly halted, lifted her gaze across the canal, and looked at the shop hanging a sign that read "Blue Rent":

"I'll go rent a Blue to find the bank's location; you go meet up with Nami and the others; if anything comes up, contact me via Den Den Mushi."

"Mm."

The Blue was a marine creature unique to Water Seven, and also the most common form of transportation within the city.

Resembling a seahorse yet possessing great strength, even the smallest Blue could carry four or five people, shuttling freely through the city's waterways.

As for the largest, the Emperor Blue, it could even tow large ships directly.

On the train, the group had learned some common knowledge about Water Seven from pamphlets sold by the conductors, so Robin immediately understood and nodded.

Sister Sister Guyina said nothing more; the two parted ways at the fork in the road.

Ten minutes later.

Inside a certain tavern.

"Cheers!"

Nami and Nojiko sat at the bar counter, raising their glasses and drinking heartily.

"Oh my, as expected, you're here."

Robin pushed open the louvered door and entered, saying helplessly, "You made me search everywhere nearby; although finding the Vivre Card shop doesn't need to be rushed, Nojiko, didn't the captain specifically instruct that Nami shouldn't be drinking alcohol at such a young age..."

"Ha! I knew you'd say that!"

Wearing an expression of smug triumph that said 'I predicted you,' Nami raised her glass high:

"There, look closely; it's a non-alcoholic cocktail sparkling wine! It's called Dreamy Starry Sky; anyway, that's how this uncle wrote it on today's menu at the entrance; I couldn't help but slip in the moment I saw it... Right, Uncle Bruno!"

"Yes, it merely mimics the flavor of alcohol; it contains no alcohol, so even children can drink it freely."

Behind the counter, the burly man wearing an apron, though imposing, wore a warm smile on his face that appeared quite honest, "However, young lady, I'm only twenty."

"Tch, no way; apart from that detestable older brother of mine who has to control everything, I won't call anyone else 'big brother'!"

Nami snorted, "Besides, you look so old; are you really only in your twenties? Calling you 'uncle' shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Looking old, huh?

Bruno lowered his head, sighing with some sadness, but quickly adjusted his mood, turned his head, and grinned toward the doorway:

"Welcome, new customer; what would you like..."

The instant he clearly saw Robin's features, Bruno's smile froze abruptly.

"What's wrong, Uncle?"

Nami looked up curiously, glancing back and forth, then immediately realized what was happening; she cast a disdainful glance across the bar, "Hey, Sister Robin is very beautiful, but there's no need to be like this, acting like a pervert who's never seen a woman before; it's very rude!"

Bruno quickly composed his expression and continued wiping wine glasses with his head down:

"Sorry, sorry; I just felt this Young Lady looked somewhat familiar, as if I'd seen her somewhere before."

"No, it's this girl who is being too rude."

Nojiko poked Nami's forehead in annoyance, then turned to Bruno and said, "Uncle, bring us another Dreamy Star. Sister Robin, want to try some? The taste is really quite good."

Robin smiled and nodded.

"Alright, please wait a moment." Bruno turned to mix the drink with practiced movements, yet the corner of his eye kept subtly scanning toward Robin.

What did these two girls call each other again?

Sister Robin?

So it really is that woman.

After the drink was prepared, Robin took it and sipped, showing slight surprise and admiration in her eyes: "The texture is excellent, and indeed, the flavor is very much like real alcohol."

"Thank you for the compliment." Bruno scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

After drinking for a while longer, Robin turned to look at Nami: "Alright, we've rested enough; it's time we go find the Vivre Card shop."

"Eh—let's sit a little longer!" Nami grumbled dissatisfiedly.

Nojiko patted her shoulder: "Don't be willful. Finish the task big brother assigned first; afterward, you can play however you want."

"Fine, fine..." Nami reluctantly hopped off the stool, and before leaving, she didn't forget to wave at Bruno, "Uncle, next time I'll come back to drink your sparkling wine!"

"You're welcome anytime."

Bruno remained motionless like a puppet, maintaining his smile, but after watching the three leave the tavern, his grin gradually vanished, and his expression turned stern.

He walked to the entrance, hung up a temporary 'Closed' wooden sign with an expressionless face, then retrieved a Den Den Mushi from beneath the counter and dialed a certain number.

(End of Chapter)