Chapter 137: Utterly Lawless

Elbaf Palace, Thunder Castle.

After six months of arduous trials, Saint Saint Saiwen finally touched the legendary Devil Fruit of Elbaf.

In that instant, two tiny figures seemed to appear on either side of Saint Saint Saiwen's shoulders.

White-winged figure: A man must keep his promises.

Black-winged figure: What's in your mouth is real.

Saint Saint Saiwen's mind flashed with the image of Kaido devouring the Blue Dragon Fruit in the Valley of the Gods.

Eat it or not?

After a moment's hesitation, Saint Saint Saiwen placed it back in the chest, locked it, and stored the entire box in his system space—he feared it might truly be—Nidhogg in Black Dragon form.

He feared even more that he might not be able to resist eating it.

Who could refuse a Black Dragon?

The Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Beast Type, Blue Dragon Form—Kaido was just born earlier; Saint Saint Saiwen was only one year old then, or he would have found a way to devour it.

But the Pink Dragon Form replicated by Vegapunk, the "Manly Pink" version, Saint Saint Saiwen found utterly unacceptable.

Seeing this, Harald and the Lightning Squirrel Thunder simultaneously exhaled in relief.

Harald had already made arrangements: as soon as Barzab left, he would report to the Five Elders that the legendary Devil Fruit had been stolen by Barzab.

Damn pirates! They used the Five Elders' name to deceive us, and we treated them to half a year of fine food and drink—only to have them steal our national treasure.

Unforgivable! Utterly lawless.

Five Elders, please uphold justice for Elbaf!

Thunder, meanwhile, was delighted—he could finally leave this prison-like castle and see the Surface World.

"Lightning Squirrel, can you shrink a bit?"

"You're this big—you won't fit in the ship's cabins unless you're willing to sleep on the deck at night."

【No problem】

In an instant, the giant Lightning Squirrel shrank into a tiny electric mouse; Saint Saint Saiwen's mood lifted, and he placed Thunder on his shoulder.

"Your Majesty, the Giant King, wait until I've bid farewell to my crew before reporting to the Five Elders."

Harald nodded silently.

"Thank you."

It was almost predictable that, though the Five Elders and Im still planned to manipulate Elbaf and build a Giant Army to consolidate the World Government's rule,

for now, the Five Elders' attention would be drawn to Barzab.

Simply because the legendary Devil Fruit was in his possession.

"Hey guys, no need to be so formal."

"Be nice to Loki—debunk those rumors about him being the Cursed Prince; if any of your Giant wife won't obey, beat her."

"If one beating isn't enough, beat her again."

"Goodbye, Your Majesty, the Giant King."

Harald smiled awkwardly, watching Barzab and Thunder vanish from sight.

Surface World, West Village.

During the farewell banquet, Saint Saint Saiwen specifically instructed Dongli: if any urgent situation arose, contact him immediately via Den Den Mushi.

Though Dongli didn't understand why such instructions were given, he still nodded in agreement.

"Captain, rest assured."

"If the situation you foresaw really happens, I'll call for support at once."

Dongli assumed the captain's Observation Haki granted him the ability to see the future, which was why he gave such serious instructions.

"Good. Rest well at home."

"I'll come back in a while—take everyone with me to sail the seas."

Saint Saint Saiwen would definitely return to Elbaf, because the Adam Wood in his system space would eventually run out.

Previously, without this connection, he could only try to buy it on the black market—and even then, he couldn't find any.

Now, Giant King Harald owed him three great favors; buying Adam Wood was now ridiculously easy.

The banquet lasted until late night.

Saint Saint Saiwen and his crew bid farewell to their companions and the Jabbali and Lipee couple who had come to see them off, preparing to depart Elbaf aboard the Eastern Sea Emperor.

"Goodbye, Uncle Jabbal."

"Sister Lipee, goodbye."

"Little Saint Saint Saiwen, come back often and cook for me."

After docking at Elbaf's coast for exactly six months, the Donghai Dihuang finally set sail again.

Speaking of cooking, one must mention how the Morning Star Pirates had eaten over two billion Berries at Uncle Jabbal's house over these past six months.

Compared to Luffy's single meal costing one billion, it was barely reasonable…

Moreover, Saint Saint Saiwen had deep pockets.

He possessed not only the gold from the Golden Land, but also the gold mine on Beehive Island, and the ten-billion- Berry sponsorship left by the former Beehive Island chief, Wang Zhi.

Had he not, Saint Saint Saiwen would not only have worried about how to earn points, but also how to earn money.

Yet his current wealth was fixed; if he didn't find ways to increase it, his fortune would eventually run out.

Before taking Wano Country, he must find another way to earn money.

By the helm, Saint Saint Saiwen steered with one hand.

The Lightning Squirrel Thunder raced across the deck, riding on the back of the electric duck Billy, playing wildly.

The crew sat in twos and threes on sofas, gazing up at the stars, chatting idly.

Jin Ni leaned over to the ship's wheel. "Captain, this squirrel is so cute. Can I borrow it to play with for two days?"

"Jin Ni, wait until you've fought Iron Thunder first, or ask Iron Thunder if he's willing."

Jin Ni chuckled.

"Although I'm very weak compared to you, it's just a little squirrel. I don't believe it."

Saint Saint Saiwen winked and made faces.

"Just a little squirrel?"

"Iron Thunder! Transform!!!"

Holy Land Mary Geoise, Ancient City.

After receiving Harald's report, even though it was already late at night, the Five Elders still took their familiar poses and gathered in the familiar palace: two sitting, three standing.

"Good news."

Saint Saturn was clearly very satisfied.

"Now that Barzab has retrieved the legendary Devil Fruit of Elbaf, we have finally not failed my lord Im's expectations."

"Saint Voly, does Barzab have..."

Saint Voly cut him off, his face growing serious.

"The problem lies right here. I have not received any notification from Barzab. If it weren't for Harald's report, we wouldn't have known the slightest bit of news."

The smile on Saint Saturn's face vanished, and his heart gave a sudden jolt.

"Could it be too late?"

"You know, Barzab has always been quite polite."

To be honest, Saint Saturn didn't even believe the words he was saying. Being polite and reporting are not mutually exclusive; the fact that there was no report meant the truth was obvious.

Barzab had no intention of handing it over at all.

"This is sheer lawlessness."

"Saint Voly, give me the Den Den Mushi. I will call him right now."

Ring-ring-ring-ring-ring-ring~

The Den Den Mushi smiled brightly. "Moshi moshi."

After speaking, a burst of chaotic noise followed.

"Senior Shi Ji, please hold Iron Thunder back quickly, or he'll smash the ship."

"Who is this?"

Saint Saturn spoke in a deep voice. "I am Saint Saturn of the Five Elders. Barzab, I congratulate you on obtaining the legendary Devil Fruit of Elbaf!"

The Den Den Mushi replied. "Congratulations to you too."

"If I have obtained it, it is as if you, my lords of the Five Elders, have obtained it."

"Prepare the final payment quickly."

The heaviness on Saint Saturn's face was quickly replaced by a smile. "Barzab, you truly keep your promises."

"Within one day, it will surely be ready."

"We will contact each other then."