"Gild Tesoro, I don't know if you've heard of him?"
Stussy did not answer Marco's outcry directly but mentioned the name Gild Tesoro.
"The Golden Emperor?"
If Marco was not mistaken, in the original story, Gild Tesoro controlled twenty percent of the world's wealth, was immensely powerful, and had industries all over the globe.
A man who claimed to use wealth to manipulate the Celestial Dragons.
The man with the most personal wealth in the world, far exceeding the Four Emperors in terms of wealth alone, surpassing any kingdom, force, or pirate group in the world. Even within the World Government, he held significant influence.
"That's him." Stussy continued, "I got very accurate information that Gild Tesoro possesses two Devil Fruits."
"Devil Fruits?"
To be honest, Marco wasn't very concerned about Devil Fruits now. He had the Immortal Phoenix Fruit, and he couldn't consume a second one. The allure of Devil Fruits didn't affect him much.
There was no doubt that Gild Tesoro could acquire a Devil Fruit. It wasn't surprising that a vast organization with wealth worldwide and influence that even the World Government had to acknowledge could obtain any Devil Fruit.
Not to mention, Stussy's accurate news slightly moved Marco's heart.
He chuckled and said with a smile, "If you want, I can help you get it."
"Ah?!"
Stussy was shocked by Marco's calm and assertive words. She didn't expect him to make such a blunt offer.
Why is he suddenly being so nice to me?
Is he implying something?
Stussy still felt a little uneasy about this sudden kindness.
From the beginning, she was compelled by Marco to investigate the news about the Blackbeard Pirates. Gradually, she took the initiative to look into the Four Emperors Pirates, sacrificed the massive organization she painstakingly built for Marco, and eventually, to avoid burdening him, she took great risks and planned to rebuild her power.
She had done so much for Marco step by step, yet she never imagined she'd get anything in return.
Stussy was a bit moved; she felt that it was worth giving her all.
"What kind of Devil Fruits are they?"
Marco had no idea about Stussy's complicated and conflicted thoughts. In his mind, Stussy had done a lot for him, and if all she wanted was to hold them, snatching them for her seemed like fair compensation.
Stussy sighed, quickly collecting her chaotic thoughts, and said, "The two Devil Fruits are related to you."
"Related to me?"
Marco was stunned for a moment, immediately considering a possibility, "Are they fruits of abilities I defeated, and have the fruits regenerated?"
This was intriguing. If they were indeed abilities he had eliminated, and the fruits had regenerated, then several of these Devil Fruits were noteworthy, part of Marco's accomplishments, but he didn't know how Devil Fruits were reborn and couldn't acquire them directly.
"Yes."
Stussy replied, "It's precise information from within Gild Tesoro. One is Jack the Drought's Zoan-type, Ancient Model, Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Mammoth Model. The other is the Paramecia-type moa-moa Fruit."
The Moa-Moa Fruit has also been reborn?!
Marco was slightly startled; it had only been ten days since Bondi Waldo's death, yet his Devil Fruit had regenerated and been claimed!
As for how these two Devil Fruits were identified, it was easy for Marco to understand. Gild Tesoro controlled immense wealth. Even if he had seen or owned the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, it wouldn't be surprising.
"The Moa-Moa Fruit must not be taken by anyone else."
That was Marco's first thought.
A Devil Fruit, barely developed, had already created a legendary pirate.
If the Moa-Moa Fruit's power was developed to the point of awakening, its strength would be unimaginable.
It would definitely be a threat.
The Mammoth Fruit could be left alone, but this moa-Moa Fruit… must be acquired!
This Moa-Moa Fruit had to be under his control.
What's more, it should have been one of Marco's gains from defeating Bondi Waldo. Even if Marco took it, it would only be reclaiming what was rightfully his.
"Have you infiltrated Gild Tesoro's forces recently?"
Marco had no doubts about Stussy's capabilities.
Stussy was originally a ruler of the underworld, and her skills far surpassed her petite appearance.
"Yes, after my Happy Street was destroyed, I've been working on how to rebuild it. Well… my original plan was to use certain dark means to gradually take over and control Gild Tesoro's power, and then... I stumbled upon the news of the Devil Fruits, so I contacted you right away."
Stussy explained.
She was competent but not at all arrogant because she knew her abilities and methods were simply...
Insignificant, barely worth mentioning.
"Does anyone else know about this information?"
"We should be the first to learn this, but I can't guarantee that Blackbeard, Kaido, and Big Mom, who are among the Four Emperors, won't catch wind of it soon. After all, these two Devil Fruits are top-tier, and if this news spreads, it will surely shake the world."
"Four Emperors Pirates." Marco was silent for a moment. If the Blackbeard Pirates got hold of specific information about the Moa-MoaFruit, they would surely mobilize everything.
"I can't discuss this over the phone. Tell me where you are, and I'll come to you to work out a detailed plan."
Marco continued, with a rough strategy forming in his mind, "The Moa-MoaFruit must not fall into the hands of others, especially the Blackbeard Pirates."
A few days later.
Another piece of news shook the entire New World.
The entire New World was in an uproar.
"Katakuri betrayed the Four Emperors Big Mom Pirates and single-handedly slaughtered the Charlotte Family's kingdom, taking the heads of five of the Charlotte Family's highest ministers!"
This news reverberated throughout the world.
And immediately after, even bigger news broke.
"Katakuri officially announces his allegiance to Marco and has become one of Marco's subordinates!"
"Those five heads of the Supreme Ministers of the Charlotte Family were his entrance ceremony."
As soon as this news spread, the entire world was truly in turmoil, leaving countless people stunned.
"Katakuri, defeated by Marco, would choose to submit to him! It's unbelievable!"
Countless pirates were shocked; it was almost inconceivable.
"His Majesty the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Doflamingo, and the mightiest Sweet Commander, Katakuri, have both submitted to Marco and become his subordinates... Is Marco planning to officially seize the throne?!"
"He is now the Fifth Emperor of the New World! Beneath the Four Emperors, the strongest force! If he builds a vast power with formidable figures like Doflamingo and Katakuri under his command..."
Someone exclaimed in disbelief.
"Don't forget... There are also the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates who are willing to risk life and death for Marco!"
With this in mind, the world realized that Marco was already a rival to the Four Emperors of the New World!
"I wonder when Marco will have a direct confrontation with the Four Emperors?"
Such thoughts were on the minds of countless people.
Countless individuals were eagerly anticipating it—Marco against the Four Emperors would undoubtedly be a battle that would shake the entire world!
…
Meanwhile, on Whole Cake Island, Big Mom swallowed a cream cake over a meter in diameter in a single bite, her eyes red with fury, her killing intent palpable as she roared,
"Katakuri... Immortal Marco, I'm going to peel off your skin and turn it into dessert toppings!!!"
For a time, the entire country was in upheaval, and tsunamis roared continuously.