"The Black Ghost, Mando… no wonder. No wonder it was the Swap-Swap Fruit, that's a troublesome ability." Doflamingo's face was dark. He bent down and picked up the metal tag from the ground, the murderous intent in his eyes almost solidifying.
"Using an ability that allows for such rapid movement to carry out a sneak attack is an excellent strategy," Ben Beckman mused.
"Damn it!" Tesoro's expression was ghastly.
The Gran Tesoro had been severely damaged by the recent battle. To prevent opportunistic pirates from causing more trouble, he had dispatched his three top subordinates to suppress them.
If Tanaka or Dice had been here, the thieves wouldn't have been able to steal the Vigor-Vigor Fruit so easily. Tesoro had assumed that with so many powerhouses just a few floors away, and with a hundred elite subordinates guarding the place, everything would be foolproof. He never expected this to happen.
"Motherfucker. I've been hunting for this guy for years with barely any leads, and he shows up today, of all days?! That damn mole!" Aeridar spat, letting go of a stunned Oz Widwen.
Since taking over the former Clifford Kingdom, Aeridar hadn't let up on his search for Benson. He was a dangerous threat, but the man was too good at hiding. Every time Aeridar got a lead, he'd vanish again.
"A while ago, two of my weapons factories were mysteriously destroyed. Each time, we found small black crossbow bolts and these metal tags at the scene," Doflamingo said, clenching the tag in his hand. "Hmph, so now we finally know who they are."
"Then it's settled."
Oliver touched a faint scar on his face, his eyes narrowing. "The small black crossbow bolts are one of the weapons used by that Black Ghost, Mando."
"Oh, is that so?"
Doflamingo turned to look at the faint scar on Oliver's face and understood.
"I heard you say that both of them are Devil Fruit users. That means they risked everything to steal the Vigor-Vigor Fruit not to eat it themselves, but likely for someone else," Ben Beckman analyzed.
"The World Government will see this through to the end," Oz Widwen said grimly.
"Aeridar, let's put a joint bounty on them in the underworld!" Doflamingo said coldly.
"Deal. We'll offer a one billion Berry bounty for either of them, dead or alive! And one hundred million Berry for anyone who provides a valid lead!" Aeridar instantly set the price.
"That's quite a bounty, perorin!" Perospero gasped in astonishment.
To be hunted jointly by the underworld's Joker and King was already a huge deal. But to offer a hundred million Berry just for a lead would be enough to ignite the entire underworld.
On top of that, they had publicly provoked the World Government. It seemed there was nowhere left for them to hide, either in the light or the shadows.
Pere pere pere... pere pere pere...
Suddenly, the sound of a Den Den Mushi rang from Tesoro's pocket.
"This is Tesoro, what is it?" Tesoro asked, taking out the snail.
"Tesoro-sama, several Marine battleships have arrived. The one leading them is Admiral Kizaru!" Baccarat's voice came through, sounding a little shaky.
"Admiral Kizaru!"
Everyone was stunned. Oz Widwen's face lit up, but then immediately fell into a bitter frown.
....
On August 2nd, 1518, of the Sea Calendar, a bombshell of a news story spread throughout the world.
The legendary Vigor-Vigor Fruit, once owned by the 'Undying King' Ramorphy Moinsvar, had appeared at an auction on the Gran Tesoro.
This event drew an old-era legendary pirate, Redfield the Reclusive Red, who fought to seize it. He clashed with the Shichibukai, Golden Ring Aeridar and Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo, as well as the master of the Gran Tesoro, the Golden Emperor Tesoro.
This Red the Aloof displayed a monstrous level of power, easily overwhelming the three new-world pirates.
In the end, he single-handedly faced off against a group of eleven powerhouses: the Shichibukai Golden Ring Aeridar and Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo; the Golden Emperor Tesoro; the World Government's CP instructor, Oz Widwen; the Red-Haired Pirates' first mate, Ben Beckman, and Yasopp the sniper; one of the Beasts Pirates' All-Stars, Jack the Drought; and from the Big Mom Pirates, Minister of Candy Charlotte Perospero and Minister of Browned Food Charlotte Oven; along with the Slayer Oliver and the newly-joined Rain Scorpion Smythe Betilla from the Chris Pirates.
Though the eleven powerhouses' combined effort grievously wounded and repelled Redfield, most of them also suffered injuries, showcasing the sheer power of the Red the Aloof and stunning countless new-generation pirates.
But what was even more ridiculous was that after this earth-shattering battle, the Vigor-Vigor Fruit, which had caused so much madness, was snatched away from the jaws of defeat by two mysterious figures.
At the same time, as the news spread across the globe, the World Government itself issued two new bounty posters.
Dasco Benson, the former fifth prince of the Clifford Kingdom and a member of the Dasco royal family. One of the thieves of the Vigor-Vigor Fruit. A user of the Paramecia-type Cold-Cold Fruit. Bounty: 500 million Berry. Dead or alive.
Mando the Black Ghost, a top-tier assassin from the underworld. One of the thieves of the Vigor-Vigor Fruit. A user of the Paramecia-type Swap-Swap Fruit. Bounty: 500 million Berry. Dead or alive.
Bounties issued directly by the World Government are much higher than those issued by the Marines and designate the criminal as a grave threat to the world.
When these news reports and bounties appeared, the entire sea was in an uproar.
"What the hell! This news is too much!"
The Vigor-Vigor Fruit, with its immortality ability, once owned by the 'Undying King,' and the appearance of the legendary pirate, Patrick Redfield, all led to an insane battle involving the World Government, two Shichibukai, and three Yonko crews.
"This battle was completely chaotic! Half of the top powers on the sea participated in this fight!"
It was a battle that would be forever etched in history.
"Oh my God! Redfield the Red Count is just too strong!" A new-era pirate in the New World exclaimed in disbelief.
"The Vigor-Vigor Fruit! With that power, even a Yonko would have to step aside!" another pirate said, their face filled with greed.
"The Vigor-Vigor Fruit must be recovered! Or, we must kill the user at all costs!" This was what Fleet Admiral Sengoku said at a Marine meeting.
"I want the CP agency to investigate this with all their power. I don't care who they are; I want them dug out. If they haven't eaten the Vigor-Vigor Fruit, bring it back. If they have, bring the user back instead." The Gorosei in Mariejois raged, their fury shaking the very halls of power.
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