In Wano Country, the Flower Capital, in a room in the Fengyue Pavilion, Sephiroth was lying with his eyes closed. His head was resting on Black Maria's lap, who was gently cleaning his ear.
Knock, knock, knock!
A knock from outside. Sephiroth opened his eyes and motioned for Black Maria to stop. "Come in!"
A subordinate named Camel, who was carrying a black wooden box, came in and knelt down.
"What's in our territory?" Sephiroth asked, without lifting his head.
Camel, who was not very smart but loyal, had in these two months become one of the big bosses under the Miyamoto family, with 400 people under his command.
"Hey, Boss, you used to tell us to look for a strange spiral-patterned fruit, right? I finally found it," Camel said excitedly.
He opened the wooden box, revealing a Devil Fruit shaped like an apple, black in color, and with a spiral pattern.
Sephiroth sat up straight and took the fruit. He examined it, sure it wasn't fake, but he didn't know what its power was. The fruit was not in his Devil Fruit book. Although he could let his subordinate eat it, he didn't want to waste its ability.
"Just save it for now," he decided.
"Good. Two days ago we took four streets from another family. From now on, those four streets are your territory! And... Maria, take him to the warehouse, give him 1,000 gold pieces."
Camel was overjoyed. "Thank you, Boss!"
Black Maria got up and led Camel to the warehouse. In her eyes, Camel looked respectful, not daring to glance at her. All the subordinates knew, Black Maria was their 'sister-in-law,' their boss's woman. Sephiroth had many women under him, but never liked others as much as Black Maria.
In front of the warehouse, Black Maria warned Camel with a cold stare, "Today you handed over a rare fruit. Don't publicize it outside. If you make trouble for the master, the consequences will be serious!"
"Yes! Understood!" Camel nodded.
Black Maria went in, took 1,000 gold, and gave it to him. She herself was a Spider Devil Fruit user, and knew how rare such a fruit was. She didn't want Camel to cause trouble for Sephiroth.
After Camel left, Black Maria returned to the room. She saw Sephiroth who was resting. Suddenly, Sephiroth slapped his forehead.
"Damn it! I forgot to tell Camel not to publicize this! Quick, Maria, scold him so he doesn't attract attention," Sephiroth said in a panic.
Black Maria closed the door and chuckled. "Hehehe! Don't worry, my lord, I already told him."
Sephiroth felt relieved. However, seeing Black Maria's smiling face, he pretended to be angry. "How dare you joke with me?! Take this!"
He approached Black Maria, lifted her kimono skirt, and slapped her buttocks twice.
Black Maria pursed her lips. "I'm sorry, my lord!"
"I'm very angry now!" Sephiroth said coldly.
"Okay, my lord," Black Maria knelt on the tatami, bowed her head, and apologized.