Alucard had stated that the Titan Fruit belonged to Ivalis, meaning that even if Ivalis didn't want to become a Devil Fruit user himself, he could completely give it to someone he trusted to eat.
But he didn't do that; instead, he offered the item up for contest.
This was also based on Beckman's advice: developing a high-tier Devil Fruit requires the eater to be powerful in their own right. Currently, Ivalis didn't have anyone sufficiently strong under his command. It could be said that the vast majority of top fighters from the former Red-Haired Pirates had defected to the Whitebeard Pirates. Only Ivalis and a small circle of his close associates had initially joined Alucard's banner.
Given this, it was better to offer the Fruit as a prize and thereby gain status within the pirate crew.
After hearing Ivalis relay Alucard's instructions, the entire Immortal Pirates crew was shocked. They weren't ignorant; they clearly understood the rarity of a Mythical Zoan. The moment they heard that the winner could claim it, many became restless.
On the shore of the island, Ivalis placed the pitaya-shaped Titan Fruit on a high rock. He addressed the hundreds of crewmates who had gathered for the Fruit. "Captain's orders! Anyone who wants it, step forward and let the outcome of a fight decide. The last man standing can eat it."
After speaking, Ivalis swept his greatcoat and leaped down from the high rock.
With Alucard's command in place, no one dared to openly rush the Fruit, but soon, the first person stepped out and said excitedly, "I've been sailing for nearly thirty years, and this is the first time I've encountered a Mythical Zoan! Say no more! The little treasure is mine to eat!"
Everyone looked toward the source of the voice. The person mimicking Shiki the Golden Lion's speaking style was none other than Iron Mask Matthew, one of the former commanders of Shiki's fleet.
"Hey, hey, are you joking?"
Immediately, a second person stepped forward, looking much younger than Matthew. "Since you've been sailing for so long, you should pass the good things on! I'll be eating the Titan Fruit."
The speaker was named Exdeath, with a bounty of 322 million Berries. He had also been a pirate captain and was not a Devil Fruit user. At just over thirty years old, he was considered quite young.
"What a joke! The Captain already said that the victor gets to claim it. What does age have to do with it?" Urdaha, also a former commander in Shiki's fleet, and close to fifty years old, stepped out, twisting his prosthetic Iron Arm. "The winner gets it. Who has an objection?"
As Urdaha's voice fell, over fifty pirates with decent strength rushed out from the crowd one after another, and a fierce free-for-all began.
Boom!
As waves of shock echoed from the island's shore, Alucard, who had just finished his passionate interlude with Scarlett, walked to the window. He gazed at the battle smoke slowly rising in the distance and chuckled. "Who will be the one to prevail in the end?"
The battle raged for more than ten days—a massive, continuous brawl. All participants were pirates who disdained following rules, refusing to engage in one-on-one or small-group matches. Everyone who wanted the Titan Fruit converged, striking at whomever they focused on.
However, not everyone charged in at the start.
Some hid among the onlookers, waiting for others to weaken before jumping into the fight. Others secretly snuck away to rest and recover their stamina before returning to the fray. While this seemed despicable to outsiders, combat naturally involves deceit and trickery. Those who couldn't accept that were the true weaklings.
After such a prolonged battle, even those employing underhanded tactics had mostly been eliminated. Only a few genuinely capable individuals remained in a stalemate, including Matthew, Urdaha, Exdeath, and three other pirates, all with bounties exceeding 300 million Berries.
At this moment, Zephyr sat on a cliff face on the island, with his two confidants, Ain and Binz, standing behind him. He was watching the chaotic battle between Urdaha and the others below.
Zephyr was 67 years old this year. Even with the Blacklight Virus, his hairline was gradually receding, showing a small patch of his shiny forehead. The Blacklight Virus was a double-edged sword, so it wasn't surprising that such a situation was occurring.
Suddenly, Zephyr rose to his feet and said to Ain and Binz, "I'm going to make my move."
Ain and Binz were so startled they nearly tumbled off the cliff. They stared dumbfounded at Zephyr's back and stammered, "S-Sensei?"
As Zephyr's direct disciples, the two knew perfectly well that Zephyr hated, and even despised, Devil Fruit users, having seen too many useless individuals rely on their abilities throughout his life.
The Marines kept a large stock of Devil Fruits, which were distributed to outstanding officers. Kuzan's Ice-Ice Fruit, for instance, was obtained this way. Zephyr had been qualified for years but had always refused. So, why was he now going after the Titan Fruit?
Zephyr slapped his now completely bald forehead. "I can't afford not to improve anymore."
As he aged, Zephyr realized that even with Alucard's power, it couldn't shield him from the passage of time. His strength was ultimately declining. To reach a higher level, his Armament Haki would become increasingly difficult to use as his body weakened with age. Now, apart from a Devil Fruit, there was no other way to improve.
The Human-Human Fruit, Model: Titan, a Mythical Zoan of the same type as Sengoku's, was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity for Zephyr to increase his power once again.
He leaped fiercely from the cliff face, landing right in the center of the six-person battlefield, causing the ground to shake.
Seeing Zephyr's sudden appearance, Urdaha, Exdeath, and the other fighters, as well as the onlookers like Ivalis and Beckman, all froze in place.
Zephyr? What was this Devil Fruit hater doing here?
"Hey, Z, what's the meaning of this?"
Though Urdaha vaguely guessed his intent, his expression was extremely displeased. They were close to a conclusion and utterly exhausted. For this fully rested spectator to jump in now? Wasn't this taking advantage of a desperate situation?
"I taught quite a few of you, didn't I? A successful sneak attack is also a successful tactic," Zephyr said mercilessly.
It must be said that Zephyr truly managed to stir up trouble, instantly focusing the hostility of all six men onto himself.