Rogers didn't know how long he had been waiting when finally, sounds came from the neighboring Room 221. The door opened, followed by multiple footsteps. One set belonged to the man in black—he must have gone to answer the door.
The rest? Likely the government officials here for the exchange. Judging from the number of steps, there were quite a few of them.
Meanwhile, downstairs, the receptionist's expression had turned very strange. The "uncle-in-law" the boy mentioned had just been approached by several government officers? What the— is this some kind of all-male tryst? With multiple partners? Society's doomed, completely doomed! His poor aunt must be hideous for her husband to do something like this. But… why do I feel more and more excited?
Unbeknownst to her, something had just awakened inside her heart—something called "fujoshi tendencies."
Inside Room 221, the man in black found only one visitor waiting: another man in a black suit. His suit, however, bore a distinct emblem of the World Government on the chest.
The two men exchanged brief pleasantries before entering.
Rogers, with his ear pressed to the wall, counted the footsteps. Only two sets entered, which meant the others were lying in wait outside. His heart sank. This doesn't look good. If the government brought that many men, they're not here to play fair.
Inside, the two sat across from one another. The government agent placed a large case on the floor and said flatly, "The fruit. You brought it, didn't you?"
The man in black, unsuspecting, set one of his own cases on the table. He flipped it open just enough to let the other glimpse what was inside, then shut it quickly. In a fawning tone, he said, "Of course, sir! The deal can begin anytime. Give me the money, and I'll hand the Devil Fruit right over!"
His greedy eyes darted to the government case, certain it contained the five hundred million Beli he'd been promised.
The agent, upon confirming the fruit's presence, felt his eyes blaze with excitement. He knew exactly what such a fruit was worth. Possessing it could skyrocket his career, granting him glory, wealth, and rank.
But then, his lips curled into a cold smile. "A deal? What deal?"
The man in black froze, grin faltering. Panic tinged his voice. "S-sir, don't joke like that. The deal we agreed to earlier—"
The official sneered, pretending ignorance. "I heard rumors of a pirate smuggling a Devil Fruit. I came here to confiscate the stolen goods. That's all."
Cold sweat poured down the man's forehead. He stammered, "H-how could that be? I'm just a bounty hunter, not a pirate!"
But deep down, dread gnawed at him. Did I… get played?
The official ignored him, speaking as though reciting a script. "When we attempted to reclaim the stolen goods, the pirate resisted fiercely. In the end, he perished by my hand."
As he spoke, he stood up. His towering frame—easily over two meters—radiated oppressive power. "The righteous World Government recovered its property. Evil was vanquished. Not bad, eh? What do you think of the story I've written for you?"
The man in black's face twisted. Gone was the flattery, replaced with raw fury. "So this is your so-called justice? Damn it! I'm no pirate! You'd do this to a lawful citizen?!"
The official laughed loudly, mockery dripping from every word. "You're naïve. Hahaha! Slap a crime on you? That's child's play. Questioning the Government's justice? That's a crime. Raising a hand against us? That's another. Do you see now?"
At his signal, the men who had waited at the door entered, forming a wall that cut off any chance of escape.
The man in black chuckled bitterly, his anger boiling over. "Justice? My ass. You disgust me more than pirates! At least pirates don't pretend to be righteous!"
The government agent remained unfazed, smiling thinly. "Don't bother resisting. You can't escape. We've got men outside the hotel as well. Hand over the fruit, and maybe we'll forget you ever dared to question our justice."
He was practically giddy. Acquiring the Yami Yami no Mi without payment would earn him far greater accolades than a simple purchase. His promotion was all but guaranteed.
But the man in black wasn't about to hand it over. He clutched the case containing the Devil Fruit tightly, his expression hard.
"That's not a wise decision, bounty hunter. Or rather—should I call you pirate?" the agent sneered, icy smile never leaving his face.
The guards behind him raised their guns, barrels trained squarely on the man.
Snarling, the man in black barked, "So you think I'm easy prey? You're underestimating me! I'm a Devil Fruit user myself—why else would I be selling one?"
The official's eyes narrowed with new interest. "Oh? Now that's unexpected. I thought you were just some lowlife with no power to his name."
The man's body began to swell, growing taller until he towered over two meters. His skin shifted to a sickly yellow, covered in uneven scales. His features twisted, his mouth stretching wide and feral.
"I am the wielder of the Zoan-type Armadillo Fruit!" he roared. "I am the Armadillo Man! Now… let's see how much you're laughing when I tear you apart!"
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T/N:
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