"Devil Fruit Inheritance!"
That's right, this was what Igaram told Lancelot.
And it wasn't just empty words—he even presented evidence.
The evidence was the Alabasta Kingdom's guardian deities: the Jackal and the Falcon.
Lancelot couldn't help but search his memory for information about these two.
Alabasta did indeed have two guardian deities, precisely the Jackal and the Falcon.
Chaka the Jackal, one of Alabasta Kingdom's current guardian.
An Ability User of the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Jackal.
Pell the Falcon, deputy commander of Alabasta Kingdom's guard, hailed as the kingdom's strongest warrior.
Also one of the current guardian.
Simultaneously an Ability User of the Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Falcon, possessing one of the "Five World-Recognized Flying Abilities," known as "Pell of the Falcon."
Most importantly, Lancelot recalled, the royal tombs of Alabasta Kingdom also featured ancient sculptures of jackals and falcons.
This indicated that since ancient times, these two animals had been Alabasta's guardian deities.
And, quite coincidentally, the two current commanders of Alabasta's royal army, who were also the current guardian deities, had eaten the Jackal Fruit and Falcon Fruit respectively.
Wasn't this coincidence just a bit too perfect?
If this was truly just Oda's intentional arrangement to emphasize the guardian deity characteristic, that would be understandable.
But what if, throughout history, Alabasta's royal army commanders had always consumed the Jackal Fruit and Falcon Fruit? Could this be a form of Devil Fruit Inheritance?
Now, Igaram was explicitly stating that he could hand over this "Devil Fruit Inheritance" to Lancelot as a reward for saving Alabasta.
Could it be that Alabasta truly possessed some technique or ability for Devil Fruit Inheritance?
One had to admit, this possibility was quite high, and simultaneously even more tempting for Lancelot.
This was Devil Fruit Inheritance technology!
If he mastered it, he could hunt down powerful Ability Users—just like Blackbeard in the original story—to obtain their abilities, thereby greatly enhancing his subordinates' strength.
Meanwhile, he could also deploy his own loyal, fruit-wielding people to various Marine bases.
This way, his influence within the Marines would grow daily, bringing him tremendous benefits.
It wouldn't only grant him more voice within the Marines, but it would also prepare him for his future promotion to Vice Admiral and even Admiral.
After all, becoming a Vice Admiral or Admiral wasn't just about strength.
One also had to have influence.
Once this thought crossed his mind, Lancelot's decision was made.
He opened the cage and released Vivi and Igaram.
Mr. 2, Mr. 3, Miss Goldenweek, Mr. 5, and Miss Valentine's eyes lit up at the sight.
Simultaneously, expressions of deep envy flashed across their faces.
Exchanging a glance, Vivi and Igaram understood that this Marine had agreed to help.
Although they didn't truly believe Lancelot could be a match for a Warlord like Crocodile, their current predicament required them to escape first.
Moreover, once the Navy got involved, it would serve as a deterrent in itself—after all, this Marine represented the entire Navy.
"Wait!"
Just as Lancelot closed the iron cage and was leading Vivi and Igaram out of the ship's cabin, he was called to a halt again.
This time, it wasn't Vivi.
It was Miss Valentine, the one who had been most eager to get out earlier.
She looked at Lancelot, her face slightly flushed, even carrying a hint of uncharacteristic shyness.
She opened her mouth several times but swallowed her words.
Finally, gritting her teeth, she said, "I... I... I could be your woman."
"What?!!!" Lancelot was completely stunned.
Igaram, Vivi: "..."
Mr. 2, Mr. 3: "..."
Miss Goldenweek: "..."
Mr. 5: "..."
Not just Lancelot—everyone else was dumbfounded too.
Miss Valentine's move had truly shocked them all.
But after regaining their composure, they found it... quite reasonable.
According to the (now-confirmed) intelligence, this guy was a notorious lecherous fellow.
Lina, under his command, was his woman, and not just her—Lina's sister was too.
At this moment, Lancelot snapped out of it.
He looked at Miss Valentine, then glanced pointedly at Mr. 5.
"Aren't you two a pair?"
"No, no, no..." Before Miss Valentine could even speak, Mr. 5 was the first to vehemently refute it.
What a joke! he thought.
First, they were purely partners, nothing more.
Second, even if they were a couple, he'd deny it now!
What if this lecherous, monstrously strong Marine really took a liking to Miss Valentine?
As the "ex," he'd probably end up as fish food!
"Really?" Lancelot turned to Vivi.
After all, neither Miss Valentine nor Mr. 5 could be trusted on this matter.
Seeing Lancelot's gaze, Vivi was momentarily taken aback but quickly nodded.
"In Baroque Works, partners are indeed... just partners. For operations."
Hearing this, Lancelot turned his attention back to Miss Valentine, his gaze scanning her up and down without restraint.
He then nodded, quite satisfied.
"Not bad..."
"Lina!" Lancelot called out loudly.
Soon, Lina entered and quickly approached Lancelot, appearing very obedient.
The others twitched at the corners of their eyes upon seeing her.
They had all witnessed her ferocity. Mr. 4 and Miss Christmas had been taken down by her in a single, brutal move.
Lancelot pointed at Miss Valentine. "Clean her up and send her to my room."
Lina was slightly taken aback, then glanced at the nervous Miss Valentine before breaking into a bright smile.
"It seems I've gained another sister!"
There wasn't a trace of jealousy, let alone anger or rage.
Everyone's gaze toward Lancelot subtly shifted, particularly the men's.
'He truly has a way with women!'
Lina led a relieved Miss Valentine out, and Lancelot turned to leave with Vivi and Igaram as well, leaving the remaining agents in the cage.
Mr. 2, Mr. 3, Miss Goldenweek, and Mr. 5 exchanged bewildered, desperate looks.
Mr. 8 (Igaram) and Miss Wednesday (the princess) had already left.
Now Miss Valentine was gone too.
What were they supposed to do? How could they earn Lancelot's trust?
Surely they couldn't... offer themselves to him? But they were men! Even if they were willing, would Lancelot be?
"Swish..."
Then Mr. 2, Mr. 3, and Mr. 5 simultaneously turned their eyes to the smallest, and only other female, prisoner: Miss Goldenweek.
If there was anyone among the four of them who stood a chance, it was her.
Miss Goldenweek's face stiffened, and she glared at them.
"That guy might be lustful, but he's not a pervert... I'm still a child!"
Mr. 2, Mr. 3, and Mr. 5 exchanged glances.
Though no words were spoken, their expressions were remarkably aligned.
And in their hearts, they all muttered the same exact thought.
"That's not necessarily true!"
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