"Once a person loses their life, the Devil Fruit traits within their body disappear. At that point, the foreign substances swallowed because of the Devil Fruit's power become the truly fatal factor."
When the Smelt-Smelt Fruit is activated, a large amount of ore must be consumed. The energy from that ore won't vanish along with the Devil Fruit.
Take the Jacket-Jacket Fruit as an example. If its user dies, the jacket's properties disappear. If someone is 'wearing' that jacket—wouldn't they suffocate alive inside another person's body?
"That king is quite a pity. If he had gone to the Grand Line, he might have become a Yonko commander-level powerhouse."
When the new king's strength erupted, he firmly possessed the potential of a future Supernova—those pirates in the first half of the Grand Line with bounties exceeding 100 million Belly, known as the pirate Supernovas.
The Smelt-Smelt Fruit was also an extremely solid Devil Fruit. Whether in versatility or offensive potential, it had tremendous room for development.
Unfortunately, killing him only rewarded a single Articuno feather infused with energy, rather than the Devil Fruit itself.
If it directly rewarded the Devil Fruit, that ability would be far more impressive than the Dark-Dark Fruit. He might as well travel the world hunting Devil Fruit users.
"Come to think of it, this is the second king I've killed… The Marines should change my epithet. Instead of Nation-Slayer, it should be King-Slayer."
Looking at the castle engulfed in flames, and considering that the old king would have to rebuild the palace when he returned, letting the fire continue to burn felt somewhat impolite.
Vane gripped the newly acquired feather and swung his sword toward the blaze.
Waves of icy wind suppressed the flames, eventually extinguishing them completely.
He sheathed his sword.
"I'm getting closer and closer to awakening."
After every intense battle, the energy within the feather was rapidly absorbed.
Vane had a strong premonition. At most, within another month—perhaps even without doing anything—the demonic blood within his body would advance to the next stage. By then, he might awaken his own Blood Demon Art and raise his strength to an entirely new level.
...
Copper Mine Island.
Bonez's body was covered in multiple thin cuts. The sizes of these wounds varied slightly. The ones that had stopped bleeding earlier were larger and deeper.
The newer wounds were noticeably smaller and shallower.
It wasn't that Schmitt, the Six-Gold Kingdom's sword, had shown mercy. It was that Bonez's defensive power had further improved.
There was also a wound across Schmitt's chest. Compared to the cuts on Bonez, his injury was far more terrifying. Flesh had split open and curled outward—it looked worse than all of Bonez's wounds combined.
Fighting a Dice-Dice Fruit user whose entire body was steel was like this. Once the distance closed, the opponent could afford countless mistakes, while you could barely afford any.
"The younger generation really is impressive. If you were placed on the Marine bounty list, your bounty should be over 60 million."
Before joining Baroque Works, Bonez's bounty had already been 75 million. Now, he was only stronger.
Spending over half a year alongside Vane had made him far stronger than he had been after struggling for more than a decade in the original timeline.
This was a very realistic issue. The strength Luffy built through ten years of training didn't compare to the rapid growth he achieved after only a few months active at sea, encountering numerous powerful opponents and quickly developing Gear Second and Gear Third.
Zoro spent years in the East Blue as a pirate hunter, yet a few months in the Grand Line—experiencing battles against various masters—eventually turned him into a swordsman capable of unleashing flying slashes.
Bonez was the same. If he had simply used his abilities in the ordinary way without further development or pressure from stronger foes, ten years wouldn't compare to someone else's six months.
"60 million is too low. Within a year or two, I want people to value me at least five times that number."
The tension between them was razor-sharp. With their strength so close, the battle would be decided by sheer will.
"Stop! Don't fight anymore!"
A powerful voice rang out.
It was the old king who had escaped from the mine tunnel. His body was robust, and contrary to expectations, he hadn't been abused by the new king. After being rescued by Lena, he had merely needed some time to readjust to the long-absent sunlight.
Along the way, he used his identity and authority as the former king to quell the miners' unrest, hurrying to reach Bonez and Schmitt to stop their fight.
Behind him followed a large group of miners. The old king had promised that once he regained his position, he would abolish the miner policy and restore the Six-Gold Kingdom's mining industry to its previous employment-based system.
The people of the Six-Gold Kingdom, long suffering under the harsh miner policy, naturally chose to follow him.
At the same time, the old king also promised that those captured from the Nanami Kingdom would not become miners either. Under his rule, they would be free citizens.
Thus, regardless of background, all the miners willingly became supporters of the old king.
Lena watched the entire process from the side. She had to admit that the old king possessed remarkable charisma. The people of the Six-Gold Kingdom truly trusted him in a special way.
"There's no meaning in continuing this battle."
Upon seeing the old king, Schmitt immediately stopped fighting, showing no intention of capturing him and returning him to a cage for the new king.
"Your Majesty, and you strangers of unknown origin, the outcome on Copper Mine Island cannot determine the final result. If you cannot defeat the new king, then the king will still return to his cage."
"And you will become part of the new king's collection."
The molten metal spat out by the Smelt-Smelt Fruit could coat people into metal sculptures. In that regard, it was similar to the Wax-Wax Fruit—both enjoyed encasing enemies.
The new king also had a habit of turning defeated foes into metal mannequins for his collection.
Lena: "That's not something you need to worry about. Our leader is far stronger than you imagine."
Lena took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed the number. Soon, the Den Den Mushi's expression changed, even taking on a slight cat-like appearance.
"Calling at this time—does that mean Copper Mine Island has already been taken, meow?"
Meowth sat atop the mast's lookout platform, holding the Den Den Mushi as he listened to Lena's report.
The battle on their side had just ended as well. The Six-Gold soldiers who had been knocked unconscious by Conqueror's Haki were gradually regaining consciousness.
All their weapons had already been confiscated and thrown into the sea. If anyone dared cause trouble, Electivire would immediately fire off a Thunder strike, catching a whole group in the blast.
The taste of lightning was not pleasant. After experiencing it twice, the numerous kingdom soldiers were easily subdued by just a few dozen members of the Rocket Team.
"You mean Vane's battle… I think it's already over, meow. Hurry and bring that king over."
Holding his high-tech telescope, Meowth looked toward the castle on Gold Mine Island.
There, atop the ruins of the castle, Vane sat at the highest point, completely at ease.