According to common speculation, Raftel must hold something capable of shaking the World Government's authority.
Most believed it was a remnant left by Joy Boy after his defeat an artifact or secret, much like the Conqueror's Haki stored within the ancient machine Emmet.
Black, however, wasn't particularly curious about Raftel's contents. Yet, if it was indeed a contingency left by Joy Boy, it might contain information about Imu…
As Mandy's rapier descended
Clang!
Lady Toki drew her longsword from her waist; one hand gripped the hilt while the other pressed against the blade's spine. Her back bent under the pressure, teeth gritted, barely holding off the strike.
Black was momentarily taken aback. He recalled that when this woman first crossed over to the present, she had almost been captured and sold by traffickers. She had drawn her sword then and made a few gestures, but it ended as a standoff, no real combat. Later, she had attempted to escape using her Devil Fruit power. Black had always assumed the sword at her waist was merely decorative.
Though Mandy had not struck with full force, blocking it was not trivial.
Black sighed. "Lady Toki's performance is… surprising."
Even so, it was not enough to overcome Mandy. As Mandy pressed the attack, a gap appeared in Lady Toki's defense.
Swish!
The flash of the rapier severed an arm. Mandy flicked the blood from her blade and sheathed her weapon.
"Ah!!!"
Momonosuke screamed in agony, clutching his wound, writhing on the ground.
Lady Toki's face paled. She threw her sword aside and crouched beside him, tears streaming down her face.
Kozuki Hiyori, nearby, shrank back repeatedly in fear, calling out "Brother."
Black nudged the longsword with his foot, picked it up, and examined it.
"By the way, this sword… it must be from eight hundred years ago, right? Does it count as an antique?"
A hand emerged from Black's elbow. Robin reached out and gripped the hilt, looking at him.
Black smiled. "You're acting like Perona this time grabbing it directly. Rare behavior."
He let Robin take the sword.
"I'm just curious about your earlier question," Robin replied casually, lowering her head to study the blade.
Black turned his attention to Lady Toki. She knelt on the ground, clutching Momonosuke, tears falling onto him. The boy had fainted from pain, giving Black a moment of peace.
Crouching, he lifted her chin with a fingertip.
"Don't be nervous, Lady Toki. I just want to make a deal."
"Now, can you tell me the location of the red poneglyph?"
"You… devil!" Lady Toki's voice was hoarse, her body trembling.
"You're mistaken," Black chuckled. "I am a descendant of a god."
He patted her head gently; her emerald hair felt exceptionally soft.
"Alright, Lady Toki, my patience is limited. Now, tell me where the red poneglyph is."
Lady Toki bit her lip, saying nothing, fingers clenched so tightly her nails drew blood.
Black sighed. "Why make this difficult?" He slashed Momonosuke's other arm. The second arm fell, cut as smoothly as a mirror.
"No!" Lady Toki tried to intervene, but it was too late.
"Ah!!!"
Momonosuke screamed again, jolted awake from the pain. Black slapped his head.
"So noisy!"
The boy fainted again. Blood flowed from both shoulders, his body convulsing.
Kozuki Hiyori huddled in the corner, hands clamped over her mouth, too terrified to cry.
Black glanced at her, smiling.
"Such a cute little girl. She'll be beautiful like her mama someday. I'll take you back to Mary Geoise later."
Swish, swish, swish!
Several eyes fell on Hiyori, scaring her further into the corner.
Perona pouted. "What's that? She's not nearly as cute as Lady Perona!"
Black grabbed her pink pigtails, twisting them. "Yes, yes! Lady Perona is truly too cute."
"Ugh… dizzy! Let go!" Perona spun, even after being released.
Robin muttered softly, having examined Toki's sword. "Perverted lolicon!"
"Nonsense!" Black replied instantly. "I like anyone good-looking. I'm an all-rounder, not just a lolicon!"
Robin's face darkened, shouting, "Is that something to brag about?!"
After teasing the little Slave girls briefly, Black focused on Momonosuke.
Lady Toki could no longer stand it; she grabbed Black's arm.
"The underground secret room of Flower Capital! Go down the secret passage from the Shogun's palace; it's in the third stone chamber. What you want is embedded in the wall."
She closed her eyes, pain written on her face, tears streaming.
Black stroked her hair, soothingly. "Wouldn't it have been better to do this earlier? So, Lady Toki, lead the way, please."
His tone was calm, polite, and unhurried. To her ears, it sounded like whispers of a demon.
"You're going too far!" she said, attempting to swat his hand but failing.
"Momo is already like this; I must care for him!"
"Oh!"
Black slapped his forehead. "Ah, it's because of this perverted brat. Easy to fix…"
He slashed Momonosuke's legs; both fell to the ground. The boy was now practically cut into a Spirit King.
"Ah!!!" The third scream pierced the night.
Black ignored it, turning back to Lady Toki. "See? Now you don't have to worry about him running away. Very convenient."
Convenient, indeed? Lady Toki's heart roared internally, but she dared not resist.
To her, Black had become the most terrifying existence. Continuous mental blows left her dazed and confused.
Yet Black remained patient. "Lady Toki, could you kindly lead the way for me?"
"Lead the way! Yes! Lead the way now!" She scrambled to her feet, ignoring Momonosuke's injuries, terrified that hesitation might cost him more.
"Follow me." Her words were hollow, devoid of emotion.
Black smiled, hugging Hiyori from the corner, teasing her gently. "Then I thank you, Lady Toki."