You could imagine it as a more luxurious version of a Corrida arena.
"As expected of the Thunder God Pirates. A grand project like this must have consumed who knows how much gold."
Morgans, the president of the news agency, had specially been brought into a VIP room.
Looking at the VIP room, where carved gemstones and gold shone together, he could not help sighing in admiration at such a luxurious environment.
Aside from Morgans's VIP room, the other special VIP rooms had also been occupied by various forces.
"A Mythical Zoan… I really do want it. Honestly, if it weren't too shameless-looking, and if Mama weren't wary of the Thunder God Pirates' strength, I really would want to enter the tournament myself."
Inside one VIP room, one of the future Sweet Four Commanders, Snack—who would later lose to Urouge and be stripped of his title, but was still young at the moment—looked at the grand scene in the audience stands. He could not help clicking his tongue, his eyes filled with eagerness.
"Perorin~"
Perospero glanced at Snack, whom he had brought along to broaden his horizons, and could not help sighing.
Right now, the strongest person on the seas was the Thunder Emperor. Even that monster Kaido had been killed by the Thunder Emperor so casually with a single move. He was simply an unparalleled fiend.
If Mama had not wanted to take this chance to investigate the Thunder God Pirates' situation, Perospero would never have wanted to come to this monster's territory.
Originally, these matters had always been handled by Katakuri, but that guy had suddenly entered seclusion to train. So Perospero could only come himself.
Sigh. Hopefully this trip would go smoothly.
"Brother, isn't that person on the field the Baron Tamago who wanted to join us before?"
"Hm? Perorin~"
On the field, once everyone had taken their seats and all the tournament participants inside the arena were in position, Tamago stood in the center of the stage and began to speak.
"First of all, on behalf of the Thunder God Pirates, I welcome all of you here, bon."
"Today is the first time our Thunder God Pirates are holding such a grand event. We are very much looking forward to all the competitors giving us an excellent visual experience and presenting the most spectacular battles."
Whether they were spectators or tournament participants, at that moment, everyone looked toward him.
"And in order to recognize and reward the strongest fighter in this tournament, our respected captain, the sea overlord Lord Thunder Emperor, has specially brought out one of his treasured possessions."
"As everyone knows, Devil Fruits are treasures of the sea. They are divided into three categories: Paramecia, Zoan, and Logia."
As Tamago spoke, he raised three fingers.
"Among them, Logia Fruits are known as the strongest and most invincible type among Devil Fruits. However, there is one kind of Devil Fruit that is even rarer than a Logia!"
"Not only does it possess the strengthening traits of a Zoan, but it also possesses special abilities comparable to certain powerful Paramecia Fruits!"
Tamago's tone grew higher and higher, and his voice became increasingly excited.
At that moment, behind him, two beautiful maids were holding a treasure box made of gold and diamonds.
"That's right! It is a Zoan-type Mythical Zoan, rarer even than a Logia!"
Following Tamago's passionate speech, the two beautiful maids also tactfully opened the treasure box.
A cherry-like Devil Fruit, as black-blue as crystal and covered in strange spiral patterns, instantly appeared before everyone's eyes!
"Haaah!"
Whether it was the spectators in the stands or the competitors about to enter battle, all of them began breathing heavily. Their eyes reddened as they stared greedily at the Devil Fruit in the maids' hands.
"So that's a Zoan-type Mythical Zoan Fruit, even rarer than a Logia?"
"It really is extraordinary. Just based on its appearance alone, it's much prettier than the Devil Fruits I've seen in auction houses!"
"A Mythical Zoan… I really want to eat it!"
The audience stands instantly grew lively. Everyone began enthusiastically discussing the fruit.
Meanwhile, the Marine spies and Cipher Pol agents hidden among the audience were also taking photos and comparing the Devil Fruit, trying to determine exactly what model it was.
Inside the VIP room.
Morgans excitedly held a camera Transponder Snail and moved it up and down, taking several photos from every angle.
On the other side.
"Brother, compared to the Lick-Lick Fruit you ate, which Mythical Zoan Fruit looks better?"
Snack stared fixedly at the fruit, stars practically shining in his eyes as he asked excitedly.
His long tongue unconsciously licked the candy in his hand. Thinking about the pink melon-like Lick-Lick Fruit he had eaten, then looking at the crystal cherry down on the field, he felt as if his heart had suffered ten thousand points of critical damage.
Below the stands, in the competitors' waiting area.
"…Murunfuffuffu. So that's it? From the look of it, it does have features similar to the Fruit I ate. The Thunder Emperor really wasn't lying. He actually is willing to put up a Mythical Zoan Fruit."
Catarina Devon let out a strange laugh as she looked at the fruit inside the treasure box, a flash of heat passing through her eyes.
Even though she had already eaten the Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nine-Tailed Fox, that did not stop her from collecting powerful Fruits to increase her own strength.
As for what kind of abilities a Mythical Zoan possessed, Devon knew that better than anyone.
"Oh? This is my first time seeing that thing. Its appearance really does look a little better than a Logia."
Crocodile smoked the cigar in his mouth and spoke casually, while his eyes unconsciously swept in every direction.
"After I win this tournament, I'll go meet the Thunder Emperor and defeat this so-called strongest man. Then no one will be able to stop me from becoming Pirate King!"
That was his true goal. Participating in the tournament was secondary. Obtaining the Fruit was the main objective.
Originally, Crocodile's target had been Whitebeard. But now that Roy had taken the title of strongest from Whitebeard, Crocodile had naturally changed his target.
He no longer had any interest in a failure like Whitebeard.
"Hic—clang!"
While Crocodile's thoughts were stirring, the Heavy Drinker Vasco Shot beside him let out a drunken hiccup.
"I vaguely heard from the Whitebeard Pirates that Thunder Emperor Roy has the finest wine in the world. I really want to taste it. If I win the battle and use this Fruit to exchange for fine wine, I suppose the Thunder Emperor definitely wouldn't agree."
Vasco Shot loved fine wine more than anything in his life. He was indifferent toward everything else, but when it came to alcohol, he was exceptionally passionate.
(End of Chapter)
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