Sali and Wyper acted swiftly.
Just three days after Ash decided on the third Great Four Seas Cleanup, the fleets led by Sali and the Thunder Demon simultaneously appeared in the East Blue and South Blue.
While the cleanup operation swept across the seas, Ash met Issho once again at the Sabaody Archipelago.
"You know," Ash said with a chuckle, "seeing you in places like casinos or noodle shops somehow doesn't surprise me at all."
"Haha! That's because my greatest hobbies are gambling and eating noodles!"
Issho finished the last sip of broth, set down his chopsticks, and laughed heartily.
Placing his hands on his knees, he nodded toward Ash.
"I am truly delighted to meet you again, Your Excellency Ash."
"I'm happy to run into an old acquaintance too."
Ash pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Come to think of it, it's been over half a year since we last met. Why are you only just arriving at Sabaody? Don't tell me you ran out of money halfway and had to wash dishes to pay off your debts."
"Hahaha, you jest!"
Issho laughed without embarrassment.
"Traveling slowly is perfectly natural for someone like me, after all, I am blind."
"To truly understand every place I pass through, I cannot rely on sight. I must feel things with my heart. And when one takes time to understand the world through the heart, naturally, the journey becomes slower."
Ash nodded.
"That actually makes sense."
Then he smirked.
"But stop calling yourself an old man. If I remember correctly, you're not even fifty yet, right?"
"Forty-nine is no longer young."
Issho smiled warmly.
"At my age, people back in my hometown would already be holding grandchildren."
"Then do you regret going to sea?" Ash asked. "If you stayed home, maybe you'd be carrying your grandson around by now."
"Not at all."
Issho shook his head.
"Every way of life carries meaning. By traveling the seas, I have experienced countless things and witnessed this world in ways I never could have otherwise."
Ash enjoyed conversations like this.
On the endless ocean, genuine encounters were rare unless deliberately arranged.
While waiting for food, the two chatted casually about everything under the sun.
Not long after, steaming bowls arrived.
"Customer, your order is here. Please enjoy!"
"Haha!"
Ash grinned.
"I ordered every flavor they had. Pick whatever you like and eat your fill. Today's meal is on me."
He leaned back in his seat.
"After this, let's head to the casino and play a few rounds."
"Haha! Then I won't hold back."
---
New World, Dressrosa.
After being thoroughly beaten by Sali twice and losing two Supreme Executives along with several Family members, Doflamingo had become far more restrained recently.
He had little choice.
It wasn't that Doflamingo no longer wanted revenge against Sali. Rather, after confirming the overwhelming difference in strength, he finally understood something.
To deal with Sali, he would need outside help.
Unfortunately, the powerful figure he intended to rely on had been acting strangely lately, forcing him to suspend all his smaller schemes for the time being.
"Was Jack still acting strange during the last transaction?"
Sitting on his throne, Doflamingo frowned deeply.
"What did he say this time?"
"Uh..."
Trebol hesitated.
"Jack didn't turn into a mammoth this time, but he still barely spoke. The one handling negotiations was a Tobiroppo from the Beast Pirates."
Trebol scratched his head.
"Doffy... they said the weapons trade can continue, but they don't want payment in Berries anymore."
"They want Devil Fruits."
Doflamingo interlocked his fingers beneath his chin.
His expression darkened.
He wasn't worried about obtaining Devil Fruits.
The Donquixote Family's influence stretched across the Four Seas, and securing common Zoan-type Devil Fruits was not difficult. Weapon deals with the Beast Pirates only happened a few times each year anyway.
But this arrangement was not sustainable.
Unclaimed Devil Fruits were finite.
He could not endlessly use them as currency.
When he first partnered with the Beast Pirates, he had indeed agreed to help gather Zoan Devil Fruits for Kaido's forces.
But gathering them and being forced to pay exclusively in Devil Fruits were two entirely different matters.
Still, he had no room to refuse.
Compared to Sali, Kaido posed a far greater threat.
It was difficult to secure the backing of a monster like Kaido, and even harder to walk away afterward.
Fortunately, Jack had not specified that the payment had to be Zoan-type fruits.
If necessary, Doflamingo could temporarily reclaim some Paramecia Devil Fruits stored at the Sabaody Auction House.
Still, that wasn't what troubled him most.
"Ash has been collecting Devil Fruits."
Doflamingo narrowed his eyes.
"And since the beginning of this year, first the Beast Pirates, then the Red Hair Pirates. Recently, even the Whitebeard Pirates and Big Mom Pirates have started gathering Devil Fruits."
"Kaido and Big Mom collecting them makes sense. There's precedent for that."
"But the Whitebeard Pirates never aggressively pursue Devil Fruits, and most of their crew sees them as optional."
"And the Red Hair Pirates are famous for having almost no Devil Fruit users."
"So why are they suddenly collecting them too?"
"What information are we missing?"
"Doffy! I know, I know!"
Trebol quickly raised a hand.
"I heard the Big Mom Pirates almost fought Ash at Gran Tesoro and Sabaody while competing for Devil Fruits!"
"Almost fought?"
Doflamingo scoffed.
"Perospero is just trying to save face."
"Disco reported that outside the Sabaody Auction House, Perospero got glared at by Ash once and immediately left."
"And Big Mom tolerated that insult?"
Doflamingo tapped the armrest thoughtfully.
"Looks like the Dawn has gained enough reputation after repeatedly crossing paths with Yonko crews."
"No."
Trebol shook his head.
"I think Big Mom simply doesn't care enough to make the first move."
"She's probably waiting for the Dawn to enter Totto Land."
"That's possible."
Doflamingo's grin widened.
"Based on their route, the Dawn should arrive in Totto Land soon."
"And fighting on her own territory gives Big Mom a major advantage."
"A territorial advantage, huh?"
"Fufufufufufu..."
He leaned back in his throne.
"Tell Disco to suspend Devil Fruit auctions at Sabaody for now."
"We'll wait and see what happens between Ash and Big Mom before making any decisions."
"I got it, Doffy!"
---
September 10th, Sabaody Archipelago, Area 1.
Ash's purchase attempt failed this month.
No Devil Fruits appeared in the September auction.
He had expected as much.
After all, Devil Fruits were not common goods. Even with the Donquixote Family's vast influence, holding Devil Fruit auctions every month was unrealistic.
What Ash did not know was that several Devil Fruits had already been prepared and stored at the Sabaody Auction House.
The Donquixote Family simply had no intention of selling them to him right now.
Their plans had shifted.
Even though Ash had anticipated the outcome, the disappointment still affected his mood.
Standing outside the auction house, he considered his options.
Should he head to Gourmet Island and eat enough food to improve his mood?
Or maybe visit Gran Tesoro and gamble for a while?
Just then, the Den Den Mushi aboard the Dawn started ringing.
"Purururu... Purururu..."
Ash picked it up.
Seeing the Den Den Mushi imitate Pini's habit of chewing food, he asked casually:
"Hello? What's wrong?"
"Sali's looking for you."
Pini's muffled voice came through between bites.
"That's all. I'm eating, so I can't talk much."
"Bye."
"..."
===
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