One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 104 Your Blind Loyalty is Meaningless

Of course, Roy isn't stupid.

By this point, he had almost completely figured out the timeline of Sky Island.

At least thirty years ago, in the distant past, Locus came to Sky Island, took its gold, and left a message.

Later, during his final voyage, Roger also arrived at Skypiea and saw Rocks' message.

This Pirate King clearly knew something, so he had Kozuki Oden inscribe this historical text, mentioning the name of the 'Star Lord'.

Of course, there are still many problems.

For example, according to Roger's message, Rocks seems to have made some kind of 'choice'.

For example, in the message left by Lox, he referred to Roy as "partner" and did not even hide his taboo real surname.

But clearly, these are all minor details.

Because the information available at the moment is enough for Roy to deduce an answer.

"I traveled back at least thirty years and met Lox, with whom I made some kind of agreement?"

"Lox came to Sky Island to take the gold because of that agreement."

This is almost the only conclusion.

Based on the information Roy currently has, he only knows of one way that might accomplish something similar.

That is the 'retrograde fruit'.

"The effects of this fruit after it awakens could indeed send me back five hours to the past."

"No, that's not right either—the Rewind Fruit would affect the user. Rocks has been here for at least thirty years, so I can't go back to that time!"

Roy frowned deeply: "Could it be that I've resolved the side effects of this fruit in the future? But even so, what kind of situation would make me use this ability?"

He knows his own personality.

The special awakening effect of the Rewind Fruit comes at an extremely high cost, and while its effect is powerful, it has many limitations.

Normally, even if he had already resolved the side effects of the fruit, he would never consider using it.

unless
"A huge crisis forced me to use it."

This possibility weighed heavily on Roy's mind.

At that moment, he thought of many people who might pose a threat to him—the three admirals, Kaido, Big Mom, Whitebeard, or the Five Elders, or even that 'Lord Im'.

Roy wasn't sure who it was, but he at least knew what he had to do.

"Gathering information about Rocks, Skypiea, and Enel might help me deduce which point in the past I returned to, and perhaps even provide clues about the future crisis."

"In addition, there is information on members of the Roger Pirates and the Rocks Pirates."

He pondered this in his heart.

He hadn't paid much attention to information about Rocks before—after all, it was a legend from a bygone era, and because it involved 'God Valley,' almost all information about Rocks was classified.

But things are different now.

Roy's current authority and status give him the right to access this intelligence.

Besides intelligence issues...
"I need to hurry up with the next slot too."

He murmured to himself, his gaze returning to the Fruit Encyclopedia.

At this moment, on that illusory book...

After the page on 'Fruit Fusion Slots' was turned, the encyclopedia has now turned a new page.

[Bloodline Factor Exploration - Analysis Progress 0.03%]

Collecting Devil Fruits can speed up the analysis process. Current number of Devil Fruits: 60

When the analysis progress reaches 100%, the special slot 'Fruit Creation Slot' will be unlocked.

Yes.

After the fifth slot, the 'Fruit Fusion Slot,' was unlocked, the Fruit Encyclopedia, just as Roy had predicted, began a new chapter.

Unlike before, this time the page number no longer asks him how many Devil Fruits he needs to collect, but instead shows a progress bar.

Roy has recently observed that this progress bar increases naturally every day.

Therefore, he wasn't in a hurry at all—after cooperating with the Revolutionary Army and seizing Baroque Works, he would receive a large sum of Baileys every year.

In addition, you can occasionally let the Rooster snatch some gold from the sky, or let the Rat take two Didi Express orders.

In short, he could have taken a year or two to build up his strength instead of being so aggressive.

But now, his thinking has changed.

He didn't know what the future held, what had happened in the past, or even his fate during that crisis.

But he knew at least he couldn't slow down yet.

"I'm not strong enough."

"It's not time to relax yet."

Roy thought to himself. He understood—certain things that had already been planned could now be put on the agenda.

"Although we failed to obtain the gold from the Sky Island, the money provided by Baroque Workshop and the Revolutionary Army was barely enough."

The next day.

Coffin Island, Killer Town.

The House of Death Tavern is closed today.

"Yes, Lord Piecrow. I have dealt with their reply and all related intelligence. Your meeting with them will be kept secret."

"I will first go to the island where the meeting will be held to make security arrangements and ensure absolute safety."

"Don't worry, it's very discreet. Zishu hasn't noticed."

In a secluded, dark room, Miss Spider was giving a low report while holding a small Den Den Mushi.

"Click."

After the Den Den Mushi was hung up, she raised her hand, intending to quietly put the Den Den Mushi back into a hidden compartment in the wall in front of her.

But it is precisely at this moment.
"Is this a specially made 'mother-daughter Den Den Mushi'? A high-end product that can't be eavesdropped on and only recognizes one user?"

The sudden sound made Miss Spider's body tremble instantly.

She subconsciously turned her head and saw the figure that had been leaning against the wall not far away.

"!!!"

The moment Miss Spider saw the rat-head mask, she didn't hesitate to curl her tongue.

At that moment, a jet-black pill was bitten open under her tongue.

That was 'Sleep'—a special poison developed by Piekro Corporation, which is fatal upon contact with blood and has no antidote.

At this moment, Miss Spider felt the excruciating pain and the gradual loss of life within her body, yet her eyes held a hint of relaxation and pride.

Yes.

Her decisive choice to commit suicide was the best response she could make after a moment's thought.

As the manager of the House of Death and the one who issues missions to the assassins, she knows better than anyone how strong Zishu is—that 100% mission completion rate is proof of that.

She will be no match for the Rat.

Similarly, the details of Piecrow's recent schemes must absolutely not be known to Zishu.

So she had no choice but to die.

Even now, she took a moment to glance at her wrist—there was a white piece of paper stuck there.

That was her life card.

She had one copy, and Piecrow had one copy as well.

At this moment, due to the effects of the poison, the life card had already begun to burn.

This is also the reason for her pride at this moment.

Piecrow would know that the plan had been exposed as soon as he saw her Vivre Card, and he would be on guard.

As an assassin raised and trained by the 'Funeral House' since childhood, this kind of death was what she expected.

"As long as Lord Piecrow is safe, that's all that matters."

She thought so.

But the next moment...
“Truly decisive—such loyalty is commendable.”

She heard yet another voice.

But that wasn't the sound of a rat.

At the same time, she saw another figure appear beside her without her noticing.

"Unfortunately"

The next moment, she felt something furry touch her.

then
Miss Spider then saw that her life card stopped burning in the next instant, and even the parts that had been burned off began to heal rapidly.

"Your blind loyalty is meaningless."

The voice rang out again, but it felt incredibly familiar to Miss Spider.

That was her own voice.

Miss Spider struggled to open her eyes and see what was happening.

Even with all her might, her barely open eyes could only see what appeared to be nine swaying shadows on the ground, and a mask.

One of the shadows just happened to recede from her face at that moment.

The shadow of that mask resembled a dog's face.

(End of this chapter)