Two Realms: Hunters and Pirates

"Don't be so extreme. Just because someone calls us pirates doesn't mean we should actually become pirates. We should at least wait for them to make the first move!" Zane tossed the newspaper and bounty poster back into the other person's arms, then laughed and continued to grab a piece of metal next to him.

A portal appeared in his palm, but it also resembled a giant mouth that swallowed the metal block he had grabbed whole.

Upon hearing Zane's words, the dragon indicated that he understood and then left the room.

He swallowed piece after piece.

The Navy's bounty was nothing to Zane; it didn't concern him at all.

A moment of effort.

After swallowing various metals, Zane sat cross-legged in silence.

But that's only on the surface; inside him...

In the alternate dimension belonging to the Swallow Fruit, all the metals are constantly merging and adjusting.

Suddenly, a mouth-shaped portal reappeared in Zane's right palm, from which a brick-like piece of metal sprang out.

He grabbed it in one go.

Zane began to clench his fist, and as he continued to exert force, his five fingers gradually sank in.

"That's about right. With this level of hardness and recovery ability, it's enough to create a batch of high-quality weapons."

Zane loosened his grip and watched as the finger marks left on the metal block healed at a visible speed. He nodded in satisfaction.

Since the plunder of the Swallow Fruit, he has made a point of instructing his men to purchase various metals every time supplies are replenished.

Now, after repeated adjustments and fusions of proportions, he has finally successfully researched and developed the memory alloy that Wapol accidentally created in the original storyline.

"Zane Metal? That's a bit embarrassing. Let's just call it Memory Metal." Zane stroked his chin.

The memory metal has been successfully developed, but this is only the first step. Next, we need to continue to utilize the shaping ability of the Devouring Space to forge the memory metal into the weapons we need.

Zain quickly got back to work with great enthusiasm.

He is an extremely competent commander.

Not only do they have to train hard themselves, but they also have to forge weapons for their subordinates.

So if he's not the commander, then who is?

...........

I don't know where the Navy got the photo of Zane.

But one thing is certain: in the photo on the bounty poster, Zane's third eye is clearly visible.

In other words, the news that Zane was a three-eyed person had spread throughout the world through the newspapers.

"The Three-Eyed Clan? I didn't expect this race to be so resilient; they haven't disappeared yet."

"This is amazing! This kind of super rare race is even better than mermaids. If we can catch it, it will definitely fetch an astronomical price."

"The Three-Eyed Clan, rumored to possess the ability to decipher Poneglyphs—we can't miss them!"

"Possibly a user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit? Wait, is this for real? This kind of invincible ability is no joke."

"........."

The newspapers and bounty notices that spread around the world meant to ordinary people that another evil element had appeared on the high seas, but to those with ulterior motives, it was enough to excite and thrill many.

For example, Crocodile, who is currently playing a heroic role in Alabasta.

With a cigar in his mouth, Crocodile tossed the newspaper he had just finished reading onto the table.

"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit? If it's true, then Doflamingo might really have died at the hands of this three-eyed brat."

Exhaling a puff of smoke, Crocodile let out a soft chuckle with an inscrutable expression.

"Is the boss interested in this man named Zane?" Nico Robin, who was sitting at the lower end of the table, glanced at the wanted poster on the table and smiled at Crocodile as well.

"It is said that the third eye of the Three-Eyed Clan hides some kind of mysterious power, such as the ability to decipher the Poneglyphs. Of course, I would be interested." Crocodile looked at the other party with a half-smile.

"I see!" Nico Robin remained calm and chuckled lightly. "That is indeed very attractive, but it won't be easy for the BOSS to recruit this person. After all, the other party is a user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, who is known as invincible."

"Invincible? No matter how strong a Devil Fruit ability is, if the user is not strong enough, it's all show and no substance." Crocodile snorted.

"But didn't you just say that the other party is very likely to have defeated Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea? So they shouldn't be all bark and no bite," Nico Robin said casually.

"A brat who's just started out and probably hasn't even been to the New World yet, how strong can he be? Don't compare me to someone like Doflamingo." Crocodile took a deep drag on his cigar.

"You're really confident. Well then, I wish you the best in advance in recruiting an excellent subordinate."

"No need for wishes beforehand, let's set off together now."

"Hmm? That's good, I can go out for a walk too."

Nico Robin, who had originally intended to take advantage of the other party's departure, felt a pang of anxiety, but dared not show it on her face and readily agreed.

What should we do?

If the other side really manages to defeat that three-eyed tribe member, and also possesses the ability to decipher the Poneglyphs, then she will be in danger.

No.

They probably won't take action against her until they actually find the Poneglyphs.

There's no other way; for now, I can only play along. I'll try to keep a low profile and pretend I'm intimidated by the other party.

Various thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant.

Nico Robin's heart finally turned into a sigh.

*

*

*

"At our current speed, we will soon arrive at our last stop before Upside Down, Whiskey Hill."

Captain, this place has long been controlled by a group of pirate hunters who specifically target rookie pirates who have just entered the Grand Line.

"Of course, it poses no threat to us, so we can just use this spot for our final resupply..."

Upon hearing the report from the navigator Eddie across from him, Zane, who was sitting cross-legged on the golden throne with his arms resting on the armrests and his fists supporting his face, immediately chuckled.

"Don't be too confident. There's a large number of enemies waiting for us at Whiskey Hill right now."

"Huh?" Eddie froze on the spot.

Zane snapped his fingers at the other person: "Stop spacing out, quickly notify everyone to prepare for battle."

"Yes, I'll pass it on right away!" Eddie, snapping out of his daze, quickly left.

Soon, the battle signal was transmitted throughout the entire warship via the broadcast Den Den Mushi.

"Boss, who is the enemy?"

He strode up to the golden throne and asked in a deep voice.

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile!" Zane gave the answer directly.

There's nothing you can do about the power of Observation Haki.

Even though he couldn't see Whiskey Hill from a distance, Zane already knew the situation there perfectly.

In particular, the various conversations he overheard allowed him to quickly acquire ample intelligence.

"That sand crocodile?" Baby-5, who came up to the other side, looked surprised.

"Your captain here, ever since these eyes of mine were exposed, I've attracted more and more enemies. Even the Seven Warlords of the Sea couldn't resist joining in the fun." Zane joked as he moved his arm off the armrest and placed his fingers interlaced on his crossed knees.

"Whether it's the Seven Warlords of the Sea or whatever, I will not allow anyone to offend the captain." Baby-5 transformed her right hand into a blade and swung it fiercely in front of her several times.

After day after day of conditioning and training, the beautiful maid's mind and body were completely filled by Zane, and she could no longer be influenced by anyone else.