Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Okuchi-no-Makami!
"El-sama—"
"El oniichan!!!"
Onboard the floating fortress 'Atlantis', El and the massive bird touched down together. Linlin, Gerd, and the others came forward to meet him.
"Hey, Moss..."
Seeing Moss in human form with a bundle slung across his back, the giantess Lily couldn't contain her curiosity and asked, "What Devil Fruits did the World Government bring for this exchange?"
"A Logia-type Cloud-Cloud Fruit and a Cat-Cat Fruit, Ancient Model: Saber-Toothed Tiger," Moss replied, glancing toward El for confirmation. When El nodded, Moss opened the bundle and revealed several strange-looking Devil Fruits for everyone to see. "Plus, a Paramecia-type Net-Net Fruit, Paramecia-type Wax-Wax Fruit, Dog-Dog Fruit: Dachshund Model, and two more unidentified Devil Fruits."
"A Cloud-Cloud Fruit?"
"An Ancient Model Saber-Toothed Tiger?"
"Wow, those guys are seriously loaded!"
Not just Tsuru, the former Navy Rear Admiral, but Linlin, Lily, Nef, and Rock were all impressed. The World Government certainly had deep reserves, casually bringing out such rare powers. Alongside the previously traded Smoke-Smoke Fruit and the incredibly rare Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Model: Okuchi-no-Makami, the World Government had exchanged two Ancient Models and about ten other known or unknown fruits. And there was still one more Mythical Model, another Ancient Model, and four additional Devil Fruits promised in the next exchange.
"With the Logia-type Cloud-Cloud Fruit, does that mean you can turn into clouds?" asked Lillian, the Three-Eye Tribe girl, her third eye blinking with curiosity. "Isn't that just like Zeus or Hera?"
"It does seem similar…" Lily mused, surprised as she inspected the Cloud-Cloud Fruit, which had patterns like little clouds on it. "So, it's not as powerful as the Soul-Soul Fruit?"
"Not exactly, Lillian…" Tsuru interrupted, crossing her arms as she explained, "In the hands of someone truly skilled, the Cloud-Cloud Fruit could unleash powers that far surpass Zeus or Hera. But if someone weaker has it, it might not even compare to them."
"That's because 'Homies' don't fear Haki," Tsuru continued. "Take Thundercloud Homies, for example. They're unaffected by typical physical attacks, and only specific Devil Fruit abilities can counter them."
"True!" Tsuru's explanation brought clarity, and Lily, Lillian, and Ily, the mermaid, all nodded in understanding.
"Actually, compared to the Cloud-Cloud Fruit, I think this one might suit you even better."
At that moment, El handed a Devil Fruit to Tsuru, an orange-colored fruit shaped like a persimmon.
Not only were Linlin and the others stunned, but Tsuru herself stood there, wide-eyed with shock.
"Are you giving this fruit… to me?"
Tsuru was taken aback, staring in disbelief at the tall, intimidatingly powerful figure before her. The fruit wasn't just any ordinary power—it was the one gained in the last exchange with the World Government, a Mythical Zoan, Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Okuchi-no-Makami, which was said to be even rarer than a Logia.
"You're a smart woman," El said, his gaze steady as he looked at her. "Whether you choose to eat it or not is entirely up to you."
This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision; he genuinely believed that this rare, high-tier Zoan fruit would suit Tsuru well, enhancing her already impressive potential far more than a Paramecia Wash-Wash Fruit or even a Logia Cloud-Cloud Fruit could.
After all, unlike the naturally monstrous power of someone like Charlotte Linlin, most women were born with slightly less physical resilience. A top-tier Zoan ability like the Okuchi-no-Makami would perfectly balance this, allowing her to reach new heights on the path of power. El felt confident that, with her talent, Tsuru could easily reach, if not surpass, the level of some of the world's greatest figures.
More importantly, though, El valued Tsuru's strategic mind even more than her potential strength. As he prepared for the upcoming "Totto Land Plan" and the founding of his new kingdom, someone like her, able to handle complex matters of governance, would ease his burden significantly.
"Can you really ensure you'll make good on what you're promising?" Tsuru asked, fixing El with a steady gaze, her tone serious. She didn't reach for the fruit right away.
It wasn't that she was wavering. Tsuru understood the tremendous value of this fruit; the Okuchi-no-Makami might not be the most powerful of Mythical Zoan fruits, but it was still among the top ranks. Eating it would certainly transform her abilities. Yet taking the fruit would be an official commitment to joining the Fallen Angel Pirates. She wasn't one to refuse an offer and still accept gifts from the group without feeling a sense of obligation.
"If the 'Totto Land Kingdom' I envision doesn't live up to your standards, you'll be free to leave whenever you want." Turning, El left her with the fruit in hand.
He didn't need to say more; he already knew her answer. With his special Observation Haki, capable of easily sensing the thoughts of others, Tsuru's internal conflict hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Tsk, tsk, El oniichan really does value you, doesn't he?" Linlin teased, watching as Tsuru stood there, silent and thoughtful. She didn't press her or exchange any more banter, choosing instead to follow after El. "Don't let him down."
"Come on, Tsuru, please stay with us…" Lillian wrapped her arms around her closest friend, looking up with a hopeful smile. "Then we could always be together!"
While Lillian got along well with the others like Linlin and Gerd, she felt a special bond with Tsuru. She admired this elder sister figure's knowledge and saw her as a dear friend.
"Tsuru," came Lily, Nef, and Gerd's voices. "The choice to be friend or foe is yours alone."
They each gave her encouraging smiles, though none of them urged her for an answer.
Tsuru looked at the rare fruit in her hands—the type that countless people would fight to the death over. Glancing at the eager Lillian, she finally broke through the chains of her own indecision.
"Then, everyone… please take care of me!" She smiled.
"That's great, Tsuru!" Lillian exclaimed, beaming.
"Welcome aboard, Tsuru!"
Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Preparation before the Last Transaction
"Three days from now, I've arranged to trade the Celestial Dragons with the World Government on Tonelito Island," El announced.
"But I'm almost certain they'll try something, so Moss, you'll be taking Lillian to the nearby islands to monitor the area. Report immediately if you see anything unusual."
With Tsuru now having fully committed to joining the Fallen Angel Pirates, all of the group's members gathered for a meeting in the top-floor lounge of their dreamlike paradise.
Sitting at the head, El continued, "There's no need to rush the final trade. Let's take our time to figure out what they're planning, uncover any hidden cards they might have."
One thing he kept to himself: his primary concern was the Five Elders. These five old men were absurdly powerful, and rumors suggested that each of them had the ability to summon others through a magic circle. If even one of them showed up, it could mean the others would join the fight at any moment.
Despite his immense strength, resilient body, and abilities as a Lunarian, along with the unique Observation Haki he was born with, El couldn't overlook the danger of being surrounded by all five of them. Facing just one, he wouldn't be concerned—but against all five, the risk was far too high. Furthermore, he couldn't rule out that the Five Elders might also bring in Steel Bone Kong and other members of the Holy Knights, some of whom could wield strange abilities capable of restraining him and Linlin.
It wasn't worth the risk.
But he doubted the Five Elders would take the drastic step of "descending" to the mortal realm for a mere Lunarian, even considering the magnitude of this incident and the involvement of the Celestial Dragons. Still, he couldn't afford to be careless. If he judged that the situation became too risky, he would abandon the trade without hesitation, change the meeting location, or even demand a higher ransom from the World Government.
Tsuru, sitting nearby, stroked her chin in thought. "It'd be best to drag things out, changing locations a few more times to wear down their patience. After all, we have the upper hand here."
With her decision to join the Fallen Angels, Tsuru's perspective had already begun to shift. Now, she was viewing things from an anti-World Government stance.
The power she felt from her new Mythical Zoan fruit, the Okuchi-no-Makami, filled her with gratitude toward El and respect for his vision and generosity. Giving her such a rare ability—something El couldn't even be sure she wouldn't betray—was a tremendous show of faith. If their positions were reversed, Tsuru doubted she could have been as open-handed.
Though she knew it was likely a strategic move on El's part, his sincerity and generosity had softened her stance.
"Even if we don't need everyone to step in, make sure you spend the next week or so training and conserving your energy," El said.
Yes, he planned for ten days, not three. He intended to lead the World Government on a wild goose chase, making them circle the seas before any final engagement. But despite the looming confrontation, he didn't see the need to summon the rest of the crew from the New World—Hajrudin, Streusen, Witt and the others. This clash with the World Government was still just a skirmish, limited in scope to the powers of the main players.
Linlin, as the other natural-born powerhouse besides himself, would be his primary ally in battle. The others weren't necessary yet.
The true moment to assemble the full force of the Fallen Angels would be after they launched the Totto Land Plan, for once they moved to establish their own nation, there would be no doubt that the World Government and Navy Headquarters would no longer sit idly by.
…
Two Days Later
On a remote, unnamed island at dusk, with the setting sun casting a dim glow over the land, a massive figure stood silhouetted against the sky. The figure, towering and winged, exuded a terrifying aura.
"Conqueror's Haki Infusion!" El raised his colossal fist, letting potent Conqueror's Haki course through it, intertwining in crackling black-and-red lightning.
The next moment, his fist sliced through the air with immense power, and he punched directly at the mountain before him.
'BOOM!' The impact was so powerful that the entire mountain shattered into pieces, scattering stones of all sizes everywhere, and leaving the earth trembling.
In a flash, the massive form split into three towering figures: El, Lily, and Linlin.
"Linlin, how does it feel?" El asked, turning toward Linlin. "Think you can handle it?"
Over the past two days, beyond honing his own control over Conqueror's Haki infusion, El had also been experimenting with a way for Linlin to train in it faster. Using Lily's Pile-Pile Fruit, they shared senses—a unique technique that allowed Linlin to sense and learn the intricacies of Conqueror's Haki directly from El.
For most, wielding infused Conqueror's Haki was almost impossible; it required immense talent and strength. But Linlin, a natural powerhouse like El, had already developed considerable skills under his guidance. With the Pile-Pile Fruit, there was a chance that she could grasp it.
"Let me try, El oniichan…" Linlin raised her right fist, her face full of focus and determination as she unleashed a powerful burst of Conqueror's Haki. After a moment, she looked frustrated and shook her head. "It's no good—there's just not enough time."
Even with the advantage of shared senses and El's guidance, she couldn't quite compress and control her Conqueror's Haki to infuse it into her fists or weapon.
"No rush. Do your best, that's enough," El said, patting her on the head.
After all, she was still very young, and her current strength was already impressive. Pushing her too hard might stifle her potential later.
"For now, keep honing your Armament and Observation Haki," he advised with a smile. "This upcoming battle could be intense—you might even end up facing someone on par with a Navy Admiral."
He expected the World Government to use this opportunity to gather some of its most powerful agents to eliminate him before his "Totto Land Plan" could be set into motion. If Linlin could help him hold off a strong adversary, he could focus on quickly eliminating one of the weaker targets.
"I'll give it my all, El oniichan!" Linlin replied, her eyes shining with resolve.
"You've got this, Linlin!" Lily encouraged her.
'RING…RING…' El's transponder snail buzzed. He answered immediately, tapping the shell to send coded signals for security.
'TAP…TAP…' came the corresponding coded response. El's eyes narrowed slightly—Moss had called in.
Moss, stationed with Lillian near Tonnerrit Island, had been using Lillian's far-seeing vision granted by her Glare-Glare Fruit to monitor the area. They had sighted movements by World Government personnel. Among them was a member of the Holy Knights with the Mythical Thunderbird fruit, who was not only escorting medical personnel and equipment to verify the Celestial Dragon's identity but was accompanied by both a CP0 officer and Admiral Steel Bone Kong.
What caught their attention, though, was the movement on a nearby island. There, they spotted the Marine Admiral "Pegasus" Bardel Horn, accompanied by two more Holy Knights, including the Supreme Commander of the Knights himself.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
315 Power
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