Chapter 1201: The Monsters’ Gazes

“Found them, Boss Sasaki! Wet-haired Caribou and Bloody Caribou are this year’s Super Rookies.”

“So these pudgy guys are their crew, right?”

“Um… should be.”

Other pirate crews might have uniform clothing, but the Caribbean Pirates even have unified appearances. A group of pudgy guys resembling bloated jellyfish were rushing off the ship, armed with spears.

“Perfect, these guys are just right for mining at Udon. Love using shovels? Let’s make sure you get to use plenty.”

Sasaki didn’t have a strange habit of getting hit. He didn’t retaliate, partly because he was waiting for his subordinates to gather information on these people, and partly to show off.

Attacks that could cause fatal injuries to ordinary people had no effect on him, and through the amazed gazes of others, Sasaki could gather a sense of satisfaction.

The information obtained also confirmed to him that these people were fit to be sent to Udon for mining.

As Hundred Beasts’ influence climbed on The Sea, ordinary pirates were no longer qualified to mine at Udon. Except for a few individuals targeted for recruitment, the remaining laborers needed to have some renown.

The oblivious Caribou hadn’t even realized what happened, merely staring blankly at the handle of his broken shovel, but Sasaki’s palm had already struck him.

Caribou was swatted away like a ball, even knocking over a large group of underlings.

Subsequently, Sasaki targeted Caribou, who was still reloading his bullets.

“How could such a person have a bounty of two hundred million? A mere Logia-type causing such a stir—the Navy’s just getting more useless.”

Caribou had just managed to sink Sasaki into the marsh, simply because Sasaki didn’t intend to break free. As his body began moving, Caribou’s swamp failed to restrict him at all, ultimately getting beaten into the sky like a ragged bag.

“Hey, you guys, either register on the island, or get blown away like those fellows over there. Don’t block the entrance.”

Luffy and the others were drawn to the battle on Sasaki’s side, inadvertently obstructing the entrance to the island, only realizing it after being urged by the Fishman guards.

Apart from the disruption caused by Caribou, there wasn’t anything significant on Fishman Island. Luffy smoothly reunited with Keimi, whom he had previously assisted, and started his tour on Fishman Island.

Meanwhile, in the New World, a major news headline began spreading in the Underworld.

The Quake-Quake Fruit reemerged, presented as a prize for the contest.

Doflamingo had mostly completed preparations for the arena, intending to heat up the contest.

Announcing the champion’s reward was undoubtedly the best method. In the reserved timeframe, it was enough for the news to ferment.

“Have you heard? Whitebeard’s Quake-Quake Fruit was found by that joker guy.”

“Of course I’ve heard. So, shall we go for it? This is Whitebeard’s fruit, and getting it means we can become the strongest, right?”

In a tavern on a certain New World island, some pirates were already bragging, as if considering the Quake-Quake Fruit to be within their reach.

Whether consuming it directly or selling it, the benefits it brings are highly lucrative. Attracted by this immense profit, many plan to take a gamble.

Some people planned to enter the contest, others intended to steal the fruit, and even some were forming alliances, aiming to snatch the fruit before the contest begins.

These minor players might not change much, but Whitebeard had long established the Quake-Quake Fruit’s reputation, and what it attracted wasn’t just these minor fish.

In the Providence Kingdom, King Elizabello II was researching strategic guidelines with his military advisor Dagama to increase his country’s negotiation leverage.

In Flower Country, the Eight Treasures Navy was raring to go.

On an unknown New World island, Shiryu, who had lost an arm, showed interest upon seeing the news and started packing his belongings, planning to seize the Quake-Quake Fruit to bolster his power.

In the Long-armed Race’s boxing gym, Destruction Cannon Ideo planned to head to Bullfighting Arena for his fight.

Fighting Masters, Bounty Hunters, Mercenaries, Pirates—the notable figures active in the New World have turned their attention to this fruit, planning to join the event.

These individuals aren’t weak and can hold their ground within the New World.

But compared to their petty squabbles, the attention from major forces is what truly matters.

…

On Sphinx Island, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates gathered once more. Even captains unable to return participated in the meeting via Radio Snail.

“Everyone has probably heard. Doflamingo found Dad’s fruit and is offering it as a contest prize.”

As the captain of the first squad and the member with Whitebeard the longest, Marco spoke first.

After the demise of a Devil Fruit user, the fruit would regenerate. Since the fruit ended up in someone else’s hands and was being used as a prize, they couldn’t complain. If Doflamingo merely had someone else consume the fruit, they wouldn’t have had a chance to compete.

But as there was an opportunity, they naturally wouldn’t let the Quake-Quake Fruit fall into others’ hands.

“That was Daddy’s ability; we need to reclaim it.”

This remark gained unanimous agreement from all the captains, but the new issue was deciding who should go.

They still controlled some territories and couldn’t abandon everything for the sake of the Quake-Quake Fruit.

The fruit would inevitably attract a mob of monsters. Doflamingo deliberately spread the news, and now those guys are probably ready to act like bloodthirsty sharks.

“So who will do this is a very important question.”

After Marco finished his last sentence, he looked around at his companions, waiting for everyone’s response.

“I’ll go. It’s my responsibility to bring back Dad’s relics since it was all ultimately because of me.”

“You can’t go alone. Vista, I’ll leave Sphinx Island to you. I’ll go with Ace and Jozu, plus some pirate groups originally affiliated with Dad; that should be enough to compete for this fruit.”

Three strong captains and a part of the elite forces constituted the final arrangement of the Whitebeard Pirates. Besides those guarding their territories, this was the strongest lineup they could muster.

If anything, there was actually another potential combat force, but it was very unstable.

It was none other than Edward Weevil, who had been captured and held. Releasing him was difficult, and killing him was even harder, so he remained detained.

Upon hearing this news, Miss Bakkin suggested they take Weevil along.

“That’s Newgate’s inheritance! How can it fall into someone else’s hands?! Weevil really is his child—go ask Vegapunk if you don’t believe it!”

“Vegapunk is already dead, so where do you want us to ask?”

In the end, they didn’t bring Weevil, this unstable factor, instead contacting several pirate groups to plan future actions.

…

Tottland Sea Region, on Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin also received this widely circulated message in the Underworld.

“Might be ~ might be~ Newgate’s ability has resurfaced? How interesting.”

“Mom, let me go. I’ll bring back that fruit for you!”

Seeing Charlotte Linlin’s interest in it, Snack volunteered to go there and retrieve the fruit.

Since being defeated by Urouge and stripped of his Commander title, Snack has been looking for an opportunity, but Charlotte Linlin directly refused him.

“You lost to a rookie; how can you guarantee that you can do this? Those sons of Whitebeard will surely go crazy for this fruit. You can’t.”

After some thought, Charlotte Linlin made a decision.

“Katakuri, take Owen and Daifuku and go, show Whitebeard’s sons that Mom’s children are the strongest.”

The Quake-Quake Fruit had piqued Charlotte Linlin’s interest. After all, she had sailed on the same ship with Whitebeard long ago and shared the sea for some time. She wouldn’t give up on a chance if it presented itself.

If Doflamingo hadn’t backed Kaidou, Charlotte Linlin would have sent people directly to seize the fruit, not following the rules Doflamingo set.

She sent her sons to compete, merely to give Kaidou no excuse to intervene.

And she dispatched her most trusted son and his brothers.

Charlotte Linlin had 85 children, but only the triplets—Katakuri—were her most recognized.

After all, it was just a fruit; Charlotte Linlin wouldn’t go in person. Having Katakuri lead the team was enough to show her seriousness.

“Understood, Mom, I will bring it back for you.”

…

White Island, Baludigo.

A Revolutionary Army member was reporting the news.

“Leader, Chief of Staff, it’s confirmed that in recent wars in these countries, the backstage weapon supplier has been Doflamingo. He’s the only one who would sell such special weapons in those areas.”

“Leader, let me go. Using the Quake-Quake Fruit as a reward—this can’t be as simple as it looks. It’s a good opportunity to investigate his weapon channels.”

Sabo removed his hat, intending to head to Dressrosa for a new mission.

“It’s not just about that, is it? Since it’s the Quake-Quake Fruit, Fire Fist Ace will surely head there too. You’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, haven’t you?”

Dragon had already seen through Sabo’s intentions but did not stop him. Instead, he assembled a small Revolutionary Army team to accompany Sabo to Dressrosa.

The atmosphere was somewhat different on Kale Bali Island, where the trend of flattery had begun to rise.

At this moment, Buggy was looking at new information from the Underworld, the image of a somewhat familiar fruit making him quite annoyed.

“That was Whitebeard’s old man’s fruit… I actually sold it for two hundred million… sold it….”

While he was remorseful, a sharply jarring voice rose from the crowd.

“How could Captain Buggy, a big shot, not recognize the Quake-Quake Fruit?! He said that for our sake, surely Captain Buggy already had a bigger plan, right!”

After the news spread, some members of Buggy Express began doubting Buggy’s ability, questioning his failure to recognize the Quake-Quake Fruit.

When Buggy’s staunch supporters heard this, they naturally rebutted.

“Captain Buggy is a man remembered by Whitebeard, a man who dared to declare, ‘I will take your head,’ to Whitebeard. He must have recognized it long ago. Doing this, surely, is to prove to others that you are the true strong man, right!”