Chapter 21: Finding the Straw Hat Pirates (Patreon)

Recently, a massive incident occurred in Dressrosa, sparking widespread panic across the kingdom of love and passion. Their beloved king, Donquixote Doflamingo, had unexpectedly resigned from his position as a Warlord of the Sea.

The announcement came without warning, catching even the World Government off guard. This was one of the primary reasons Admiral Fujitora had been dispatched to the country. The World Government ordered him to investigate the resignation and find a way to reinstate Doflamingo.

Doflamingo's status was critical. He acted as a leash the World Government used to keep the Four Emperors of the New World in check. Furthermore, as a former Celestial Dragon, he held the highest secrets of the Holy Land Mary Geoise.

Shortly after his resignation, another shocking piece of news broke: a tournament was being held, and the grand prize was the Flame-Flame Fruit.

As a Logia-type Devil Fruit, even a fool could consume it and instantly gain formidable combat power. In the hands of an expert, that power would multiply exponentially. Naturally, the fruit attracted countless rookie pirates entering the New World, alongside established local powerhouses.

Axis and Kratos found an inn and rested for the night. Early the next morning, they strolled through the streets of Dressrosa.

Kratos watched the passing toys with mild curiosity. The small figures possessed genuine souls; he could clearly sense the breath of life within them. Yet, outwardly, they were nothing more than animated playthings.

"That is the power of a Devil Fruit," Axis explained. "These toys used to be real humans. Someone ate the Hobby-Hobby Fruit and transformed them. Once a person turns into a toy, all memories of their existence are completely erased from this world. You could say the fruit taps into the fundamental laws of reality."

Kratos grunted. He found it mildly interesting, but these toys had nothing to do with him.

"The Straw Hat Pirates should have docked by now," Axis said. "Let's head to the port. I'll recognize their ship the second I see it."

As a veteran fan of the series in his past life, he knew the Thousand Sunny's design by heart. Before his transmigration, the original storyline had reached the Wano Country arc, where Luffy and Kaido clashed in their final battle. He still wondered how the Straw Hats would ultimately defeat the King of the Beasts. Because his transmigration had happened before the manga finished, he had no idea the Rubber-Rubber Fruit was actually the Mythical Zoan Sun God Nika model.

"There are many bizarre fruits in this world," Axis continued. "Logia fruits turn people into elements like ice, fire, darkness, lightning, smoke, or even poison gas and swamps. Paramecia fruits grant all sorts of superhuman abilities and physical alterations. There is even a Time-Time Fruit that sends people into the future, a Soul-Soul Fruit that manipulates souls, and a Love-Love Fruit that petrifies people, much like a Gorgon."

"Controlling souls and manipulating time... those are exceptionally rare," Kratos noted. "Only a handful of gods can wield the power of time."

Axis nodded. In any universe, time manipulation was a top-tier ability. As for the Gorgon's petrification? Kratos had slaughtered nearly a hundred Gorgons in his lifetime. Even if he were turned to stone, he could shatter the petrification through sheer brute force.

"Later, we will find a shop and buy some local specialties, particularly those Transponder Snails," Axis said. "There is a variant that records video. I plan to record the sights of this world and bring the footage back to Athena."

"You handle that yourself," Kratos replied. "I will simply tell Athena exactly what I saw."

"Actually, I need you to hold a few things back from her. Keep some details to yourself. Are you okay with that?" Axis asked.

Kratos turned, giving Axis a long, meaningful look. "I thought you were a fanatic of hers."

"Haha! In truth, you and I are quite similar," Axis chuckled. "My relationship with these gods—or anyone else, for that matter—is strictly a partnership. I will never be their servant."

"If I verify the existence of this living skeleton, I will serve you for ten years," Kratos stated. "During that time, as long as you do not order me to take my own life or commit acts I find unacceptable, I will obey your commands."

"Deal," Axis agreed. "After I show you the skeleton, I'll need your help snatching the Flame-Flame Fruit."

"Understood. You want this power of fire?"

"Yes. While it might not be the absolute strongest ability in this world, it ranks incredibly high among the Logias. Fire is universally destructive, and I have my own ideas on how to develop it."

"It does not matter. Once I see the skeleton, I will seize the fruit for you."

"So, you are going to enter the tournament?" Axis asked. If Kratos joined the arena, it would be a spectacular show. It might even devolve into a bloodbath.

"Why would I enter a tournament?" Kratos frowned. "I will simply take the fruit."

Axis paused, realizing his mistake. Of course Kratos wouldn't bother playing by the rules! Walking up and taking it by force was the Spartan way. Even if the entire Donquixote Family, Doflamingo himself, and every pirate in the Colosseum attacked at once, they wouldn't stand a chance against Kratos.

"You make an excellent point," Axis agreed. "But the tournament starts in a few days. They will definitely put the fruit on display. When they do, you just walk up and grab it. I will find a safe spot to hide. Come find me once you have it."

'You do the fighting, I'll do the hiding,' Axis thought smugly.

"Agreed," Kratos grunted.

The two searched the docks and soon spotted a ship with a highly distinctive lion figurehead. It was the Thousand Sunny.

"That is the ship," Axis said, pointing. "Go on up and look for yourself. I will wait for you here. And please, try not to cause a scene."