Smoker could barely find an explanation for the earlier rewards.
But this white orb that could directly increase stamina was completely beyond his understanding.
And it was even clearly labeled as stamina equivalent to a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant.
Did that mean these jars could also grant the strength of Marine Headquarters Captains, Commodores, or even Vice Admirals and beyond?
Then…
could it be possible to obtain power comparable to an Admiral or even one of the Four Emperors?
A trace of disbelief flickered in his eyes, but he did not hesitate.
He pressed the light orb firmly against his forehead.
For him, an increase to the level of a Headquarters Lieutenant’s stamina was a tangible and immediate improvement.
In the next moment, Smoker felt a warm current suddenly emerge within his body.
It spread rapidly, flowing through his limbs and into every corner of his body.
He could clearly sense that his stamina had risen significantly.
At this point, all thirty jars that Xia Wen had placed out were fully opened.
Smoker let out a long breath.
“An incredible experience.
These jars truly are miraculous.”
It turned out that Captain Nezumi had actually been conservative in his report.
This Jar Shop did not only produce Devil Fruits, but also all kinds of bizarre and unpredictable items.
And each jar cost only 100,000 Berries, making it accessible to almost anyone.
This shop had the potential to completely overturn the balance of power across the seas.
The only regret was that the best item he and Tashigi had obtained was merely the Dice-Dice Fruit.
He could not even imagine what the Shop Owner meant by something that surpassed a Devil Fruit.
Smoker composed himself and spoke solemnly to Xia Wen.
“I will report everything I have seen and heard today truthfully to Marine Headquarters.
I hope this does not bring you unnecessary trouble.”
It was the first time in many years that he had spoken with such restraint.
Xia Wen simply smiled.
“Of course.
I also look forward to more customers coming to spend in my shop.”
Trouble?
If anything, he would only be troubled if no one came.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Relieved, Smoker tapped Tashigi lightly on the shoulder and turned to leave.
He needed to return to the warship immediately and report everything.
As he exited, he casually grabbed the still-unconscious Captain Nezumi and dragged him along the ground like discarded trash.
After everyone had left, Xia Wen slowly retrieved the rewards that had been temporarily stored by the system.
The akiba sword, the attribute change cards.
Six Staff Light Prison, the Lieutenant-level stamina enhancement, and the already absorbed Dice-Dice Fruit.
“I really hope someone opens Haki next time…”
Xia Wen murmured softly, a faint look of anticipation appearing in his eyes.
Of course, if someone could open a Haoshoku-level infusion comparable to the Four Emperors, that would be even better.
Now, it was time to allocate his gains.
…Inside Smoker’s office aboard the Marine warship.
“Buruburu!”
The transponder snail rang.
“Hello?
Captain Smoker?
What are the results of your investigation at Branch 16?”
“Is there really a mysterious merchant selling Devil Fruits?”
Smoker took a deep breath before responding.
He calmly reported everything he had witnessed.
From arriving at Cocoyasi Village and apprehending the defeated Arlong Pirates,
to meeting the mysterious merchant,
to the shop’s rules and the jars that could produce various items.
“Captain Nezumi opened an artificial Devil Fruit, and my subordinate opened a Paramecia-type Dice-Dice Fruit.”
“As for me…”
Smoker glanced at the ten attribute cards laid neatly on the table.
“I obtained a weapon comparable to a Great Grade Sword, a binding ability, items capable of granting attributes to my attacks, and…”
He paused briefly.
Even now, he still found it hard to believe.
“A white orb equivalent to the total stamina of a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant.”
“Additionally, Captain Nezumi has been confirmed to have colluded with the Arlong Pirates and is now in custody.”
“And the one who defeated the Arlong Pirates…
was a villager who obtained power from the jars.”
Smoker’s expression became extremely serious.
“I strongly recommend that this matter be immediately reported to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.”
“This shop could affect the future structure of the entire sea.”
The other end of the line fell into a long silence.
After a while, a hesitant voice responded.
“Captain Smoker…
do you realize what you’re saying?”
“A jar that can produce a Devil Fruit for only 100,000 Berries?”
“A shop in the East Blue that could influence the entire sea?”
“This is too absurd.
I cannot present this directly to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.”
“I stand by every word I said!”
Smoker slammed his fist heavily onto the table.
“Right now, the Marines are the first to discover and make contact with that Shop Owner.”
“If we delay, and other forces discover this, especially pirates…”
“If dozens or even hundreds of new Devil Fruit users emerge among pirates, can you take responsibility for that?!”
“Furthermore, the Dice-Dice Fruit obtained by my subordinate has not yet been consumed.
Headquarters can verify it at any time!”
“…Understood.”
The officer on the other end finally relented.
“I will mark your report as highest priority and submit it immediately to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.”
“Thank you for your efforts, Captain Smoker.”
The call ended.
Smoker lit a cigar and quietly stared out the window toward the calm Cocoyasi Village.
“Is this era…
about to change again?”
As the strongest Marine force stationed in the East Blue, he could already feel the pressure building.
…Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral’s Office.
“Garp!
What are you doing this time?!
Let go of that!!!”
Sengoku’s furious roar echoed through the corridor.
Monkey D.
Garp had once again slipped into the office and was happily stuffing his mouth with Sengoku’s prized senbei.
“Gahahaha!
Sengoku, where did you get these?
They’re amazing!”
Garp laughed loudly, completely unconcerned.
Sengoku’s face darkened as he struggled to protect what remained.
Those were premium senbei he rarely even touched himself.
“Oh come on, Sengoku.
Don’t be so stingy.
You should share good things with old friends.”
Just as the two were about to escalate into a full argument—
Several documents were delivered.
Sengoku casually glanced at them at first.
Then his eyes suddenly stopped.
One document bore the highest priority marking.
His expression froze.
The next moment, he immediately released the senbei and grabbed the report, reading it with intense focus.
Garp, who had been pulling on the bag, lost his balance and fell backward onto the floor.
“Hey!
What’s wrong with you now?!”
He stood up, grumbling, and reached for the scattered snacks.
“Garp…”
Sengoku’s voice turned deep and serious.
“Stop fooling around.
Something major has happened in the East Blue.”
“Trying to distract me again?
Gahahaha!
Sengoku, you’re getting old!”
“No.
This time…
it’s real.”
Sengoku’s brows furrowed tightly as he stared at the report.
“In the East Blue, at Cocoyasi Village under Branch 16…
a mysterious merchant capable of consistently providing Devil Fruits and other powerful items has appeared.”
“Smoker has personally confirmed it.”
“The East Blue…
is about to fall into chaos.”