Dæmon’s immediate acceptance caught Rocks completely off guard.
Rocks had been prepared to spend considerable time persuading him.
After all, Dæmon was a brewer capable of producing the Elixir of Immortality.
Someone with such an extraordinary ability would not normally be interested in becoming a pirate.
“You’re genuinely willing to join the Rocks Pirates?” Rocks asked, unable to conceal his surprise.
“Why wouldn’t I accept an invitation from such a famous pirate crew?” Dæmon smiled faintly.
He could easily guess what Rocks was planning.
Although Dæmon currently lacked combat strength and possessed little besides immortality, it would be almost impossible for the Rocks Pirates to imprison or control him.
As long as the surviving royal guards of the Tidal Echoes Kingdom—the Kingdom of Tidal Echoes—performed another summoning ritual, Dæmon could respond to their call and escape whenever he wished.
Therefore, joining the Rocks Pirates posed little risk.
On the contrary, it offered him numerous benefits.
“However,” Dæmon added, “even after I join your crew, the Elixir of Immortality will not be free.” Despite having his intentions exposed, Rocks showed no embarrassment.
Instead, he threw back his head and laughed.
“Vohahahaha!
In that case, welcome to the Rocks Pirates!” Clap!
Clap!
Clap!
Rocks was the first to applaud.
The other members exchanged glances before reluctantly joining him.
After the rather awkward welcoming ceremony ended, Rocks returned to the main subject.
“Kaido told us that you charge one Devil Fruit for every glass of your Elixir of Immortality.” “That’s correct.” “The wine’s effects are undoubtedly real, and your price isn’t unreasonable.” Rocks leaned forward against the counter.
“I’ll pay you one hundred million Berries per glass.” An ordinary Devil Fruit was usually valued at around one hundred million Berries, so his offer appeared fair.
Dæmon nevertheless shook his head.
“Turning a Devil Fruit into money is easy.
Finding someone willing to sell a Devil Fruit for money is much more difficult.” “Why do you insist on receiving Devil Fruits?” Whitebeard asked.
“A person can only eat one.
Anyone who consumes a second will die.” “Because Devil Fruits are the main ingredient used to create the Elixir of Immortality,” Dæmon explained.
“One Devil Fruit can produce only one bottle, and each bottle contains four effective servings.” He glanced toward the bottle beneath the counter.
“Since Kaido already drank one, only three glasses remain.” Everyone finally understood.
“I see.” Gloriosa looked surprised.
“This is the first time I’ve heard of someone brewing wine from Devil Fruits.” Such a method was completely unheard of.
Devil Fruits were known as the Treasures of the Sea.
Even in the New World, where powerful pirates gathered in abundance, most people would never see one in their entire lives.
Even those who had already eaten a Devil Fruit might never encounter another.
Dæmon turned toward the young princess.
“Alfie, they are our guests.
Pour them some water.” “Yes, my lord.” Alfie hurriedly brought out several glasses and filled them with water.
Charlotte Linlin picked hers up and emptied it in one gulp.
“Don’t be so stingy, Boss.
You could at least offer us some proper alcohol.” She set the glass down and looked at him curiously.
“Come to think of it, we still don’t know your name.” “Dæmon.” He smiled calmly.
“The Elixir of Immortality is the only wine I serve.
If you want a glass, you must exchange a Devil Fruit for it.” As he spoke, Dæmon examined Linlin more closely.
Charlotte Linlin had indeed been a great beauty in her youth.
Her tall, shapely figure bore almost no resemblance to the enormous woman she would become several decades later.
Noticing his gaze, Linlin gave him a seductive smile.
“Do you think I’m beautiful?” She leaned slightly closer.
“If I spend the night with you, will you give me a glass in return?” Gloriosa immediately looked at her with disdain.
“Have you no shame?” “What I choose to do is none of your business,” Linlin retorted with a pout.
“You shameless woman,” Stussy added scornfully.
She then turned to Dæmon.
“Don’t fall for her tricks.” Dæmon stared at the three women in silence.
For once, he genuinely had no idea how to respond.
Rocks grinned at the commotion.
“I don’t have any Devil Fruits at the moment, but I’ll obtain some soon.” Rocks possessed an enormous amount of wealth.
However, he truly did not have any spare Devil Fruits.
He had never been interested in ordinary abilities.
If a Devil Fruit was not powerful enough for him to consider eating, he would not bother collecting it.
Now, however, the situation had changed.
His crew had gained a brewer who could transform Devil Fruits into the Elixir of Immortality.
From this point forward, the more fruits they obtained, the better.
“Then return once you have one,” Dæmon said.
He was in no hurry.
As a demon, he already possessed immortality.
Time was the one thing he would never lack.
“Don’t dismiss me so quickly, Dæmon.” Rocks raised one finger.
A fierce, almost crazed light gleamed in his eyes.
“I have a plan.” Dæmon regarded him suspiciously.
“Do you know where Devil Fruits are easiest to find?” Rocks asked.
“Or, to put it another way—do you know who possesses the largest collection?” Dæmon raised an eyebrow.
“You intend to rob the Celestial Dragons?” “That’s right!” A manic grin spread across Rocks’s face.
“Those so-called World Nobles possess countless Devil Fruits.
We’re pirates.
If they have something we want, we simply take it from them!” The Celestial Dragons were the descendants of the royal families that had founded the World Government eight hundred years ago.
They regarded themselves as gods and treated ordinary people as creatures beneath their notice.
Robbing one was considered unthinkable.
A commoner could be executed merely for failing to kneel before a Celestial Dragon or daring to look one directly in the eye.
If anyone so much as harmed one of them, a Marine Admiral could be dispatched in retaliation.
“Excellent idea!” Dæmon’s eyes lit up with apparent enthusiasm.
“You should leave immediately and bring back as many Devil Fruits as possible.
I’ll prepare some excellent wine to celebrate your return.” Rocks’s grin widened.
“You’ve already joined the crew.
If we’re carrying out an operation, then naturally, you’re coming with us.” Who wants to accompany you lunatics on a suicide mission to Mary Geoise?
Dæmon rolled his eyes inwardly.
He might have been immortal, but his combat ability was still comparable to that of an ordinary person.
“I’m only a brewer.
I have no fighting ability, so I won’t be going.” “There’s nothing to fear.
I’ll protect you!” Rocks chuckled.
“Besides, the Holy Land isn’t as terrifying as people claim.
Most Celestial Dragons are useless weaklings.” “Jihahaha!” Shiki interjected.
“We’ll attack from the sky, seize everything we can, and escape before they can surround us.” Dæmon had to admit that the idea sounded exciting.
However, a wise man avoided needless danger.
He shook his head.
“Imu, the Five Elders, and the Knights of God are all based in Mary Geoise.
Most Celestial Dragons may be worthless, but the ones at the top are far from weak.” “…” Rocks froze.
For the first time since entering the tavern, genuine astonishment appeared on his face.
“You know about Imu?” It was not particularly surprising for someone to know about the Five Elders or the Knights of God.
The Five Elders were publicly recognized as the World Government’s highest authorities.
Meanwhile, the Knights of God protected the Celestial Dragons.
Although the identities of their members remained shrouded in mystery, well-connected individuals had at least heard of the organization.
Imu was different.
Imu was the secret ruler of the world—the hidden sovereign who occupied the supposedly empty throne.
Even many ordinary Celestial Dragons were unaware that such a person existed.
As expected, this brewer is far from ordinary.
Rocks grinned but did not question Dæmon further.
“Then what do you suggest?” “A direct attack on the Holy Land would be too dangerous,” Dæmon replied.
“It would be far safer to abduct a Celestial Dragon elsewhere and demand Devil Fruits as ransom.” “Ransom?” Rocks stroked his chin, considering the proposal.
Even he had to admit that attacking Mary Geoise directly carried enormous risks.
Rocks had infiltrated the Holy Land once before and even confronted Imu.
However, at his current level of strength, he was no match for the ruler of the world.
After their brief encounter, he had been forced to retreat.
“All right.
We’ll do that!” Rocks abruptly rose and gestured toward the entrance.
“Come on, Dæmon.
We’re leaving.” “Are these really all the people you’re bringing?” Dæmon asked, glancing around the tavern.
“Surely the Rocks Pirates have more members than this.” “Someone needs to remain behind and guard Hachinosu,” Rocks replied.
“Besides, the people gathered here are more than enough.” Dæmon looked at the infamous pirates surrounding him.
Whitebeard, Shiki, Linlin, Kaido, Stussy, Gloriosa, and Streusen…
When he considered their combined strength, it was difficult to disagree.
…
In the end, Dæmon joined the operation.
He instructed Alfie to look after the Immortal Tavern during his absence.
Then he departed alongside Rocks and the others.
Upon reaching the harbor, Dæmon finally saw the flagship of the Rocks Pirates.
Rocks’ Fury.
It was far larger than an ordinary pirate vessel.
The word “ROCKS” had been painted across its enormous black sails, with a blood-red skull taking the place of the letter “O.” The members of the crew boarded one after another.
“Set sail!” At Rocks’s command, the massive pirate ship left Hachinosu beneath the watchful gazes of countless pirates.
Its destination—the territory of the Celestial Dragons!