In a room at the Black Gunpowder Security Company:
Several members of the “Gunpowder” were gathered, discussing the information they received last night and this morning.
On the table lay Nico Robin’s bounty notice – a tempting 79 million Belly bounty.
“The Devil Child hasn’t left! She’s still on this island!”
“We must find her!”
Members of the gang in somewhat worn black suits conversed.
Typically, individuals with such high bounties were dangerous criminals on the Grand Line, often ruthless and exceedingly wicked. Even when the Gunpowder faction was at its peak, they wouldn’t bother with criminals of this caliber, as it was more profitable to focus on making money than dealing with formidable outlaws.
The criminal organizations in West Blue had a long history, some were even tacitly accepted by authorities, and some small nations were backed by one or more criminal organizations. This unique cultural phenomenon was beyond the reach of the World Government and the Marines, who had no choice but to turn a blind eye.
However, Nico Robin, the “Devil Child,” was not a dangerous monster from the Grand Line; she was just an eight-year-old vulnerable girl.
Although it was unclear why the Marines placed such a high bounty on such a young girl, the allure of easy money was hard to resist.
“Too audacious! Don’t they respect the Gunpowder Gang? Doesn’t everyone know that Noilly Kingdom and South Island are our turf?!” Someone exclaimed angrily. “Damn brat!”
“Boss, she’s just an eight-year-old, and is probably unaware of our organization…” Someone suggested.
“And ‘Bullet’ has been pressing us too hard lately. It’s uncertain whether the Noilly Kingdom will remain our territory in the future…” Another expressed concern.
“Where are you guys from?!”
The mention of the infamous “Bullet” from the West Blue criminal organization, especially the Old Boss of the Bullet faction, the audacious Capone Bege, shifted the conversation.
Long-standing grievances between factions, turf wars, and business competition escalated, with Capone Bege being particularly unpredictable.
He enjoyed assassinating Old Bosses of opposing factions, sometimes even those not necessarily hostile forces, just to create chaos. Rumor had it that he reveled in the disorder that followed after toppling the opposing Old Boss.
A lunatic! Dealing with such an unruly criminal was much more infuriating than going after a Marine bounty for a little girl.
Slap!
A large hand slapped a paper onto Robin’s bounty notice. “Enough of the noise!”
The paper featured a simple sketch of a black-haired boy, accompanied by a few lines describing his features: approximately 12-13 years old, handsome appearance, cunning personality, suspected possession of Devil Fruit abilities, possibly related to ghosts or wicked spirits.
The order came, “Make copies of this portrait and distribute them to the others. Find both of them— especially Nico Robin!”
“Yes!”
…
“Wait a moment, let me gather my wits…”
Outside the city, on the way to the island’s largest town, by a small river, Liam paused, taking a deep breath and preparing himself emotionally.
Standing beside him in pitch-black armor was the Stand ‘B.I.B.’
While using the Flower-Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi) ability, Liam had a question: could his Stand, which copied his basic attributes entirely, use the Flower-Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi) ability as well?
The answer was no.
—At least, not yet.
Liam quickly realized that the current state of ‘B.I.B.’ represented the “Copy” of himself from the night before he fell asleep in the alley. The absorption of the Flower-Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi) “Chip” and gaining the ability happened after ‘B.I.B.’ was released.
In other words, to find out if ‘B.I.B.’ could also copy the Flower-Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi) ability, Liam first needed to retract it into his body and then release it again…
Retract it into his body…
Liam calculated with a pinch of his fingers. Ignoring the amount of exertion from his actions at the kind couple’s house earlier, even just standing guard in the alley last night had accumulated “fatigue” on ‘B.I.B.’ at the moment. Taking a deep breath, he mustered a brave expression and said to the armored Stand, “Ah Hei, I’m ready. Go ahead!”
Robin, who had been observing, was completely puzzled. Ah Hei? What was Ah Hei? Was it his own ghost?
At this point, ‘B.I.B.’ had followed the instructions and transformed into a phantom-like energy, retracting into Liam’s body.
Liam shivered ruthlessly! His facial features squeezed together, seemingly enduring an indescribable sensation. The additional fatigue and memories merged with the main body, causing a double “torment” to Liam both physically and mentally. In an instant, cold sweat covered Liam’s back.
Robin became even more confused. What was this boy doing?
After a moment of patience, Liam eagerly released ‘B.I.B.’ again.
Once the black armored Stand reappeared, Liam sat down on the grass by the riverbank, exhausted. “Come on, let’s give it a try now.”
‘B.I.B.’ nodded silently. Drawing from the copied experience of using the Flower-Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi) received from the main body, it created a “battle armor” arm adorned with blue flame patterns at Robin’s feet in a flurry of petals.
“Ah!” A stray dog licking water by the riverbank barked as the strange arm emerged from the ground. Robin was also startled. What was this thing?
Arms created by the Flower-Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi) ability? But that boy’s hands didn’t look like this!
“Oh, can you see it?” Liam nodded as he sat, “Because it’s a ‘clone’ created with Devil Fruit ability, even ordinary people can see it now…”
He waved his own hand, and next to the “battle armor” arm by Robin’s feet, petals scattered, revealing another hand of Liam’s own.
The two hands clasped together like a wrist-wrestling match. The clear sensation passed through the hand created by the ability to Liam’s real palm.
The “entity” created by the Flower-Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi) was shared in perception with the Ability user itself. Without this, it would be impossible to eavesdrop using “ears” created by the ability.
However, at this moment, Liam was thinking: since ‘B.I.B.’ can “copy” even the Fruit ability, wouldn’t it be able to perfectly replicate and use other abilities like Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) and Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) if he learned them in the future? That would be quite powerful!
“By the way, if you can use abilities— would you also become helpless in water?”
Liam suddenly realized a serious problem.
Devil Fruit Ability users are rejected by the Sea. Once immersed in a large amount of water, they lose the ability to use their powers, feeling limb weakness and an inability to swim.
Turning into a duck himself was fine, as he had ‘B.I.B.’ to lend a hand. But if even ‘B.I.B.’ turned into a duck, wouldn’t that be a joke?
Liam pointed to the nearby river and instructed the Stand, “Go down and try it…”
‘B.I.B.’ naturally obeyed the main body’s command and was about to jump into the river.
“Hey, wait!” Liam suddenly thought that if something happened to this guy, being disturbed by the river would be just like an Ability user, becoming weak and uncomfortable all over.
In the end, after recalling the Stand, wouldn’t he be the one in trouble? He quickly grabbed ‘B.I.B.’ and advised, “Just go in the bubble with both legs, mainly to test the effect…”
(End of this chapter)
Support me on Patreon for extra chapters