Takumi sat in silence, staring at Iceberg.
Even if Iceberg hadn't said anything, Takumi could already guess what was going on. After all, Iceberg was Tom's apprentice, and Tom had been framed and killed by Spandam. It wasn't something Iceberg could easily let go of.
But with the weight of his responsibilities and everything he carried on his shoulders, Iceberg couldn't seek revenge. That's why he was thankful that Takumi had given Spandam a well-deserved beating.
Takumi remained silent. There wasn't much to say.
Soon, one of Iceberg's assistants arrived, bringing along two female interns who helped carry trays of drinks and snacks, just as Iceberg had instructed.
Pouring himself a glass of red wine, Iceberg pushed a bottle of juice toward Takumi. "Help yourself."
Takumi stared at the juice with a blank expression.
Without saying a word, Takumi pushed the juice aside, then picked up the three bottles of liquor Uchi had brought over. He drank every drop from his sake gourd, then proceeded to pour the contents of all three bottles into it—right in front of Iceberg.
"Whoa, you like your booze, huh?" Iceberg asked, a bit surprised.
Takumi just gave him a look that screamed, "What do you think?"
Iceberg chuckled awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I didn't realize… but no worries. I've got a stash of aged liquor stored away. If you're interested, I can send some your way."
Takumi didn't hesitate. "I'm interested."
Iceberg blinked. This kid didn't know the meaning of the word "polite," did he?
As Takumi's gaze swept across the table, he reached for a few bottles of apple juice, adding them to his stash.
"Wait, you like apple juice?" Iceberg asked, his curiosity piqued.
Takumi didn't bother answering, instead asking his own question. "That liquor you mentioned—can I have it now?"
Iceberg paused. "Right now? You think you can carry it all?"
Takumi nodded calmly.
Seeing he wasn't going to win this one, Iceberg sighed. "There are several crates. You won't be able to carry it all by yourself. Tell you what, write down where you're staying, and I'll have it delivered later."
Takumi considered this, then nodded. "Fine."
Iceberg handed him some paper and a pen. Takumi quickly jotted down the name of his hotel and room number.
Iceberg tucked the note away, while Takumi grabbed his stash of apple juice and stood up.
"Thanks for the drinks and juice. I'm heading out," Takumi said.
"You're leaving already?" Iceberg asked, a little disappointed. "I was hoping we could talk some more."
Takumi didn't respond, merely raising a hand in a half-hearted wave as he headed for the door.
Iceberg chuckled, shaking his head. "Your ship won't be ready for another three days. Why don't you join me at the auction? I can get you in."
"Not interested." Takumi waved it off without turning back as he left the office.
"Man, that guy's really cold," Iceberg muttered, stretching out on the sofa.
A short while later, Kalifa returned to the office.
Iceberg handed her the paper with Takumi's address. "Send half of my stash to this address tonight."
Kalifa adjusted her glasses as she glanced at the note, then tucked it into her notebook. "Understood, Mr. Iceberg."
As Takumi walked out of Iceberg's office, the system's familiar chime suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Ding! System upgrade successful. New feature: Selectable progress missions. Every time the host reaches a new location, they can choose to view detailed progress on one mission. Current location: Water 7. There are six progress tasks available. The host has completed three: Arriving at the island, facing Whitebeard in battle, and gaining Whitebeard's friendship.]
[Total progress: 40%. Three remaining tasks, each worth 20%. Would the host like to randomly select one task for detailed viewing?]
Takumi stopped in his tracks, surprised.
Can the system be upgraded? And all it did was add this one feature to view task details. Couldn't it have just unlocked all the tasks at once?
Takumi sighed. "Fine, show me one."
[Ding! The task selected: Secure the Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, the Nagi Nagi no Mi, at the upcoming auction in Water 7. Completion will reward the host with 20% progress.]
The Nagi Nagi no Mi allows the user to create soundproof barriers that block all external sound from reaching inside and vice versa. It also allows the user to move in complete silence and even erase the sounds of actions and objects they touch, making the user virtually undetectable.
Takumi's eyes widened.
The Nagi Nagi no Mi? Isn't that Corazon's fruit?
Corazon was Donquixote Doflamingo's brother—Donquixote Rosinante. He was also Law's mentor, the man Law had always grieved for.
Corazon was killed by Doflamingo years ago, and his Devil Fruit had been lost ever since. How did it end up in Water 7 now?
Takumi suddenly remembered Aokiji mentioning that he was in Water 7 to keep an eye on something. So, the Navy must have put the Nagi Nagi no Mi up for auction as bait to lure someone out.
Takumi rubbed his temples. He really didn't want to go to the auction…
Glancing back toward Iceberg's building, Takumi let out a long sigh.
A Devil Fruit, even a weak one, would go for at least a hundred million berries. But the Nagi Nagi no Mi was no ordinary fruit—it was a perfect counter to Observation Haki, and its value would be sky-high.
That kind of money would be better spent stocking up on supplies and good booze…
After thinking it over for a moment, Takumi made up his mind and continued walking.
The system's task was for him to secure the Nagi Nagi no Mi, but it didn't say he had to buy it at the auction.
So, he'd just do what Aokiji was doing—hang around the auction, watch who buys the fruit, and steal it from them later.
Of course, stealing a Devil Fruit wasn't a simple task. It would have to be done quietly, without drawing attention. He couldn't risk the Navy finding out he was involved.
That meant some serious planning—and a disguise.
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I think you're forgetting to pay with a Power Stone! What are you doing, reading for free? (¬‿¬) Come on, don't leave me hanging! '._.'
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