Chapter 43

The Fierce Croc Pirate Crew reverted to their old tricks, using the allure of the Devil Fruit, and successfully 'fished' numerous times in just a few days!

Wave after wave of people paid the price for their greed.

Captain Rekdu made a killing.

The leftover supplies and treasures from the pirate ships alone were a substantial wealth. Moreover, these pirate ships could be sold for a handsome sum, hence, no venture proved to be quicker in making money!

However, it was about time to stop.

The past few days of 'fishing' had made many people wary. If discovered, it would be challenging for the Fierce Croc Pirate Crew to find a foothold in the North Sea.

As for the Devil Fruit in their hands,

Of course, the plan was to sell it!

Even if it sold for just one hundred million Berries, that was a huge profit.

Surely, no one believed that he would give such a precious thing to his subordinates to consume?

The Fierce Croc Pirate Crew was already enough with him as a fruit user.

At worst, he could give more money to the first mate and others afterward.

If they were still dissatisfied, he would have no choice but to sadly find a more agreeable first mate.

The crew had a cave on the Swamp Island that they had dug out for shelter. It was relatively clean, and most of the treasure was stored inside.

In the evening, all the members of the Fierce Croc Pirate Crew gathered here, eating and drinking heartily.

"Captain, are we really not going to do this great 'business' anymore?"

In high spirits, someone gathered the courage to ask.

"Idiot! If we continue, everyone will know it's us. I guess we're not dying fast enough!"

There's a limit to everything, and if you take everyone for a fool, you'll be the first one to suffer.

Rekdu was greedy but unwilling to incur public wrath.

The questioning crew member sheepishly sat back down, continuing to drink.

The first mate also couldn't resist asking: "What about this Devil Fruit..."

"Sell it, then distribute the money to everyone."

Rekdu's matter-of-fact words made the first mate pause. Although he had noticed Rekdu's intentions over the past few days, he still held onto a shred of hope.

In the end, it turned out that the joke was on him.

Seeing the first mate's unsightly expression, Rekdu comforted him reluctantly: "There's no other way. Only by selling the Devil Fruit will those outside not feel cheated, and everyone can get more money. Isn't this a good thing?"

"Although I would also like to give you this Devil Fruit, as the captain, I have to consider everyone's interests. Of course, rest assured, your share will certainly be the largest. I hope you can understand my difficulties."

The first mate inwardly scoffed, fortunate to have known the kind of person Rekdu was. If that was the case, he shouldn't blame him for what came next.

He pretended to appear regretful on the outside, reluctantly nodding his head. "I understand, I'm just a little reluctant. However, since the captain has said so, I have no objections."

"If you can understand, that's the best. Come, let's have a drink!"

Rekdu forcefully patted the first mate's shoulder, pleased with his sensible attitude.

As the night deepened,

The drunken crewmen had passed out and were now sprawled about the cave.

However, no one noticed that the first mate, who had left to relieve himself, had been gone for a long time.

By the shore, a large ship slowly approached.

"Are you the one who contacted us?"

Donquixote Doflamingo, adorned in a pink feathered coat, led the way.

Intimidated by Doflamingo's aura, the first mate nervously swallowed and then gritted his teeth before nodding. "It's me. Everyone is drunk now, it's the best time to make a move."

It turns out that as soon as he realized that Rekdu had no intention of giving him the Devil Fruit, he had secretly contacted the Donquixote family.

He planned to trade the entire Fierce Croc Pirate Crew for a lifetime of wealth and honor.

The first mate didn't feel he had done anything wrong. If you don't look out for yourself, you are doomed!

Especially since Captain Rekdu was the first to betray.

If Rekdu was heartless, he couldn't be blamed for being unrighteous!

"Although I despise traitors, as long as I get what I want, I will keep my promise and let you leave with the money. Do you understand?"

"I understand. I will go back first. I know where the Devil Fruit is hidden. As soon as the fight starts, I'll immediately bring the item out."

"Good, you're a smart man. Lead the way."

Is this really happening?!

Abel knew that the outcome was predetermined, and the opposing party was no match for the Donquixote family. But to have an insider leading them directly to their target upon landing was genuinely unexpected.

As for the reason...

He figured it was either due to uneven division of spoils or long-standing grudges.

Or maybe both!

After all, the majority of the connections between pirates were based on interests. Few would talk about friendship and dreams.

That was reserved for the protagonist's group!

"Hee-hee-hee-hee, you've been causing quite a stir in my territory recently," Doflamingo taunted, disregarding the other's question.

Rekdu's heart suddenly clenched, and he remembered the bounty he had seen earlier, "This guy... is Donquixote Doflamingo?!"

"How did someone from the Donquixote family suddenly appear here?"

Rekdu was instantly alarmed, cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

He quickly remembered Doflamingo's previous words, realizing where the problem lay.

"You guys are from the Donquixote family, right? This is actually just a misunderstanding."

Rekdu was quite self-aware. He didn't think he could take on the people in front of him unless he had a perfect opportunity for a surprise attack to eliminate their leader.

So, he decided to try to clear the air and defuse the situation.

Anyway, he was planning on backing down already.

In his eyes, the Donquixote family coming here was likely due to him breaking some rules and wanting an explanation.

Unfortunately, he only guessed half right.

"Misunderstanding? Do you really think so?"

"Alright, let's not beat around the bush. I did intentionally lure those scoundrels here. On this matter, I can give an explanation to the Donquixote family."

"Oh? What kind of explanation? I'm starting to get curious."

Doflamingo continued to smile without a change in his demeanor, at this point, he didn't mind indulging the other party.

Gritting his teeth, Rekdu made an offer, "I can give you thirty percent of the loot from the past few days, and that Devil Fruit can be sold by the Donquixote family. The agreed commission will not be short a single Berry. Can we consider the matter resolved then?"

Upon hearing this, Doflamingo's expression became peculiar, as if he was watching a fool perform.

"Thirty percent is the maximum, don't be too greedy!"

Seeing Doflamingo staying silent, just smiling, Rekdu finally couldn't help but get angry, his voice rising.

"No, the more outrageous part comes later."

Doflamingo suddenly gestured meaningfully for Rekdu to look behind him.

And then Rekdu saw his first mate, who had just 'risked his life' to awaken everyone, holding a medium-sized box, bypassing him, and moving behind Doflamingo.

The first mate then presented the box with both hands.

"Isn't that the box I use to store the Devil Fruit?"

In an instant, Rekdu was enraged, "You traitor! How dare you betray me?!"

"Betrayal? Don't make me laugh! Though I'm the first mate on this ship, you've never treated me with respect. You've been feeding me empty promises, coaxing me into risking my life for you.

"You promised to give me that Devil Fruit in the end, but then you backed out!"

"Since you chose to be heartless first, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Now your biggest 'bargaining chip' is gone, what can you do?"

"If you kneel and kowtow to me now, I might help plead for your life later."

Rekdu was livid, gritting his teeth, "Don't you know you're asking a tiger for its skin? What did these people promise you?"

"Merely a retirement fund, nothing more."

"Is that it? Couldn't I have given that to you?"

"Of course, but now, all I want is to see you die, to see you die with regret!"

"I'll kill you first!"

Provoked by his first mate's betrayal and words, Rekdu lost his cool, instantly transforming into his Crocodile-Man form!

Then, he swung his crescent blade axe towards his first mate.

At this moment, Doflamingo had already opened the box, confirming the integrity of the Devil Fruit.

The fruit was a uniform blue, looking like a toy made of building blocks. The surface was adorned with "arabesque" spiral patterns, appearing very mysterious.

Indeed, he had never seen anything similar in the current Devil Fruit compendium.

"Sticky Cannon!"

Doflamingo ignored Rekdu, who was launched away by a glob of sticky fluid from Trebol, and stuck onto the stone wall outside the cave.

Doflamingo, in good spirits, safely stored the Devil Fruit, then looked at Rekdu, "Now you understand, I don't care about what explanations you can provide. When I show up, it means everything of yours will be taken away by me."

"Having obtained the goods, kill the rest."

Upon Doflamingo's command, the members of the Donquixote family immediately launched a one-sided massacre.

The riffraff of the Crocodile Pirate Crew couldn't even touch the hem of their clothes.

The scene was reminiscent of when the Crocodile Pirate Crew slaughtered the Black Wind Pirates.

No, it was even more brutal.

Watching his subordinates falling into pools of blood, Rekdu, stuck on the stone wall, couldn't help his eyes redden with fury.

At this moment, he knew he was doomed.

But even if he were to die, he would make these scoundrels pay!

If he could take down at least one person, his life would not have been in vain!

Rekdu believed that it wasn't an impossible task given his strength. Thus, he used his crescent blade axe to break free from the stone wall and rid himself of the disgusting sticky fluid.

However, just as he was deciding whom to take down with him, a slender figure had already appeared in front of him.

"Where did this runt come from? If you don't want to die, get lost!"

Rekdu mistook the figure for a servant or doorkeeper of the Donquixote family, since he had just seen a young girl dressed as a maid.

Urbanites indeed have a unique flair!

Hence, Rekdu didn't consider the child a threat.

But the next second, his arrogance cost him dearly.

Shura Aurora Slash!

Abel fiercely swung his short sword, and a brilliant aurora blade aura directly pressured his opponent.

Rekdu was taken aback, a bit flustered, and unable to dodge in time, he could only shout, blocking with his wide crescent blade axe.

The sharp flying slash almost pushed him back, his feet leaving long traces on the ground.

But, it was not enough to block the attack!

Whoosh!

The penetrating aurora slash first severed Rekdu's weapon, then fiercely sliced into his body, causing blood to splatter and leaving a very obvious 'X' shaped wound.

Yet, despite this, Rekdu had no intention of falling.

Because the Zoan-type Devil Fruit not only granted him a strong body but also far superior healing abilities and defense compared to a common crocodile!