#26 Apple bomber doc

On the high platform, Blackbeard watched the ongoing brawl below with great interest, completely enjoying the spectacle like a true bystander.

For Blackbeard, who excelled at controlling situations, stirring up a conflict and then sitting back to watch was a pleasure.

Carlo, however, had a different focus. He looked at Burgess below, with a hint of surprise on his face.

"Is it just a coincidence? Or…"

Jesus Burgess, nicknamed the Fighting Champion, was originally Blackbeard's top subordinate. Among the first to follow Blackbeard, Burgess was quite formidable.

Though his strength wasn't the best in the New World, here in the first half of the Grand Line, he was quite intimidating, as evidenced by the reaction of the surrounding pirates.

"Ahem… Do any of you angry fellows want an apple?"

At this moment, an old man who looked like he was on death's door, slumped over the back of a tall, sickly horse, appeared. He carried a basket of red apples, tapping a young pirate on the shoulder.

Both the old man and his horse seemed half-dead, making for a strange sight.

"What the heck?!"

The young pirate, who had been calmly watching from a distance, was startled when the old man tapped him on the shoulder. Turning around to see a face like that of a witch, he was almost scared to death.

"You old geezer, are you looking to die? Scaring people like that! I'll send you on your way myself if you keep this up!"

The young pirate, furious after being scared, yelled at the old man.

"Ahem, sorry, young man. Here, have an apple on me…"

The old man, sounding even weaker, offered an apple from his basket.

"Geez, you really are an old fool, coming to a place like Salaca to beg. You sure know how to pick a spot!"

Seeing the old man, the young pirate's expression turned to one of pity, with a hint of mockery.

He reached into the basket and grabbed an apple.

"If it doesn't taste good, I might just send you on your way for real!"

The young pirate, acting tough in front of the old man, took a bite of the apple.

"Stop! Don't eat it!!"

Suddenly, a terrified voice rang out from nearby.

Another pirate, looking at the old man with horror, seemed to realize what was happening. He and the young pirate were shipmates, both initially watching the fight from a distance.

But it was too late…

'Boom!'

A massive explosion rocked the area, covering a large radius!

Everyone's attention turned to the explosion. After a moment, they saw the old man riding his sick horse emerging slowly from the smoke.

The explosion had killed over a hundred pirates nearby, but the old man was unscathed, even his basket of apples intact.

This bizarre scene left everyone bewildered. How could an old man and a sick horse survive such an explosion?

"Death God, Doc Q?!"

"No way, the 72-million-Berry Reaper! How is he here? I've been on this island for three months and had no idea!"

A few recognized the old man, looking as if they'd seen a ghost.

The man was Doc Q, also known as the Death God, a notorious and feared figure. Despite looking like an old man, he was actually only in his late twenties.

His bounty of 72 million Berries made him a significant figure, especially in the first half of the Grand Line. To put it into perspective, Jesus Burgess, who had intimidated so many earlier, had a bounty of only 20 million Berries.

"Everything that happens is destined. What must happen will happen…" Doc Q said, his eyes flashing with a strange light before resuming their lifeless look.

"Does anyone want an apple?" he asked, holding out the basket again.

"No… no, no, no! We're good!"

Everyone quickly backed away, treating him like the plague. No one wanted to stay near him!

"Another one? This is getting interesting!"

On the platform, Carlo also watched the scene unfold. His eyes, fixed on Doc Q, showed a hint of amusement.