Xiao Zizai had always been a pitiful man.
At least, in the world of The Outcast, that was his truth.
A man born wrong, placed in a world that never accepted him—
for him, living was a form of torment.
Even with a heart yearning for light, and a job that allowed the occasional release of instinct—
it still wasn't enough.
But now—
Everything had changed.
For the first time in his life, Xiao Zizai felt lucky.
Joining the Marines meant he could satisfy his innate urge for killing,
and the ones he killed would be deserving.
Someone like Zhao Guizhen—
that exquisite, rare "delicacy"—
existed here in abundance.
And best of all—
His commanding officer, Akainu—
fully agreed with his ideology
and supported him unconditionally.
That alone made Xiao Zizai feel a long-lost sense of belonging.
Of course, it helped that Akainu embodied a justice so absolute it bordered on extremism.
Back inside the tavern—
Because the fight had ended prematurely, the Holy Master and the others had lost their entertainment and returned.
Tu Shan Yaya pouted dramatically.
"That's it? So boring!"
"If Rayleigh Uncle won't fight you, then I will!"
She rolled up her sleeves—
Ron immediately grabbed her, slung her over his shoulder, and tossed her back inside before she could cause an international incident.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zizai stood with Sengoku and Akainu at the entrance for a few more minutes.
Finally, Sengoku made his decision:
"Headquarters Vice Admiral.
You'll report under Akainu."
"And if there's any issue, come to me directly."
This treatment…
was only because of Ron.
Otherwise, parachuting a total stranger into the rank of Vice Admiral would've caused an uproar throughout Marineford.
After paying Rayleigh's massive tab with a heart full of pain, Sengoku and Akainu finally left.
Xiao Zizai returned to his seat, took a sip of wine, and said calmly:
"They gave me the position."
"Not bad," Ron replied. "Against regular pirates, you'll do fine. But if you run into a real monster, you'll suffer."
"So let's trade. I can give you a power unique to this world."
"You have one month.
In exchange, bring me one Devil Fruit."
"How about it?"
Ron smiled.
After fusing the Hōgyoku, the system inventory still contained a spare set of Doflamingo's Armament Haki.
Trading that for a Devil Fruit?
A slow but extremely profitable deal.
Xiao Zizai considered briefly, then nodded.
"Fine."
Ron placed a hand on his shoulder.
A faint glow slipped into his body.
A moment later—
A barbaric surge of power rushed through Xiao Zizai.
With a mere thought, a layer of black, liquid-like armor wrapped around his forearms.
"So strong…"
He murmured.
Armament Haki greatly enhanced strength and defense.
And if he added his Golden Bell Shield on top?
That would be terrifying.
Before he could test it, Rayleigh clapped his shoulder.
"Work hard, kid."
"And when you get your salary, treat this old man to a drink. Your moves are strange… especially that last one that sucked me in."
"What was it called again?"
"Dragon's Pull," Xiao Zizai replied lightly.
Rayleigh raised a brow.
Still prefer Shepherd Sinai…
But he put on a straight face and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Good name. I like it."
Tu Shan Yaya blinked innocently.
"Uncle Rayleigh, why is your face weird? Does that name have another meaning?"
Kids.
Endless curiosity.
Rayleigh froze.
He had no idea how to explain that to a literal child-mind ancient fox.
If he started explaining and accidentally switched to highway-speed innuendo, he'd corrupt her instantly.
Thankfully, Ron stepped in, patting Yaya's head.
"It just means what it says."
"Like a thirsty fox drinking water by the river."
Yaya nodded seriously.
Rayleigh instantly understood the hidden message.
His grin stretched wider and wider.
Ron's face darkened.
I was being serious!
Stop interpreting it incorrectly, you dirty old man!
At that moment—
Ding-ling…
The tavern door opened.
Doflamingo swaggered inside with a box in hand.
Seeing Liang Bing and Kaisha already mid-argument, he wisely didn't bother them.
He placed the box on the bar.
"Boss, here's the latest batch of Devil Fruits. Please check."
Ron opened it.
Rows of SMILE fruits inside.
He immediately traded them for points, upgraded them into Ancient Zoans, and handed them back.
"Deal complete."
This batch was large—
Ron earned a full 1,000 system points in profit.
A few more deals like this and he could redeem Dragon Balls, Ea, Death Note… all those broken-tier artifacts.
As Doflamingo carefully packed the fruits away, he suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right, boss."
"Empress Hancock asked me for your tavern's location."
"She leaves Marineford the day after tomorrow. She should be coming soon."
Ron nodded.
"I know."
The moment he finished speaking—
A thunderous dragon roar ripped across the sky.
Everyone instinctively turned toward the window.
A colossal azure dragon streaked across the heavens, wreathed in flames.
"Kaido?!"
Doflamingo's pupils shrank.
Memories of being physically and spiritually abused resurfaced instantly.
"Just fight him," Liang Bing scoffed, arms crossed.
"Don't tell me you're scared now that you have a Second-God Body."
"If so, I really misjudged you—hired you just to keep a piece of trash around?"
"Fufufufu…"
Doflamingo's expression darkened, but his mouth remained stiff.
"Queen, you misunderstand."
"This trembling is excitement."
"Today—"
"I'll show him that the weak don't even get to choose how they die."
Yeah…
Liang Bing was right. With a Second-God Body—
He could punch above his weight.
Moments later—
Kaido descended from the sky, transformed back to human form, and roared toward the tavern:
"Which one of you is RON?!"
"Get your ass out here!"
Ron: "???"
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