The Grand Line.
Adrian's ships had already entered the Grand Line. On the way, they stopped by the Twin Capes lighthouse and bought Log Poses from Crocus.
And only after buying them did Adrian understand one thing:
This old man was basically a walking Log Pose factory.
He had everything—regular Log Poses, and even permanent ones leading straight to Alabasta, Water 7, and even Sabaody Archipelago.
Adrian was a little surprised at first… but thinking about it again, it made perfect sense.
Modifying Laboon's colossal body over the years must have cost Crocus a fortune. Whatever money he saved from his time as the Roger Pirates' ship doctor would have run dry after twenty years.
So how did he stay well-off while working a low-salary lighthouse job?
Simple.
He was secretly running a Log Pose business.
Adrian didn't hesitate—he dropped a fat stack of cash and bought multiple permanent Log Poses: one for Alabasta, one for Water 7, and of course, Sabaody.
They were outrageously expensive…
But Adrian?
He'd never lacked money.
Sure, a normal person would go bankrupt instantly—but for him? That was pocket change. And as a bandit, he should've robbed Crocus outright… but honestly, the reward would've been too small. A basket of Log Poses wasn't worth the trouble.
If he wanted real profit, he'd just rob a Warlord—like Crocodile.
After stocking up, they set sail again.
Their next target: the Kingdom of Alabasta.
Crocodile's combat power among the Seven Warlords wasn't even top-tier, but he did have something valuable under him:
Nico Robin.
The sole survivor of Ohara.
Branded "Devil Child," with a 79,000,000 bounty the moment she entered the scene.
But her bounty wasn't the point.
The point was—
Adrian wanted her body.
He admitted it: he was shameless.
Before, he was too weak and too busy scrambling for power to think about romance. But now? His strength had skyrocketed. His life wasn't a race against death anymore.
Might as well enjoy himself.
All that money—what good was it if he didn't spend it?
…
During the voyage, Adrian and Nojiko were "practicing calligraphy" every day.
Nami rolled her eyes so hard she nearly snapped her neck.
In broad daylight too…
Shameless. Absolutely shameless.
But since her sister had willingly fallen for Adrian, Nami could only endure.
Dusty, on the other hand—now serving as the ship's maid—was the one cleaning their room afterward. From blushing mess to numb acceptance… she had gone through an evolution.
Today, Adrian suddenly remembered something:
He still had two unused SS-Rank Random Item Tickets.
Letting them sit there wouldn't make them hatch or multiply, so he decided to use both.
Ding! SS-Rank Random Item Ticket used successfully.
Ding! Congratulations—acquired: Flame-Flame Fruit (Side Effects Removed)!
Ding! SS-Rank Random Item Ticket used successfully.
Ding! Congratulations—acquired: Rumble-Rumble Fruit (Side Effects Removed)!
Two fruits materialized in Adrian's hands.
He stared at them—stunned.
Both were Logia-type Devil Fruits.
Both had their weaknesses erased by the system.
In terms of value? Even Mythical Zoans couldn't compare.
Side effects removed = no fatal seawater weakness.
These were god-tier items.
Of course…
"Ugh… Flame-Flame Fruit. Even a dog wouldn't eat that."
Adrian muttered as he held it.
Well—he said that, but a Logia was undeniably powerful. And this one was even better than Ace's version.
Still, Adrian had zero interest in eating it.
His current power was far beyond what the Flame-Flame Fruit could offer. The boost would be minor at best.
Instead, he looked over at Kokushibo Yemitsu.
Yemitsu's Sun Breathing was already at the pinnacle. He'd begun training Armament and Observation Haki, but unlike Luffy, not everyone could learn three types of Haki and awaken a Devil Fruit in a few months.
Even with Yemenitsu's monstrous talent, mastery would take at least a year.
But if Adrian wanted Yemitsu to grow stronger immediately…
Giving him a side-effect-free Logia was the perfect shortcut.
…
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