The Heavenly Tribute...
It was a crucial instrument for the World Government's economic exploitation and the maintenance of its rule. From what Chrollo knew, many non-affiliated nations were driven into extreme poverty or even faced total collapse due to the crushing weight of this "Heavenly Tribute" and the subsequent suppression by the World Government.
In Chrollo's memory, the original story only saw Donquixote Doflamingo leading his family to hijack the Heavenly Tribute, using it to blackmail the World Government into granting him the title of "Warlord of the Sea."
But what was Doflamingo's status? Not only was he the secret king of Dressrosa, but he also had a Celestial Dragon background and maintained partnerships with Kaido, Big Mom, and various other parties. His arms business spanned the globe, and he had connections in both the underworld and legitimate society. He was a top-tier "nepo baby," which gave him the capital to negotiate. Anyone else who dared touch the Celestial Dragons' tribute would have been wiped out until not a speck of dust remained.
"What? Are you scared?" Bonney asked, noticing the pensive look in Chrollo's eyes.
"Scared?" Chrollo raised an eyebrow, and a confident smile gradually spread across his lips. "The purpose of our coming here is to plunder everything. Treasure, prestige, status, wealth... that is the very meaning of the Phantom Troupe's existence."
Chrollo spread his arms. He smiled as he realized that in this world, any event involving the Celestial Dragons would generate unparalleled prestige. Hijacking the tribute they valued most would be a massive slap in the face to the World Government—imagine the prestige he could gain!
That prestige would serve as the key to opening the Point Shop. The items within that shop would become nutrients for the Spiders, perhaps even directly increasing their strength.
"What a wonderful opportunity~ To seize what the World Government considers their own and slap them where it hurts most!"
"Can I have more food now?" Bonney asked expectantly.
With a wave of Chrollo's hand, a mountain of food reappeared. Bonney's eyes lit up. She lunged forward with the speed of a predator, scrambling toward the feast and eating ravenously.
Chrollo watched her with a meaningful look, his voice low: "This was your true goal, wasn't it, Bonney? To use a world-shaking incident to spark a conflict with the World Government and announce your existence to your father—Bartholomew Kuma—wherever he may be..."
Bonney pretended she didn't hear a word, stuffing her mouth with food and mumbling, "So good... too good!"
Chrollo's expression turned gentle. He slowly crouched down, his handsome face radiating a natural, approachable warmth. He gently patted Bonney's head. "It's okay. You did well. Eat slowly; there's plenty more if that's not enough~"
Bonney nodded innocently. One second, two seconds, three seconds...
"By the way, I still don't know what your ability is~ Could you show me? This is part of our bond in the Phantom Troupe; there are no secrets between members regarding our abilities," Chrollo asked softly.
Bonney, focused on her food, didn't think much of it. Between Devil Fruit users, their abilities were rarely secrets for long. She nodded, her mouth full as she replied, "My ability is the Paramecia-type Age-Age Fruit. It lets me freely manipulate ages. I can make people older or younger just by touching them."
To demonstrate, Bonney reached out an oily hand toward Shalnark. Poof! Accompanied by a flash of pink light, Shalnark's clothes collapsed into a heap. From beneath the fabric, a childish voice piped up: "This is so cool~"
Young "Shota" Shalnark poked his head and limbs out of the pile, staring at his small hands in wonder. "I've turned into a kid~"
"See? That's my power," Bonney gestured. She placed her hand back on him, and he returned to his adult form. "Do you understand now?" she asked casually.
Chrollo watched with genuine intrigue, then smiled and nodded. "I understand perfectly~"
The next second, pink light flashed. Poof! Bonney felt her center of gravity shift as she suddenly sat hard on the floor. Her clothes were now far too big, draping over her in a heap.
"What happened?!!"
From the pile of clothes emerged an incredibly cute pink-haired toddler with bright lipstick... it was Bonney.
"I've returned to my original form? How... is this possible?!"
Bonney stared at her small hands in horror. She was naturally eight years old; her "Big Sister" look was an age increase she used as a disguise. This toddler form was her true self. After a moment of shock, she snapped her head up and glared at Chrollo.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!!!"
Chrollo's lips tilted up with a mix of self-satisfaction and playfulness. "Don't panic. You introduced your ability to me, and as an exchange, I am introducing mine to you as a sign of our bond~"
"Isn't your ability teleportation?!" Toddler Bonney felt a total loss of security because she could no longer feel her connection to the Age-Age Fruit! In other words... she had become powerless! How is that possible? "WHAT DID YOU ACTUALLY DO?!!" she screamed, tears welling in her eyes.
"Teleportation is just one of many abilities I possess..." Chrollo smiled. "You've already seen my true power. My real ability is... Theft."
> [Detection: Host has stolen the Age-Age Fruit]
> [Paramecia-type · Age-Age Fruit]
> [Ability: Freely controls age. Can age or de-age targets via touch, or change one's own form at will. Can also decay objects. At its peak... it can distort the future.]
> [Rating: Rarity: A / Potential: S / Utility: S]
> [Appraisal: No one can resist the erosion of time, even a legend like Whitebeard falls on the battlefield in his old age. Revere time.]
> [Comprehensive Rating: S-Grade. Host receives 16 Free Attribute Points]
Chrollo couldn't help but smile. The Age-Age Fruit was truly powerful, netting him 16 attribute points. He had never been this "rich"! He put 4 points into Strength, 8 into Agility, and 4 into Constitution.
His stats were now:
> [Name: Chrollo Lucilfer]
> [Attributes: Strength: 60 (B+) / Agility: 70 (A) / Intelligence: 73 (A) / Constitution: 63 (B+)]
> [Aura Quantity: 420,000 (Royal Guard Level)]
My aura is now higher than Menthuthuyoupi's, Chrollo analyzed. But it's still not enough...
> [Detection: Host has successfully recruited 'Big Eater' Jewelry Bonney to the Phantom Troupe. Triggering Plunder.]
> [Gained Prestige: 12,000]
> [Progress to Point Shop: 20,000 / 100,000]
"Give me back my power!!" Toddler Bonney kicked and punched Chrollo with her tiny limbs.
Chrollo smiled and tapped her forehead. Poof! Pink light flashed, and she returned to her adult form.
"You bastard—!" Bonney cried as she aggressively ate three more bowls of noodles, cursing him between bites. "You're a monster, a meanie, a jerk—!"
Despite her cursing, a seed of profound awe for the man in front of her had been planted in her heart.
"I think you were cuter a moment ago~" Chrollo remarked as he stood to leave.
He felt great. A perfect mix of kindness and intimidation had put Bonney right where he wanted her. I've been handling the Troupe for years; you think I can't manage an eight-year-old?
"Where to next?" Shalnark asked curiously.
"Turn the ship around. We're going back. There's a 'package' waiting for us to pick up."
Behind him, Bonney lifted her head from her food to watch his departing back with a complex gaze. He could use Observation Haki, possessed multiple powers, and could steal the abilities of others. Such a person was terrifying. She couldn't imagine how high he would eventually climb.
Suddenly, she didn't feel like going out to sea anymore...
---
The heist on the Heavenly Tribute is on!