Chrollo descended slowly from the sky, using Moonwalk while carrying the unconscious Golden Lion. Pakunoda turned back and gave Bonney a gentle, knowing smile.
"See? I told you Chrollo would win~"
Bonney nodded dumbly, her mind a chaotic storm of shock and disbelief. Holy... crap. Chrollo had actually defeated Shiki the Golden Lion—a legendary pirate from the era of Rocks D. Xebec.
As Kuma's daughter and a "Revolutionary Legacy," Bonney knew exactly what a name like Shiki meant. There was a saying in the New World: Anything produced by Rocks, if it survived, was top-tier. Just look at the roster of that ship: Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido! Three of the current Yonko came from that one crew.
Shiki was their equal. Even if he was old, an old lion is still a lion—not someone a "rookie" should be able to touch.
This man is too scary! Bonney stared at the approaching Chrollo, the realization hitting her for the hundredth time.
"Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?" Chrollo asked, landing gracefully. Bonney shook her head vigorously, acting as obedient as a kitten.
Chrollo ignored her strange behavior. Internally, he was screaming with joy, though he maintained his cold, "poker-faced" Leader persona for the Troupe. He turned his back to the group, pretending to adjust his coat, and opened [Bandit's Secret] so they wouldn't see the massive grin he was struggling to hold back.
It's the Golden Lion! How much Prestige is this going to give me?! I'm rich! This isn't just a windfall; this is a literal jackpot!
He rubbed his hands together excitedly. Then, remembering the Spiders were watching, he straightened his back, regained his composure, and slowly clicked on the flashing notification in the book's interface.
Next second, the light in Chrollo's eyes died. He rubbed his eyes, blinked, and looked again. His face twisted into a mask of silent, twitching fury.
Wait! Where are my points?! System, you thief! You're embezzling my Prestige, aren't you?!
The interface was empty. Not a single point had been added. Then, as if sensing his rage, a message box slowly flickered into existence:
> [Notice: The current island is in the process of falling. The Host's crisis has not been fully resolved, and the event is technically ongoing. Task rewards cannot be issued until the event conclusion.]
"Oh... I see." Chrollo's expression returned to normal instantly. "Right. I mean, the system is just an AI; it has no use for points anyway."
The system, seemingly offended, popped up another message:
> [Exception: This is a one-time warning. If the Player disparages the System again, all current Prestige will be confiscated.]
"..."
"I'm sorry, System Daddy. I was wrong."
---
Chrollo looked around. The atmospheric pressure was increasing, and a violent gale was whipping around them. The floating archipelago, having lost the support of the Float-Float Fruit, was beginning to disintegrate and plummet toward the sea with a deafening roar.
He quickly deactivated [Indoor Fish] and placed his hand on the unconscious Shiki.
One second... two seconds... three seconds.
A faint blue glow erupted. A strange, shimmering page floated above Shiki's head, featuring a black fruit covered in swirling, bubble-like patterns.
> [Detection: Host has Plundered the Float-Float Fruit]
> [Paramecia: Float-Float Fruit]
> Effect: Allows the user or touched non-living objects to defy gravity. Grants control over touched inorganic matter to create floating attacks. If the user is defeated, floating objects will fall.
> Rarity: / Potential: / Utility:
>
>
> [Appraisal Note:] "Fly away, fly away, my pride and indulgence... A high-power, high-safety ability. But be warned: because it is too safe, the owner must not lose their edge and ambition."
> [Overall Rating: S-Grade. Host receives 16 Free Attribute Points.]
"That appraisal is remarkably sharp," Chrollo mused. Shiki had spent twenty years on this island, and it had indeed dulled his spirit. He had become comfortable in his "safe" sky fortress.
Sixteen attribute points... The reward was consistent with the Age-Age Fruit. Chrollo didn't plan on eating the fruit himself; he had no interest in gaining a weakness to seawater, and he still had lingering suspicions about the true origin of Devil Fruits.
"CAN YOU HURRY UP?!" Bonney shrieked, her face contorting as the wind speed increased. She looked toward the edge of the island, where the ocean was rushing up to meet them.
"Stop shouting! I'm thinking!" Chrollo rubbed his chin.
He looked over his Troupe. Based on his previous experiments, Paramecia fruits were best suited for Enhancers. That left only Nobunaga and Phinks.
I've got it. Chrollo's eyes lit up. Nobunaga was destined to be a Great Swordsman. Giving him flight would allow him to combine his "En" and "Flying Slashes" into a deadly aerial combat style.
"Perfect. I really am a genius."
Chrollo manifested the fruit into physical form—a dark, swirling orb. He handed it to Nobunaga. "Eat it."
Then, he reached down and brutally detached the two legendary blades, Oto and Kogarasu, from Shiki's legs. He handed those to Nobunaga as well.
"Try a dual-wielding style. And from now on, train your slashes. You saw Hawkeye and Shiki—they can project their sword intent across long distances. That is the 'Great Swordsman' realm. When you can cut the very air and sea with a single swing... then you will have reached the peak."
Nobunaga took the fruit and the blades, his expression turning solemn under the weight of Chrollo's expectations.
---