"Hmm… at least you know you still owe us," Vladimir nodded, satisfied. "Now, speak — what business do you have with us, members of Phantom?"
"Now that I have paid the reward, our accounts are settled," the Empress replied, a faint smile curling her lips as she looked him over.
"But you… foolish dragon… now you owe me! Don't think I forgot — you stole the Celestial Gold that belonged to me!"
Vladimir couldn't help but shake his head. "Since when did that gold ever belong to you? Still… you keep chasing after me time and time again. Should I call this persistence, or… never mind. Little girl, I happen to be missing someone by my side to massage my back and shoulders. If you still want to follow me… then go ahead."
He spoke with resignation and turned to leave.
Hearing those words, the Empress's eyes widened in shock, her heart burning with fury.
"Wait right there! Stop this instant!"
She was absolutely furious. She was the Empress of Amazon Lily — how dare this foolish dragon suggest she become his personal masseuse?!
...
Vladimir walked on. He was not heading toward the auction house, but rather toward the river channel in District 2.
Because of Rayleigh's intervention, the man in the peaked cap had failed to escape with the blueprint.
Instead, his own crew — the Moonlight Pirates — had been completely wiped out, and the blueprint had ended up in Rayleigh's hands.
Of course, due to the agreement made earlier between the Shadow Spirit and him, the man's life had been spared.
But regardless of who had taken the blueprint, it made no difference to Phantom. The Devil Fruits that were owed still had to be handed over.
As he walked, the Empress caught up from behind, her face filled with indignation — clearly still offended by the "massage" comment.
"You foolish dragon… wait up!" she called out loudly.
But her words died in her throat. Suddenly, the space before them tore open, and a figure clad entirely in black stepped out.
"Shadow Spirit!" The Empress raised her brows and came to a halt.
The Shadow Spirit was only the second member of Phantom she had encountered; he was the one who had struck the deal with her regarding the assassination mission.
Right now, in his hand, the Shadow Spirit held the man in the peaked cap.
The man was in terrible shape, heavily injured, and was being dragged along like a dead dog.
"Lord Emperor Vladimir!"
The Shadow Spirit glanced briefly at the Empress, then spoke respectfully.
"Mn… wake him up."
"As you wish."
The Shadow Spirit threw the man onto the ground, then extended a finger to touch his forehead.
A gust of dark wind swept over him. The man's face twitched, and he suddenly jolted awake.
The first thing he saw was the Shadow Spirit. Then he caught sight of Vladimir. His pupils contracted sharply. "Emperor Vladimir!"
He reacted instantly, reaching frantically for his chest. His face drained of color. "The blueprint…"
"The blueprint was taken," the Shadow Spirit said calmly.
"Dark King Rayleigh intervened. With a single burst of Haki, he knocked you unconscious. If I hadn't stepped in to save you, you would be dead."
"What?!" The man — Rekk — turned pale, then shouted angrily.
"Why didn't you stop him? With your power — you easily defeated the Phoenix Marco — dealing with Dark King Rayleigh wouldn't have been a problem at all!"
"Watch your tongue. Do you think you can shout and make demands in front of Lord Emperor Vladimir?"
The Shadow Spirit snorted. With a flick of his finger, a rope made of shadow shot out and bound the man tightly.
"I promised to ensure your safety. I never said I would interfere in the fight over the blueprint."
"Deceitful scoundrel!" Rekk spat, seething with rage.
Vladimir raised his hand, signaling the Shadow Spirit to be silent. He looked down at Rekk.
"I do not care what happened to the blueprint. I am only concerned with the remaining seventy-five Devil Fruits. Where are the others from your alliance group?"
"Hmph! Now that the blueprint is gone, what point is there in talking about fruits?" Rekk sneered.
"Emperor Vladimir, unless you help me retrieve the blueprint, you will not receive the rest of the payment."
"Hahaha…"
Vladimir chuckled softly. Within his eyes, three magatama patterns slowly spun, then instantly transformed into the design of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Meeting that gaze, Rekk's whole body shuddered. In the next moment, his eyes became empty and dull.
"What is your name?"
"Rekk."
"Which faction do you belong to?"
"The Rekk Pirates."
"The remaining fruits… are they in the hands of the other captains from your Six-Pirate Alliance?"
"No. The fruits are all in the hands of the Holy Maiden."
"The Holy Maiden?"
Vladimir paused, pressing further. "Who is she?"
"The Holy Maiden is an Angel… she comes from the Divine Kingdom in the Sky. All the fruits prepared for the auction were provided by her." Rekk answered without the slightest reservation.
Divine Kingdom in the Sky… This was the second time Vladimir had heard that name; the first was during the distress call from the Holy Church Pirates.
"I assume this 'Holy Maiden' is likely the princess of some nation on Skypiea that calls itself a 'Divine Kingdom'," Vladimir guessed inwardly. Aloud he asked: "You said she is an Angel. What does that mean?"
"The Holy Maiden possesses the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Type: Angel Form."
"I see." Vladimir realized. "What a coincidence… so there really is an Angel Fruit in existence."
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