Konoha: I have a clone in One Piece.

Chapter 173 Let's kill a Celestial Dragon first to set the mood (6k)

Meanwhile, in the world of One Piece.

The Sabaody Archipelago on the Grand Line.

"Hahaha, Suzuki, I didn't expect you to come here."

"It's been so long! Hahaha..."

Rayleigh, the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates, laughed heartily.

He and Suzuki hadn't seen each other for almost ten years since they parted ways on Skypiea. He usually only saw news about this young man he had once taught in the newspapers. He never expected that Suzuki would actually come to the Sabaody Archipelago to visit him.

It is indeed a joyful thing to meet an old friend.

Suzuki smiled and handed Rayleigh a bottle of fine wine that Robin had sent, saying:

"Yes, it's been a long time."

"Knowing you enjoy drinking, I specially brought a bottle of the most authentic Binks spirit from the West Sea this time. Mr. Reilly, thank you for your past guidance!"

"Hahaha, this is wonderful!" Rayleigh, who loved fine wine the most and often sold himself to slave auctions because he didn't have money to buy wine, quickly accepted the wine that Suzuki handed him.

"What fine wine..." Rayleigh opened the bottle, took a delicious sip, exclaimed, and then sighed, saying:

"You have no idea, ever since I came to Sabaody, Shakky has been keeping an eye on me. I haven't drunk a single bottle of wine worth more than a hundred Berries in the last few years, sigh..."

"..." Suzuki glanced sideways at Shaki, the hotel bartender who was smiling at Rayleigh, and chuckled, "..."

"Haha... Well, maybe she's more worried about your health."

"Mr. Raleigh, you have been through many battles. Generally speaking, people who don't take good care of their bodies when they are young are more likely to have some minor health problems when they get older."

"Exactly!" The hotel owner, Xia Qi, said with certainty, then looked at Suzuki with a hint of approval and closeness on her face.

"This guy is right."

Then she said to Rayleigh, "It's fine to drink alcohol occasionally, but drinking it every day like you're practically living in a wine jar can't go on."

"Right, buddy?"

"..."

Suzuki and Rayleigh exchanged a glance and decisively stopped discussing the topic.

Rayleigh suddenly looked enlightened and pointed at Shakky, saying, "Suzuki, I almost forgot to introduce you. This is Shakky. I've been staying at her bar since I came to the Sabaody Archipelago."

Although Suzuki already knew of Rayleigh's existence as a close confidante, he still greeted Shakky as if they were meeting for the first time.

"Really? Hello, Boss Xiaqi!"

As he spoke, he sized up Xia Qi, whose appearance seemed ageless and who was suspected to be a former queen of Daughter Island, and then exclaimed in admiration:

"Mr. Raleigh is truly blessed!"

"I thought Mr. Rayleigh had retired somewhere because he hadn't been active on the sea for so long. I never expected that he would have such a beautiful and kind-hearted confidante like Sister Shaki to take care of him. It's truly enviable."

"Hehehe..." Shakky covered her mouth and chuckled, "Suzuki, you really know how to talk. I didn't expect that bastard Rayleigh would know such a nice young man like you."

Then she glanced at Rayleigh, who was grinning to the side, and snorted softly:

"But this guy is shameless and insists on staying here. It's been so long, and he doesn't know how to go out and earn some money to help support his family. All he does is drink."

"And also, he usually..."

Rayleigh sat at the table, smiling as he watched Shakky and Suzuki talk. He didn't interrupt or argue, but simply savored the wine in his hand.

A short while later, after their conversation ended, Rayleigh's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he looked at Suzuki and asked:

"Suzuki, although we haven't known each other for long, I know you've never been a settled young man. This trip to Sabaody isn't just about visiting me, is it?"

"Hmm." Suzuki nodded, but instead of explaining what Sabaody wanted to do, he suddenly changed the subject and asked:

"During the God Valley Incident, besides Garp of your Roger Pirates, were there any other powerful figures involved?"

Then Suzuki added, "For example, the people on the World Government's side."

"..."

Rayleigh stopped drinking.

He glanced sharply at Suzuki, his brows furrowing slightly. He wondered why this young man knew about that matter, and even more so why he had suddenly asked about it.

Rayleigh frowned, remained silent for a moment, and then said to Suzuki:

"Suzuki, that's all in the past. Back then, the World Government did send some powerful beings to fight the Rocks Pirates alongside us and Garp."

He said with a serious expression, "I don't know why you're asking this, but their strength is definitely not as simple as it appears on the surface!"

Then, as if realizing something, Rayleigh stared wide-eyed at Suzuki, exclaiming in shock:

"You're not planning to cause trouble in Mary Geoise, are you???"

I guess so.

Although he could only be considered someone who took advantage of the chaos, Suzuki still acknowledged Rayleigh's guess.

He calmly picked up the water glass on the table, took a small sip, and continued to ask, "Mr. Rayleigh, how strong are those powerful beings? How many are there? How do they compare to you, Captain Roger, and Garp?"

"You little brat..."

Rayleigh's mouth dropped open, utterly astonished by Suzuki's audacity.

Mary Geoise...

That's a place even the Roger Pirates at their peak wouldn't dare set foot in, and now this young man is going there to cause trouble!

Xia Qi, the proprietress, overheard their conversation and, while shocked, kindly offered some advice:

"Suzuki, that place isn't easy to navigate. Besides the Navy, the World Government's hidden forces are also quite formidable. It hasn't had any problems for hundreds of years, which shows just how deep the waters of Mary Geoise are."

"Yes, I know." Suzuki nodded, then smiled and explained:

"But don't worry, I'm not a main force, and Mr. Rayleigh should know something about my abilities, so there won't be any problems."

"Sigh..." Rayleigh sighed upon hearing Suzuki's words.

"The younger generation is really pushing the older generation aside. Today's young people are getting more and more amazing. I guess I'm really getting old."

"Alright, let me tell you about what happened back then."

Rayleigh quickly began to recount the events that his Roger Pirates had experienced decades ago at God Valley, as well as the powerful figures from the World Government who had participated in that battle.

Back then, besides the Roger Pirates and Garp in the Navy, there was another powerful force hidden away—the Knights of God!

The strongest among them was a Celestial Dragon named Figarand Greene, a terrifying swordsman whose strength was comparable to Roger and Garp. Edward Newgate, the strongest man in the world today, once fought against him.

The result was a lose-lose situation.

In addition, the Knights of God had several members whose strength was only slightly weaker than Rayleigh's, and those members did not die in the fight against the Rocks Pirates.

As Suzuki listened to Rayleigh describe those people's abilities, he narrowed his eyes and pondered deeply.

The Knights of God...

Figarando Gringus...

With such a powerful being guarding Mary Geoise, how did Fisher Tiger manage to cause such a huge mess there?

Could it be that they had to leave temporarily? Did Im wake up once in the middle? Or are they simply indifferent to the slaves?

Rayleigh finished his story shortly afterward.

Upon learning that Suzuki was going to Mary Geoise, even this powerful figure, whose strength had reached the level of a sea monster, couldn't help but worry:

"Suzuki, while I'd love to see some trouble there, Shakky is right. Mary Geoise's strength isn't as simple as we think, and what I just said might not even be the whole story. Even if your abilities are strange, you'd better think it over carefully, really!"

"It's okay, I..."

Suzuki gathered his thoughts and responded with a light laugh. Just then, his Den Den Mushi rang.

"Beep beep—"

Suzuki answered the Den Den Mushi.

"Hey, yeah, I just got here."

"You're already there? You saw that fishman? Okay, I understand, I'll be right there."

Suzuki hung up the Den Den Mushi and gave Rayleigh and Shakky an apologetic smile:

"Sorry, I'll bring a few more bottles of good wine when I have time to visit again."

"I have to go now."

Rayleigh put down his wine, stood up, and sighed:

"Sigh... okay."

With a serious expression, he said, "Although I don't know what kind of help you've called, be careful in everything you do!"

"Yes, make sure you come back safely." Xia Qi, the proprietress standing at the bar, also came over and said to Suzuki with a serious expression.

"Yes, I know."

"Mr. Raleigh, Sister Shaki, thank you, goodbye."

Suzuki smiled, said a simple goodbye and thanked him, then turned and walked towards the store entrance.

"well……"

Watching the departing figure of this young man whom he had high hopes for, Rayleigh sighed deeply once again.

Seeing this, Xia Qi came to the table and comforted her:

"I've been following this kid. He's always done things that seem dangerous, but he always manages to escape unscathed. This time he'll definitely be fine too, don't worry."

"Let's hope so. That's the Celestial Dragons' stronghold!"

Rayleigh frowned as he looked in the direction of Mary Geoise, losing all interest in even the fine wine laid out before him.

……

The Sabaody Archipelago remains the same as before.

It boasts beautiful scenery and a bustling atmosphere.

The breath exhaled by the Yarchiman mangroves rises from the ground, forming one after another transparent and interesting bubble, which emits colorful shimmers under the sunlight, decorating the island like a fairy tale.

On the island, pedestrians hurry by, vendors hawk their wares, tour guides give introductions, and tourists exclaim in surprise—all in a constant stream.

On the slightly crowded street, Suzuki had transformed into a middle-aged businessman using his transformation magic and was walking unhurriedly among the crowd.

The Sabaody Archipelago is divided into 79 areas based on the number of Yarchiman mangroves.

Shakky's Bamboo Pole Bar is in Area 13, while Suzuki is heading to Area 1, which is closest to the Red Line. However, upon arriving in this cruel and brutal slave-trading area, he encounters an unexpected character.

Ahead, a haughty man with an arrogant gait, wearing a pink fur coat and sunglasses, was leading his henchmen toward the auction house.

"Doflamingo?"

Suzuki squinted at Doflamingo in front of him, a smile involuntarily appearing on his face.

Unexpectedly, there was an unexpected bonus.

Perfect timing! Sasori's Devil Fruit is still up in the air in the ninja world, and this is just a gift delivered right to our doorstep.

Paramecia type, String-String Fruit...

Suzuki smiled, then slowly walked over and politely greeted him.

"It's been a long time, Mr. Doflamingo."

"???"

Doflamingo paused, then slowly turned around and immediately spotted Suzuki walking towards them.

However, Suzuki had transformed into a middle-aged businessman, and the flamingo clearly didn't recognize him, a look of confusion on his face.

Which merchant did you trade with before?

"What's up?"

Doflamingo asked coldly.

He's currently rushing to the auction house with Diamanti to deliver goods, so he doesn't have time to chat with someone he can't even remember.

"Well, I'd say so."

Suzuki replied with a smile.

"Diamanti".

"understood."

Doflamingo called to one of his family's subordinates, signaling him to come and talk to Suzuki.

"Just tell him what's wrong."

After saying this, Doflamingo held his head high and strode towards the auction house without even glancing at the surrounding scenery.

Diamante, a member of the Don Quixote family, looked at Suzuki and calmly asked:

"Name, company, assets."

"Then tell me what kind of deal you want to make with us. Do you want to buy slaves or weapons? Young Master is very busy, so just talk to me if you have something to say."

"That won't do."

Suzuki chuckled and shook his head.

Diamanti frowned, not expecting the businessman in front of him to be so tactless.

"Don't..."

A hint of coldness flashed in his eyes, but as soon as he spoke, his pupils widened suddenly.

A gust of wind howled past, and Suzuki stretched out his index finger and plunged it into Diamanti's forehead.

As the index finger pierced through, it turned into a silvery-white steel and then easily pierced the skull of this member of the Don Quixote family.

However, due to the attack, Suzuki's transformation technique was also canceled.

Diamante's face was filled with horror and fear. Even his Armament Haki couldn't sustain him as he faded away. In his final moments, he could only muster the last of his strength to shout towards Doflamingo, who was not far away:

"Young...Young Master—"

"He is a traveler..."

"Bang!"

Before he could finish speaking, Suzuki withdrew his finger, and Diamanti's body fell straight to the ground, his eyes filled with fear and resentment.

"!!!"

Doflamingo paused again.

He turned around stiffly, and upon seeing Suzuki, his eyes behind his sunglasses instantly filled with seriousness.

Traveler!!!

How did this guy end up in Sabaody?

"Bark, bark, bark..."

"Traveler, it's been a long time."

"I never expected that after we parted ways in Loguetown, you would give me such a wonderful gift upon our reunion!"

"But I remember, I didn't do anything to you, did I?!"

Seeing Diamante lying on the ground as a corpse, Doflamingo's face was contorted with rage, and his Conqueror's Haki instantly enveloped the entire island.

However, due to his fear of Suzuki's bounty, which far exceeded his own, and his obviously strong strength, this future Shichibukai did not choose to attack even after seeing the corpses of his subordinates, but remained extremely wary.

"Yes, you haven't provoked me, but..."

Suzuki smiled, seemingly oblivious to Conqueror's Haki, then a cold glint flashed in his eyes:

"Because you have something I need on you~"

As soon as he finished speaking, Suzuki rushed towards Doflamingo.

"So fast!!!"

Doflamingo's pupils constricted.

But the next moment, he didn't have time to think and hurriedly used his Devil Fruit ability to try to stop Suzuki.

"Strike the string!"

Doflamingo stretched out his hand, and thin threads shot out from his fingertips at high speed like bullets.

However, the bullet trajectory that was once enough to easily pierce through the enemy's bones was now completely useless!

Suzuki's body had unknowingly transformed into silver-white steel, and Armament Haki had already covered his body. The fine wires, stronger than bullets, could not cause him the slightest harm.

In the blink of an eye, Suzuki appeared in front of Doflamingo and threw a punch with a sharp look in his eyes.

boom--

A sonic boom was heard in the air.

"Five-colored threads!"

Doflamingo flicked out a nearly transparent thin thread from each of his five fingers, his eyes fierce, and attacked Suzuki with the posture of a beast's claw.

This is a thread far sharper than ordinary fine thread; it has easily cut not only bones but even steel.

Under the sunlight, the thin lines shimmered with colorful, cold light.

But the next moment.

The incredibly strong five-colored threads seemed to have encountered something unstoppable, and they all snapped instantly, not even for a moment!

To Doflamingo's disbelief, a silver fist slammed into his face.

bang——

The ground cracked, and dirt flew everywhere.

"If it's ten or twenty years from now, maybe you can hold out for a while longer."

"However, you're still too green."

Looking at the pink wool coat that had sunk deep into the ground, Suzuki remained calm and spoke serenely.

The Doflamingo of today is not the same Shichibukai who will control the Dressrosa Kingdom more than a decade later; the current Flamingo is just a gangster boss still selling arms in the West Blue.

He has no connection with Kaido, his Haki isn't very strong, and he hasn't even awakened his Devil Fruit ability yet.

With such weak strength, how could they possibly stop Suzuki, who could kill even Shiryu of the Rain and Magellan?

"Cough cough..."

Doflamingo crawled out of the ground in a disheveled state, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

He never imagined that the gap between himself and Suzuki would be so big. They were both newcomers who set sail from Loguetown, so why have they become like this now?

He couldn't even withstand a single move!

Is this the power of someone with a bounty of 2.5 billion Berries?

Before this, Doflamingo, who had never been beaten so badly, seemed to have his pride shattered by the punch he had just received, and the expression on his face gradually turned crazed:

"It's just that I ate a good fruit!"

"If it weren't for... if it weren't for leaving back then... Traveler, how dare you look down on me like that?!"

As he spoke, Doflamingo's face contorted into a ferocious expression, and he stretched his hands behind him. Then, a large number of transparent threads shot out from his palms. These threads intertwined to form a thick column of thread, as thick as a hair. The column of thread kept growing longer and longer until it reached hundreds of meters before stopping.

"Super Whiplash!"

After imbuing the pillar with Armament Haki, Doflamingo suddenly swung his outstretched hand toward Suzuki.

The silk threads, still sharp but now even stronger, swiftly sliced ​​through the air, easily slicing through the houses on the surrounding streets as if they were tofu, with a faint tearing sound emanating from them.

This is Doflamingo's current signature move. In the past, when dealing with some strong enemies, he could easily defeat them by using the Super Whip.

however……

"Snapped!"

Suzuki glanced at the incoming wire, raised his hand and grabbed it casually, as if he were grabbing a leaf. The ground beneath his feet did not sink at all, and not even a speck of dust was kicked up.

"..."

Doflamingo stared blankly, his mind going completely blank!

How is that possible?

No, I absolutely cannot die here!!!

Realizing he was facing an enemy he could not possibly defeat, Doflamingo's face contorted with rage, and he decisively made the decision to flee.

Several thin, barely visible lines silently stretched towards the sky, binding together a few clouds.

However, just as his body left the ground...

hiss--

Doflamingo stiffly lowered his head and looked at his chest.

A sharp blade had pierced through his skin, and blood instantly stained his pink sweater crimson.

"No!!"

"I don't want to die!"

"I haven't avenged myself on them yet!"

"I……"

The impending death drove Doflamingo into complete madness.

He recklessly activated the Paramecia-type String-String Fruit's power, pouring all his physical strength and will into it.

next second.

The ground of the first island in the Sabaody Archipelago suddenly transformed into white threads that surged and undulated like ocean waves!

"Bark, bark, bark..."

"Traveler! Traveller! You're dead, you... uh..."

Doflamingo was full of surprise.

However, before he could even properly feel his surge of power, another knife pierced through his skull in an instant!

"I didn't expect you to have a bit of a protagonist's destiny. Temporarily awakening a Devil Fruit ability, huh? That's truly commendable."

A hint of surprise appeared on Suzuki's face.

"you……"

Doflamingo felt his life slipping away rapidly and tried his best to use the threads to save his life.

But moments later, this future Shichibukai, his eyes filled with resentment and fear, walked toward his death.

"Hehe, consider this killing a Celestial Dragon ahead of time to add to the fun."

"I've got Scorpion's Devil Fruit!"

Suzuki glanced at Doflamingo lying dead on the ground with his eyes wide open, smiled, then took out a box, quickly stuffed the corpse inside, and swallowed it.

Next, he went to the place where Doflamingo had prepared to send the goods to the auction house earlier; it was a small wooden box.

Upon opening the box, a pear-shaped, golden-yellow Devil Fruit came into view.

"This is... the Gold-Gold Fruit?!"

"A double whammy!"

Suzuki picked up the Golden Fruit, a smile appearing on his face.

He originally intended to wait a while to take it from Tesoro, but he didn't expect to get it from Doflamingo now.

When Kakuzu returns this time, he'll probably be so happy his eyes will be practically glowing with envy.

Ha ha……

Suzuki chuckled and quickly continued walking towards the Red Line.

……

The sea is turbulent.

Beneath the towering cliffs of the Red Line, Monkey D. Dragon, clad in a grey robe and hooded, frowned as he gazed towards the Sabaody Archipelago, his voice low and slightly anxious:

"Why hasn't Suzuki arrived yet...?"

(End of this chapter)