Chapter 181
Dante stared silently at the box containing the Devil Fruit on the table.
Mock had already left.
After setting down the box, he had cheerfully run off.
His original plan was to have Kuma bring this thing over first while he went to Romance Dawn for a bath, cleaning up before coming to meet the Boss.
But Kuma needed to hand over a mission, so Mock had to make the trip himself.
As for the work issue...
Mock had patted his chest, confidently saying it wasn’t an issue.
With the East Blue Overlord himself there, absolutely nothing could go wrong. It was just that his body felt uncomfortable now, and he wanted to go to Romance Dawn for relaxing.
Seeing Dante’s exasperated expression, Mock hadn’t pressed further. He already knew everything he needed to know.
Combined with the call Mock had made earlier, Dante had a clear picture of the situation. There really was no need to ask more.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
There was just a minor surprise, Mock somehow becoming the Son of the Pirate King for no apparent reason.
But that wasn’t a big deal.
It just meant being sent to Impel Down or the execution platform, nothing more.
Since Mock was so eager to go to Romance Dawn, Dante let him have his way.
Meanwhile.
"This is the Dark-Dark Fruit you mentioned?"
Robin and Viola were also looking at the Devil Fruit in the box, surprise flashing across their faces. Then Robin smiled and said, "Mock’s luck really is something special!"
"Indeed it is!" Dante nodded.
As the secret treasures of the sea, Devil Fruits were incredibly rare. Some pirates went their entire lives without encountering one, yet Mock had already found two.
Dante rubbed his chin, gazing at the fruit in the box, frowning as he pondered.
The Dark-Dark Fruit... it could nullify the abilities of any Devil Fruit user it touched, and extract the fruit’s power from a user after death.
He wondered if this ability could extract a power from a deceased user and transfer it into a new fruit. If so, could captured users be directly harvested for new fruits? But...
He also didn’t know who should eat this fruit for now.
Come to think of it, he still had an Artificial Devil Fruit that hadn’t been eaten yet!
After thinking it over, Dante decided to store it away for now and decide when the need arose.
Besides, there weren’t any abilities that needed extracting at the moment.
The Devil Fruits sent to Vegapunk’s side were currently serving as blood packs, allowing him to study lineage factors to see if other Devil Fruits could be manufactured in the future.
Extracting one now would be pointless.
Having one of his own people eat it, then making them donate blood?
Why bother?
As for giving it to Blackbeard to let him chase his dreams?
What a joke. Once something was in his hands, expecting him to give it up? Dante wasn’t running charity here!
Dante put away the Devil Fruit and looked at the delivery receipt Mock had brought back.
The Whitebeard customized Special Delux Foot Spa tub had been delivered, personally signed for by Whitebeard himself.
He had specifically asked Mock earlier, the customer was very satisfied, and full of praise for the amazing 17X6 electric rotating disc design.
With this, the sixteen division commanders could soak their feet together with their father, enjoying warm family time.
The only regret was... Only being able to accommodate seventeen people was too few!
Many vice-captains who couldn’t join their father for the first round were dissatisfied, hoping to purchase an even larger one.
Ideally, one that could fit far more.
Commander Marco rejected it.
Though the Moby Dick was massive, they couldn’t just fill it entirely with foot spa!
A rule was specifically established so everyone could take turns accompanying their father.
The vice-captains and crew members had to give up.
As for hygiene concerns... that was a complete joke. If they couldn’t even soak their feet with their brothers and father, were they even brothers? Were they even their Pop’s beloved sons? Did they have any brotherly bonds left? Any respect for their father? Such a thing would never happen in the Whitebeard Pirates!
A family should soak their feet together, happily and joyfully.
The Whitebeard Pirates were extremely satisfied with this product, giving it high praise.
Dante felt a pang of emotion.
This was truly a mutual devotion between customer and merchant!
No question about it, later he’d have to contact the smart foot spa tub factory and tell them to research how to design one that wasn’t so bulky but could fit more feet. They couldn’t disappoint their customers!
Robin and Viola both fell silent, looking at their boss with suspicious gaze.
But in the end, Robin nodded and said in an hesitant tone, "I’ll speak to the factory later!"
"Oh, right." Dante seemed to remember something, turning to Viola. "Since Mock is back, tell Zephyr-sensei to help train him."
He let out a breath.
"It’s dangerous out there right now. He needs proper training to strengthen himself! Otherwise, what happens when he really ends up on the execution platform?"
--**--**
Meanwhile.
After finishing his work handover, Mock cheerfully arrived at Romance Dawn.
He hadn’t been there in ages. Though the ship had smart foot spa, those soulless things couldn’t compare to Romance Dawn! So naturally, this time he had to soak to his heart’s content!
Mock made his way to Romance Dawn, greeted the front desk, and headed upstairs.
At the pier, he’d already spotted that familiar dog-head Marine battleship and instantly guessed Garp had come for a soak too.
So he decided not to book a private room, he’d just go join Garp.
As for which room Garp was in? No need to guess. He’d only go to their usual private rooms.
Mock may have been dense, but he wasn’t stupid.
Mock quickly found Boss Garp’s room, opened it directly, and shouted inside, "Boss Garp, I’m here to join you!"
Then he noticed something, looking at the two others nearby with surprise. "Dracula, you’re here too! And you must be the Boss’s Sensei! Didn’t expect you here either!"
Mock grinned, patted his chest, and said, "Since everyone’s here, today’s on me! Soak all you want!"
Zephyr and Mihawk stared silently at Mock.
They both stood up and walked toward him.
"You must be the East Blue Overlord, Hargon D. Mock!" Zephyr looked at Mock with complicated eyes. "Come to think of it, I need to thank you properly!"
"Wahahaha, no need!" Hearing Zephyr’s words, Mock gave a goofy smile and scratched his head. "You’re the Boss’s Sensei, of course I should do this! By the way, Sensei, why are you standing up? Not soaking anymore?"
"Not soaking, we have things to do!" Zephyr nodded, looking at Mock. "Let’s go!"
Mock blinked in confusion.
"Your Boss wants me to train you properly!"
Mock’s jaw dropped.
He stared blankly, then gave an awkward laugh. "I just got back, do I really need to?"
"Yes. Your current identity is very dangerous!" Zephyr looked at him. "As for soaking your feet, forget about it. Your Boss already notified this place. If you don’t go train, you won’t be allowed to stay here. Only after completing the prescribed training each day and getting my approval can you come."
He shook his head. "Mock, you don’t want to lose your foot spa privileges forever, right? Come with me!"
Mock felt dejected but knew he had no choice.
At least he could soak after training.
He could handle it! It’s just...
As he walked toward the door, he noticed Dracula following behind and scratched his head. "Why are you coming along? Dracula."
"Nothing much, just figured I’d help train you too!" Mihawk looked at him, then gave a cold smile. "And... didn’t I tell you not to call me Dracula?"
No need for that!
Before Mock could even raise an eyebrow, Garp, who had been lying down, also stood up, laughing heartily. "Ah, none of you are soaking anymore? Fine, I’ve been soaking for days anyway. I’ll come help train you too!"
Mock stared blankly at the two before him.
Were these two really that free?
A shiver ran through him. He gave another awkward laugh. "I don’t think I need training! Really, I really don’t need training, I’m the East Blue Overlord!"
However.
No matter how he shouted or struggled, he was carried off by the three smiling men heading outside.
"Boss, save me!"
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