Empress Hancock

Xiao Zi Zai was a pitiable soul.
Of course.
For him, living in a "one-man world," this was indeed the case.
A being born of error, one who, from beginning to end, found it difficult to integrate into the world.
For Xiao Zi Zai, this was undoubtedly a torment.
Even if he possessed a heart yearning for light, and a job that allowed him to briefly unleash his instincts.
Yet...
The situation had now taken a turn.
Xiao Zi Zai now felt himself to be a fortunate man!
The Marines not only satisfied his killing instincts.
Slaying evildoers was also about eliminating harm for the people.
Villains like Zhao Gui Zhen, who would be considered supreme delicacies in other worlds, were abundant here.
The most crucial point was this:
His current superior, Akainu.
Seemed to wholeheartedly agree with his philosophy, and unconditionally so!
Perhaps this was also due to Akainu's absolute justice, bordering on extremism...

At this moment.
Because the battle had been halted, the Holy Lord and the other guests, displeased, returned to the tavern.
Tu Shan Ya Ya even pouted and said, not far off:
"How boring."
"Is that all?"
"Uncle Rayleigh won't fight you, so I'll fight you!"
Just as she rolled up her sleeves, preparing to charge.
Ron swiftly hoisted her onto his shoulder, then tossed her out of the tavern.
As for Xiao Zi Zai, Sengoku, and Akainu, the three of them politely stood by the door, chatting for a while.
Finally.
Sengoku slammed his hand down, deciding to appoint Xiao Zi Zai as a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.
He would also be under Akainu's jurisdiction.
Should any problems arise, he could directly report them to Sengoku.
This was also out of respect for Ron.
Otherwise, the conditions would have been exceedingly harsh.
After all, appointing a Headquarters Vice Admiral also required considering the sentiments of the other admirals.
Concluding their conversation.
Sengoku, with a reluctant expression, paid Rayleigh's tab, then left the tavern with Akainu.

"They've given me the position of Headquarters Vice Admiral."
Xiao Zi Zai returned to his seat, taking a sip of wine as he softly spoke.
"Not bad."
"However, with your current strength, dealing with ordinary pirates is fine."
"But if you encounter a tough opponent, you might suffer a loss."
"We can make a deal. I'll give you a unique power belonging to this world."
"Within one month of your appointment, return a Devil Fruit to me. What do you say?"
Ron asked with a smile.
After exchanging the Hogyoku last time.
The system's inventory still had a portion of Doflamingo's Busoshoku Haki left.
Exchanging a portion of Busoshoku for a Devil Fruit.
Although the cycle was a bit long, this deal was still very profitable!
After a brief moment of thought.
Xiao Zi Zai nodded: "Agreed."
Immediately, Ron placed his hand on Xiao Zi Zai's shoulder, and a tiny, imperceptible glimmer of light seeped into his body.
In the very next instant.
Xiao Zi Zai felt a surge of overbearing power flood his body.
With a slight shift in thought, a layer of black armor, like flowing water, swiftly wrapped around his arms.
"Such powerful strength."
Xiao Zi Zai murmured softly, a hint of doubt in his heart.
Busoshoku significantly increased both his strength and defense.
What if he combined it with the Golden Bell Shield?
Wouldn't he be even stronger?!
Before Xiao Zi Zai could experiment, Rayleigh, standing nearby, laughed and patted his shoulder:
"Good job, young man."
"When you get paid, don't forget this old man's liquor. Those techniques of yours are truly bizarre."
"Especially that last move, it actually managed to pull this old man over. What's that move called?"
Xiao Zi Zai calmly replied:
"Dragon Sucks Water."
"This old man still prefers Mu Yang Xi..." Rayleigh frowned, then, with a righteous expression, gave a thumbs-up:
"Great name, this old man likes it!"
Tu Shan Ya Ya curiously asked: "Uncle, your expression isn't quite right."
"Does that name have another meaning?"
Children always possess endless curiosity about the world.
Rayleigh was a little awkward, unsure how to answer.
Although Tu Shan Ya Ya was very old.
Her mentality was still that of a child.
If he explained carelessly and led her astray, it would surely corrupt the little ones.
Ron stepped in to smooth things over, smiling as he patted Ya Ya's head:
"Dragon Sucks Water, it's just the literal meaning."
"It's the same principle as a thirsty fox going to the riverbank to drink water."
The little pepper nodded, half understanding, half not.
Rayleigh, however, understood perfectly, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch wildly.
Seeing this, Ron's expression instantly darkened.
"I was being very proper!"
"To think in another direction, you wretched old man!"
Just then.
The large tavern door was slowly pushed open.
Doflamingo, carrying a chest, walked with a swagger to the bar and sat down.
When he saw Morgana arguing with Kayle.
He didn't disturb them, but instead handed the chest to Ron:
"Boss, this is the latest batch of Devil Fruits. Please check if they're correct."
After opening the chest.
Dozens of artificial Devil Fruits were neatly arranged inside.
Ron first converted the artificial Devil Fruits into points, then exchanged them for ancient types before presenting them:
"Transaction complete."
This transaction involved a large quantity.
He earned a full thousand points in price difference.
After a few words of transaction.
He could almost exchange for Dragon Balls, Guai Li Sword, Death Note, and other Bug-level artifacts.
At this moment.
Doflamingo carefully put the Devil Fruits back into the chest, then suddenly remembered something and said:
"Oh, that's right, Boss."
"Empress Hancock asked me for the location of your tavern."
"She'll be leaving Marine Headquarters the day after tomorrow, so she'll probably pay a visit in a few days."
Ron nodded: "I know."
No sooner had he spoken.
A soaring dragon's roar echoed across the sky.
Everyone looked out the window in unison.
They saw a colossal Azure Dragon, treading on raging flames, coiling in the high heavens.
"Kaidou?!"
Doflamingo's pupils suddenly constricted.
For a moment.
He couldn't help but recall the fear he once felt under Kaidou's dominance.
"Just fight him."
"Don't tell me you have a Second Divine Body and are still afraid."
"If so, then I truly misjudged you, taking a good-for-nothing like you as my subordinate."
Doflamingo's expression was gloomy, but he spoke defiantly.
That's right.
The Queen was right, he had already ascended to the Second Divine Body.
Just go all out!
As they spoke.
Kaidou had descended from the horizon, reverted to human form, and then roared towards the tavern:
"Who is Ron?"
"Get out here now, you bastard!"
Ron: "?"