Chapter 72: Chapter 72 The Hunting Operation Begins
"The Thunder Pirates?"
Hearing the words "thunder" and "lightning," Enel immediately became interested and hurried over.
Shakky smiled and said, "The Thunder Pirates, led by Captain Brad Skrein, who has the Zoan-type Fish-Fish Fruit, Eel form ability."
"He can control lightning, just like you, Brother Enel."
"Hmph, it's just Zoan. He's far from a god!" Enel snorted disdainfully.
As a Logia, he was naturally contemptuous of other types of Devil Fruit abilities.
Shakky smiled, not commenting on Enel's arrogance.
"The other group is the Uzumaki Pirates, led by Captain Harnett Oliphant, a Paramecia-type Uzumaki Fruit user. He can control wind and has a strong defensive ability. He hasn't been injured since his debut."
"Only two?" Lucifer asked, somewhat dissatisfied. "That's too few."
Shakky smiled slightly. "There are only two Supernova pirates at the moment. After all, you arrived too early."
Lucifer had originally been from the first half of the Grand Line, and after pushing through with strength, it had taken him just over six months to reach Sabaody Archipelago.
But the pirates from all over the world were not so fast. Many were still on their way, still far from the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Of course, besides these two, there's another pirate group you might be interested in."
Shakky took out another piece of information and said, "The Sabertooth Tiger Pirates, led by Captain Travis Fimmel, who has the Zoan-type Ancient Species Saber-Toothed Tiger Fruit."
"They suffered a disastrous defeat in the New World and just barely escaped back to Paradise. Now, they're staying on the island."
"In recent days, the Sabertooth Tiger Pirates have been recruiting new crew members. It seems Travis plans to return to the New World."
"Return to the New World? Don't make me laugh." Lucifer frowned, his expression tinged with sarcasm.
After such a devastating defeat in the New World, it was almost impossible for a pirate group like theirs to make a comeback.
"That's right," Shakky agreed. "I heard they were hunted down by the Beasts Pirates, and after their loss to Kaido, they fled back to Paradise."
Lucifer nodded in agreement. "How many pirates escape from the New World each year, but none of them have succeeded in making a comeback. The pirates who defeated them only get stronger."
Shakky continued, "Exactly. The pirates who defeated them only got stronger, and Kaido's Beasts Pirates are not the type to give up easily."
"It must be the saber-toothed tiger's ability that Kaido's interested in," Lucifer said as he glanced at the wanted poster for Travis Fimmel. The reward was a hefty 460 million Baileys.
"What Kaido wants most is a Zoan-type Devil Fruit, especially one as rare as an ancient species."
"Exactly," Shakky said. "As long as Travis survives, Kaido will never stop hunting him down—unless Travis joins Kaido's crew."
"It looks like we're going to be competing with Kaido for this prey," Lucifer mused.
Whether it was Travis's strength or his Devil Fruit ability, Lucifer was very interested. Not only could he gain some "killing points" by defeating him, but an ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit would be a great reward.
"Thank you. Your information is very useful," Lucifer said, handing Shakky a thick stack of banknotes—over twenty million Berries.
"Ah, you're so generous, Brother Lucifer!" Shakky grinned.
"If you ever need more information in the future, don't hesitate to come to me. I'll give you the best discount."
Shakky loved big spenders like Lucifer.
"I will," Lucifer smiled as he stood up and left the bar, with Enel and Baby5 following him.
Boom!
The door to the bar slammed shut. Shakky, watching Lucifer leave, suddenly said, "How about this little brother? Not bad, huh?"
"He's very good—aggressive, well-qualified, and very strong," Pluton Rayleigh, who had been quietly observing, stepped out from behind the bar, still holding a bottle.
"Ah? It's rare for you to praise a newcomer this much," Shakky replied, genuinely surprised.
"No, I'm not complimenting him. I'm just stating the facts."
"This young man is strong!" Rayleigh recalled the sharp aura Lucifer had exuded with his Observation Haki earlier. The power was unmistakable. Even Rayleigh himself wasn't sure he could defeat Lucifer.
Lucifer was extraordinarily strong for someone in their twenties, and Rayleigh had never encountered someone like him before.
"Rogie, this sea is truly amazing," Rayleigh said, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. "Where will this new era take us?"
Rayleigh sighed, as if contemplating the fate of the world.
"Hey, Shakky, I'm heading out for a bit. I won't be back tonight."
Rayleigh suddenly stood up.
"You're not going out to see another woman, are you?" Shakky squinted, her face taking on a teasing smile.
"Hahaha, I'm just happy to have met an interesting new person today. I want to celebrate."
Rayleigh grinned and waved, heading out the door.
"Captain, there was a monster hiding behind the bar just now," Enel suddenly spoke up, his eyes narrowed as he looked at Lucifer.
With his Observation Haki, Enel had detected Rayleigh's presence without trouble.
"I know," Lucifer replied, "but he's not an enemy, so there's no need for a confrontation."
Lucifer was well aware that Pluton Rayleigh was a legendary figure. If he had the chance, he would love to hunt Rayleigh down, but not without a reason.
Rayleigh wasn't someone Lucifer would just kill for no reason, especially as they had met for the first time and there was no animosity between them.
"Let's focus on finding our real targets—our prey."
Lucifer took out three wanted posters.
"This one's mine," Enel said, drawing out a wanted poster of Brad Skrein, a user of the Electric Eel ability.
"It should be interesting for someone with lightning powers to face another with the same."
The Sabertooth Tiger Pirates had a notice posted outside a hotel, advertising for new crew members, with their logo prominently displayed.
The hotel had been taken over by Travis Fimmel and his pirates as a temporary base.
A crowd had gathered outside the hotel, made up of pirates hoping to join the famous crew.
Inside the hotel lobby, Travis, towering over five meters tall, was eating and drinking, with a table piled high with empty bowls and plates.
More than a dozen of his subordinates hurried to serve him, struggling to keep up with his massive appetite.
"Hey! Get the food faster! There's not enough barbecue!" Travis roared.
"And the pizza—bring ten more!"
The pirate soldiers scrambled to the kitchen.
Just then, one of the soldiers rushed in, shouting urgently, "Captain Travis, we heard that the demon Lucifer has arrived at Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Demon Lucifer? That reckless brat?" Travis stared, his expression darkening.
"Yes, it's him!" the soldier confirmed.
"Good! That's perfect!" Travis growled. "I've been worried about finding a strong crew member, and now this brat just shows up. Just in time!"
The Sabertooth Tiger Pirates didn't have trouble recruiting regular soldiers, but they lacked powerful individuals to fill the gaps left by the deaths of several high-ranking members during their defeat in the New World.
Lucifer, with his renown and strength, had immediately caught Travis's attention.
Little did Lucifer know, not only was he targeting Travis, but Travis had also set his sights on him.
"Send someone to keep an eye on him. I'll be there soon," Travis said, grabbing a piece of barbecue.
"Yes, Captain Travis!" the pirate soldiers hastily agreed.
Soon, after clearing the table of food, Travis and his men set off to find Lucifer.
On a street in Sabaody Archipelago's GR 23 district, Lucifer and Travis would soon meet by chance.
Lucifer had separated from Enel and Baby5, heading off alone. However, on the other side of the street, hundreds of pirates—led by the saber-toothed tiger himself—were waiting.
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