One Piece:Starts by Collecting Nico Robin

"Fufufu... Long time no see, Mr. Caesar. How is Baby 5 doing?"

"She's doing well. But it seems you still haven't found any leads on the Dark-Dark Fruit, have you?"

Hearing the low chuckle from the other end of the phone, Caesar scoffed. Starting with emotional manipulation—it was clear this guy was truly desperate now.

"It's just unavoidable. The sea is so vast, and Devil Fruits are already rare. Searching for a specific one is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Two months is far too tight..."

Doflamingo spoke cautiously, "However, regarding the blind swordsman you were looking for, I've already found him for you. Additionally, there's the Devil Fruit we agreed on earlier..."

"Oh?"

Caesar raised an eyebrow. "I'm quite curious. What kind of fruits are you planning to give me?"

"Fufufu, actually, the three fruits I found this time are all quite good. And one of them seems to have some connection to you..."

"Three fruits?"

Caesar was surprised. "I thought it was two?"

"Fufufu, perhaps you misremembered..."

Doflamingo chuckled. "I remember it very clearly. One from the bet, and then in the arena, I promised you two more, didn't I?"

"You really know how to play the game..."

Caesar laughed. He had thought Doflamingo's later promise was for a total of two fruits. This guy was really generous.

"Alright then, I'll gladly accept them. So, what are the three fruits?"

"They are the Paramecia-type Sick-Sick Fruit, the Zoan-type Snake-Snake Fruit, Anaconda Form, and a Cat-Cat Fruit, Ancient Species, Saber-toothed Tiger Form. How about that?"

Doflamingo chuckled softly. "When I first saw the Saber-toothed Tiger Form, I was quite surprised. After some inquiries, I found out that Who's Who had been taken out by you long ago."

"Not bad at all. Any other fruits? As per our previous agreement, I'll take them all!"

Caesar was intrigued. While the Saber-toothed Tiger Fruit was interesting, he was more surprised by the Sick-Sick Fruit. He remembered it was the ability of Doc Q, the doctor of the Blackbeard Pirates. He hadn't expected it to end up in Doflamingo's hands.

"Not for now."

Doflamingo shook his head regretfully. "Even for me, it's hard to gather more in such a short time. Once these fruits appear on the market, acquiring them isn't too difficult. The real challenge is that many fruits tend to regenerate in remote, untouched forests, places where no one might pass by for years."

"Additionally, according to my intel, there are also quite a few animals in this world that have eaten Devil Fruits, making the search even more challenging."

"Thanks for your efforts. Now, about Issho—where is he now?" Caesar asked.

"That swordsman is currently in the North Blue, in the Kingdom of Sroka. Would you like me to contact him for you?"

"No, just keep an eye on him for now."

Caesar replied calmly. Issho was undoubtedly a righteous man, and with Doflamingo's crew being a bunch of criminals, any rash contact might ruin his image in Issho's eyes.

"What about the fruits..."

"I'll send someone to retrieve them."

With that, Caesar hung up the phone. Thinking about the Flare-Flare Fruit from the original storyline, he really didn't trust Doflamingo's crew of troublemakers.

After a moment of thought, Caesar dialed Hanafusa's number.

This guy had set sail again shortly after being ransomed back. Although his position as a Warlord of the Sea had been revoked, his original influence remained intact, and he was now roaming around Paradise, collecting Ancient Zoan types.

Given his connection with Kaidou and the fact that he had been personally ransomed by him, their relationship was still quite good.

In terms of strength, he was decent enough, but the key point, from Caesar's perspective, was that he was much smarter than Doflamingo's subordinates.

Buru buru buru ka...

"Moshi moshi? This is Hanafusa!"

"It's me, Caesar."

"Caesar? Ahahahaha, long time no see, kid!"

Hearing it was Caesar, Hanafusa sounded very excited: "I heard from my son that you actually managed to make Kaidou suffer a loss... According to the newspapers, you're in the South Blue now? When are you planning to come to the Grand Line?"

"In a while, I'm currently in the East Blue."

Caesar chuckled: "There's something I need to trouble you with. You're in Paradise right now, aren't you? Can you help me transport a few Devil Fruits from Joker? I hope you can make the trip personally!"

"Devil Fruits?"

Hanafusa became interested: "Are you building a force? What kind of fruits are they? Any Ancient Zoan types?"

"There's one with a saber-toothed tiger form, the one that belonged to Who's Who."

Caesar sighed: "I'm not particularly interested in Ancient Zoan types, but I'm also in desperate need of fruits right now. If you have any other fruits, how about we trade?"

"Perfect, I have a few good ones here."

Hanafusa said casually: "What kind are you looking for?"

"I'm not picky, Mythical Zoan, Logia Type, anything works."

"You... you're being a bit shameless."

Hanafusa paused for a moment: "Before you say something even more shameless, I have to tell you something. The Inugami fruit that Yamato has, I was the one who found it!"

"Huh? There's that kind of connection?"

Caesar was momentarily stunned: "Then I really have to thank you!"

"Well... forget about Mythical Zoan types, those are even rarer than Logia Types."

Hanafusa sounded somewhat helpless: "But I do have a Logia Type in my hands, the Dark-Dark Fruit. Do you want it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the air suddenly grew still.

Kuma and Bonney stopped eating and silently looked at Caesar. Due to Caesar's earlier instructions, they both knew this was the fruit he currently valued the most.

Caesar also slowly straightened up, looking at the Den Den Mushi in astonishment: "The Dark-Dark Fruit... is with you?!"

"What? You want it?"

Hanafusa was surprised by Caesar's reaction: "Although it's a Logia Type, it can't be used for elementalization, and it has the drawback of double pain. The only good thing is that it can suppress Devil Fruit users, but isn't Sea Prism Stone more effective?"

Caesar was also somewhat surprised. From Hanafusa's reaction, it was clear that he didn't know the Dark-Dark Fruit could steal Devil Fruit abilities.

Then how did Blackbeard know about it?

Wait, judging from the reaction during the Summit War, before Blackbeard stole Whitebeard's ability, the idea of stealing abilities was just a conjecture!

But what made him propose this conjecture in the first place?

And didn't previous users of the Dark-Dark Fruit discover this ability?

With his thoughts racing, Caesar took a deep breath and said slowly, "This Devil Fruit is indeed useful to me, but since we're all on the same side, I can't take advantage of you. How about this… one Saber-toothed Tiger Fruit, one Buffalo Fruit, and one Anaconda Fruit in exchange for your Dark-Dark Fruit."

"Oh? You have two Zoan types as well?"

Hanafusa was somewhat surprised. "In that case, you're currently in the East Blue, right?"

"That's correct. Why do you ask?"

"About 300 nautical miles east of Navy Branch 162, there's an uninhabited island. The currents around that island are quite peculiar—they allow entry but not exit. At least, rookies in the East Blue definitely can't get out. So, a few years ago, I hid some treasure there, along with a Devil Fruit. You can go and look for it. Consider the remaining treasure as my treat for a drink."

"Oh?"

Caesar was taken aback. "You hid treasure in the East Blue?"

"Isn't it normal for Pirates to hide treasure?"

Hanafusa laughed heartily. "Most of the famous Pirates have their own hidden stashes. If you have nothing better to do, you can explore those dangerous uninhabited islands. For a man of your strength, there's no threat at all. Who knows? You might stumble upon some unexpected surprises."

"Then I'll thank you in advance!"

"If you want to thank me, find me more Ancient Zoan types."

Hanafusa grinned. "Don't worry, I'll personally deliver this Dark-Dark Fruit to you. Where exactly are you in the East Blue?"

Caesar didn't answer immediately. Instead, he suppressed his excitement and asked, "Which island in Paradise are you on right now?"

"San Faldo."

"That carnival island? Enjoying life, are you?"

"Indeed. My territory is nearby. After being captured by that bastard Whitebeard last time, I suddenly realized that my strength has declined quite a bit over the past two years. After all, I can't compare to monsters like Kaidou. If I linger at sea for another two years, I'll probably have to start thinking about retirement. Of course, it would be even better if I could have grandchildren before I retire."

"Right, right…"

Caesar responded casually while his mind was already calculating.

San Faldo is near Water 7, but a bit further forward, closer to the central area of Paradise.

The East Blue is just across the Calm Belt from Paradise. With Kuma's speed, he could make two round trips in a day. It would take others three days and nights, but not him.

"I'll send someone to pick it up from you. I also need to order a ship in Water 7."

"Oh…? It seems this fruit is quite important to you?"

"Tsk, you see through me but don't say it out loud…"

Caesar sighed helplessly. He had been too hasty.

But it was no wonder he was worried. Caesar had never expected the Dark-Dark Fruit to be in Hanafusa's hands!

"It's still a Logia Type. Why didn't you think of selling it?"

"Of course, it's to make it easier to trade for Ancient Zoan and Mythical Zoan types! After all, it's still a Logia Type."

Hanafusa mocked, "You didn't think that just because I'm a Pirate, I have to rely on stealing for everything, did you?"

"No, no, no! I'll send someone to find you right away!"

Caesar quickly added, "And I'll leave Doflamingo's side to you as well!"

After hanging up the phone, Caesar looked at Kuma.

Kuma stood up willingly. "Although I've never been to San Faldo, I've been to the islands nearby. I should be able to make it back by tomorrow morning."

Caesar nodded, feeling immensely grateful at this moment that he had recruited Kuma to his side.

"This contains the Buffalo Fruit!"

He handed a small wooden box to Kuma and casually stuffed a stack of ten-thousand-yen bills into his hands.

"Once you get the item, don't linger. The organization's future depends on you!"

"Understood!"

Kuma nodded solemnly. He knew how much Caesar valued this Devil Fruit. The fact that Caesar hadn't even hidden from him the possibility of consuming a second Devil Fruit showed the depth of his trust, and Kuma was determined not to betray that trust.

"Is Daddy going out?"

Bonney looked at Kuma: "Have a safe trip!"

"While I'm away, listen to Caesar, okay?"

Kuma reached out and ruffled Bonney's little head before hurrying off.

As soon as he stepped outside, there was a soft pop, like a bubble bursting, and Kuma's figure vanished into the sky in an instant.

"Huh?!"

Bartolomeo stared out the window in astonishment: "Did that guy just zoom off into the sky?"

"Daddy is a Paw-Paw Fruit user. He can send people flying to any place he's been to!" Bonney proudly explained.

"Nani? That's amazing!"

Bartolomeo looked shocked: "What about the final island?"

"I already said it has to be a place he's been to…"

Bonney grinned: "By the way, Barto, can you take me shopping later? I've never seen a gangster before!"

"If you've never seen one, then don't."

Caesar wiped his mouth leisurely, took a sip of tea, and then picked up a newspaper to flip through: "Gangsters aren't something a little girl your age should be exposed to. Besides, we're setting sail tomorrow morning."

"Aww—"

"What's with the 'aww'? I'll treat you to something delicious later!"

"Fine then~"

Bonney pouted, looking like she wasn't happy about it but would obediently comply.

"By the way, Barto, go to the shipyard later and ask if they have any larger new ships. The length doesn't matter, but the interior space must be able to accommodate someone of Kuma's size. If they have one, buy it directly."

"Yes! Leave it to me!"

Finally receiving a task from Caesar, Bartolomeo didn't even finish his meal and rushed out to look for a ship.

Seeing Bartolomeo leave, Bonney blinked her big eyes and looked at Caesar: "Caesar…"

"Hmm?"

Caesar flipped through the newspaper, tilting his head slightly, but his gaze remained firmly fixed on the paper.

"You know a lot of things, right?"

"What do you want to ask?"

Hearing this, Caesar raised an eyebrow and finally turned his attention to Bonney.

"Hehe…"

The little girl grinned mischievously and leaned closer to Caesar's chair: "Do you know who my mom is?"

"Kuma… hasn't told you?"

Caesar narrowed his eyes: "Then I definitely can't tell you. This is a matter between you and your father. As an outsider, it's not my place to interfere in family matters. You know, Yamato was still getting beaten up by her dad even in her twenties."

"Aww— you're so stingy!"

Bonney pouted: "I just want to know! Is it Ginny? Every time I ask Daddy, he just stammers and won't tell me…"

"He's right not to tell you. You're not old enough to know about that yet. As a crew member, you should trust your captain's judgment, right?"

Caesar snorted lightly, picked up his teacup, and gently blew on the steam rising from it: "Besides, this isn't just a family matter for you. It's also Kuma's privacy. You'll just have to grow up a bit more."

With a soft rustle, Bonney instantly transformed into her eighteen-year-old self, proudly puffing out her chest: "See! I've grown up!"

"Pfft—not that kind of growing up, you dummy!"

Caesar spat out his tea and gave the little girl a light chop on the head with his hand: "It's about your mental age. Your heart hasn't matured enough to calmly accept your past. Knowing these things prematurely could have a negative impact on your future growth."

"Is that so..."

Bonney pouted, her eyes rolling around as she pondered: "I... I'm not actually Dad's biological child, am I?"

Caesar laughed heartily: "What? Has Kuma treated you poorly? How could you have such a misconception?"

Seeing that Caesar didn't seem to be lying, Bonney quietly breathed a sigh of relief and grinned: "Because Dad says I'm a treasure gifted to him by the heavens!"

"That's good. Most children on this vast sea are picked up from places like trash bins or the side of the road."

Caesar chuckled softly. This little girl thinks she can outsmart me?

In my past life, I collected twenty homework assignments and reported forty-five without batting an eye!