"What? Alex is here?!"
"Quick! Inform Young Master!"
"Hurry! Move!"
Such a huge disturbance was naturally detected immediately by the Donquixote Family.
Just like the civilians, even the family's top officers were drenched in cold sweat.
Without hesitation, they rushed at full speed toward Doflamingo's palace.
"Alex…"
"He really came."
In fact, no one even needed to notify him.
Doflamingo's expression changed instantly.
The man who had been lazily reclining in his chair shot to his feet.
With his Observation Haki, how could he possibly fail to notice Alex entering his territory?
And there was only one reason Alex would come.
The Phoenix Fruit.
Doflamingo understood this perfectly.
Since that was the case…
He made his decision immediately.
Whoosh!
His figure flashed as he exited the palace, then used the power of the String-String Fruit to soar through the air on threads.
In the shortest time possible, he arrived before Alex.
"Alex, I know why you're here."
Doflamingo spoke first.
Gone was his usual arrogant swagger.
He looked restrained.
Even cautious.
Yes—he was afraid.
Anyone who feared Kaido would naturally fear the man who had casually killed Kaido.
Moreover, Doflamingo was no fool.
In front of a being at Alex's level, he had no other choice.
Especially considering that Doflamingo himself had once been a Celestial Dragon.
Though he had given up that identity, his connections with Mary Geoise were still deeply intertwined.
He knew far more about what happened in the Holy Land than most.
Combined with his intelligence, he had already pieced together certain truths.
Which made him even less inclined to make a wrong move.
"Please follow me. I've prepared the Phoenix Fruit."
Doflamingo spoke with surprising respect.
"Lead the way."
Alex simply nodded.
Doflamingo obediently guided him into a hidden chamber.
Carefully, he brought out a box and placed it before Alex.
"This is the Phoenix Fruit."
"Untouched."
He even opened it personally.
In truth, Alex had already seen through the box with his vision.
There was no need for such "courtesy."
"Was what happened at Mary Geoise… your doing?"
After hesitating, Doflamingo couldn't hold back the question.
"You're a Celestial Dragon, aren't you?"
"You can ask them yourself."
Alex left it at that.
He grabbed the box—
And with a flash, rose into the air.
He flew straight through the wall and disappeared.
Doflamingo expanded his Observation Haki to the limit.
Nothing.
Alex was already far beyond his range.
Only then did Doflamingo let out a long breath.
The pressure Alex had radiated moments earlier had been suffocating.
---
After leaving Dressrosa, Alex had essentially finished all major business in the One Piece world.
All that remained was waiting for the Marines to finish gathering Devil Fruits.
So—
He traveled.
And honestly, the One Piece world was an excellent tourist destination.
Each island was like an independent civilization.
Unique climates.
Unique cultures.
Unique landscapes.
To Alex, it was endlessly fascinating.
He visited island after island without ever feeling bored.
If anything, it only became more interesting.
The only minor inconvenience was his reputation.
Wherever he went, entire islands trembled in fear.
Eventually, Alex put on a hat and sunglasses and changed his clothes.
The situation improved significantly.
Sure, some people thought he looked similar to Alex—
But just like Clark Kent and Superman, a simple disguise went a long way.
Of course.
Those with powerful Observation Haki were exceptions.
Life force wasn't something you could change with clothing.
But across the entire sea, how many such individuals truly existed?
Overall, Alex's journey was pleasant.
That said—
He didn't entirely let his guard down.
Every so often, he would visit Marine Headquarters or Mary Geoise.
Just to "remind" them.
A subtle show of presence.
Ensuring no one developed any foolish ideas.
Under such circumstances—
Over the course of half a year, the Marines gathered 521 Devil Fruits.
Naturally, that wasn't all Devil Fruits in existence.
But after collecting so many, finding more became increasingly difficult.
Considering the time he had already spent in this world—
Alex made a decision.
It was time to leave.
Whoosh!
He descended upon Marine Headquarters.
"Alex."
"These are the Devil Fruits you requested."
Sengoku, bound by orders from the Holy Land, complied without resistance.
He led Alex to a massive pile of Devil Fruits.
"Are you really going to destroy them?"
Sengoku asked skeptically.
He had never truly believed Alex's excuse.
But the next moment—
Sengoku fell silent.
Because right before his eyes—
Alex absorbed every single Devil Fruit.
All of them.
Cleanly.
Completely.
The harvest?
150,000 Origin Points.
Considering the One Piece world wasn't particularly high on the power scale—
Alex was more than satisfied.
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