That's right, this book is the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia. A legendary and mysterious artifact throughout the entire One Piece world.
Ever since Yemu gained the ability to strip Devil Fruits from their users and grant objects Devil Fruit powers through the Baku Baku no Mi, he had long been intent on obtaining a copy of the encyclopedia. Fortunately, his memory of it was still clear.
In the world of One Piece, most people might be unaware, but three individuals definitely know the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia exists.
The first is Blackbeard, who learned of the Yami Yami no Mi from the encyclopedia.
The second is Doflamingo, as a Celestial Dragon, he certainly knows of its existence.
The third is Vinsmoke Judge. He clearly remembered that as a child, Sanji had seen the encyclopedia, which is how he first learned of the Suke Suke no Mi, and from that moment, he set his goal on acquiring it.
Of these three, Judge currently seemed the most accessible source for obtaining the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.
So, five days ago, upon learning that Judge would also attend Charlotte Linlin's tea party, Yemu had conveyed his intentions via the Den Den Mushi.
The outcome did not disappoint him.
Yemu flipped through the pages. By the table of contents, the book was arranged according to type: Logia, Paramecia, and Zoan. Yet at a glance, there were many Devil Fruits he had never even heard of.
He quickly scanned the page numbers: 689 pages in total, with one Devil Fruit listed per page. Did that mean there were at least 689 Devil Fruits in existence?
Yemu was taken aback.
"Are there really that many?"
In the story, fewer than a hundred Devil Fruits had ever appeared, so he didn't rush to read further. Instead, he turned to Judge and asked,
"Is this the complete list?"
Yemu's sudden movement startled Reiju, who was carefully eating her dessert, causing her to choke.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Seeing this, Yemu handed her a cup of hot black tea.
Reiju seemed surprised by his gentle gesture. She obediently sipped the tea, her face flushing a warm pink, and Yemu no longer seemed so intimidating.
Neither Yemu nor Judge noticed this small moment.
Judge shook his head nervously and replied,
"That's not all. This is only a portion of what I, Judge of the Vinsmoke family, have collected over the past few hundred years. The exact number of Devil Fruits in the world, we don't know."
"Is that so?"
Yemu's mind buzzed with questions, but looking at Judge, he didn't push to read further. Instead, he said,
"In that case, I'll take this Devil Fruit Encyclopedia. I'm not someone who likes to owe favors, as we agreed, tell me your request, I'll do my best to fulfill it."
Judge's expression lit up with excitement. He glanced at his daughter, and under Reiju's puzzled gaze, he spoke words that made her face turn pale.
"Thank you, Captain Yemu. I have no other requests, just one. Would you allow my daughter to join your pirate crew?"
Yemu was momentarily stunned.
Reiju, still very much a little girl, turned completely pale.
"Father..."
"Shut up, Reiju, that's an order from your father!"
Judge didn't dare let Reiju speak further, fearing she might anger Yemu. After scolding his daughter, he turned to Yemu and introduced her.
"Captain Yemu, please don't underestimate my daughter just because she's young. I've enhanced her body with Lineage Factors, giving her superhuman abilities and a unique resistance to toxins—she can even absorb and control them. She will definitely be useful to you."
At that moment, Reiju stared at her father in complete disbelief.
Yemu, however, immediately understood Judge's plan.
"You really are clever!"
Wasn't this the exact same setup as Sanji marrying Big Mom's daughter in the story?
With his scheme exposed, Judge suddenly felt awkward.
Yet Yemu's next words made him fill with joy.
"No problem. Since I said it myself, I'll honor your request."
"Thank you so much, Captain Yemu!"
Judge shouted excitedly at Reiju, who stood pale with fear and despair.
"Reiju, haven't you greeted Captain Yemu yet..."
"Father, if I don't go back, Mama..."
Seeing her father's resolve, Reiju could only pin her last hope on Mama.
But Judge paid no attention to her plea.
"As for your Mama, I'll go back and tell her myself."
"Wha—!!!"
At that moment, Judge's eyes were completely cold, devoid of any emotion.
Reiju fell into despair. She had never imagined her father would keep it from Mama and hand her over to someone else.
Just then, Yemu's voice, tinged with displeasure, rang out.
"You're a terrible father!"
Judge flinched and tried to explain, but Yemu cut him off with a look of disgust.
"Shut up!"
The terrifying aura Yemu radiated made Judge shiver all over.
But Yemu no longer wanted anything to do with this wretched man.
No wonder Sanji hated his surname so much in the story. With a father like this, it really was a misfortune.
He then turned to Reiju, whose eyes were already welling with tears.
Reiju noticed Yemu's gaze. The fear that had briefly subsided because of the dessert and Yemu's earlier gentleness quickly returned.
Then, under Reiju's incredulous eyes, she heard Yemu speak a single sentence.
"I couldn't possibly do something as terrible as separating a little girl from her parents!"
Reiju froze, then a mix of disbelief and delight spread across her face.
"But since I promised you, I can't go back on my word. Take this."
Saying this, Yemu pulled a Den Den Mushi from his pocket that bore a slight resemblance to himself and handed it to Reiju.
She took it carefully.
"Take good care of it. This is my unique Den Den Mushi. By giving it to you now, you're officially a member of the Sky Pirates. But since you're still young, go back to your mother and grow up properly. When you're older and ready to return, just contact me with this Den Den Mushi."
After speaking, Yemu turned to Judge, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt.
"Is this arrangement acceptable?"
"Of course! Thank you, Captain Yemu!"
This was even better than Judge had hoped for; how could he possibly refuse?
"Alright, since everything has ended perfectly, I won't keep you any longer. Of course, if you're willing to tell me the secret of the Lineage Factor as well, I wouldn't mind if you stayed a little longer."
Judge's expression turned awkward, and he sat up from the sofa.
"Well then, Yemu, I won't keep you. Reiju, let's go!"
Yemu ignored Judge and addressed his new crewmember instead.
"Grow up well. I look forward to the day you return."
"Mm-hmm."
Reiju nodded vigorously, her adorable face beaming with a delighted smile...