At the very moment Arashi fused with Level 6 Observation Haki, he actually heard Bege's inner thoughts.
Although it lasted only for a fleeting instant, the sensation was incredibly strange—and fascinating.
If Level 6 could already allow him to hear nearby thoughts, then what about Level 9?
Wouldn't that be even more extraordinary?
More importantly, Arashi was certain that Level 9 was far from the limit. Whether it was the three types of Haki or even the Six Powers, there were clearly higher realms waiting to be developed!
Ever since witnessing Arashi's terrifying strength, Bege no longer dared to act like a "godfather" in front of him.
Sitting upright beside Arashi, he was still preoccupied with one question—
Where exactly did Ail get blasted off to?
Hearing Arashi speak, Bege quickly snapped back to his senses and forced a smile onto his face.
"I was just thinking about… what to prepare for dinner for Brother Arashi—uh, Mr. Arashi!!!"
"Oh?"
Arashi narrowed his eyes and chuckled.
"You were actually thinking about where Ail flew off to, weren't you?"
Bege's eyes widened instantly.
A chill ran down his spine.
"Haha, looks like I guessed right."
Arashi stood up with a laugh.
"Alright, Bege. Let's go."
"Go?"
Bege stammered, completely unable to keep up.
"W-where to?"
"Aren't you the godfather of the West Blue underworld?"
Arashi smiled.
"From now on, you'll be my guide for this trip through the West Blue."
"Huh?!"
Bege stared blankly at Arashi.
Wasn't he supposed to open a clinic here?
So after making a fortune, he was just moving on to the next destination?
"Oh right."
Arashi suddenly pointed toward the clinic in the courtyard.
"Since you seem to like it so much, I'll give it to you."
"From now on, it's completely yours. You can go in and out whenever you want—no need to burn it or bombard it anymore. Too much trouble."
"Mr. Arashi, I don't like the clinic!"
Bege broke out in cold sweat, quickly explaining:
"I was just curious!"
Just thinking about that clinic gave him a headache.
If he hadn't moved it here out of curiosity, he wouldn't have met Arashi—
And wouldn't have suffered such massive losses.
"Godfather! Godfather!"
At that moment, two syndicate members rushed into the villa in a panic.
"Ail—Ail fell down!!!"
"Only… now?"
Bege wiped his sweat and instinctively glanced at Arashi.
Even Arashi was speechless.
It had been quite a while—and only now was Ail falling back down?
Isn't that a bit too ridiculous?!
"And when Ail fell, we found a Devil Fruit in the sea!"
Before either of them could react, one of the members placed a Devil Fruit in front of Bege.
Even Arashi was caught off guard.
Could this really be Ail's Devil Fruit?
What the hell… does it actually drop like loot?!
Ail had just died not long ago, and his Devil Fruit already reappeared?
No way.
This had to be a coincidence.
Just as Arashi was still processing this—
Bege suddenly grabbed the Devil Fruit and took a huge bite out of it!
Having nearly been crushed by Ail, Bege was now desperate for power.
So the moment he saw the fruit, his only thought was—
Eat it and get stronger!
Forcing himself to endure the awful taste, he devoured the entire fruit in one go, then looked up and let out a satisfied burp.
"…Alright."
Seeing Bege swallow the whole fruit, Arashi facepalmed.
"You guys are really loyal. You actually handed over a Devil Fruit? Do you know that on the black market, one of these starts at 100 million Berries?"
"Yes, Mr. Arashi, we know!"
The two subordinates nodded in unison.
"But we want Godfather to become even stronger."
Their answer made Arashi pause and glance at them again.
Then he walked up to Bege and knocked him on the head.
"See that? Your men are this loyal, yet you go around shooting them for no reason. Don't you deserve a beating?"
Bonk!
He knocked him again, sending Bege plopping onto the ground.
Rumble—!!
The moment Bege hit the ground, his body began to transform dramatically.
Before anyone could react—
He turned into the same tank-like form as Ail!
Tracks for legs, body mounted above—flashy as ever.
"…??"
So it really was Ail's Devil Fruit?
Arashi couldn't even bring himself to look straight at him.
This guy really can't escape becoming a "castle man," huh…
"Hahaha! Mr. Arashi, I'm a Devil Fruit user now!"
Bege, now in tank form, completely forgot his earlier fear.
Grinning smugly, he said:
"About being your guide… maybe we should reconsider—"
"Oh?"
Arashi blinked, then turned to the nearby subordinates.
"Hey, have you seen my scalpel?"
"It's in the clinic, Mr. Arashi!!! I'll go get it—"
"Wait, wait, wait—!!"
Seeing his clueless subordinates about to actually fetch it, Bege instantly reverted to normal and hurried over.
"Mr. Arashi, where would you like to go in the West Blue?"
As he spoke, he proactively picked up the box of Berries.
He had only been joking just now.
Being a guide for someone as monstrously powerful as Arashi didn't lower his status at all—
If anything, it was beneficial.
Although he had just gained a Devil Fruit ability and wanted to show it off…
The massive crack still carved across his courtyard was a fresh reminder.
He had no intention of becoming the next Ail.
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