After marveling at the power of time within his heart, Michael left the abyss with everyone else...
Of course, they weren't giving up halfway.
Having made their decision, it was time to take action.
After all, the enormous tree bore a considerable number of Devil Fruits.
With just their small group, it would take who knows how long to gather them all.
At this critical juncture, the importance of manpower became evident.
Following Joy Boy's suggestion, the Minks living on Zunesha's back were now put to good use.
Although Zunesha didn't want the Minks involved in the war during this era, helping to pick Devil Fruits posed no problem at all.
Moreover, the Minks, with their sharp fangs and claws, were natural-born tree climbers, eliminating concerns about safety during the Devil Fruit harvest.
Originally, Michael had planned to recruit people from Wano Country, mobilizing the entire Izenban family...
But the Minks were indeed more suitable.
Michael held considerable goodwill toward the Minks.
This race, somewhat iSorated from the world, had always maintained simplicity and wildness.
Warm as spring breeze to friends, yet armed with fangs and claws against enemies.
After obtaining Zunesha's consent, Joy Boy, Michael, and the others went to Zunesha's back to meet with the Minks.
At this moment, the Mink Tribe did not yet have a "Mokomo Dukedom" and existed only in the form of various scattered tribes.
They were roughly divided into five tribes based on their living locations.
Several individuals traveled between these tribes.
With the image of Joy Boy as the "Sun God" and the help of Zunesha, the Mink Tribe dispatched all their able-bodied young laborers to follow Michael and the others back into the depths of the abyss.
Upon seeing the Devil Fruit Tree—far larger than the whale-shaped giant tree in the White Whale Forest—the Minks couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
"My heavens… that thing is enormous!"
"With a tree this big, the fruits must be huge too, right?!"
"Don't even think about it! This is the legendary tree that bears Devil Fruits! You know what Devil Fruits are, right? Our boss ate one once… and according to him, it was the most disgusting thing he'd ever tasted in his life!"
"Ugh, that really does sound demonic!"
The "boss" they referred to was the Chief of the Mink Tribe's central tribe at the time.
This Chief now stood at the forefront of all the Minks—a rabbit-type Mink.
Her overall appearance resembled a more mature version of Carrot.
And from the snowflakes constantly swirling around her, it was clear…
Over 800 years ago, this Mink was a user of the Snow-Snow Fruit.
The Snow-Snow Fruit wasn't considered particularly strong among the Logia-type Devil Fruits.
As an inferior version of the Ice-Ice Fruit, the Snow-Snow Fruit was weaker in every aspect.
Of course, this was only in comparison to the Ice-Ice Fruit.
In an era where Armament Haki and Observation Haki hadn't yet become widespread among the elite, a Logia-type Devil Fruit was practically invincible in most situations.
Thinking of this, Michael couldn't help but sigh.
It was truly a shame that the Mink Tribe couldn't fully participate in the battlefield… such a waste of their natural warrior instincts and Logia abilities.
But this regret quickly faded.
After all, the Devil Fruits on this tree were plentiful—honestly, one Snow-Snow Fruit wouldn't make much difference.
...
The Minks worked with remarkable efficiency.
They were, after all, a race accustomed to living in forests.
Being inherently kind-hearted, they were more than willing to help their friends.
With the assistance of so many Minks, Michael and Joy Boy's flagship was soon filled to the brim…
But there were still a considerable number of Devil Fruits left.
Left with no choice, Michael had Toki summon another cargo ship to load the remaining Devil Fruits.
Standing at the bow, Michael looked at the significantly deeper waterline…
His heart swelled with excitement.
In this lifetime… he'd never fought a battle with such overwhelming resources!
At this moment, Michael felt as invincible as Li Yunlong after looting an entire cavalry battalion's equipment and horses.
However…
Behind Li Yunlong was a brigade commander who would demand two companies' worth of gear with a single phone call.
And behind Michael stood a battle-hungry queen whose eyes gleamed with greed at the sight of military might.
After leaving the abyss, he had informed Imu about the Devil Fruits.
By the time he returned to Alabasta, he found Imu at the port of Alubarna, practically petrified with anticipation…
"No, is this really necessary?" Michael looked at Imu's weather-beaten face, his lips twitching.
"Stand there a few more days, and you'll turn into a stone statue waiting for your husband."
"None of that matters now!"
Imu waved her hand excitedly. She had been so worked up she hadn't eaten all day and hadn't slept a wink either.
Though exhaustion was evident at a glance, her eyes shone with startling intensity.
Michael knew Imu had been driven half-mad by his news.
After all, what these two ships carried... was the hope to break the current stalemate.
Because Imu understood—war, even when waged for "justice," must end as quickly as possible.
And Michael had brought back the key to ending the war...
"Just how many are there..." Imu stared dumbfounded at the Devil Fruits being unloaded from the ships, her face suddenly breaking into a foolish grin.
"Heh... heheh... looks like I'll have to keep my promise now."
"Huh? Keep your promise? What promise?" Michael's lips twitched as he flicked Imu's forehead.
"You haven't stood so long you've lost your mind, have you?"
But that simple flick...
Imu toppled straight backward.
Michael instinctively caught her.
He sighed.
After all, Imu was a highborn queen with delicate skin and tender flesh.
Exposed to wind and sun all day without eating.
Add such intense excitement to that, and fainting from the sudden blood rush to her head was hardly surprising.
Michael sighed again, looking at the hand that still clutched his sleeve even in unconsciousness.
"Toki, leave this to you and Lily."
With that, he scooped Imu up in his arms and headed straight for Alabasta's royal palace.
Behind him, Lily watched the scene unfold, gnawing her thumbnail nearly to shreds.
"Damn it! That damn vixen!"
"Why didn't I think of that move!?"
"How dare she grab his sleeve... utterly unforgivable!"
Toki rolled her eyes beside her.
"Lily, just accept your fate..."
"You'll always be the daughter figure in this lifetime."