"What is that?" Franky looked in disbelief at the dark, cloudy sky in the distance, a crimson streak particularly striking.
"Hey! Hey! This is too exaggerated!" Iceberg swallowed, wearing the same expression.
The entire sky above Flevance was covered in dark clouds, and the dull rumbling of thunder felt like a premonition of the end of the world.
[Crimson Dragon: Flame Bagua!]
Nero, in her half-dragon form, raised the Primal Fire, not swinging it like a sword as usual, but rather like smashing down a blunt instrument.
Crimson flames and the Haoshoku's unique lightning coiled around her, as she rapidly descended from the sky.
This was the roar of the sky, the horn of the end, lightning and fire clashing directly with the earth.
The ground began to collapse; the high temperature accompanying this strike incinerated the ruins, then, with undiminished force, heated and melted the earth and rocks.
Mountains collapsed and seas roared, and from the abyss, crimson flames shot towards the sky.
"Hmm, I've wanted to try this for a long time! I never had the chance!"
Nero was radiant, as if she had just finished a spa, her previously unhappy expression completely gone.
"So comfortable~"
Drawing a long arc of flame in the air, Nero landed on the Deserted Island, saying happily.
"Amazing! Big Sister! Super amazing!" Franky danced excitedly: "In the future, I will also build a super amazing ship, just like Big Sister's!"
"An unimaginable strike, Big Sister is truly one of the Four Emperors!" Iceberg also clapped in praise.
"Hmm, indeed! Show me more respect! I am a very remarkable person!"
She raised her head; Nero always accepted compliments without reservation, and this time was no exception.
"But, Iceberg! Why are you also calling me Big Sister like everyone else?"
"Well... hmm... how should I put it? Seeing such a scene, I felt it was better to address you that way?"
Iceberg scratched his head, embarrassed. His change in address might easily give people the impression he was flattering her.
"Mwahahaha! Iceberg, you fellow, I didn't expect you to be so sensible!"
Nero laughed loudly, patting Iceberg's back repeatedly, indicating that she liked talented individuals like him.
"Ha... So, are we going straight back to Nicuss now? Big Sister, weren't you in a hurry?" Iceberg smiled awkwardly, quickly changing the subject.
"Hmm, there are priorities. I need to earn some pocket money first." Nero lowered her head, pretending to ponder for three seconds.
"But Flevance is already... Where are we going next? Franky and I are being carried by you, flying around, which is a bit..."
Iceberg implied, 'Your Majesty, you look very cool in dragon form, but us being held in your hands is really embarrassing.'
"Don't worry! Just bear with it. I'll treat you to see bikinis on Summer Island then. There are always many beauties playing by the sea there!"
Nero squinted, giving a look that implied 'everyone understands'.
Iceberg lit a cigarette and exhaled a puff of smoke: "Franky and I carry the expectations of Mr. Tom. We set sail to see a wider world, so how could we refuse your request, Big Sister?"
"Bikinis are irrelevant; the main thing is to travel more. As for being held in your hands, a man can easily overcome such minor difficulties."
"Hmm! That's how it should be! So, the next plan is for the Devil Fruit that has recently caused a stir in a small area — the Ope-Ope no Mi!"
"Eh? Is it a Devil Fruit?"
Iceberg was a little curious. Although it's called a secret treasure of the sea, its price is only around 100 million Berries, right?
"This is no ordinary fruit, but a high-grade item that the World Government is willing to pay 5 billion Berries to acquire. If it falls into my hands, that price could increase tenfold!"
Nero's eyes sparkled; this figure was not a small sum, even for her.
"Five... fifty billion Berries?" x2
Iceberg and Franky's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. They exchanged glances; this Ope-Ope no Mi was a must-have!
From their understanding of Nero, she would certainly not treat them badly. Even if they did nothing, Nero would casually give them a sky-high tip after the matter was concluded.
"Let's go now!"
"Oh!"
The two went from reluctant to full of enthusiasm in just one minute.
"Hmm, very good! But there's still one small problem!"
Nero nodded in satisfaction, very pleased with their attitude.
"Just tell us what the small problem is, Big Sister!"
"To avoid any accidents, we still need to move quickly!"
Nero scratched her head, saying somewhat awkwardly: "It's just that I don't know where this fruit is right now!"
Iceberg and Franky instantly fell to the ground, shouting speechlessly: "Is that a small problem?!"
"Don't worry! I'm not without any clues!" Nero quickly waved her hand: "Currently, the Marine, the World Government, and pirates are all after this fruit."
"Among them, the most prominent group of pirates, they definitely know the whereabouts of the Ope-Ope no Mi. Information about a pirate crew is very easy to find out!"
"What's the name of that pirate crew?" Iceberg clutched his head, feeling a sudden unreliability about this plan.
"Hmm, it seems to be called Don... Gold Sugar Drinks Family?"
Nero folded one arm across her chest and propped her chin with the other, saying uncertainly.
"That's 100% not it, right? How could anyone have such a strange name? It sounds like a third-rate company selling miscellaneous health products." Franky interjected, complaining speechlessly.
"Hmm, anything is possible on the Grand Line!"
"Alright, alright, do they have any other features? Like the Captain or a nickname or something..."
Seeing the topic about to drift, Iceberg quickly stepped in to mediate, trying to confirm the pirate crew from other angles.
"Hmm... Captain! I think I remember her name was Deiffel, and her nickname was from a deck of cards... King? Kid?"
Nero held her head with both hands, trying hard to recall the information she had heard before.
"It shouldn't be a flamboyant title like King. Kid Deiffel? That name sounds a bit like a female's." Iceberg frowned, analyzing.
Hearing this, Nero suddenly seemed to remember something else: "That's right! I heard she likes to wear pink clothes and red sunglasses!"
"Then my deduction should be correct." Iceberg nodded, continuing to think.
"Hmm, I think so too!" Nero nodded in deep agreement: "Also, Deiffel is a blonde who loves to wear high heels!"
"You remembered so many characteristics, why are the name and pirate crew, such important information, so vague?!"
"Hmm... Eh heh?"
Nero stuck out her tongue and lightly tapped her head, acting cute.
"..."
"..."
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