It is rumored that Devil Fruits can, to some extent, influence the personalities of their Ability users, which is evident in the Three Admirals of the Marines, given their distinct characteristics...
Naturally, the exact classification remains unknown and unquantified.
However, this characteristic is particularly clear among Zoan users.
As is well known, Zoan types combine the traits of beasts and humans, infusing them with abundant life energy that provides them with tenacious vitality, but also constantly influences the Ability user.
Whatever characteristics the Fruit form possesses, they manifest similarly in the Ability user, to a greater or lesser extent.
Perhaps influenced by his Devil Fruit ability, Lirisk, with the Lizard-Lizard Fruit · Green Crest Lizard Form, maintains a relatively low body temperature, which allows him to remain calm and observe everything around him easily.
"Oh, speaking of which, last time... she ran alone to the city gates, as if waiting for someone."
Recalling the day when the Straw Hats attacked under his command, Lirisk was absolutely certain that she was there too.
Therefore...
"Enemies?"
"Impossible!"
At that moment, Orrick's intensified tone woke him up, and looking back, Orrick was shaking his head in denial.
"I spoke with the clear-minded Ryokugyu over the Den Den Mushi; he doesn't seem like he's being controlled by enemies... Besides, if this were all an act, the Vivre Card would have confirmed his death. I can't understand why the Marines would do this."
If Ryokugyu is indeed with the Marines, then everything prior might have been intentionally staged. But then why stage his death?
The Vivre Card doesn't lie; if it says Ryokugyu is dead, then he truly is.
Kaido shrugged, remaining silent. He had only mentioned it in passing under the influence of alcohol, and now... he couldn't quite recall what he had just said.
"There are only three possibilities: first, the Admiral at Marineford was a fake, and the real one is hiding somewhere unknown; second, Ryokugyu caught a fake Admiral, as nobody knows what happened afterwards; third, Ryokugyu himself is suspicious, and he didn't catch the Admiral at all, everything being a self-staged act. But the mystery of why he would die remains."
Kurozumi Orochi, despite trusting Orrick, offered his own perspective as someone capable of seizing a nation.
However, he omitted one possibility: that Orrick himself might be involved.
"Alright, since Lirisk is going there anyway, Kaido, send someone to accompany him. Let's see what happens and get a clear picture."
"Fine, I'm don't really care." Kaido waved dismissively with a hiccup.
"In that case, I won't go..." Suddenly, Lirisk spoke up, holding a cup of wine.
Facing the turned heads of the three, he calmly sipped his wine and said, "The most important thing in the League is trust. Instead of doubting each other to this extent, it's better to trust each other generously."
Nodding along with Orrick, Lirisk continued, "As long as it's something investigated by the Hundred Beasts Pirates, we'll believe it, alright?"
"Oh?" Kaido's eyes cleared slightly, letting out a hearty laugh.
"That's intriguing. Aren't you afraid I might deliberately frame you?" he added with a coarse chuckle.
Under Orrick's inexplicable gaze, Lirisk faced him fearlessly, "Not at all!"
"Nothing good would come out of harming you, Kaido. You're not that foolish."
By dismissing Orrick, he ensured that they would be broken down one by one by the Marines, and Kaido would go mad if he intentionally did so. This also demonstrated Lirisk's extreme confidence, making it impossible for people to believe that they had done nothing wrong.
"All right! How can I be afraid of a little imp like you?" Kaido's eyes sparkled with energy as he laughed loudly. "Orrick, remember this, if my men can't find any fault with your side, I'll personally apologize to you."
In response, Orrick cast a calm glance over. "You think I care about your apology?"
An apology for something baseless meant nothing to Orrick.
"But I care! That settles it!"
With that, Kaido put down his wine… barrel? and waved his hand.
"Notify Queen, tell him to head to End Point immediately… Oh right, and while he's at it, have him bring Ryokugyu's body back so we can give him a proper burial."
A cyborg commander of the Beasts Pirates responded without hesitation and turned to leave.
With both Jack and King having been slain by Rowen, the once-feared Three Disasters who had made the New World tremble were now a thing of the past. Among Kaido's remaining subordinates, only Queen could still barely be considered a notable figure.
The Flying Six had been beaten down singlehandedly by Lirisk, their reputation in tatters.
But then again, who was really to blame?
Even the once-glorious "Yonko," revered by pirates and feared by the Marines, had dwindled down to just Kaido and the now-unseen Red-Haired Shanks.
Thinking of the deceased Jack and King, Kaido suddenly broke into loud wails under the stares of everyone that screamed "knew this would happen."
"Uwaaaaaah! Jack! King! Your deaths were so tragic!!"
But not even a few seconds later, his expression twisted into a snarl, his teeth clenched, tears falling onto his chin, and then dispersed by the terrifying pressure of his Conqueror's Haki.
"Soryu (Azure Dragon)! I'll kill you!!"
And then just as suddenly, he switched back again and resumed sobbing loudly.
"Boohooooo, Jack! Jaaaaaack!"
Once Kaido got drunk, no one could predict his mood swings.
Moreover, the entire emotional switch happened without the slightest awkwardness, completely seamless. Not even the best actor could emulate such a raw display of emotion. The drink was now undrinkable. As Kaido flung his giant body around, his tears splashed into the food, making it thoroughly unappetizing.
Kurozumi Orochi massaged his temples, visibly pained, and stood up.
"That's enough for today. Komurasaki, take me back."
"General Sama, I am but a lowly commoner. I'm not worthy to enter the General's chambers."
"Eh? What? Didn't I say you could come visit whenever you like?"
"General Sama, please maintain your decorum. You are the last hope of Wano Country."
"Ah, right, right… You said before you liked flower arrangements, right? I'll have someone bring you the finest flowers immediately."
As the two walked farther and farther away, Orrick turned back and happened to see Lirisk staring at Komurasaki with a strange expression.
"As expected… even Celestial Dragons cannot resist beautiful things… That, right there, is the fundamental difference between us and those worthless fools."
In the eyes of those arrogant ones who called themselves "descendants of the gods," no matter how beautiful a commoner was, they were still a lowly race, the lowest of the low. They wouldn't even look directly at them, let alone be interested.
And from beginning to end, only three families stood apart from that attitude:
The Nefertari family, who never moved into the Holy Land.
The Donquixote family, who did move in, but always had a few "deviants" in every generation.
And the Nibelung Family, pirates by blood, known for their fierce, unruly ways.
When Lirisk left the Holy Land back in the day, all his maids had been commoners, and many had shared his bed. Hearing this, Lirisk was momentarily surprised, but his face remained expressionless.
"She does interest me. If I asked General Kurozumi for her, I wonder if it would work…"
Orrick's lips curled into a smile as he responded: "She's an oiran, not one of Kurozumi Orochi's wives or concubines."
"And why ask for her? If you want something, take it. Have you forgotten who you are?"
"Nibelung Family…"
Savoring the weight of his own family name, Lirisk raised his cup and drained it without hesitation.
"If things get messy, don't blame me."
He then stood up and walked in the direction Orochi had left.
"There aren't already enough messes?"
Still standing in place, Orrick muttered to himself, then pulled on his mask and walked toward the opposite door.
(End of Chapter)
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