On another stretch of the sea, the newly sailing Baccarat Stussy used her stunning looks and her cover as a researcher to infiltrate institute after institute and lab after lab.
Each time, she stole or snatched valuable goods, earning her the underground moniker "Scientific Bandit."
Hordes of furious scientists and their shadowy backers posted dark-gold bounties on the wretched woman through the underworld.
Feeling the heat, Stussy spotted news and intel about the Rocks Pirates and Paradise Island, promptly deciding to lie low there.
She would see if she could slip into the Rocks Pirates.
With the protection of the world's strongest crew, she could rob whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted.
And never worry about retaliation!
Most importantly, she found the "Great Demon Venerable" Fang Huo quite handsome—and immensely powerful.
Meanwhile, the rookie treasure collector Captain John, fresh to the New World, couldn't even get a permanent Log Pose for Paradise Island.
He had to keep plundering along the route his Log Pose showed, carving out a name for himself.
Still adventuring in the "Paradise" stretch of the Grand Line, Byrnndi World's fame was exploding thanks to the fearsome More-More Fruit.
The World Government had already marked this rookie.
Their archives once recorded a monster who had wielded the same More-More Fruit.
Intent on nipping the swaggering pirate in the bud, they quietly dispatched CP agents to infiltrate the World Pirates.
After reading the endless headlines about the Rocks Pirates, Byrnndi World couldn't wait to enter the New World and prove his might.
"World's strongest pirate crew? I'll wipe them out with one blast!"
Even the World Government would be destroyed by his hand.
He alone would be the strongest pirate!
Swelling with arrogance, Byrnndi World right now was wilder than the future "Iron-Head" Kid.
If Rocks dared rob the Heavenly Tribute, then so could he!
His epithet, "World Destroyer," sounded far grander and more domineering than Rocks's title, "Overlord of the New World"!
Atop the skeletal castle on Paradise Island, Fang Huo's room was buried under an avalanche of love letters.
The ever-dutiful simpleton Sunbell enthusiastically collected every delivery and piled them inside.
"Tsk, I never thought I'd beat Shakky, the succubus of this repressed era, and become the world's first male incubus."
Fang Huo eyed the paper mountain, feigning annoyance while his grin gave him away.
He had already eclipsed even Rocks as the pirate world's top celebrity.
These days, jealousy burned not only in Shiki and Kyo but also in Rocks himself—Fang Huo had stolen every spotlight.
"So what if you're handsome?"
"Might is everything in this world!"
"First Mate, every human female on the planet is after you now!"
"Word in the underworld says a female Celestial Dragon put up two billion Berries for you—alive!"
Chuckling, Sunbell handed over several wildly circulated candid shots.
One showed Fang Huo in white robes and a white-wolf cloak, drifting mid-air.
Silver hair framed the crescent mark on his forehead—proud and beautiful—pure .
Another caught him in scarlet noble attire, bat-wings spread, the epitome of an elegant vampire aristocrat.
The two contrasting looks bewitched noble ladies of every taste.
"Not bad for paparazzi. Reward the photographer."
Honestly, even Fang Huo was dazzled by his own photos.
He never expected the Moonlight and Vampire Fruits to add such looks-boosting side effects.
BOOM!!
"Fang Huo, get training—now!"
"Or those female Celestial Dragons will drag you off to be their boy-toy!"
Rocks kicked the half-open door flying; it slammed into the letter pile, scattering confetti-like notes everywhere.
He yanked Fang Huo away, refusing to let the spotlight-hog linger over love letters.
The moment Rocks learned four female Celestial Dragons had pooled four billion for Fang Huo alive, he felt both envy and dread.
Fang Huo's underworld bounty had already surpassed his own.
The thought infuriated him.
Worse, such a staggering price would set countless pirates and bounty hunters on Fang Huo's tail.
Fang Huo had to grow stronger—strong enough to protect himself.
Dragged to the training ground by Rocks, Fang Huo found "Golden Lion" Shiki and "Silver Axe" Kyo eyeing him like walking treasure.
"Jihahaha! Four-billion-Berry Fang Huo—you're worth a fortune!"
Shiki floated over, trembling hands reaching to paw at him.
"Tsk, Fang Huo, I'm scared I'll lose control and nab you myself," said Kyo, greed flaring behind his shades.
Who could have guessed the pretty boy's underworld price now dwarfed that of Rocks, the "World's Worst Pirate," by nearly ten times?
Those female Celestial Dragons were insanely rich!
"Thanks to those ladies and the papers, even more pirate women are swarming Paradise Island," "Whitebeard" Newgate muttered, reading the news, half-believing the world had gone mad.
Fang Huo's sudden fame felt surreal.
He suspected those perfect candid shots were staged—no paparazzi photo could look that flawless.
"Scram!"
Fang Huo booted the groping Shiki away.
He'd only cosplayed Sesshomaru and a vampire dandy for fun; he never expected the photos to explode.
No wonder the later Kuja Pirates became global stars and Shakky could freeze the world economy for a week as the "Supreme Great Succubus."
This era was starved for excitement.
Fang Huo's small display had already become its pinnacle.
"Fang Huo, they say yours is the only body that can handle multiple Devil Fruits. If we had kids, would each inherit that trait?"
Charlotte Linlin's eyes sparkled; only now did she realize her friend could foresee the future and host several fruits.
Combine his multi-fruit mutation with her "Iron Balloon" bloodline—what monstrous children might result?
At the thought, Big Mom couldn't help drooling...