The sea chart shop owner had not lied.
As afternoon arrived, the previously bright and clear sky above the Dareleka Islands seemed to be covered by an invisible hand, gradually turning dark and oppressive.
Rolling black clouds surged in from the horizon like thousands of galloping warhorses, rapidly gathering into a massive, suffocating canopy of storm clouds. Layer upon layer, thick and heavy, they pressed lower and lower, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.
It felt as if the entire world was about to be swallowed whole.
This was merely the outer edge of the storm. It was difficult to imagine what kind of earth shattering and catastrophic scene awaited at the very center of it.
Alvin suddenly understood why Golden Lion Shiki, who had originally held the advantage during the Battle of Ed War, ultimately lost to Roger.
Shiki was a Devil Fruit user, and encountering a massive storm would naturally place him at a severe disadvantage. Roger, who did not rely on a Devil Fruit ability, could seize that opportunity to reverse the situation.
Of course, this was only Alvin's speculation, but he believed the likelihood was extremely high.
"In weather like this, staying outside is not a good idea. I should find a hotel instead," Alvin muttered while staring at the darkened sky.
He then turned and headed toward the most luxurious hotel on the island.
——
Not long after Alvin left, Luna · Enchanting Flame's speedboat arrived at Wheat Ear Harbor in the Dareleka Islands just before the storm fully descended.
The moment she stepped off the boat, nearly everyone at the harbor turned their gaze toward her.
"S… such a beautiful woman…"
"Hiss… she's absolutely captivating!"
"I want her…"
"But… why does she look familiar?"
"I… I feel the same…"
"Wait, I remember! She's the Duke of Bones' adopted daughter, Luna · Enchanting Flame!"
"It's that witch!"
…
When the people at the harbor recognized Luna · Enchanting Flame's identity, their expressions instantly filled with terror.
The reason was simple. This woman's methods were far too horrifying.
Luna · Enchanting Flame paid no attention to the stares and whispers around her. Her purpose in coming here was singular: Garfield Alvin.
Without hesitation, she headed straight toward the residence of one of the gang leaders who controlled the Dareleka Islands.
——
Inside the most luxurious manor in Wheat Ear Harbor, one of the ruling gang leaders of the Dareleka Islands stood respectfully before Luna · Enchanting Flame.
At this moment, Luna · Enchanting Flame gracefully crossed her long and alluring legs and slowly sat down in what had originally been his seat.
Her posture was elegant, her curves mesmerizing, like a flower in full bloom radiating irresistible charm.
Yet the gang leader kept his head lowered, not daring to raise his eyes even slightly.
His body trembled faintly, as though he were facing not a beautiful woman, but a savage beast.
He understood clearly that his position as gang leader existed solely because of Skull Bay's backing.
And the one who had represented the Duke of Bones to support him back then was precisely this cold and noble Luna · Enchanting Flame.
He was deeply aware of her strength and her methods. In her presence, he could only remain obedient and submissive.
At that moment,
Luna · Enchanting Flame's gentle and melodious voice, pleasing to the ear, slowly echoed through the room. Yet the authority within it was enough to chill one's bones.
"I have come here for one reason only. Red Hawk, Garfield Alvin. Tell me, where is he now?"
Hearing her question, the gang leader quickly replied in a fearful tone:
"Reporting to Miss Luna · Enchanting Flame, Red Hawk fled out to sea after being pursued by the Marine, but he reappeared today.
According to the intelligence we gathered, he seems to have returned in disguise. We will locate him very soon."
After speaking, he maintained his bowed posture, not even daring to breathe too loudly.
Luna · Enchanting Flame gave a slight nod, indicating that she had heard him.
Then her soft voice sounded again, this time carrying a trace of contemplation.
"Returning in disguise… I see. Go make arrangements. I require a proper bath."
The gang leader felt as though he had been pardoned from death. He hurriedly replied, "Yes… yes, Miss Luna · Enchanting Flame."
He then quickly turned and left to instruct the servants to prepare an exquisite bathing chamber for her.
——
Two hours later, the sky remained heavy and dark.
Luna · Enchanting Flame's graceful figure appeared at the entrance of the Tide Kitchen Hotel.
The gang members had already confirmed that Alvin had indeed checked into this hotel.
However, the surrounding area was now eerily silent. Not a single standing figure could be seen.
In stark contrast to the lively scene when she first arrived at the Dareleka Islands, a bloody massacre had begun the moment Luna · Enchanting Flame stepped out of the gang leader's manor.
Along her path, every individual who had looked at her with malicious intent had already met a gruesome end.
Their corpses lay scattered across the ground in horrifying conditions.
Only in their final moments did they realize, too late, that this seemingly delicate and beautiful woman, Luna · Enchanting Flame, was no ordinary figure.
At the age of nineteen, she had already become infamous throughout West Blue and carried a bounty of 73 million Berries.
She possessed beauty capable of toppling nations and a figure both graceful and seductive. Even more terrifying was her rare Devil Fruit ability, the Paramecia type Desire Desire Fruit.
With this mysterious power, anyone harboring impure thoughts who stared at her for too long would suffer a horrific fate, their bodies exploding into a gruesome mess.
The ability of this Devil Fruit allowed her to manipulate and amplify a person's inner desires, using them as a catalyst to drastically raise their body temperature.
Once a target's desires were seized and intensified, the flame of lust within their hearts would surge uncontrollably in an extremely short period of time.
In the end, their bodies would explode under the unbearable heat generated by their own amplified desires.
Because of this, wherever Luna · Enchanting Flame appeared, it was often followed by scenes of bloody devastation, as though living bombs had detonated among the crowd.
Luna · Enchanting Flame stood at the entrance of the hotel, lifting her elegant chin as her enchanting eyes slowly swept toward the upper floors.
A smile bloomed on her lips, beautiful yet dangerous like a poppy flower.
——
"Hiss…"
"This woman… she's truly beautiful."
"Mature yet playful, charming yet cold…"
"She really represents the ultimate allure of a woman."
"What a treasure."
"I wonder how she compares to the Pirate Empress, who is said to be the most beautiful woman in the world."
On the rooftop of the Tide Kitchen Hotel, Alvin carefully observed Luna · Enchanting Flame through a sniper scope.
With his enhanced long range Observation Haki, how could he possibly miss such a major disturbance on the island?
From the conversations of others, he had already learned about Luna · Enchanting Flame's Devil Fruit ability.
Therefore,
He had absolutely no intention of getting close to her.
...
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