“Huh?
Did I really get another famous sword?”
Tashigi froze for a brief moment before her entire face lit up, her eyes sparkling behind her glasses as she almost began to bounce in place from excitement.
“Another purple light… it has to be something amazing!”
Not far away, Captain Nezumi whose spirit had already been crushed by reality stared at the lingering purple glow with naked greed and jealousy.
Thinking about the defective artificial fruit he had just eaten, resentment surged uncontrollably within him.
He blamed the Shop Owner for not explaining things clearly, for possibly manipulating the jars, and for letting him obtain such a worthless ability.
At the same time, he resented Smoker even more.
Using his money, opening valuable items, and yet showing no intention of handing anything over what kind of “justice” was that?
When the purple light finally faded, the object revealed was not a sword.
Instead, it was a strange Devil Fruit, its surface covered in deep blue spiral patterns, with protrusions resembling small blades.
Smoker’s expression changed immediately.
“Another Devil Fruit?”
Including Nezumi’s earlier one, that made two already.
Tashigi, however, visibly deflated.
“Ah… it’s not a sword…”
Smoker’s face twitched.
“Idiot.
A Devil Fruit is far more valuable than even a great-grade sword.”
[Paramecia-type: Dice-Dice Fruit: Allows the user to transform their entire body into blades, granting steel-like hardness.
Blade shapes can be freely adjusted.]
[Note: After eating this fruit, you’ll never worry about being searched again.]
[Ding!
Customer obtained the Dice-Dice Fruit.
Host has acquired the same ability.]
Xia Wen raised an eyebrow slightly.
Another Devil Fruit that already had a corresponding user in this world.
The current wielder should be the Baroque Works officer known as Mr.
1, one of Crocodile’s top subordinates.
A formidable opponent in the early stages of the Grand Line until he encountered Roronoa Zoro, who broke through the realm of cutting steel in battle and defeated him in a single decisive strike.
Xia Wen spoke calmly.
“This is the Paramecia-type Dice-Dice Fruit.”
“After consuming it, the user gains the ability to turn their entire body into blades.”
“Dice-Dice Fruit… turning into blades…”
Tashigi stared at the fruit in her hands, her earlier disappointment slowly giving way to a complicated expression.
For a swordsman, such an ability was undeniably powerful.
At the same time
Nezumi’s breathing grew heavier.
His bloodshot eyes locked onto the fruit.
Why?
Why could she obtain a real Devil Fruit, while he got something so defective?
“You used my money… so everything you got belongs to me!”
“Give it back!!!”
Driven by jealousy, Nezumi suddenly lunged forward, aiming to snatch the fruit from Tashigi.
If he could just eat it quickly
If he could become a real Devil Fruit user
Then Marine Headquarters might overlook everything, valuing his newfound combat potential.
But just as he moved
Xia Wen’s calm voice echoed through the shop.
“I believe this is your second time entering my shop, correct?”
The moment those words fell, Nezumi’s expression changed completely.
Fear replaced greed.
He had forgotten the rules.
But it was too late.
Crackling arcs of lightning suddenly manifested in midair, forming chains that bound him instantly and lifted him off the ground.
“AAAAHHHH!!!”
A surge of electricity coursed through his body.
He didn’t even have time to struggle before his consciousness faded, the smell of burnt flesh spreading faintly through the air.
Without even glancing at Smoker’s stiffened figure, Xia Wen casually waved his hand.
The broken jar fragments, Smoker’s fallen cigar, and the unconscious Nezumi were all swept out of the shop by an invisible force.
As if nothing significant had happened, Xia Wen smiled faintly.
“The one who broke the rules has been removed.
Let’s continue.”
“…That was fast.”
Smoker slowly removed the cigar from his mouth, his gaze sharp and filled with vigilance.
“Shop Owner… the one who defeated the Arlong Pirates was that you?”
Xia Wen shook his head slightly.
“You mean those Fishmen?”
“That was the work of a fortunate customer.”
“I merely sell jars.”
Smoker frowned deeply.
Given the abilities this man had displayed, he was clearly powerful enough to have done it himself.
There would be no reason to deny it.
So the report was true.
Someone had obtained a powerful ability from these jars… and in a short time, used it to completely defeat the Arlong Pirates alone.
This sea truly was filled with hidden talents.
“Then… what is that person’s name?” Smoker asked.
“With such potential, I’d recommend them for enlistment into the Marines.”
Xia Wen’s expression turned faintly amused as he gestured toward the door.
“I’m afraid that won’t happen.”
“After Captain Nezumi’s actions here, that customer has no favorable impression of the Marines.”
Smoker’s face darkened instantly.
As expected.
That man had truly crossed the line.
He silently resolved to report everything and ensure Nezumi faced proper punishment.
Re-lighting his cigar, he turned back to his remaining jars and smashed them decisively.
This time, his luck was far less impressive.
Out of the four jars, only a single white orb appeared.
The rest were ordinary items.
“A white… orb?”
He picked it up, feeling its soft, elastic texture, then looked toward Xia Wen.
[Stamina Enhancement (Small): Permanently increases stamina to approximately the level of a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant.]
[Note: Simple and effective.]
Xia Wen raised an eyebrow slightly.
So white-tier items could directly enhance physical attributes.
“This is a stamina enhancement item.”
“After use, it will permanently increase your stamina to roughly that of a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant.”
“To use it, simply press it against your forehead.”
Smoker stared at the orb in his hand, disbelief flickering across his face.
“…Equivalent to a Headquarters Lieutenant’s stamina?”