Seeing the determination in Whitebeard’s eyes, Ace finally gave up on arguing.
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, he walked over to the laboratory table, picked up one of the remaining Enchanted Devil Fruits, and took a bite.
"..."
The moment it touched his tongue, his face twisted.
The taste was every bit as horrible as he remembered.
"Don’t spit it out!"
Someone immediately shouted.
"That fruit is worth a billion Berries !"
Many of the pirates couldn’t hide the envy in their eyes.
After all, it was a Mythical Zoan.
A class of Devil Fruit even rarer than a Logia, possessing absurdly powerful abilities.
Everyone had just witnessed Whitebeard’s miraculous recovery.
Decades of injuries.
Years of illness.
All completely erased.
With such an ability, death itself became extraordinarily difficult.
The other Division Commanders watched in silence.
Though envy existed, few voiced it.
They understood their standing.
Compared to Ace, there was still a considerable gap.
If opportunities like this were being distributed, it was only natural that someone like Ace would receive priority.
That didn’t mean their own chances would never come.
Because Ron was still here.
As long as Ron remained with the Whitebeard Pirates, everyone believed they would eventually receive an opportunity of their own.
It was only a matter of waiting.
Because of that, although they felt envy, no bitterness or jealousy appeared.
Instead, they looked toward Ace with hopeful anticipation.
"Well?"
Marco stepped forward.
"How do you feel?"
After consuming the fruit, Ace had shown absolutely no reaction.
"Did it fail?"
Ace let out a long sigh.
That answer alone was enough.
Looking around at the crowd, he spoke apologetically.
"Sorry, everyone."
"It failed."
Vista immediately stepped forward.
"Why are you apologizing?"
He shook his head.
"Ron already explained everything."
"Enchanted Devil Fruits aren’t genuine Devil Fruits."
"Whether they succeed or fail depends entirely on luck."
"None of this is your fault."
Ron also walked over and patted Ace on the shoulder.
To be honest, he was curious about the actual success rate himself.
"Ace."
"Failure is normal."
"Not everyone has Pops’ ridiculous luck."
"Try again."
"Exactly."
Marco shrugged.
"It’s nothing more than some money and a drop of blood."
"Now that Pops has regained his peak condition, earning that money back won’t be difficult."
Ace nodded.
Then he picked up the final Enchanted Devil Fruit.
"In that case..."
"I’ll give it another shot."
This time, he didn’t simply bite into it.
Instead, he shoved the entire fruit into his mouth.
The familiar nightmare of a taste instantly exploded across his tongue.
The revolting flavor nearly made him vomit on the spot.
Every Devil Fruit tasted like pure torture.
Yet unlike before, he refused to stop after a single bite.
Grinding his teeth together, he forced himself to swallow the whole thing.
Everyone watching was stunned.
Then countless thumbs rose in approval.
"Ace, that’s insane!"
"What determination!"
Cold sweat covered Ace’s forehead.
His face had already turned pale.
Yet his eyes remained unwavering.
He understood that obtaining power always required a price.
Furthermore, Enchanted Devil Fruits differed from ordinary ones.
Perhaps...
Perhaps consuming the entire fruit would improve the chances of success.
The process was painful.
The outcome is uncertain.
But for someone as hungry for strength as Ace, it was worth the risk.
Watching his determination, the others Felt admiration.
After all, not everyone possessed the courage to endure such a horrifying taste.
The moment Ace swallowed the fruit completely, silence descended.
Every pirate held their breath.
Every gaze locked onto him.
Excitement.
Nervousness.
Expectation.
Countless emotions filled the air.
If it worked, Ace would gain an unimaginable ability.
If it failed...
Another one billion Berries would vanish.
Everyone silently prayed.
Hoping for a miracle.
Meanwhile, Ace himself sensed dramatic changes taking place within his body.
A strange power was awakening.
It flowed through his limbs and organs like a gentle current.
Then suddenly—
It erupted.
Like a volcano breaking free of its restraints.
As time passed, the tension on Ace’s face slowly disappeared.
In its place came excitement.
Because he could clearly feel it.
There was no backlash.
No damage.
Instead...
He had gained something new.
"I succeeded!"
BOOM!
Scarlet flames erupted from his body.
The crimson fire looked dazzling and majestic.
Yet despite its appearance, it carried no burning heat.
Instead, it radiated endless vitality.
The blood-red flames surged skyward, as though they intended to paint the heavens crimson.
An ancient, mysterious aura lingered within every flicker.
Gradually, the flames began gathering together.
Condensing.
Transforming.
Evolving.
Moments later, a magnificent crimson phoenix emerged above Ace’s head.
Its body was cloaked in brilliant fiery plumage.
Every feather glowed with the brilliance of life itself.
Its eyes resembled flawless rubies, majestic and profound.
When it spread its wings, invisible ripples spread through the air.
The sight inspired instinctive awe.
Then—
A sharp and noble cry echoed across the sky.
The sound pierced directly into the hearts of everyone present.
Shock instantly filled countless faces.
Along with envy.
Another miracle had been born before their eyes.
A second individual possessing two Devil Fruit abilities.
And the changes didn’t stop there.
Under the influence of the phoenix’s power, nearby dead grass began recovering.
Withered plants sprouted fresh green shoots.
Life itself seemed to return to the surroundings.
"Hahaha!"
"Pops! Ron!"
"I did it!"
Ace laughed excitedly while experimenting with his newly acquired Phoenix abilities.
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard’s laughter thundered across the estate.
"Another user with two Devil Fruit powers has appeared within the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Today was undoubtedly a day worth remembering.
A day that deserved to be recorded in history.
At that moment, Whitebeard felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward Ron.
Without him...
The decline of the Whitebeard Pirates might have begun the moment Thatch died.
Everything had changed because of Ron.
"Enough, Ace."
Whitebeard laughed as he lightly scolded him.
"Put away your abilities for now."
Then his expression gradually became serious.
He looked toward everyone gathered there.
"Sons."
"I have something important to announce."
The lively atmosphere instantly quieted.
Everyone present knew Whitebeard well.
Whenever he wore that expression, it meant something significant was about to be said.
No one dared joke around anymore.
All eyes turned toward him.
"Starting today..."
Whitebeard’s voice echoed throughout the estate.
"Ron will become the Vice Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates."
"If anyone has objections, speak now."
BOOM!
The declaration exploded like thunder inside everyone’s minds.
Ron?
Vice Captain?
Had Whitebeard truly just said that?
If he was serious—
Then this was nothing short of unbelievable.