Drop Some power stones! If you like the chapter! It helps to keep me motivated to upload more!đź’Žđź’Žđź’ŽÂ
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"What an incredible power… the Devil Fruit truly deserves its reputation as a treasure that can instantly strengthen its user."
Aaron could feel the strange energy within him continuously refining and transforming his body, enhancing his physical form while granting him an extraordinary new power. He couldn't help but marvel at it inwardly.
In just a short time, Aaron had truly obtained the long-coveted power of the fruit.
It felt as though the ability had been his all along—he instinctively understood the fundamentals of his new powers the moment he awakened them.
There were four main abilities.
1. Subspace
The Munch-Munch Fruit created a subspace within Aaron's body.
Though still undeveloped, this space was roughly ten cubic meters in size.
Within this subspace, Aaron could store anything—living or non-living—and retrieve it freely at will.
2. Devour
The fruit granted Aaron the ability to consume anything, so long as his internal subspace had enough capacity.
Anything he "ate" would shrink during the swallowing process and return to its normal size once inside the subspace.
3. Fusion
The Swallow–Swallow Fruit also allowed Aaron to fuse with any item or being stored inside his subspace.
Since his body had already undergone transformation and enhancement from the fruit's power, Aaron could temporarily merge his body with any object within that space and momentarily gain its attributes or abilities.
Additionally, he could fuse items within the subspace together to create entirely new objects, combining their properties to form unique hybrid materials or tools.
4. Digestion
At any time, Aaron could digest what he stored in his subspace.
If it was regular food, he could absorb all its nutrients perfectly, enhancing his stamina and recovery rate.
"What a remarkable power…"
After grasping the nature of the Fruit's abilities, Aaron's heart surged with excitement.
He turned his gaze toward Absalom, his expression growing strange.
Absalom felt a chill crawl up his spine under Aaron's stare. Quickly, he forced a flattering smile and clasped Aaron's hand, desperately trying to show loyalty and usefulness—reminding him that his powers might still be of value.
He knew that now that Aaron had obtained the Devil Fruit power, his usefulness had essentially run its course.
Aaron had promised to let him go once he helped steal the fruit—but a promise didn't necessarily mean safety.
Absalom had already realized this truth. Seeing that eerie look in Aaron's eyes now, he couldn't shake the feeling that Aaron was preparing to kill him.
"Relax, I'm not going to kill you. Go over there."
Aaron chuckled when he saw Absalom's terrified expression.
He shook his head and silently mouthed the words while pointing toward the gaping hole Pica had smashed through the wall.
At such close range, Absalom could easily read his lips and gestures.
He quickly nodded and began moving toward the hole beside Aaron.
Meanwhile, no one else had realized that the power of the Munch-Munch Fruit had already been silently stolen by Aaron.
Everyone's attention was locked on Pica and Lao G, who had suddenly started fighting despite being comrades.
"Lao G! What's the meaning of this?!"
Pica, caught off guard by Lao G's sneak attack, glared furiously at him.
He immediately activated the power of his Stone–Stone Fruit (Ishi Ishi no Mi), absorbing the surrounding rock to form a massive three-meter-tall stone giant.
Lao G, however, was not yet the aged old man he would become fourteen years later.
In his prime, his body was at its physical peak—muscular, disciplined, and powerful.
He faced Pica with a calm expression and said flatly:
"Pica, don't let anger control you. Remember—our young master's orders are absolute."
Hearing Doflamingo's name, Pica gritted his teeth. Though furious, he could only suppress his rage and reluctantly dispel his stone form.
But the young Wapol—reckless and arrogant as ever—only grew more insolent.
He immediately realized from Lao G's words that Pica had been forbidden by his master to harm him.
Smirking, Wapol mockingly said:
"Ha! The talking rock monster is actually one of that filthy pirate Doflamingo's lackeys! Good boy, sit and stay—just like a proper dog! Hahaha!"
"Your Majesty Wapol, please, I beg you—stop talking!"
Captain Dalton, the royal guard commander, shouted desperately.
He didn't want to defy the prince, but under these circumstances, silence could mean everyone's death.
Both Pica and Lao G were far beyond their ability to fight. The only reason they hadn't all died yet was because of Doflamingo's command restraining them.
But patience had its limits.
Dalton could sense that Pica had already been pushed to the brink.
If Lao G hadn't intervened earlier, they'd already be facing a massacre.
Now, with Wapol pouring fuel on the fire, Pica's rage was ready to explode.
Wapol ignored Dalton completely, glaring down at him.
"Dalton! Who do you think you're talking to? You're just a servant! How dare you raise your voice to me? Are you tired of living?"
Dalton didn't respond.
His gaze was fixed on Pica, whose trembling body and lowered head betrayed an uncontrollable fury.
A chilling sense of danger crept up Dalton's spine.
"Unforgivable… unforgivable… unforgivable…"
Pica muttered the words over and over.
His eyes turned bloodshot—and the last shred of sanity snapped.
Without warning, a cluster of razor-sharp stone spikes erupted from the ground around Wapol, lunging toward him.
Dalton reacted instantly, swinging his massive sword to shatter the spikes.
But they were merely the first wave—dozens more shot out from all directions, aiming straight for Wapol's heart.
The other guards rushed in, frantically breaking the stone lances to protect their prince.
Some even fired their guns directly at Pica in desperation.
The noise of battle quickly drew reinforcements from outside.
Inside this fortress made of stone, Pica's strength was amplified to terrifying levels.
He blocked bullets with ease, his Stone–Stone powers giving him near-complete control over the battlefield.
As he glanced at the guards fighting desperately to protect Wapol, a cruel grin spread across his face.
In the next instant, dozens of stone spikes redirected themselves toward the soldiers.
Screams filled the room as blood splattered across the walls.
Meanwhile, under the cover of Absalom's Clear–Clear Fruit , Aaron quietly slipped through the hole and entered a nearby empty chamber.
"As expected, Wapol didn't disappoint. With this chaos, Doflamingo's influence in the Drum Kingdom is finished. He won't be able to stay neutral once this storm breaks."
Aaron chuckled softly, using his Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku Haki) to watch the fight in the next room.
Then his eyes turned toward the split red Devil Fruit guarded by Lao G.
Having tasted the power of one fruit, his hunger for more only deepened.
Turning to Absalom, he whispered:
"Lend me your strength for a bit, Absalom."
Absalom blinked, confused. He was already using the Clear–Clear Fruit to assist Aaron—what more could he do?
He realized the answer a heartbeat later.
Aaron's hand struck like lightning, chopping the back of his neck.
As darkness closed in, the last thing Absalom saw—
—was a massive, gaping mouth
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