Chapter 51 - The Auction of Ruin

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"Swallow, Fuse."

Using the powers of the Munch-Munch Fruit, Aaron temporarily devoured Absalom into the pocket dimension within his body. Without hesitation, he activated the fruit's fusion ability—allowing himself to temporarily merge with Absalom.

Of course, outwardly, nothing about Aaron's appearance had changed.

In that instant, he could feel it—a strange, powerful energy coursing through his body. It was the power of the Clear–Clear Fruit (Suke Suke no Mi), inherited from Absalom.

However, that demonic power clearly resisted him. The will of the Clear–Clear Fruit rejected being wielded by anyone other than its rightful host, struggling violently within him. But trapped inside the spatial domain of the Munch-Munch Fruit—Aaron's "home turf"—and with Absalom unable to fight back, the Clear–Clear Fruit's will eventually yielded to Aaron's dominance.

The next moment, Aaron succeeded. His body—and everything on him—became completely invisible.

That was when Aaron also discovered a limitation of his own power: while temporarily acquiring another fruit's ability through the Munch-Munch Fruit, he couldn't use any of his own fruit's other abilities at the same time.

On top of that, using two Devil Fruit abilities simultaneously consumed far more stamina than normal.

Still, Aaron didn't care. Activating the Clear–Clear Fruit's power, he silently returned to the room where Wapol and the others were locked in combat.

By now, Wapol was utterly terrified. Seeing Pica ruthlessly impale dozens of guards with stone spikes—and realizing that even Dalton, Kuromarimo, and Chess, his elite retainers, couldn't match Pica's strength—his entire body trembled uncontrollably.

Fortunately, the guards remained loyal. Even though they were facing an overwhelmingly strong enemy, and even though the man they were protecting—Wapol, the despised prince of Drum Kingdom—was someone they detested deep down, they still rushed in to defend him without hesitation.

They weren't protecting Wapol. They were protecting their country's honor—and their pride as soldiers.

Unfortunately, most of them were merely humans with slightly above-average strength. Against Pica, a pirate empowered by the Stone–Stone Fruit , they didn't stand a chance. Pica barely needed to lift a finger; with a single motion, he skewered the charging soldiers effortlessly with razor-sharp stone spikes.

"Lord Gilbert! Please, you must act!" Dalton, bloodied and battered, shouted while cleaving through several spikes aimed at Wapol. "If Prince Wapol dies here, you won't escape responsibility either!"

Gilbert's expression twisted into a smirk. Dalton wasn't wrong—but the prince's death wouldn't truly be his fault. Wapol had brought this upon himself with his arrogance. Gilbert would, at worst, face a scolding and some loss of reputation.

In fact, if word of Wapol's death spread, many citizens would probably celebrate.

As for losing his position as castle lord or being executed? Impossible. The strongest division of Drum Kingdom's army was under his command, and he had influence within the others as well. If his elder brother ever tried to move against him, Gilbert would not go quietly.

He had been preparing for years, biding his time, amassing power—for the day he could claim the kingdom's throne for himself.

"Damn it…" Dalton cursed under his breath as Gilbert continued to stand idly by.

In a sudden burst of anger, Dalton grabbed Wapol by the collar and hurled him toward Gilbert.

"Dalton!" Gilbert roared, instantly realizing Dalton's intent.

But it was too late. Wapol crashed heavily into him. The two guards at Gilbert's side—both powerful fighters—had hesitated moments before, unwilling to attack the Drum Kingdom's prince even in a crisis.

Unfortunately, Wapol was now the man Pica hated most. The moment Wapol was within range, Pica redirected his stone spikes toward him.

Wapol had been ready to scream at Dalton for daring to throw him—but when he saw the fear on his uncle Gilbert's face, he instantly realized what Dalton was trying to do. Clinging desperately to Gilbert, he dragged his uncle down with him.

"Pica, stop!"

Gilbert struggled to free himself, but Wapol held on tight. Seeing the massive spikes heading straight for them both, he shouted in panic.

But Pica had already gone berserk. He no longer cared who stood in his way—all he wanted was to kill Wapol. Anyone who blocked him would share the same fate. The stone spikes continued to surge forward mercilessly.

Gilbert's two personal guards finally sprang into action. Both were Zoan-type Devil Fruit users.

From his invisible vantage point, Aaron—still cloaked by the Clear–Clear Fruit—watched them closely. He recognized them immediately: Gilbert's most trusted bodyguards. The lean, sword-wielding man was Watt, who possessed the Ox–Ox Fruit, Model: Goat. The burly man with gauntlets was Wix, user of the Cat–Cat Fruit, Model: Black Cat.

Both men shifted into their hybrid forms, shattering the incoming stone spikes with powerful blows.

"Have you gone mad, Pica?! You dare attack me as well?!" Gilbert shouted furiously once he'd escaped immediate danger.

Pica ignored him completely and sent another barrage of spikes straight at Wapol—dragging Gilbert back into the line of fire again.

"G!"

At last, Lao G decided to act.

He could tolerate Wapol insulting Doflamingo to his face—but not if Gilbert died. Gilbert had extensive business ties with the Donquixote Family; his death would destroy countless joint ventures.

Moreover, Gilbert was their shield—the family's key to operating safely within Drum Kingdom. Losing him was not an option.

Lao G unleashed a devastating strike: Deon Fist—G Formation! A massive, G-shaped shockwave erupted from his fist, slamming into Pica and sending him crashing backward, leaving a glowing G-shaped mark on his chest.

"You've vented enough, Pica. That's enough madness!" Lao G barked coldly.

But then his expression changed instantly. A purple, flower-shaped Devil Fruit appeared in midair—its gaping maw like a carnivorous plant—hurtling toward Wapol.

Wapol froze in shock, but his eyes soon gleamed with greed. He had come to the Donquixote Auction precisely for a Devil Fruit. Instinctively, he reached out to grab it.

Yet mid-flight, the fruit suddenly shattered into pieces—chunks of flesh scattering across the room.

The entire room fell silent. Even the enraged Pica paused, staring blankly at the bizarre scene.

"No! Don't eat that!" Lao G suddenly shouted, realizing what was happening.

Startled, Wapol stopped mid-motion, staring at the bit of fruit pulp clutched in his hand.

But it was too late for the others. The soldiers around them, eyes glinting with greed, stared at the scattered remains of the Munch Munch Fruit.

Especially the severely wounded ones—many of them saw it as their only chance at survival.

Unable to resist temptation, one soldier reached for a piece. The moment he did, others followed, scrambling desperately to devour the fragments.

On the Grand Line, the truth about Devil Fruits was no secret: eat just one bite, and you gained its power. The only question was—

who would be the first to eat it?

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