The three of them continued down the street. The buildings on both sides gradually changed from shabby taverns into noticeably upscale inns and shops.
Tesoro trailed behind Roy, practically buzzing with excitement. What happened earlier had clearly set his blood on fire.
"Boss, that move just now was way too cool! That guy couldn't even touch you!"
Stella asked curiously, "Roy, what was that ability? Is it a Devil Fruit?"
"It is." Roy flicked a finger, and the chest Tesoro had been carrying slowly floated into Roy's hands.
"This is one of the Devil Fruits we snatched from a Celestial Dragon."
Watching Roy use his power again, both of them couldn't hide the longing in their eyes. Tesoro even bounced over with a grin.
"Boss… there's still one more Devil Fruit, right?"
Roy understood exactly what he meant, so he explained seriously. "Tesoro, there are three types of Devil Fruits: Logia, Zoan, and Paramecia. Their abilities are all different. A Logia lets you turn your body into an element, making you immune to most physical attacks, and they can unleash wide-area destruction too."
"Whoa! Boss, then wouldn't someone who eats a Logia be invincible?"
Tesoro cut him off in excitement before Roy could continue.
"You want to listen or not?"
Tesoro immediately clamped his mouth shut, then made an exaggerated zipper motion, which made Stella cover her mouth and giggle.
Roy shot him an annoyed look and continued. "Zoans let you transform into all kinds of animals, boosting your physical strength. Paramecia gives you all sorts of special powers."
"And your boss right here is a Paramecia user, the Thought-Thought Fruit."
Roy couldn't help feeling proud. Out of all the possibilities, he'd actually gotten a Devil Fruit that suited him perfectly.
While they talked, they entered a luxurious-looking hotel, booked a large suite, and followed a bellboy toward the room.
"Tesoro," Roy said as they walked, "Devil Fruit abilities come in every shape and size. Some are powerful enough to create a strong fighter overnight. Some are so weak they can't even beat ordinary pirates."
"And once you eat one, the sea rejects you. Touch seawater or Seastone and you'll lose your strength instantly and become helpless."
Once they were inside and the door shut behind the bellboy, Tesoro hurriedly opened the chest and pulled out the remaining Devil Fruit.
"Boss, what type is this one?"
The fruit in his hands was pure white, shaped like a melon, covered in feather-like swirls.
"Looks like a Zoan." Roy studied it. "And those feather patterns… it's probably a bird-type fruit."
"How about it? Still want to eat it?"
The moment Roy said it was a Zoan, Tesoro's mouth twisted with obvious disappointment. He shoved the fruit toward Roy with a look of disgust.
Roy laughed. "Even a 'normal' Zoan is nothing to sneeze at. A bird fruit means flight. If you ever fall into the sea, you won't have to drown like a rock."
Seeing Tesoro wasn't interested, Roy was about to put it back in the chest.
Stella, who'd been quietly listening, suddenly spoke up and stopped him.
"Roy… can you give me that Devil Fruit? I want to try. If it really can fly, I want to eat it. That way, when we fight, I won't be a burden anymore."
Roy froze for a heartbeat, then smiled and handed it to her.
"Don't say something stupid. You're someone I fought like hell to save from a Celestial Dragon. You're my crew's chief navigator. Why would I ever嫌弃 you?"
He placed the fruit in her hands, then teased her with a grin. "Besides… you're Tesoro's moonlight, you know. If anything happens, he'll fight to the death to protect you."
Tesoro, who'd been sprawled on the bed, instantly turned bright red. But he jumped up anyway, pounding his chest as if swearing an oath.
Stella looked at Tesoro's ridiculous expression, then at Roy's smiling face. At last, a truly heartfelt smile appeared on her gentle, beautiful features.
Escaping the fate of slavery… joining Roy's crew together with Tesoro… the sense of safety was unreal.
"So," Roy asked, "want to eat it now, Stella?"
"Yes! Yes!" Tesoro chimed in immediately. "Eat it! Try it!"
Under their eager stares, Stella lifted the Devil Fruit delicately to her lips. After a brief pause, she didn't hesitate.
She took a bite.
"Ugh…"
"Hahahaha!"
Roy burst out laughing on instinct. He knew that taste all too well, the kind of disgust that felt like your soul itself was rejecting what you'd swallowed.
Watching Stella look like she'd just questioned the meaning of life, Roy forced his face back into seriousness.
"Even one bite is enough to gain the power, but people say eating the whole thing helps with awakening later."
Hearing that, Stella shut her eyes, then resigned herself.
She stuffed the rest of the fruit into her mouth like she was accepting her fate.
"Stella?"
Tesoro started to step forward, worried.
He didn't even get close.
White feathers sprouted across Stella's face. Her arms slowly reshaped into wings, and her legs became sharp bird talons.
"So it really is an avian type," Roy said, eyes lighting up. He motioned for Tesoro to open the window. "Go on. Take it outside."
"Get used to your power!"
The huge white bird spread its wings and launched out the window, soaring into the sky.
Tesoro leaned out, staring up with pure envy as Stella flew freely overhead.
Roy walked up and patted his shoulder. "Don't be jealous. Your boss will find you a powerful Devil Fruit someday."
"Thanks, Boss!!"
A moment later, Stella dove down from the sky, slipped back through the window, and slowly transformed into human form again.
"Well?" Roy asked. "How is it?"
"It's amazing, Roy." Stella's eyes shone. "I ate the Zoan-type Bird-Bird Fruit, White Dove Model. I can fly, and I can sense changes in the surrounding magnetic field and the weather."
"That means we'll never have to worry about getting lost at sea again."
"Oh?" Roy blinked, genuinely surprised, then smiled wider. "Now that really is worth celebrating."
A navigator like that was priceless on the ocean.
"Then we're having a party," Roy declared. "To celebrate Stella getting the power she wanted."
He sent Tesoro down to the kitchen, and soon the room was stacked with drinks and food.
While the three of them celebrated…
The handful of Giant Axe Pirates who had run away earlier finally stumbled back to the harbor in a panic.
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