Chapter 225: How About You Change Your Name to Marshall Techie
Chapter 225: How About You Change Your Name to Marshall Techie
Nilo took residence in the last remaining palace. According to his own request, this palace contained a library where one could learn about the nation's history, along with Lais's diary, to let future generations understand the truth behind past events rather than simply branding Lais as a demon after his downfall.
After all, destroying a country was too massive a crime for anyone else to shoulder. Lais, as the culprit, naturally had to be officially reported.
Nilo didn't want Lais to be remembered as a demon by the world. He resolved to stay here and reveal the truth to the public.
Though Kuro personally delivered the final blow that razed the nation to dust, he wasn't about to take responsibility for such a catastrophic crime. That burden was far too heavy.
Kuro could only truthfully report everything to Gramps.
The warship withdrew from Tada Kingdom and resumed its voyage.
Kuro had someone fetch a cloth to clean his blade. He drew Autumn Water, gently wiping its black blade with meticulous care.
"Kuro, what are you doing?" Lida tilted her head curiously.
"My blade just chopped through something as annoying as a fly. It's disgusting—I need to clean it. I absolutely hate bugs, second only to my hatred for a ship's rudder."
His ranking of hatred went: ship's rudder first, bugs second, and then pirates who committed heinous crimes.
Actually, Kuro hadn't always disliked bugs. But after eating the Float-Float Fruit, he'd developed an intense aversion to them.
"Wait, I've practically mastered telekinesis with Float-Float Fruit's ability. Why would telekinesis hate bugs?" Kuro suddenly realized, his expression twisting with confusion.
Lida watched Kuro tenderly polish his blade, her eyes flashing with suspicion.
"Hey, can I clean your sword too?" She extended her hand, asking.
"You?"
Kuro looked at her in surprise. Seeing her serious expression, he felt an unexpected surge of warmth—his "daughter" was finally growing up!
"Alright! I'll leave it to you!"
Kuro handed Autumn Water and its scabbard to Lida, ruffling her hair as he encouraged, "Make sure to clean it well. This is the most important thing I own."
Most important?
Lida tightened her grip on Autumn Water. Of course! Kuro was clearly obsessed with turning Autumn Water into his "wife"! Otherwise, how could he treat a sword with such tenderness?
More affectionate than he'd ever shown her!
Lida bared her teeth at Autumn Water, glaring fiercely.
Try seducing Kuro, will you? Not on my watch!
"Kuro-Mr."
Klah emerged from the central fortress of the warship's deck. "The report has been sent."
"Since it's done, forget it", Kuro shrugged.
Gramps had generously taken full responsibility, saving Kuro the hassle. Dealing with the Five Elders was the last thing he wanted. Truthfully, he avoided any living being from Mariejois.
"Rub you to death, rub you to death!"
Lida knelt beside the deck, furiously polishing Autumn Water as if trying to erase its blade entirely. But Autumn Water was the hardest blade in existence—legend said even an elephant stepping on it wouldn't bend it a millimeter. Her vigorous motions caused her small backpack to slip from her shoulder onto the deck, spilling several fruits with a dull thud.
Kuro's eyes narrowed as one fruit rolled outward. His mouth fell open in disbelief—"No way…"
Klah adjusted his glasses, a cold sweat breaking across his forehead. The fruit had a distinctive spiral pattern—another Devil Fruit, slightly larger than ordinary fruits.
Another Devil Fruit?!
Wait, why "another"?
"Eh? Why's there another one?" Lida's face fell.
Adding another non-edible Devil Fruit meant another meal lost from her food stash.
"Damn it! This bag's food came from the Headquarters—it's hard to replace!"
"Is that really the issue right now?"
Kuro picked up the backpack, inverting it to pour out its contents.
Various Devil Fruits tumbled out, mixed with lollipops, cookies, white bread, and even a meaty bone. Kuro blinked—how did all this fit into such a small bag?
"Just one, at least. Not too bad", Kuro muttered, confused. This was the third Devil Fruit found in the bag.
"Lida-miss, your luck really is something", Klah swallowed hard, half in awe.
This was beyond "luck."
Kuro gave Lida an exasperated look. "Change your name. Don't go by Flo Lida anymore. Call yourself Marshall Techie instead. You're luckier than Blackbeard."
She definitely didn't have the Dark-Dark Fruit's power—Kuro knew that. And the backpack itself wasn't a Devil Fruit user. This was pure, unexplainable mysticism.
Unbelievable!
Kuro stared at the Devil Fruit on the deck. "If this came from Tada Kingdom, it's probably top-tier. Klah, you decide whether to eat it."
Tada Kingdom consistently produced powerful Devil Fruits.
There was Absolon's Cacophony Devil Fruit, which could create illusions.
Sipatia's Reverse-Reverse Devil Fruit, capable of deceiving opponents.
Lais's Scribble-Scribble Devil Fruit, which turned fantasies into reality.
All of them were game-breaking.
Even Gurgas's werewolf transformation wasn't ordinary Zoan.
The fly Kuro cut down earlier seemed like a Religious King—if it was a Devil Fruit user, its ability was likely formidable too.
Though Kuro couldn't identify the specific fruit, any from this group would be a worthwhile gain.
"I understand."
Klah picked up the fruit—it was elongated, resembling a cross between a banana and an olive, jet-black.
Without hesitation, he peeled its skin and bit the tip. His face instantly turned green.
He clenched his teeth, forcing the bite down, then gave Kuro an admiring glance.
Kuro had eaten entire Devil Fruits before. A single bite wasn't enough—it was like swallowing a whole bitter pill.
Klah was about to sense his new power when Kuro interrupted, "Wait."
A smirk tugged at Kuro's lips. "Klah, listen—Devil Fruits are this world's specialty. You can't just taste them! Eat the whole thing!"
"But Kuro-Mr., just one bite should be enough", Klah protested, bewildered.
"Nonsense! You eat the whole damn thing!" Kuro growled.
He'd swallowed entire fruits himself. How could Klah gain strength from just a nibble? That would be unfair!
Klah sighed, tears welling as he devoured the fruit bite by bite.
Each mouthful twisted his face further, his eyes glassing over.
In a vision, he saw his mother reaching for him across sunlit fields.
"Klah, come with me. Let's leave this chaotic world together", her voice drifted gently.
"Mother…" Klah whispered.
(End of Chapter)
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