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Chapter 712
Chapter 712
Conqueror's Haki—only one in a million possesses this innate aptitude, not developed later in life but born with.
This aptitude usually manifests among pirates rather than the Navy.
That said, it's not entirely absent from the Navy ranks.
From what Kuro knew, that old man Sengoku possessed Conqueror's Haki. After all, his "Heavenly Justice" sounded like the very epitome of a conqueror's aura.
As for whether others had it, Kuro hadn't seen any evidence—this remained unknown for now.
As for himself? He lacked it.
Thus, whenever he encountered Conqueror's Haki, he couldn't help but feel envious.
"Am I just imagining things because I desire it so much?" Kuro mused, shaking off the sensation he'd felt earlier as he ascended to his office.
Reaching his office, he stared at the Devil Fruits displayed in the glass case, lost in thought.
The door opened. Lida entered and said, "Hey, Kuro, the fallen Navy members have all been handled."
"Hmm."
Kuro nodded absently before telling her, "Gather everyone who hasn't eaten a Devil Fruit yet. It's time to strengthen their capabilities. Relying on their current pace won't cut it in this environment."
"Eh? You're giving them Devil Fruits?" Lida tilted her head. "They're so gross. Do you think they'll even agree?"
"You think everyone's as much of a glutton as you? Just go!"
Kuro shot her a glare. "And have Klah bring the Devil Fruit encyclopedia while he's at it."
"Okay~"
Lida chirped obediently before leaving.
Thanks to Lida's efforts, the display case now held six Devil Fruits—four Zoans and two Paramecias, including two new additions.
The Demon Encyclopedia coincidentally recorded both new entries as Paramecias.
One was the "Rise-Rise Devil Fruit", which could lift any object vertically. It shared a vague connection with the Float-Float Fruit—akin to grandfather and grandson. Float-Float's junior form was the Float-Float Fruit, while this one felt like an inferior version of a floating ability.
Lida had discovered it herself during a patrol. The Devil Fruit user could redirect cannonballs upward, but Kuro suspected its practical applications were limited.
The other was the "Numb-Numb Devil Fruit", inducing mild numbness upon touch. Mild—this fruit likely required advanced mastery to achieve full paralysis.
Functionally, it might be considered inferior to Lida's own abilities, but still marginally useful in Kuro's eyes.
"Vice Admiral Kuro."
Klah entered with the Devil Fruit encyclopedia.
Kuro gestured toward two fruits in the case—the gourd-shaped one and the vividly green specimen.
"Help me identify these new additions. Check if they're documented."
"Understood."
Klah flipped through the encyclopedia, searching its pages.
Meanwhile, the others began arriving—Donald, Ju Geng, Fen Ni, and Sazil. Among Kuro's subordinates, these four remained Devil Fruit-free.
Ai En and Binz already possessed Devil Fruits. Moer, though newly recruited, wielded his Devil Fruit ability skillfully as well.
"Got it~" Lida entered last, announcing to Kuro.
"Found them."
Klah finally located the entries. "The gourd-shaped one is the 'Punch-Punch Devil Fruit,' a Paramecia and junior form of the 'Paw-Paw Devil Fruit.' It can repel anything by striking it forcefully."
"The green one is Bexi's 'Plague-Plague Devil Fruit,' capable of generating plagues."
Kuro's eyes widened. "Now that's a significant find."
Compared to the Logia-type Smiths, this Devil Fruit felt far more reassuring in his hands.
While Logias were common enough in the New World, a plague-manufacturing ability could wreak havoc if left unchecked, especially in this world's fragmented, feudal state. Though medical advancements existed, the Grand Line's unique magnetic forces isolated islands. The advanced medical hub, Cherry Blossom Kingdom—now simply called the "Cherry Blossom Kingdom"—could only extend its influence to nearby waters. Elsewhere, basic plagues could decimate populations.
This Devil Fruit in his hands? Much safer.
Fortunately, that man Bexi remained locked in Impel Down. These Devil Fruit users couldn't be executed—their fruits would simply regenerate elsewhere, creating another identical—or worse—individual.
Thus, containment remained the only option.
Donald stiffened at Klah's explanation. "The Punch-Punch Devil Fruit?"
"You know it?" Kuro turned.
Donald nodded, recounting how Kas had encountered an old friend whose life had been ruined by the crew of the infamous "Evil Blade" pirate crew.
"Evil Blade?"
Kuro's expression darkened. "You know something about them?"
"Not really", he shrugged. "Maybe they got eaten by sea beasts in some East Blue backwater. Don't dwell on details. Though it is strange—the distance from here to where Lida found this fruit was immense. Devil Fruits don't usually regenerate so far from their original location."
Devil Fruit regeneration worked probabilistically—when a user died, the fruit often reappeared near their remains. But the odds of it manifesting so remotely? Slim.
Kuro had always suspected something odd about Lida's bag—especially since she'd replaced it once. It wasn't the bag itself. Was Lida simply absurdly lucky?
He shook his head. "Two new Devil Fruits added to our collection. Who wants to eat them?"
"I'll pass", Donald declined. "I'm a martial artist dedicated to mastering the Way of Momentum. Devil Fruits would only hinder my pursuit."
Kuro had recruited Donald precisely because of that Momentum Blade technique—the pinnacle of which couldn't be reached through Devil Fruits.
Ju Geng remained silent, deaf to Kuro's initial question. Lida repeated the message before Ju Geng finally replied, "I prefer cooking. Devil Fruit powers might interfere with my touch for ingredients."
"I'm interested", Sazil exclaimed eagerly. "The Punch-Punch Devil Fruit looks powerful! May I have it, Vice Admiral Kuro?"
"As for me", Fen Ni added, "the Plague-Plague Devil Fruit could aid my research. Being able to generate pathogens on demand would streamline my experiments. Perhaps I could even develop a stronger Navy medicinal pill."
(End of Chapter)
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