Chapter 87: Commanding Mountains and Seas, Clouds at My Fingertips
Chapter 87: Commanding Mountains and Seas, Clouds at My Fingertips
“You have one?”
Kuro blinked. “That thing’s supposed to be pretty rare, isn’t it?”
Mendeltown mayor scratched his head. “Not sure. Seems like it’s been around since my grandfather’s time. If you want to see it, I’ll fetch it for you.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem! Serving a noble-hearted man like you is only right!”
Mendel gave Kuro a heartfelt thumbs-up.
Before long, he returned with a thick book.
It was indeed the 【Devil Fruit Encyclopedia】—the title on the cover left no doubt.
Kuro flipped to a page. Predictably, it was filled with Devil Fruit illustrations, each labeled with names and abilities.
The Grand Line held countless Devil Fruits—impossible for any guidebook to catalog them all. Still, this one captured a decent portion.
Kuro was 80% certain this was the Float-Float Fruit, but better safe than sorry. What if he’d guessed wrong? If he ate it only to find a useless fruit burdening him with weaknesses…
But soon enough, he found the entry he sought.
Midway through the book, the illustration matched the fruit in his hand perfectly.
“The Float-Float Fruit…”
Kuro’s expression grew complex.
“The Float-Float Fruit? Doesn’t that mean—”
Lida gasped, but Kuro shot her a warning glare. She snapped her mouth shut.
“Devil Fruit?” Mendeltown mayor asked, intrigued. “How rare! Where’d you get it?”
“A kind old man with a ship’s rudder on his head.”
Kuro weighed the fruit in his hand.
Truthfully, he’d long coveted the Diamond-Diamond Fruit. But the old man was only fifty-six—assuming no accidents, he had another one or two decades left. This fruit, though, offered a lifesaving power.
And now, a powerful fruit had literally fallen into his lap.
Eat it? Absolutely.
Devil Fruit users faced the Grand Line’s scorn and the weakness of Seastone. But the Float-Float Fruit defied those rules.
When you could fly, who feared the sea?
As for Seastone—could someone really chase him into the skies and slap shackles on him midair?
Kuro had often wondered what Devil Fruit he’d end up with. Among Paramecia, few caught his interest. The Float-Float Fruit ranked high.
What a gift—flight, matter manipulation. If battles turned sour, he could flee. If cornered, he could simply vanish into the clouds.
“Old man, you sure know how to pamper me. Bringing me this fruit… Guess I’ll have to send you some paper money after you’re gone.”
Kuro clicked his tongue.
At his age, he’d already shouldered the burden of honoring two old men.
“Are you going to eat it, Kuro?”
Lida watched him stare at the fruit.
“Mm.”
Kuro nodded and took a bite.
Devil Fruit was this world’s specialty—how could he resist?
Sure, the taste was terrible.
The sky-blue fruit had a chunk bitten out of it.
“Ugh—”
The moment it hit his tongue, Kuro nearly spat it out.
It was vile.
He’d never tasted poop, but this fruit smelled neutral and tasted worse than rotten fusion of every nasty flavor imaginable.
Still, he kept chewing.
Devil Fruit required only one bite to activate, but could he risk leaving it half-eaten? What if eating the whole thing granted extra power? Just a bitter pill to swallow—this was about survival!
The fruit vanished in seconds. Kuro exhaled sharply, trembling as he pulled out a cigar with shaky hands. He nearly dropped the match trying to light it.
His senses had suffered a nuclear blast.
“What’s it taste like?” Klah asked. “Looks disgusting.”
“I almost got reincarnated!” Kuro growled through clenched teeth.
“Did it work? Did it work?” Lida pressed.
“It’s not instant—abilities—”
Thud!
Kuro clutched his chest, eyes narrowing.
The power was surging.
Devil Fruit users instantly knew their abilities. No confusion.
Now Kuro knew for sure—he’d become a 【Floating Man】.
“Ensign, we’re ready to depart. Awaiting your orders!”
The sergeant entered, saluting Kuro.
“Let’s go. Thanks again, Mendeltown mayor.”
Kuro stood, retrieving 【Sakujū】 and 【Kigō】, then nodded to Mendel.
“Hey, noble hearts belong at sea. Go get ‘em!” Mendel grinned, flashing his gleaming teeth.
After parting with Mendeltown mayor, Kuro left the town and boarded his ship. The vessel set sail for the Grand Line.
Destination: Morgant, the amusement island.
They’d intended to head there all along.
Though Shanks had delayed him, his ultimate goal remained unchanged. He’d hide out in the East Blue until the Top War ended.
…
In the ship’s office, Lida and Klah watched Kuro curiously.
Kuro stood still for a moment—then suddenly lifted off the ground, hovering in the cabin.
With a flick of his fingers, the two swords circled him, spinning in midair.
“So cool!”
Lida’s eyes sparkled.
Klah chuckled. If this was Shanks’ power, Kuro had just leveled up astronomically.
He could serve under this man, finally enjoying peace.
“Not bad.”
Kuro smiled, satisfied.
Flying—actually flying!
With the swords whirling around him, he felt like a legendary swordmaster.
【Sakujū】 and 【Kigō】 were broad shortswords—Kuro preferred katanas, so these famous blades weren’t ideal. But with his ability, he could do the impossible.
Like summoning a thousand blades at once—
“The old man’s 【Yata Mirror Beads】 unleash laser rain. I’ll rain down a thousand swords! Let’s see who dares mess with my peaceful life!”
But this power held deeper potential.
Seawater, islands, rain, snow—any inanimate matter he touched could be controlled.
With proper development, this would become his greatest asset.
“Swordsmanship hit a dead end, but Devil Fruit abilities… Time to get creative.”
Kuro stretched his hand, as if mountains, seas, and clouds bent to his will.
Most importantly—he could Fly.
Forget Moonstep. This was invincibility.
Even Shanks’ greatest advantage was flight—the very reason the Navy feared him.
(End of Chapter)
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