"Okay, this is one hour."
I decided to wait exactly one hour on the cargo ship's deck, as I had told Gilbert when I introduced myself and handed him that carefully worded note.
The salt-tinged wind whipped through my hair as I leaned against the weathered railing, watching the endless expanse of blue stretch toward the horizon.
Of course, punctuality in business dealings was probably just another social construct designed to make people feel important about arbitrary time constraints.
But then again, when you're trying to purchase something as monumentally significant as a Devil Fruit, perhaps adhering to conventional etiquette wasn't the worst strategy.
The irony wasn't lost on me that I, Hikigaya Hachiman—the same person who could barely navigate a simple conversation with my classmates back home—was now attempting to conduct what amounted to a black-market transaction in a world where pirates roamed freely and the government had a tendency to make inconvenient people disappear.
But necessity had a way of forcing adaptation, even for someone as socially inept as myself.
'And well, I never had a problem with professional conversation anyway.'
I felt that familiar pessimistic weight settling in my chest as I contemplated the magnitude of what I was attempting.
Here I was, in a world that operated on completely different rules from my own, trying to collect Devil Fruits like some kind of supernatural treasure hunter.
The whole endeavor reeked of the kind of protagonist behavior I'd always found nauseating in the light novels Zaimokuza throws at me.
'Well, let's go.'
As the hour mark approached, I pushed myself away from the railing and made my way back toward the merchant quarters.
The two suitcases in my hands, one has sixty million Berri in cash, and the other has sixty million worth of gold plus my jeweled Barbossa Sword, just to look the part. A total of one hundred and twenty million Berri total for a single Devil Fruit.
In my old world, that would have been an incomprehensible fortune. Here, it was apparently the going rate for a chance at supernatural powers. The economic systems of this world made about as much sense as everything else.
'Which was to say, not at all.'
Knock! Knock! Knock!
I knocked on the cabin door where Gilbert and his family were staying, three measured raps that I hoped conveyed professional confidence rather than the nervous energy that was actually coursing through my veins.
The door opened almost immediately, as if they had been waiting just on the other side. Gilbert himself stood in the doorway, his merchant's smile already in place—polite, professional, and carefully neutral.
"Ah, Hikigaya-san," he said, gesturing for me to enter. "Right on time. Please, come in."
I stepped into the small cabin, noting immediately how the family had arranged themselves. Gilbert closed the door behind me with a soft click that seemed to echo with finality.
The cabin was cramped but clean, with just enough space for the basics.
Gilbert had set up what passed for a meeting area—a small table with a single chair positioned across from where he would sit with his wife and young son. The arrangement was clearly deliberate, designed to make me feel simultaneously welcomed and outnumbered.
"Please, have a seat," Gilbert said, indicating the lone chair. I set the suitcases down carefully beside me as I settled into the chair, hyperaware of how the family's eyes tracked my every movement.
Gilbert took his place across from me, his wife settling beside him. Their son perched on the edge of his seat with the barely contained energy that seemed universal to children regardless of which world they inhabited.
"I must say," Gilbert began, his tone carefully modulated, "I was quite surprised when you approached me with your... proposition. It's not every day that someone makes such a specific inquiry about our goods."
I kept my expression neutral as I responded. "I apologize for the sudden nature of my approach. I understand that unsolicited commercial proposals can be... concerning."
The words came easier than I had expected. There was something about professional interactions that bypassed all the usual social anxiety that plagued me.
Perhaps it was because business dealings had clear objectives and established protocols, unlike the bewildering maze of subtext and hidden meanings that characterized normal human conversation.
In professional settings, people said what they meant and meant what they said. Or at least, they pretended to with sufficient conviction that you could navigate the interaction without constantly second-guessing every syllable.
Gilbert nodded approvingly at my response. "Well, you certainly know how to be direct. Now then, you mentioned in your note that you were interested in acquiring a 'rare item' that you believed we possessed. Might I ask exactly what item you're referring to?"
I met his gaze directly. "A Devil Fruit."
Gilbert's expression didn't change—a testament to his experience as a merchant, no doubt—but I caught the slight tightening around his eyes that suggested my directness had caught him off guard.
He leaned back slightly, his fingers drumming once against the table surface. "I see. That is indeed... specific. I apologize if it was a bit rude for me to ask, but how did you come to believe that we possess such an item?"
I had expected this question, of course. And if I don't answer, that will only make me suspicious. However, if I answer directly, that will only make me a fool.
"I'd be happy to answer that. But first, I'm curious about something myself.
How did a merchant dealing primarily in common goods come to possess something as rare as a Devil Fruit? Such items are extraordinarily uncommon in the Four Blues."
Gilbert hesitated, and I watched as he exchanged a glance with his wife. The silent communication between married couples was something I'd observed many times, though I'd never experienced it myself.
'But wow. There was an entire conversation happening in that brief moment of eye contact.'
Finally, Gilbert nodded as if reaching some internal decision. "That's... a fair question. I suppose there's no harm in explaining, given the circumstances."
He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I've been in the trading business for nearly fifteen years now. Common goods, mostly—textiles, spices, and basic necessities. Nothing exotic or 'too daring'."
He gestured toward his wife. "During our most recent voyage, we were conducting our usual inventory check when Maria here discovered something unusual mixed in with a shipment of common fruit. The moment we saw it, we both knew what it was."
His wife spoke for the first time, her voice soft but clear. "My great-grandfather was a Devil Fruit user. My grandfather told me stories about him when I was young, describing how my great-grandfather ate it and what it looked like. There was no mistaking it."
Gilbert nodded. "Ever since we found it, we've kept its existence strictly confidential while mapping our odds with it. You can imagine our surprise when you approached us about it." He leaned forward slightly.
"Which brings me back to my original question. How did you know?"
I had prepared for this moment, constructing what I hoped was a believable lie that would satisfy their curiosity without revealing the truth about my Compass.
"I'm also a Devil Fruit user, the Kari-Kari no Mi(Hunt-Hunt Fruit) to be exact," I said simply. "My ability allows me to sense the presence of rare and precious items within a certain range, Devil Fruits are included."
The effect was immediate and dramatic. All three members of the family straightened as if struck by lightning. The young boy's eyes went wide with wonder, practically sparkling with excitement. The concept of superpowers held an almost magnetic appeal for children, regardless of the world they inhabited.
But while the child's reaction was pure wonder, his parents' expressions were more complex. I caught the brief flash of something else in their eyes—a glint of greed that they tried to hide but couldn't quite suppress. It was exactly what I had expected.
The promise of supernatural power had a way of bringing out the worst in people. Unlike the innocence of a child, an adult mind thinks of things in a more practical and materialistic manner.
'While it is a completely fictional fruit, the materialistic implication for its ability is a literal money printing machine.'
"How fascinating," Gilbert said, his voice carefully controlled. "You must consider yourself quite fortunate to have acquired such a useful ability."
'Here we go.'
I allowed a slight smile to touch my lips. "I suppose I was quite lucky, yes. After all, most of the Devil Fruits' abilities are not that useful."
The puzzled expressions on their faces told me they needed clarification,
'Which was perfect.'
Knowledge was power, and in this case, it was also a tool for managing their expectations and keeping their greed in check.
"There are three categories of Devil Fruits," I explained, settling into the familiar rhythm of exposition.
"Logia-type fruits grant the user the ability to create, control, and transform into natural elements. Fire, ice, sand, even mighty lightning. Nevertheless, they are rare among Devil Fruits as much as they are powerful."
I watched their faces carefully as I continued. "Zoan-type fruits allow the user to transform into animals, and give them the same power as that animal. These are more common than Logia types but still quite rare and valuable."
The boy was hanging on every word, his young mind probably racing with possibilities. His parents, meanwhile, were beginning to look less certain about their good fortune.
"Finally," I said, "there are Paramecia-type fruits. These make up the vast majority of Devil Fruits and grant various superhuman abilities that don't fit into the other categories."
"Some are incredibly useful and powerful—like the ability to hunt for valuables, for instance, or turn the body into a sharp and strong blade. But the total majority are..." I paused for effect. "Less impressive."
Gilbert's wife spoke up hesitantly. "What do you mean by 'less impressive'?"
"Well," I said, maintaining my casual tone, "imagine having the power to change the color of any surface. Or the ability to change the taste of your body part as you wish. Or perhaps the power to transform into a rubber-like material." I shrugged.
"Technically superhuman abilities, but not exactly what most people envision when they think of Devil Fruit powers."
The greedy gleam in the parents' eyes was rapidly being replaced by apprehension. I could practically see them recalculating the value of their mysterious fruit, wondering if they'd been harboring a cosmic joke rather than a pathway to power and wealth.
They looked at each other's eyes for a moment, as if they had confirmed something. Looks like the esteemed great-grandfather didn't have a useful ability either.
'Well, time for the final blow.'
"Furthermore," I continued, pressing my advantage, "the World Government and the major powers are actively monitoring Devil Fruit circulation.
They have extensive networks designed to track these fruits and either acquire them for their own use or prevent them from falling into the wrong hands." I let that sink in for a moment.
"Possessing a powerful Devil Fruit without the backing of a major power can be... problematic."
The transformation in their demeanor was complete. What had begun as excitement and greed had shifted to worry and uncertainty. They were beginning to understand that their mysterious fruit might be as much a burden as a blessing.
I decided it was time to move the conversation toward its conclusion. "Which brings us to my proposition."
Gilbert cleared his throat, his merchant instincts overriding his apparent nervousness. "Yes, of course. Your note mentioned an immediate transaction."
"That's correct," I confirmed. "I am willing to offer fifty million Berri for the Devil Fruit, cash payment, immediate transaction."
There was a moment of silence as the family exchanged glances. I could see Gilbert performing mental calculations, weighing the offer against whatever expectations he'd harbored about the fruit's value.
"I appreciate the directness of your offer," Gilbert said finally. "However, given the rarity of the item in question, I believe it deserves a bit more."
"While I agree the item is rare, its value is mostly as a collectible for the elites. Because, as you already know, it is not that useful." I replied flatly.
'Translation: Your goods are not that valuable, so take the money and shut up.'
"I understand that, but the prospect of it being useful should exist too, no matter how small it is. So, how about we raise the price for it a bit? Let's say, sixty million."
Raising the price by 20% himself means he was already accepting the price but wanted a bit more.
'Translation: He gave up.'
I had expected some negotiation. In fact, I would have been suspicious if they'd accepted my initial offer without question. "Sixty million is acceptable," I said without hesitation.
The ease with which I agreed seemed to surprise them. Gilbert blinked, as if he'd expected more resistance. But the truth was, I had brought enough to cover significantly more than sixty million Berri.
My primary concern wasn't the cost—it was completing the transaction quickly and quietly.
What actually surprised me was how readily they'd settled on that figure. I had been prepared for more extensive bargaining, but they seemed almost eager to close the deal.
My guess was that my explanation about government monitoring and the unpredictable nature of Devil Fruit powers had made them view the fruit as a liability rather than an asset.
And I hadn't been lying about any of that. The World Government did monitor Devil Fruit circulation, and the major powers of this world absolutely did compete for control of the most valuable fruits.
It was precisely because of these realities that I'd avoided any attempt to purchase Devil Fruits through official channels.
Amassing Devil Fruits will definitely grant me a visit by the Cipher Pol assassination squad; the world government will never allow someone to collect Devil Fruits like that. And I am sure the Yonkos and the powerful underworld organizations will also think the same.
The last thing I needed was to attract the attention of Marines or powerful Pirate crews like Yonkos.
Of course, all of that is separate from the equally dangerous question of 'From where did I get all of this wealth?' that would literally bring hyenas to me from all over the world.
"Excellent," Gilbert said, his relief palpable. "Shall we complete the transaction?"
The next few minutes passed in a blur of professional efficiency. I opened the suitcase, revealing the carefully arranged stacks of Berri notes, gold pieces, and my jeweled sword.
Gilbert's eyes widened slightly at the sight—clearly, he hadn't expected me to actually have that much wealth on hand.
As he counted and verified the payment, his wife retrieved a small, locked case from beneath their bed. When she opened it, I got my first clear look at what I'd come to purchase.
The Devil Fruit was roughly the size and shape of an orange, but its coloration was unlike anything from the natural world. The base color was a vibrant orange that seemed to almost glow in the cabin's dim lighting, overlaid with swirling patterns in a green-cyan hue that reminded me of tropical waters. The mysterious spiral patterns that covered its surface seemed to shift and move when I wasn't looking directly at them.
It was unmistakably a Devil Fruit.
"There you have it," Gilbert said, closing the case and sliding it across the table toward me. "One Devil Fruit, as requested."
I accepted the case with what I hoped was appropriate gravity. "Thank you. This transaction never took place, of course."
Gilbert nodded emphatically. "Of course. We're all business people here. Discretion is essential."
After exchanging final pleasantries and expressing mutual satisfaction with our business arrangement, I gathered the case and headed for the door. The family watched me go with expressions of relief mixed with lingering curiosity about what I planned to do with their former burden.
Once I was out of their cabin, I made my way directly to the cargo ship's bathroom. I needed to verify that what I'd purchased the Fruit for was possible before allowing myself to feel any satisfaction about the successful transaction.
The bathroom was cramped and none too clean, but it offered privacy.
I opened the case again, took out the Devil Fruit, then stuffed it along with the Compass and Barbossa Sword into the Box.
And finally, I made my wish.
"…"
Yet, like I expected, the Box didn't respond.
"Sigh…Still not enough…"
Even if I didn't raise my hopes, it was still disappointing.
'There is one more Fruit that is close. I don't need to continue the journey with this ship. Tonight in the middle of the night, I will take out my small vessel and run to the next target…'
I retrieved the Compass and the Sword from the Box. And as I had no better place to store it, I decided to put the Devil Fruit in the Box for now, along with the gold. That after exchanging some of the gold for a Maxx Coffee.
'A worthy transaction, I would say.'
With the transaction complete and the fruit secured, I made my way back to the ship's deck, still in my business suit, as I wanted to feel a bit fancy.
'After all, I just completed a deal worth 60 million Berri. That is enough money to buy a small town.'
The ocean air felt refreshing after the close confines of the cabin, and I allowed myself a moment of cautious optimism. One Devil Fruit down, an unknown number to go.
But the moment I stepped fully onto the deck, that optimism evaporated.
SPLASH!!!
SPLASH!!!
SPLASH!!!
Something massive erupted from the ocean beside our ship.
Not something. Multiple somethings.
Eight enormous figures launched themselves out of the water with impossible grace, landing on the cargo ship's deck with impacts that made the entire vessel shudder. Water cascaded from their forms as they straightened to their full, intimidating heights.
"The Fuck…!!!"
"What? What?"
"By the heaven, what is going on?"
The crew and passengers didn't need time to process what they were seeing. Recognition was immediate and universal, accompanied by screams of terror and panicked scrambling for cover.
Fish-men.
Eight of them, each one a walking nightmare of aquatic features and human-like intelligence combined with superhuman strength.
The largest of the group—a shark-man whose presence dominated the deck like an apex predator surveying its territory—opened his mouth to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth. When he spoke, his voice carried the authority of someone accustomed to walking with fear.
"ATTENTION, PATHETIC LAND DWELLERS!!!" the shark fish-man bellowed. "We are the Arlong Pirates! If you value your pathetic lives, you will surrender every piece of wealth you possess. Resist, and you get to become fish food!"
'Arlong?! Did he say Arlong?!?!'
I felt that familiar sinking sensation in my stomach, the one that accompanied the realization that my day was about to get significantly worse.
Here I was, having just completed a delicate transaction for a Devil Fruit worth sixty million Berri, and now I was face-to-face with a crew of fish-man pirates who were the top-level villains in this ocean.
'Ah fuck!'
The timing was so perfectly awful that it almost felt like cosmic punishment for my earlier optimism.
…
A/N: Well, That's it for now. Feel free to leave a Comment guys!
And Powerstones are much much welcomed!
Oh, and someone asked me what the powers of the three Devil Fruits that appeared were, and the answer was like this:
The first one, the one with the Storm Axe Pirates, was the Ami Ami no Mi (Net Net no Mi). A DF that gives its user the ability to make Webs and capturing Nets, much like Doflamingo's Ito Ito no Mi, but the user can make whole nets at once instead of just threads.
The second one, the one in Leverdent's forest, was the Maru Maru no Mi(Round Round no Mi). A DF that gives its user the ability to turn themselves and anything they touch into a Ball-like shape. It could be useful to someone who knows, lol
The third one, the one that appeared in this chapter, is the much-wanted Sake Sake no Mi (Wine Wine no Mi). A DF that gives the user the ability to turn any liquid they touch into wine of any kind. It also has an awakening that gives the user the ability to turn people into something called Miki (神酒) or Sacred Wine, whoever drinks it will gain the life span of the people transformed, but NOT their vitality and youth.
Anyway, thank you all for reading! Hope you enjoyed this one!
Have a good day! You also can check my Patre0n for extra Chapters.
https://www.patre0n.com/ColdColt
There are +12 Chapters there.