Chapter 75: The Devil Fruit Everyone Laughs At
After donning their masks and black robes, the Freys Pirates were escorted by armored troops into a holding pen beneath the city gate.
Law gestured at the soldiers surrounding them. "What's this?"
"Oh! Brother Trafalgar, this is the 'absolute order' of the underground kingdom." Freys blinked rapidly. "The trading conference brings pirates from everywhere. To prevent riots, they take... precautions."
Itachi pointed forward. "Your 'absolute order' seems selective."
In the town ahead, a bearded thug had just cut down a bakery owner. The baker's wife—a stout woman—grabbed a rolling pin, coated it in Armament Haki, and slammed it into the thug's skull.
They fought viciously in the street.
Nearby shopkeepers barely glanced up.
"HEY! Take your fight somewhere else! My dishes are worth FOUR Rand!"
Freys sighed. "Blink. This is the underground kingdom. The strong rule. The weak serve."
He gestured at a group of gangsters approaching.
"As long as you're a resident and follow the basic rules, the syndicate ignores everything else. Blink."
The gangsters reached the brawlers. Knives flashed. The bearded thug was dismembered.
Moments later, the pieces were cleared away. The bakery owner's wife returned to her shop. The street returned to normal.
"That's the syndicate," Freys said. "Blink."
Law's jaw tightened.
Thank goodness Straw Hat didn't come.
Getting the Root Fruit and escaping cleanly would have been impossible with Luffy's chaos magnet personality.
"We proceed carefully." Law adjusted his bear mask.
They spent hours canvassing the town.
Every shopkeeper. Every street vendor. Every passerby.
The response was... consistent.
"Root Fruit? Pfft—HAHAHAHA!"
"You outsiders really don't know, do you?"
"You'll see it before the auction. That fruit... wheeze... HAHAHAHA!"
"Who would WANT to turn into tree roots?! Absorb energy? I'll knock you out in one punch, old lady style!"
"Only clueless newcomers ask about that fruit. Anyone who's been to Rakesh Callender before knows."
The last one—a would-be robber—tried to attack them. He lasted approximately three seconds before falling into Tsukuyomi. Seventy-two hours of mental torture later, he collapsed twitching on the ground.
They regrouped.
The only concrete information: the fruit existed, and they'd see it at the auction.
Nothing else. Just laughter. Ridicule. Dismissal.
Law rubbed his temples beneath his mask.
"Devil Fruit strength depends on the user's development. There's no inherently 'weak' fruit. So why does EVERYONE here react this way?!"
Itachi shook his head. His inquiries had yielded the same results.
Freys blinked desperately. "Blink. This is so frustrating. Blink."
They reached the town center.
A massive black tower dominated the skyline—easily the tallest structure on the island.
Freys pointed. "The Morel Black Tower! Blink! Made of ultra-hard ore—supposedly indestructible!"
Law stared at the base of the tower.
Several masked pirates were attacking it. Axes. Knives. Fists wrapped in Haki. One man punched the wall repeatedly, shaking the ground with each impact.
Armored troops quickly dragged them away.
"Blink! Every year, pirates test themselves against the tower. Try to break it—or even chip a brick. It's become a tradition!"
Law's voice was flat. "Pointless."
Freys brightened. "Seeing this tower reminded me of someone! Blink!"
"Who?"
"A fried rice uncle! Best food on the island—cheap, too! Blink. I eat there every visit. It's near the auction."
Itachi nodded. "If he's straightforward, he might know something useful."
They walked.
Uncle Fried Rice's shop occupied a bustling street south of the black tower. Business was excellent—proximity to the auction ensured a constant stream of customers.
Also constant: disputes.
At the shop next door, a masked pirate screamed at the owner.
"ONE RAND FOR EEL NOODLES?! Do you know how much gold that is?! Are your eel bones made of PLATINUM?!"
He drew his sword.
Gangsters erupted from the shop behind him and disappeared him.
Freys gulped. "Blink. That's the 'order' here. They protect the auction's reputation. But everywhere else..."
He swallowed.
"Dangerous. Blink."
Law sighed. "Let's just get inside. Spend whatever—just don't cause trouble."
Their treasure had exchanged for 230 Rand coins. Enough for expenses.
Freys hurried after them into the fried rice shop.
"HI! UNCLE! Long time no see!"
Before he could remove his mask, the middle-aged owner waved warmly.
"Familiar voice! Regular customer!"
"Yes, yes! Blink! Your prices, your food—it's all so—"
A massive hand blocked his path.
Freys looked up—and up. A colossal man in a brown beast mask towered over him.
"Friend. I was first."
"Oh! Sorry! Blink!" Freys stepped back hastily.
"Zehahaha! Thanks, friend!"
The big man's laugh was enormous, booming. He turned back to the counter.
Uncle Fried Rice nodded at him.
The big man scanned the menu, then waved expansively.
"Three fried rices! Three jugs of your best sake!"
He paused.
"And ten cherry pies!"
(End of Chapter)
✨If you're enjoying this story, consider supporting me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/TofuChan
Where you can read Extra Advance Chaters
Bonus Chapter For Every 100 Power Stones
Lets hit the goal of 300 Patreon Members now for 5 Extra Chapters 💕
There is an ongoing 20% Discount on Patreon