[TL/N: Read my new work - Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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Hearing Alexander's words, Kaguya nodded thoughtfully.
"The world has changed. As the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family, there are certain skills I must acquire," she remarked calmly.
"I heard your family recently acquired a Devil Fruit through auction. Didn't you eat it?" Alexander asked, recalling the exorbitant price it fetched.
"No, we only obtained one," Kaguya replied. "That Devil Fruit has already been consumed, and it's currently under study and development."
Kaguya didn't deny the acquisition—after all, it was public knowledge—but she kept the specific type of Devil Fruit and the identity of the user confidential, as these were considered trade secrets.
"Can people in this world even consume Devil Fruits?" Alexander mused aloud. "If so, perhaps I could distribute the ones I have to those in need."
Alexander had amassed several Devil Fruits from the 'One Piece' world, including Chopper's Human-Human Fruit, Robin's Flower-Flower Fruit, and Crocodile's Sand-Sand Fruit. While these fruits would fetch astronomical prices if sold, Alexander wasn't interested in money.
He preferred to keep these rare items for his inner circle.
At this moment, Kaguya's gaze was fixed on Alexander, her eyes betraying a hint of curiosity.
If anyone else had claimed to possess Devil Fruits, Kaguya would have dismissed it as a fanciful lie. But this was Alexander—if he said he had them, then she believed him without question.
"Alexander-sensei," Kaguya began, her tone polite yet strategic. "Would you be interested in collaborating with the Shinomiya family?"
Kaguya's intelligence shone through, even in her choice of words. By addressing him as "Teacher," she subtly established a rapport, hoping to strengthen their connection. However, Alexander wasn't easily swayed.
"Collaboration? On what grounds?" he asked with a faint smile. "I'm not planning to sell any Devil Fruits. You know I'm not short on money, and I only share my treasures with those who are part of my circle."
Alexander valued his people deeply. While he could provide free resources for his close companions, such as training Saeko, he wasn't the type to sell rare items for mere profit.
"Ah, that's a pity!" Chika interjected, her face full of disappointment. "I want some of the fun fruits, like the Slip-Slip Fruit or the Love-Love Fruit!"
Chika's love for whimsical and charming things was evident, and Alexander couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.
After a moment's thought, Alexander decided to offer her a different kind of gift.
"Chika, to thank you for your help today, I'll give you this toy," he said, retrieving a pistol from his system space and handing it to her.
Chika stared at the gift, perplexed. "A pistol? I don't want this!"
"This isn't an ordinary pistol," Alexander explained with a grin. "It's called the Devil Menacing Revolver. It doesn't cause harm but instead makes anyone hit by it burst into uncontrollable laughter. It's great for self-defense—or just for pranks."
The pistol, a harmless toy Alexander had acquired from Satania, was cheap and easy to replace, but it was unique enough to delight Chika.
"Wow, thank you so much!" Chika exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. In her heart, Alexander's gesture elevated him from a mere acquaintance to a true friend. Even though the pistol was insignificant to Alexander, it was a treasure to her.
"Alright, I have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave," Alexander said, bidding farewell to the group.
"Goodbye, Alexander-sensei!" Chika waved enthusiastically, and Alexander waved back with a small smile before turning to leave.
As soon as he was gone, Chika ran to Kaguya, brandishing the pistol like a prized possession.
"Look, Kaguya-chan! Alexander gave me this amazing pistol! Want me to try it out on you?" she asked excitedly.
Kaguya's expression stiffened, and she immediately shook her head. She didn't watch much anime, but she instinctively knew this wasn't going to end well.
"Absolutely not!"
"Ah, come on, Kaguya-chan! Just once? You're always so serious—don't you think it would be nice to smile for a change?" Chika pleaded, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
But Kaguya wasn't swayed. Without another word, she turned and briskly walked away, unwilling to stay near Chika and her newfound "weapon."
Kaguya's inner thoughts:' 'This girl can be terrifying sometimes. It's too dangerous to remain here.'
"Fine, Kaguya-chan! I'll just find someone else to try it on!" Chika declared cheerfully, skipping off with the pistol in hand.
Watching Chika's retreating figure, Kaguya let out a sigh of relief.
'Why did Alexander give her a gift but not me? In his eyes, does Fujiwara-san count as one of his own?'