The moment the system prompt echoed in his mind, Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Whitebeard… coming here?"
If that was true, did it mean the War of the Summit—that legendary clash—
might actually break out right here on Sabaody Archipelago?
Before the thought could settle, the system's voice chimed again:
[Customer: Silvers Rayleigh — available abilities: Swordsmanship, Combat Experience. Choose one.]
[Customer: Portgas D. Ace — available abilities: Combat Experience, Mera Mera no Mi...]
Ron pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing.
"Tch… the Mera Mera no Mi, huh? That thing's cursed…"
Still, he didn't hesitate.
"Select Rayleigh's Combat Experience—convert it into a skill book. Then choose Ace's Flame-Flame Fruit."
[Ding! Skill book generated.]
With a shimmer of light, a small orange covered in swirling, flame-like markings appeared in his hand.
Ron turned toward the bar, where Rem and Ram were quietly cleaning glasses.
"You two," he called with a smile, "want to get stronger?"
They froze mid-motion.
Rem blinked, Ram's eyes flickering like candles.
Ron continued, voice warm but serious:
"I've got a set of skills ready—one's Armament Haki, another is Rayleigh's combat instinct,
and this…" He raised the fruit, "is a Logia-class Devil Fruit."
If they said no, he wouldn't push them.
But both sisters exchanged a glance, and in perfect unison said:
"We want to!"
Especially Ram. Once hailed as a genius among the Oni, she'd lost her horn years ago protecting Rem.
Since then, her strength had never returned.
"Are you sure it's… okay?" Ram asked softly.
Ron nodded.
"Of course. You've earned it."
Two shimmering skill books materialized in his hands, glowing faintly gold.
Without hesitation, Rem stepped forward first, placing her palm against Ron's right hand.
"Then I choose Rayleigh's combat instinct," she said quietly.
Ram followed, her eyes firm.
"Then I'll take Armament Haki… and the fruit."
A brilliant light flared.
Both books dissolved into motes of energy, streaming into the twins' bodies.
The air trembled.
"M–Master…!" Rem gasped, clutching her chest. "My mind—it's filled with memories… battles… reflexes!"
"I can feel power flowing through me!" Ram added, her hands sparking faintly with heat.
Ron smiled faintly.
It worked.
But as Ram stared at the swirling orange fruit on the counter, her expression turned hesitant.
"Master said… these fruits taste terrible, right?"
Still, she steeled herself and took a bite.
The juice trickled down her lips—sweet, fragrant, almost refreshing.
"Hmm? It's not bad at all… sweet and a little tangy."
Ron blinked.
"Wait, what?"
He took the fruit back, took a small bite himself—
and froze.
It was delicious.
"System," he muttered, "did you—"
[Ding! The system has optimized the flavor profile of Devil Fruits. You may safely enjoy them.]
"...You sly thing." Ron chuckled.
Before he could finish laughing, a soft whoosh echoed beside him—
flames burst from Ram's palm, curling upward in a gentle blaze that warmed the entire tavern.
"Thank you, Master."
Both sisters threw their arms around him at once, faces glowing with joy.
Ron stiffened. Two soft, warm forms pressed against him, and he clenched his jaw, fighting instinct.
They're getting stronger… but also older… he thought grimly. I'm in trouble.
Still, the satisfaction in his chest was undeniable.
This was only the beginning.
With future customers, more abilities would come—and his two loyal assistants would grow with him.
If trouble ever came knocking, he wouldn't have to lift a finger.
The next morning.
As usual, Ron read the freshly delivered World Economic Journal over breakfast.
One headline immediately caught his eye.
[Fire Fist Ace—Son of the Pirate King?! Will the Marines Capture Him?]
No flashy words, no exaggeration—just a name.
But Gol D. Roger was enough to make the world tremble.
Moments later, the tavern door creaked open.
Rayleigh stepped in, his silver hair tied back, exhaustion etched on his face.
Rem quietly brought him his usual bottle of Maotai.
"Didn't expect you up so early," Rayleigh said with a smirk, pouring a glass.
"You know—nothing warms the heart like a good morning exercise."
Ron grinned.
"If I'd done that, I wouldn't have opened the tavern on time."
He eyed Rayleigh.
"Though judging by your dark circles, you need a whole bucket of energy tonic. Maybe… an elephant tusk or two?"
Rayleigh straightened.
"Nonsense! What I need is a No-Sleep Mushroom! Keeps me up for days, working hard, never resting!"
Ron blinked.
"...You're impossible."
The two shared a laugh—until Rayleigh's eyes landed on the newspaper.
The smile vanished instantly.
He tapped a finger against the bold headline.
"This… is bad."
Ron's face grew serious as well.
"Big Mom leaked it, didn't she?"
Rayleigh nodded grimly.
"Exactly. She ordered it to be spread worldwide. Now every faction in the sea will start moving."
The revelation meant chaos—panic among civilians, an excuse for the Marines to escalate their campaign,
and ultimately, a chain reaction that could ignite a global war.
"It won't stop with Ace," Rayleigh murmured. "If this keeps up, the whole world will burn."
Ron crossed his arms, thinking aloud.
"If this keeps building, then Whitebeard—and the rest of the Yonko—will all show up.
That should divert the Marines' attention. It might even raise Ace's chances of survival."
He paused, eyes glinting.
"Unless he gets caught by Blackbeard first."
Rayleigh's expression darkened instantly.
"Don't jinx it."
Ron chuckled softly.
"Just saying. Chaos brings opportunity… and more customers."
If the world continued on this path, then soon even Kaido, Big Mom, Shanks,
and perhaps the Warlords themselves would find their way to his bar.
As they chatted, the tavern door creaked again.
It opened just a sliver—enough for a small, wary head to peek through.
Ron's smile froze.
Oh no. Not again.
He didn't need a name to know.
There, sticking its green head through the crack, was another legendary fool of devotion—
one of the Four Great Simps alongside Fei Yangyang and Black Tiger.
A turtle shell gleamed faintly in the light.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
It was Double-Faced Turtle, straight out of Ron's childhood cartoon The Adventures of Little Carp.
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