So this whole thing was just me getting cast as X Drake's undercover script, huh?
Ian's face soured.
If I don't get the Nika Fruit, how am I supposed to become a pirate — let alone a Pirate King?!
Is it still possible to back out of joining the SWORD unit?
While Ian hesitated, Aokiji added another line.
"Of course, Ian, you're still a bit lacking in strength."
Hmm?
Ian swallowed the words he'd almost blurted. Something big was coming.
"To carry out this undercover plan, Headquarters will offer some assistance." Aokiji continued. "Have you heard the rumors about last year's — well, technically it's last year now — recruits' training camp?"
"Rumors?" Ian mused for a moment and immediately connected the dots. "You mean the rumor that outstanding graduates of the training camp might receive a Devil Fruit as a reward?"
Why would that rumor spread? Because of the ugly incident three years prior.
Sea Year 1515. A man calling himself "Whitebeard the Second," Edward Weeble, violently attacked the recruits' training camp. The casualties were massive. Aside from Chief Instructor Zephyr, only three people survived the entire camp. Zephyr himself even lost an arm to Edward Weeble's blade.
After the attack, the whole Headquarters was in an uproar. The camp was canceled for a session. It wasn't until last year that the camp resumed. To wipe away the stigma of that attack and to encourage recruits to participate, Headquarters beefed up security and prepared lavish rewards for graduates.
Rumor had it that among those rewards were legendary sea treasures — Devil Fruits.
Ian evaluated the rumor as Fake News. As an actual participant and an outstanding graduate of that camp, he'd never encountered a Devil Fruit. Not during the camp, not at graduation — not even the husk of a Devil Fruit.
But now things seemed to be changing.
"That's the one," Aokiji nodded calmly. "Devil Fruits do exist. They aren't just for 'outstanding graduates'; they're also for members of the SWORD unit."
Ian's heart skipped a beat. He had been an outstanding graduate, and now he was a SWORD member. Could it be…
He toyed with the Ring of Demon Control on his thumb.
"Admiral Kuzan, are you saying… I can get a Devil Fruit right now?"
"Exactly." Aokiji reached down and three hard white ice spheres rose from beneath his desk. At his thought they floated to Ian like miniature satellites and circled him.
"Devil Fruits are rare. Even Headquarters has little stock," Aokiji said while manipulating the ice. "Of these three fruits, two are Paramecia, one is a Zoan. You can choose one to eat. Consider this a joining bonus."
Why didn't you say that earlier? All that buildup for nothing!
Ian stared ravenous at the three ice spheres. Through their frozen shells he could just make out the spiraling vine patterns — that unmistakable Devil Fruit motif. Childhood dreams of superpowers swelled in his chest.
Aokiji brought the three spheres back, thawed the ice, and the fruits revealed themselves.
"Ian," Aokiji smiled, "want me to tell you the names and basic effects of these three?"
"No." Ian answered automatically, eyes fixed on the fruits. "I've read the Devil Fruit Compendium."
The Devil Fruit Compendium — a book that sounded priceless but wasn't especially rare. Ian had seen multiple copies in Headquarters' archive. Most people didn't even know it existed; those who did and used it were few — mostly of the "Black" variety of clientele: Blackbeard Teach, and Black-Leg Sanji. Knowledge in this sea was itself a treasure.
Ian knew the shapes and powers of the fruits by heart. He had a list of dream fruits in his head — Thunder, Surgery, Light, Azure Dragon, and so on. Sadly, most of those were already claimed.
The three fruits Aokiji produced weren't Ian's ideal picks — but he recognized them at a glance.
Left: a Paramecia — Whip-Whip Fruit.
Right: a Paramecia — Clay-Glue Fruit.
Middle: an Ancient Zoan — Ancient Zoan: Spinosauriform.
If Ian remembered correctly, these three fruits had all appeared in SWORD members before.
He stared at the rough, dark-green-skinned Ancient Zoan in the middle and thought of X Drake. If he chose that fruit, would he also be assigned X Drake's old undercover job — infiltrating the Beast Pirates?
Too bad…
Ian didn't dislike Devil Fruits, but he had strong personal biases. For example, that notorious line:
"The Mera Mera Fruit? Even dogs won't eat that!"
The sea was full of pyro-users. Fire powers were as common as slaves on Orange Town. And the so-called owner of the Mera Mera Fruit couldn't even outplay others with flame… no wonder they left the group!
If the Burn-Burn Fruit was unwanted by everyone, then ordinary Zoans — both common and ancient — were worse; even dogs would shake their heads at them.
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