After a final meeting with Sanga, Lakeman entrusted him with detailed instructions on managing the kingdom in his absence. As he departed for the port, Hancock, her sisters, and Robin walked alongside him, a striking entourage in the bustling streets, while Kizaru and the Marines awaited his arrival at the docks.
News of Saint Lakeman's departure had spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. Although his rule had brought a new era of prosperity, the citizens still felt a chill from his presence—a lingering unease, born of his status as a Celestial Dragon.
In a dimly lit pub, whispers filled the air, patrons glancing over their shoulders as they leaned closer, voices hushed.
"Did you hear? Saint Lakeman is leaving the kingdom today," one man murmured, casting a wary glance at the door.
"Aye," replied another, nodding slowly. "My brother caught sight of them, heading toward the port town not an hour ago."
A woman nearby joined in, her tone uncertain. "He named Princess Shirley as queen before he left. But… Do you think things will stay the same? Or will we go back to the way things were under the old royals?"
"She wouldn't dare," someone muttered darkly, eyes narrowing. "Saint Lakeman's orders aren't to be defied—especially not after what happened to her family."
Another patron sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I won't lie, life's better now than it ever was. But his presence here… it's heavy. A Celestial Dragon's shadow looms large. And he won't stay forever, thank the heavens."
"Let's hope so."
Similar conversations stirred throughout the kingdom—rumors, hopes, and fears shared in quiet voices.
Lakeman sensed these murmurs through his Observation Haki, but his focus remained undeterred as he arrived at the port. The grand, gilded cruise ship awaited him, ready to sail, its white sails billowing like flags of sovereignty.
He boarded with a commanding stride, followed by his slaves, maids, and guards. Once he was settled, he gave the command, and the cruise ship, flanked by the Marine vessel, glided away from the port under the watchful eyes of CP7 agents stationed discreetly along the shoreline, observing each movement as the fleet sailed into the horizon.
During the long voyage, Lakeman continued to indulge in his nights with Hancock and Robin, their presence bringing him constant pleasure, while their days were spent in rigorous training under Kizaru's seasoned guidance.
The journey pushed him to his limits and beyond, strengthening every facet of his abilities. His Conqueror, Observation and Armament Haki grew sharper and more resilient, his swordsmanship refined, and his Devil Fruit proficiency advanced with continuous training feedback from the system.
With each passing day, he felt his physique transformation. Already stronger than most admirals, he could sense his body heading toward the monstrous potential of legends like Kaido, Big Mom, and Whitebeard—a physique fortified to withstand unimaginable force and deliver it in equal measure. His raw power grew almost tangible, his body reaching new heights of durability and strength.
After more than twenty days at sea and with Alabasta now only five to six days away, he could feel the readiness within him—the system was primed with enough proficiency that, upon consuming a Devil Fruit, he would be able to directly awaken its power, bypassing the usual struggles of mastery. The thought brought a sense of power and anticipation as he envisioned his potential expanding even further.
In the quiet evening following dinner with the Boa sisters, Robin, and Lily, Lakeman leaned back, a glint of purpose in his eyes.
"Lily," he commanded, "bring the Steal-Steal Fruit to my room."
As he wrapped his arms around the waists of Hancock and Robin, he led them toward his chambers. Once inside, he wasted no time, slipping his hands under their shirts, savoring their warmth as his fingers moved expertly across their breasts. His touch alternated between gentle caresses and firm squeezes of their nipples, drawing soft moans from both women, the tension in the room intensifying with each passing moment.
—Creak.
After a while, the sound of the door creaking open interrupted the silence.
Lily entered gracefully, holding a tray with a fruit atop it, adorned with the signature spiral patterns of a Devil Fruit. She approached him, presenting the fruit with a bow. "Master," she said softly, her voice carrying an edge of anticipation.
Lakeman took the fruit and inspected it briefly before taking a decisive bite. His face contorted immediately at the vile taste, yet he forced himself to continue, swallowing every bit with a silent curse running through his mind: 'Damn Oda… if I ever get back to my original world, I'll have words for you for making this taste so foul.'
A giggle escaped Hancock, her lips curved in amusement, while Lily smiled demurely, trying to hide her mirth. Robin, however, chuckled outright, her teasing tone clear. "Oh, dear Master, did it taste as good as you'd hoped?"
Ignoring their laughter, Lakeman closed his eyes, focusing inwardly as he felt a surge of energy begin to flow through him. This was the power he'd prepared for—stored proficiencies awakening within him, enhancing his mastery over the new Devil Fruit. His entire body seemed to hum with a newfound strength, the power coursing through him like an unbreakable current. He smirked, knowing this was only the beginning.
Lakeman, with a mischievous grin, extended his hand to Hancock, brushing his fingers against her top. Using his item-stealing ability, he concentrated, and her garment vanished instantly, leaving her in unexpected exposure. Ignoring the stunning view, he delved into his mind, discovering what he would later call the "steal-space"—a unique storage void where Hancock's top now lay.
Not stopping there, he tried the same with Robin, Lily, and himself, rendering them all bare within moments. Experimenting further, he reached into the steal-space to retrieve an item. A piece of clothing disappeared from the space and reappeared in his hand, only to vanish back when he returned it.
He repeated the process, exploring the mechanics of his newfound ability. After multiple trials, he discovered that initially, he needed physical contact to steal an item. However, as experience points continued to pour in and familiarity with the fruit grew, he sensed he could expand this range using his Observation Haki, no longer needing physical contact as his proficiency grew.
Intrigued, Lakeman moved on to more complex abilities. Ability Theft proved especially promising. With a focused touch, he could absorb the physical strength of subjects, sensing an infusion of energy and vitality within himself. This experiment grew more interesting when he tested strength and vitality drain on Robin, allowing him to sap her endurance temporarily, bolstering his own energy reserves in the process.
Next, he delved into emotional manipulation. By focusing on Hancock and Robin's emotions, he could feel a shift—he could intensify feelings of affection, erode fear, or incite anxiety. The ability's subtleties required practice, but he sensed its potential for manipulating his girls or enemies alike.
The night grew late, but Lakeman's experiments continued with knowledge absorption. With a touch, he gained insights into combat techniques and academic knowledge from Robin, instantly accessing skills and understanding that would have otherwise taken years to learn.
Testing memory theft proved equally fascinating; he managed to temporarily erase fragments of memories, though he carefully restored them once his experiments concluded.
He noted each success, meticulously tracking how his abilities grew stronger with each attempt. As dawn approached, he found that only about sixty percent of his stored proficiency had been channeled into the Devil Fruit, indicating there was more potential to unlock. More time would be needed, likely another full day, before he could achieve a complete awakening.
So far, he'd unlocked the following functions of the Steal-Steal Fruit:
Ability Theft: The power to temporarily or permanently steal others' skills, abilities, or even Devil Fruit powers, offering him immense versatility.
Memory Theft: Extract or erase specific memories from others, giving him access to hidden information or erasing any recollection of his actions.
Strength and Vitality Drain: Drain an individual's strength, making them weaker while enhancing his own vitality and stamina.
Emotional Manipulation: Steal or alter emotions, calming an adversary or instilling fear, doubt, or loyalty.
Weapon and Item Theft: Instantly claim possession of any item or weapon someone holds, transferring it directly into his hand.
Knowledge Absorption: Instantly gain proficiency in any specialized knowledge or skills of the person he targets, from languages to combat techniques.
Energy Absorption: Steal energy or stamina, rejuvenating himself while exhausting his opponent.
Sensory Manipulation: Borrow another person's senses, allowing him to perceive through them, enhancing his awareness of his surroundings.
Stealth and Invisibility: "Steal" his own presence, erasing his detectable traces to become undetectable.
Life Force Extraction: Temporarily extract life force to extend his longevity or heal himself, a potent addition to his arsenal.
He noted that each of these abilities could likely be expanded or enhanced upon awakening, allowing for prolonged effects or perhaps even permanent thefts. Lakeman's eyes gleamed with fascination as he considered the boundless potential of his power. The true scope of the Steal-Steal Fruit was only beginning to unfold, and tomorrow, he would continue his journey toward full mastery.
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