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Akira's expression was priceless at that moment.
Just a second ago, he was fuming over the newspaper's slander about him.
But now, right before his eyes, Garp had casually placed two Devil Fruits—the very ones he had dreamed of.
It was like being at a birthday party, expecting just one cake, only to have a good friend surprise you with the latest game console.
You could say Garp truly lived up to his reputation as a Marine hero. His efficiency was impressive. Akira had only been back for a few days from the treacherous New World.
"They're both Mythical Zoans!"
Akira couldn't believe it as he stared at the two Devil Fruits nestled in the wooden box.
Naval Headquarters had a Devil Fruit encyclopedia—a thick tome placed on the bookshelf in the staff department, accessible to every officer and general.
In the past, when he wasn't on a mission, Akira spent much of his time studying it, gaining a good understanding of the different types of Devil Fruits—Logia, Paramecia, and Zoan.
The Mythical Zoan Bat-Bat Fruit Model: Vampire he had long coveted was etched deeply in his memory.
But the other one...
"Could it be...?"
"Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Monster Racoon dog?"
Akira picked up the second fruit, pondering with a hint of uncertainty.
Just as he was about to take a closer look, Garp snatched it from his hand.
"Akira, this is also a Zoan fruit."
"On my way to Sleeping Ancient Town, I fought some pirates during a storm and found this on a deserted island after getting blown off course. How about it?"
"Isn't this old man lucky?"
Garp grinned widely, tossing the fruit in the air and catching it again, showing off.
Akira could only nod helplessly.
In the past, he had desperately searched for a Devil Fruit, sailing countless sea miles, only to come up empty-handed for six years.
Yet Garp, a pure martial artist with no interest in Devil Fruits, could randomly stumble upon a Mythical Zoan, rarer than a Logia, in a storm.
It's like saying that some people suffer in droughts while others drown in floods.
Oh, and his family wasn't exactly short on powerful Devil Fruits.
Dragon, who was rumored to have eaten the Logia Wind-Wind Fruit, and Luffy, who would eventually eat the Mythical Zoan Human-Human Fruit Model: Nika in a few years...
Thinking about it like that, Akira's mood took a nosedive.
"Is Mr. Garp really going to give me this fruit for free?"
"Thank you for your generosity. I won't refuse."
Akira reached out and caught the Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Monster Racoon dog Garp had tossed.
If there's one category of Devil Fruits that doesn't produce duds, it has to be the Mythical Zoan type.
Most Mythical Zoan abilities are like a combination of Zoan, Paramecia, and Logia powers.
The ability of this Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Monster Racoon dog is incredibly powerful, even among the Mythical Zoans.
It's a top-tier fruit when it comes to imitation. After eating it, you can create a special leaf. Anything or anyone you write on that leaf can be brought to life, even replicating Devil Fruit abilities perfectly.
In the original story, over 20 years later, when the escaped Patrick Redfield was searching for the Vampire Fruit, he used his natural Observation Haki to read Luffy's memories. He then used the deformed leaf to summon Caesar Clown, Crocodile, Rob Lucci, Whitebeard, Blackbeard, Enel, Ace, and the three Marine Admirals.
Caesar's powers + Crocodile's powers + Lucci's powers + Whitebeard's powers + Blackbeard's powers + Enel's powers + Ace's powers + Akainu's powers + Aokiji's powers + Kizaru's powers—what a terrifying lineup!
The most important thing is that these transformed beings have absolute loyalty and fully obey the holder's commands. They possess not only formidable combat abilities but also their respective emotions and behavior patterns.
The only drawback is that they aren't very durable and can be easily dispersed with a few solid hits. But other than that, they're nearly identical to the originals.
After consuming this fruit, it's like carrying around a deluxe version of the Four Emperors crew.
"Akira, don't worry, I haven't said... huh?"
Garp was still casually tossing the fruit, not too concerned when he saw Akira reaching for it. Compared to others, he knew that Akira wasn't someone who could easily snatch it away.
But just as that thought crossed his mind, it was immediately proven wrong.
In a flash, Akira snatched the Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Monster Racoon right out of Garp's hand.
"Hold on, don't grab it! Give it back!"
Garp panicked, his muscles tensing as he reached forward to reclaim the fruit.
Just as his hand was about to touch it, Akira instinctively moved his hand sideways, blocking Garp's grasp with his wrist.
The two of them ended up locked in a tug-of-war across the desk.
"Good boy, how did your physical strength suddenly become so strong?"
Garp was surprised by the force coming from the other side and asked, "Your speed and strength are much greater than before. What kind of training have you been doing?"
Akira smiled.
In the past, he was like a toy doll in front of someone as powerful as Garp, unable to put up any resistance.
But now, he could actually hold his own against him, even if just for a moment.
"Same old training as before. But Mr. Garp, didn't you say this fruit was an extra gift for me?"
"Hey, don't be so hasty! I didn't finish talking!"
"Alright, go on."
"I can give you this Devil Fruit for free, but you have to promise me a small favor!"
"What kind of small favor?"
Akira responded without hesitation. Trading a Mythical Zoan for a small task? That sounded like a deal he couldn't refuse.
And considering his current situation, if Garp was coming to him for help, the task couldn't be that difficult, right?
"Well then, I'll take your quick answer as a promise!" Garp said with a sly grin.
Garp smiled slyly, let go of the fruit, and then shouted towards the door, "Come in, Rouge!"
Akira: "..."
A beautiful figure stepped into the room, radiating a soft, maternal glow. She wore a light blue dress that flowed gracefully around her. Her skin was as pale as frost, her eyes as pure as snow, and her pink curly hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, highlighting her graceful curves.
Her delicate, white fingers rested on her slightly rounded belly, and her haggard expression revealed a deep fear and worry.
"This is Roger's wife, Portgas D. Rouge," Garp said.
"I managed to rescue her from Baterilla Island, but it seems the CP agents aren't going to let her go. The assassinations haven't stopped since we left."
Garp pinched his nose, perhaps thinking back on the events of the past days, and said with indignation, "Seriously, going after a defenseless woman like this... it's disgraceful."
Then he looked at Akira, whose eyes were wide with shock and disbelief, and scratched his head awkwardly before laughing.
"Akira, you're sharper than most people. I'm leaving this matter in your hands."
Akira slumped back into his chair.
Wait, is this the "little thing" you mentioned?
Do you even understand what it means to protect Rouge and the child she's carrying, Ace?
In this era, if you asked people to name the most hated person of the past 800 years, Roger would definitely be at the top of the list.
Even the World Nobles, who commit all sorts of atrocities, have to bow to him.
At a time when everyone wants to tear him apart, you expect me to protect his wife and child?
Are you trying to get me killed?
"Mr. Garp, did you really take her out of Baterilla without any cover?"
"Yep, sure did. And I made sure to tell them she was not Roger's wife, just to be clear."
"Why does this fruit suddenly feel like my hand is burning? I don't want it anymore; take it back."
Without hesitation, Akira immediately tossed the Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Monster Racoon back to Garp, decisively and without a second thought.
Even if you don't want innocent pregnant women to be caught up in this, there are many other ways to divert CP's attention.
It would have better staged a dramatic rescue mission with Pluton Rayleigh to save the captain's wife than bringing her here like this.
"No one has ever returned something I gave away. Goodbye!"
But Garp was prepared for this. With a wave of his arm, the gust of wind he generated sent the Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Monster Racoon flying right back to Akira.
At the same time, he moved with blinding speed and disappeared through the door.
"Oh, by the way, the archaeologist you were looking for said she's waiting for you and her daughter at Sabaody Archipelago."
In the corridor, Garp stopped, turned back, quickly said those words, and then vanished again.
Akira stared at the Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Monster Racoon spinning in front of him, feeling utterly defeated.
It's over, it's all over!
Being stuck with someone as reckless as Garp, he had no choice but to take on this hot potato.
You're a Marine hero with immense power, so why are you pinning your hopes on me, a temporary fleet admiral whose position is anything but secure?
This is way too much to handle!
The office fell into a suffocating silence.
Akira was deep in thought, unable to speak for a long time.
His silence, however, put immense pressure on Rouge.
Though she was a woman, she wasn't ignorant of the gravity of the situation. She knew that her life and the life of her unborn child depended entirely on the man before her.
Summoning all her courage, she took a big step forward.
Under Akira's gaze, she suddenly dropped to her knees.
"Fleet Admiral-sama, I know I'm asking a lot of you, but..."
"But this child is innocent. He hasn't even seen the world yet. I won't complain about anything you ask of me, but please give us a chance. Let me and my child spend our lives trying to make up for Roger's crimes against the world."
"Please show us mercy; you are the only one in the world who can shelter us now... Please, help us..."
"..."
Rouge knelt before Akira, tears streaming down her face. She bowed her head to the ground with such force that her delicate skin split open, instantly creating a large gash.
The sight of her blood mixing with her helpless tears, covering her entire face, was heart-wrenching.
Akira silently watched her for a long time. Finally, he sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
"Although I don't fully agree with the saying 'the sins of the family are not the sins of the individual,' the truth is, you're in a difficult situation."
"Alright, stay here! I'll figure something out for you. Just focus on your pregnancy and don't worry about anything else."
Upon hearing this, Rouge quickly raised her pale face, then bowed deeply once more in gratitude.
"Thank you. I will spend the rest of my life repaying this life-saving grace."
At that moment, Akira heard a notification in his mind:
[Ding, the log is updated!]
[Host acknowledges that the woman Garp brought is "Roger's wife and child" but chooses to shelter her—this action will aid in completing tasks 1, 2, and 3, earning 1,600 experience points.]
[Special Note 1: Due to Rouge's unresolved identity crisis, the rewards cannot be issued immediately. However, you may choose to claim and use them in advance. If the crisis isn't resolved within the allotted time, the system will deduct ten times the reward amount, totaling 16,000 experience points.]
[Special Note 2: Successfully resolving the crisis involving "Roger's wife and child" will yield additional rewards, including a potential emperor-level son or subordinate.]
Akira: "..."
The crisis involving Rouge and Ace must involve the World Government's pursuit.
But the fact that the system is offering experience points in advance? That's quite an advanced feature.
Wait! Hold on!
An emperor-level potential son—are you referring to the unborn Ace?
My future son... I mean, where's my son Ace?
...
After instructing his soldiers to escort Rouge back to his mansion at headquarters and ensure her safety, Akira turned his attention to the two Devil Fruits.
Mythical Zoan Bat-Bat Fruit Model: Vampire!
Mythical Zoan Dog-Dog Fruit Model: Monster Racoon!
"..."
Minutes ticked by as Akira deliberated.
Finally, after much thought, he made up his mind.
Without hesitation, he picked up one of the fruits and brought it to his mouth.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
With purple-black juice splattering from each bite, Akira grimaced, his face turning a sickly shade as if he had just eaten a rancid, stinky durian. Despite the taste, he consumed the entire Devil Fruit, leaving nothing to waste.