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Seeing Pepper Potts' hesitant expression, Rosh immediately recognized her lingering doubts. Yet, he remained unfazed. He knew that once she truly understood the Bubble-Bubble Fruit's potential—or better yet, experienced it—her skepticism would dissolve like mist under a rising sun.
Leaning forward slightly, his charismatic smile broadened as he decided to sweeten the deal.
"Miss Potts, as I mentioned earlier, the bubbles created by this fruit don't merely cleanse—they make anything they touch extraordinarily smooth. Surely, someone as sharp as you can already see the implications."
"Skincare," Pepper replied, her tone half-joking, though the idea clearly intrigued her.
"Precisely," Rosh affirmed, seizing on her interest. "Imagine achieving the kind of flawless, silky-smooth skin that even the most luxurious products can't deliver. With the Bubble-Bubble Fruit, that fantasy could become your reality. In fact, you could maintain perfect skin without a single wrinkle or blemish—a dream come true for many."
At this, Pepper's eyes lit up despite herself. The notion of flawless skin—something that seemed achievable only through expensive treatments or photo editing—had struck a chord.
Yes, the Shopkeeper's glowing hand trick earlier was bizarre, but this? This was personal.
Though she tried to maintain her polished, businesslike demeanor, the glimmer of curiosity and excitement in her expression betrayed her. She couldn't help but ask, "So, you're saying this fruit can actually improve my skin? Make it flawless?"
"Absolutely," Rosh replied with confidence. "But," he added, raising a cautionary finger, "like all great things, moderation is key. Overuse could lead to unintended effects—such as making your skin excessively slippery. At its worst, you could end up… well, deforming your appearance. But don't worry—washing with water reverses the effect instantly."
"Slippery to the point of deformation?" Pepper blinked, caught between amusement and concern. She couldn't decide if the Shopkeeper was serious or spinning an elaborate joke.
Rosh chuckled softly. "I'll admit, it's a bit of a double-edged sword. But that's also what makes it so versatile. Imagine using this ability against an enemy—making their weapons slip from their grasp or causing them to lose their footing entirely. In the right hands, this fruit isn't just a beauty aid; it's a powerful tool."
Pepper swallowed hard, her fascination with the fruit now overtaking her initial doubts. The idea of wielding something so outlandish yet powerful stirred her curiosity.
But Rosh wasn't done yet. He leaned in slightly, his voice steady but persuasive. "And let me tell you, Miss Potts—there's more to this fruit than just beauty or offensive capabilities. It's also a remarkable defensive tool. The bubbles it produces can be shaped into shields."
"Shields?" Pepper repeated, her brow furrowing. "You're seriously telling me that bubbles—fragile things that pop at the slightest touch—can act as shields?"
"Exactly," Rosh said with a calm, almost maddening confidence. "The bubbles created by the Bubble-Bubble Fruit aren't ordinary. They can withstand impacts that would obliterate most conventional materials, including bullets."
"Bullets?!" Pepper nearly laughed out loud, her skepticism reaching its peak. "Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds? We're talking about bubbles, for heaven's sake!"
Rosh met her incredulity with patience. "Miss Potts, you're still trying to apply the logic of your world—a world grounded in science and material limitations—to something that transcends it entirely. In the realm of Devil Fruits, what you think you know simply doesn't apply."
He paused, letting his words sink in before delivering the clincher. "For example, I know someone who used a similar bubble shield to block lightning. Compared to that, stopping a bullet is child's play."
Pepper's jaw dropped. "Lightning? You're telling me soap bubbles can block lightning?"
"Not ordinary soap bubbles," Rosh corrected with a faint smile. "Bubbles imbued with the power of a Devil Fruit."
It sounded so absurd that, under any other circumstances, Pepper would've walked out, chalking him up as a delusional eccentric. But after witnessing Rosh's earlier demonstration of his light-based abilities, she couldn't dismiss him outright. His calm, unwavering demeanor only added weight to his words.
As Pepper processed this new information, Rosh continued, sensing her inner turmoil. "If what I've told you still feels unbelievable, consider this: the Bubble-Bubble Fruit isn't just about defense or attack. It's about balance. It offers rejuvenation, protection, and versatility—all in one package."
Pepper hesitated, glancing once more at the vibrant fruit on display. If Rosh's claims were true, this Devil Fruit could change her life. Not just for practical uses but as something transformative. A rejuvenation tool for her grueling life with Tony Stark, a personal defense mechanism, and, of course, the tantalizing promise of flawless skin.
Rosh seized the moment. "Miss Potts, I wouldn't have recommended this fruit to you if I didn't believe it suited you perfectly. But, as with all things, the choice is entirely yours."
Pepper let out a small sigh, caught between skepticism and intrigue. "I must admit," she said, her voice softer now, "the idea of having a built-in beauty treatment and a personal shield in one is… compelling. But surely you understand why I'm still hesitant."
"Of course," Rosh replied with a nod. "Which is why our shop offers a sampling service. You can test the fruit's power for five minutes and experience it yourself. No commitment, no strings attached."
Pepper blinked in astonishment. "You're serious? I can actually sample this?"
"Of course," Rosh replied smoothly. "How else can I convince you of its value?"
She hesitated for a moment, her skepticism battling her curiosity. Finally, with a resigned nod, she said, "Alright, let me give it a try."
Without delay, Rosh retrieved a small sample piece of the Bubble-Bubble Fruit and handed it to her. Pepper stared at the unassuming fragment, turning it over in her fingers. It looked ordinary enough, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to cross into the unknown.
With a deep breath to steady herself, she took a cautious nibble. The moment the fruit touched her tongue, her face contorted in disgust.
"Ugh! This is awful!" she exclaimed, recoiling as if she'd bitten into something rotten. "Is this fruit spoiled?"
Rosh laughed lightly, clearly expecting her reaction. "No, Miss Potts. That's just the nature of Devil Fruits. They're all notoriously bitter, but the power they grant more than compensates for the taste."
Pepper glared at him, her grimace deepening. "You can't be serious. Who in their right mind would eat something this vile on purpose?"
"Anyone who understands what they stand to gain," Rosh replied with a faint smirk.
Despite her revulsion, Pepper squared her shoulders and took another bite, this time forcing herself to chew and swallow the offensive fruit. Her face twisted as she swallowed, but her determination remained unwavering.
Then, almost instantly, something extraordinary began to happen. Her initial disgust faded, replaced by a look of astonishment.
"What… what is this feeling?" she murmured, a mix of awe and disbelief.
Her hand lifted on instinct, and with a slight flick of her wrist, delicate, shimmering bubbles materialized in the air around her. They floated effortlessly, catching the light and sparkling like tiny jewels.
"Unbelievable," she whispered, her voice trembling with wonder. "This is… absolutely unbelievable."
Rosh watched her with a knowing grin. "Now you're starting to see, Miss Potts. Welcome to the world of Devil Fruits."
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Next Chapter: Iron Man on the Horizon, the Dawn of the Superhero Era
Next Next Chapter: The Disappearance of the Yellowjacket Suit!
Next Next Next Chapter: Spectacular Powers and Astonishing Escapes
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