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"Goodbye, Shopkeeper!"
"Take care, you two!"
With those parting words from Rosh, Pepper Potts, and Happy Hogan stepped out of the mysterious Home of the Devil Fruits, their thoughts still buzzing with the extraordinary events they had just experienced.
Pepper walked with her usual composure, a reflection of the admiration and respect she had developed for the enigmatic Shopkeeper during her previous visit. She carried herself with a calm assurance that hinted at her growing belief in Rosh's unparalleled abilities and knowledge.
On the other hand, Happy was nearly unrecognizable from the skeptical man who had accompanied Pepper earlier. Initially, he had doubted the shop's authenticity and was convinced it was some elaborate scam. Now, however, he was ultimately won over. His transformation was so stark it was almost comical—he now treated Rosh with the kind of respect usually reserved for legends or heroes.
As they walked to the car, Happy couldn't contain his excitement. "Pepper, I still can't wrap my head around it. Devil Fruits—actual Devil Fruits! Can you believe these miraculous things exist in our world?"
Pepper glanced at him, a knowing smile on her face. "You're not the only one struggling to process it," she replied.
Even after witnessing and personally testing the fruits' extraordinary abilities, Happy seemed to be in a state of disbelief. As he slid into the driver's seat and started the car, he shook his head repeatedly as though trying to wake himself from a vivid dream.
"Honestly, it still feels unreal, like something out of a movie," Happy continued. "I mean, we're talking about fruits that can grant people superpowers. It's insane!"
Pepper nodded in agreement. "It's like we've stumbled into a completely different world—one we didn't even know existed. Everything we thought we knew feels so... small now."
Her words struck a chord with Happy. He couldn't help but grin, knowing they were both grappling with the same sense of awe and wonder. This wasn't just a unique experience for both of them—it was life-changing.
As they drove through the bustling streets, Happy's thoughts turned to the enigmatic figure they had left behind. "Pepper," he said, his voice tinged with curiosity, "what do you think the Shopkeeper really is? And where do you think those Devil Fruits even come from?"
Pepper frowned slightly, considering the questions. "I honestly have no idea," she admitted. "But one thing is for sure: someone like him isn't someone we could ever fully understand. People like us? We're ordinary. He's... something else entirely."
Happy nodded, her words echoing his own thoughts. "Yeah, you're right. Anyone who can deal with something as incredible as Devil Fruits has to operate on a level far beyond anything we can imagine."
"Happy, are you absolutely sure about buying the Barrier-Barrier Fruit? It's not exactly cheap," Pepper asked, her tone serious. She knew Happy's financial situation and wanted to make sure he had thought it through.
"Yes, Pepper, I'm sure," Happy replied, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Unlike you, I've spent my entire life pretending to be tougher and more capable than I really am. But deep down, I know the truth—I'm just a driver, nothing more."
He sighed, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he continued. "If things stay the same, this is it for me. My life isn't going anywhere. But now, for the first time, I've been given a chance to change all of that—a chance to become someone greater, to actually be someone I can be proud of."
Happy's eyes glanced briefly at Pepper before focusing back on the road. "Yes, the price is steep, but if I let this opportunity slip away, I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life." His voice was filled with resolve, leaving no room for doubt.
Pepper studied him for a moment and smiled gently. She could see how much this meant to him and how determined he was. "Happy, I'm really happy for you," she said sincerely. "It's such a rare opportunity. Honestly, how many people in the world will ever even encounter something as extraordinary as Devil Fruits?"
"If there's anything I can do to help you, I'll be there for you," she added, her voice warm with encouragement.
"Thank you, Pepper. I might actually need your help down the line," Happy said, his gratitude evident as he glanced at her.
Pepper's phone buzzed before their conversation could continue, pulling her attention away. She gestured for Happy to keep driving while she answered. Within moments, she was absorbed in managing call after call, seamlessly switching from one task to another. The rest of the drive was filled with Pepper working tirelessly while Happy silently drove her toward Stark Industries.
As always, Pepper was completely swamped. Her boss, Tony Stark, was notorious for being the quintessential hands-off manager, leaving Pepper to juggle everything, no matter how big or small.
Pepper was still on the phone when they finally pulled up to the Stark Industries building. She stepped out of the car but paused before heading inside. "Give me twenty minutes, Happy. I'll be right back," she said quickly, giving him a reassuring smile before vanishing into the building to handle yet another round of responsibilities.
A short while later, Pepper reappeared, having completed her tasks, and rejoined Happy. Together, they made their way to Tony Stark's private seaside mansion in Malibu, a sprawling estate perched dramatically over the ocean.
When they arrived, Pepper unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Happy. "Wait for me here, Happy. I'll go talk to Tony," she said before stepping out. With her usual confident stride, she entered the opulent home as if it were her own.
Meanwhile, Happy stayed outside, sitting patiently in the car. Though he had big dreams now, his role as Tony's chauffeur constantly reminded him of his current place in the pecking order. Pepper was far more than an assistant for Tony—she was essential. On the other hand, Happy remained the dependable driver, always in the background.
Upon entering the luxurious oceanfront villa, Pepper quickly scanned the area but found no sign of Tony. Without missing a beat, she made her way down to the basement—a place she knew all too well.
*Beep, beep, beep!*
After punching in the passcode, the sleek glass doors slid open, revealing Tony Stark, who was completely absorbed in modifying what looked like a vintage car.
Tony's focus was so intense that he initially didn't even acknowledge her presence. It was classic Tony—brilliant, eccentric, and utterly unpredictable. His hobbies were as erratic as his personality. One week, he was obsessed with building new weapons; the next, he'd be restoring cars or experimenting with futuristic gadgets.
Lately, Tony seemed fixated on cars, spending hours—sometimes days—locked in his high-tech workshop, tinkering away. If he weren't such a genius, capable of keeping Stark Industries afloat with his groundbreaking inventions, his unpredictable behavior would have derailed the company long ago.
"Tony, do you realize you were supposed to be at the board meeting over an hour ago?" Pepper said, her tone a mix of irritation and resignation.
Without looking up from his work, Tony replied nonchalantly, "Those meetings are a complete waste of time. Obadiah can handle it."
Pepper sighed. This was typical Tony—constantly delegating the boring but necessary tasks to someone else.
"I've called you five times, Tony. You didn't answer once!" she added, crossing her arms.
Still engrossed in his work, Tony extended his hand toward her without breaking his focus. "Can you hand me the five-millimeter wrench?"
"Which one is that?" Pepper asked, glancing at the neatly arranged tool rack beside her.
"It's the second one from the left," Tony said casually, not even looking. "The size is engraved on it. You can't miss it."
Pepper scanned the rack, quickly locating the wrench, and handed it to him.
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Next Chapter: Tony, Have You Ever Heard of Devil Fruits?
Next Next Chapter: I Have To See This For Myself
Next Next Next Chapter: The Birth of the First Supervillain with a Devil Fruit Ability
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