So, here's the real question...
At the auction, Aokiji would undoubtedly keep a close eye on the Nagi Nagi no Mi. There's a good chance whoever buys it wouldn't even make it out of the auction hall before Aokiji snatched them up. How exactly was Takumi supposed to steal the Silent Fruit without getting caught right under Aokiji's nose?
A simple disguise wouldn't cut it...
Sure, Takumi could just grab the fruit and run, but that would definitely get the Navy's attention. Worst case, Akainu would use this as an excuse to put a bounty on his head.
Having a bounty was a major headache.
This world was full of bounty hunters eager to cash in. Even if they weren't that strong, enough of them would show up to be a serious nuisance, not to mention the Navy constantly lurking around. Just thinking about it was exhausting.
No, Takumi needed to steal the fruit without Aokiji ever realizing it was him.
Aokiji had already met Enel and knew his abilities, so Enel was out of the question. As for Takumi himself… his height and build weren't exactly easy to disguise.
Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, and his expression darkened.
No. Absolutely not. He would not dress as a woman!
Shaking off the absurd idea, Takumi opened his status screen and checked the skills section. His eyes were immediately drawn to one particular ability.
He had completely forgotten about his Shadow Clone technique!
"System, is there a time limit on my Shadow Clone summons?"
The system responded almost instantly.
'Ding! The host can summon a Shadow Clone once per day. The clone will have the same physical strength and reaction speed as the host and will randomly inherit one of the host's skills. At midnight, the clone will automatically return to the system.'
So, one summon per day…
Takumi sighed in relief. Hopefully, on the day of the auction, the system would randomly grant his clone a powerful skill—Raikiri, Conqueror's Haki, Swordsmanship, anything strong.
As the saying goes, "Adapt and overcome." With a potential solution in mind, Takumi felt much lighter.
Since it was still early, Takumi hopped onto his Yagara Bull, heading back to the inn for a nap.
Once you got used to napping, skipping it made the whole day feel off.
Those who get it, get it.
After being interrupted earlier, Takumi figured it was safer to nap back at the inn to avoid any more unnecessary distractions.
That evening, Kalifa delivered the wine Iceberg had promised, along with a few assistants.
Takumi accepted it all without the slightest hesitation.
The next three days flew by as Takumi roamed all around Water 7, sampling the food and drinks to his heart's content.
Meanwhile, Enel had vanished for three days. Just as Takumi was about to head to the auction, Enel reappeared.
"Yahahaha! Takumi, guess what I've been up to these past three days! Bet you can't guess!" Enel grinned from ear to ear, clearly thrilled with himself.
Takumi sighed internally.
Why should I care what you've been up to?
"Yahahaha! You'll never guess! I found something amazing!" Enel crowed, pulling out a square wooden box wrapped in a plain tablecloth.
Takumi eyed the box in Enel's hands.
Wait, could it be…?
Takumi's expression shifted as he asked, "What's that?"
Enel flashed a mischievous grin and whispered, "It's a Devil Fruit."
Takumi's eyes widened.
Enel handed the box to Takumi. "I'm already a Devil Fruit user, so I can't eat it. It's yours."
Takumi stared at the box in disbelief.
Could it be the Silent Fruit?
He took the box from Enel, but the system remained silent.
Well, that ruled out the Nagi Nagi no Mi.
The thought of heading to the auction to steal the Silent Fruit anyway made Takumi chuckle.
What was this, buy one, get one free?
"I spent the last few days… let's just say 'acquiring' some extra funds for our travels," Enel said smugly. "I took down two pirate crews and looted their ships. Pathetic! They were so weak, I barely had to fry them before they went down. The captain of one ship traded this Devil Fruit for his life. I think he called it the Time-Time Fruit."
Takumi froze.
The Time-Time Fruit?
This Devil Fruit allowed its user to travel through time, though only to the future—not the past. But even just traveling to the future was an insanely powerful ability.
Takumi couldn't believe it. Enel had managed to get his hands on something this valuable.
The Time-Time Fruit would fetch an astronomical price on the black market.
For now, Takumi decided to hang onto it, stashing it away with the Flame-Flame Fruit as backup funds.
Seeing Enel's eager expression, clearly fishing for praise, Takumi remained quiet for a moment before finally saying, "Good job."
Enel beamed. "Yahahaha! This is the first time you've ever really complimented me!"
Takumi just blinked. Was it?
Enel continued, "So, the ship's all fixed up. Are we heading to our next destination?"
Takumi shook his head. "I've got something to take care of first. You go wait for me at Dock One."
Enel blinked, surprised. "So mysterious," he grumbled. "What could you possibly be doing? It's not nap time yet. There aren't any giant sea beasts nearby to fight. You're not out hunting, going to the bar, or fishing… Can I not come?"
Takumi clenched his fist. Was this guy asking for a beating?
Without a word, Takumi punched Enel.
Enel, sensing the attack with his Observation Haki, dodged out of the way just in time. Smugly, he said, "You'll have to do better than that! I'm not the same weakling I used to b—AH!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Takumi's fist slammed into the side of his head, leaving a large bump.
Takumi had out-predicted Enel's prediction.
"Wait for me on the ship," Takumi said, walking away with the Time-Time Fruit in hand.
Enel, holding his head, glared at Takumi's back. "Ugh! Is this guy even human?!"
As Takumi made his way through a quiet alley, he stashed the Time-Time Fruit in his system space.
Then, he summoned his Shadow Clone.
Standing before him was an exact replica, mirroring his appearance, attire, and demeanor.
Takumi glanced at his clone and asked, "You know what I summoned you for, right?"
The clone smirked. "Of course."
Takumi continued, "What skill did you get this time?"
"Kamehameha."
Takumi sighed.
************
I think you're forgetting to pay with a Power Stone! What are you doing, reading for free? (¬‿¬) Come on, don't leave me hanging! '._.'
***********
Please support me on Ko-fi at ko-fi.com/gered to read up to chapter 190!
*************