Chapter 93: Shock Fruit Selection
"This feeling!" Koby stopped abruptly, eyes fixed on a basket of cantaloupes.
"Sir, buy some cantaloupes. They're sweet! Fifteen Berries per kilo, and if they're not sweet, you don't have to pay," the vendor, a bearded man in his forties, offered with a humble smile.
"Let me see," Koby said, stepping closer. The closer he got, the stronger the throbbing in his heart became.
When his hand brushed the basket's edge, his heart raced. Koby was taken aback; he'd never experienced anything like this before.
Could Master Chiba have been right about finding the Shock Fruit here?
Koby began rummaging through the cantaloupes, overturning them until a peculiar one at the bottom caught his eye.
This cantaloupe had intricate purple lines on its surface, distinctly different from the others.
Holding it, the throbbing sensation intensified, and the fruit seemed to whisper, "Eat me, eat me, eat me..."
"Is this... the Shock Fruit?" Koby's eyes widened in disbelief. The Marines had spent two months scouring the seas with millions of soldiers, yet the Shock Fruit remained elusive.
And now, it seemed to have chosen him?
"Eat me, eat me, eat me..." The message echoed from the fruit.
Koby realized that powerful Devil Fruits didn't get found by people; they chose their wielders.
Did the Shock Fruit choose me?
"Hey! That basket of melons is mine. There's no melon like that in there. Let me replace it for you," the vendor offered.
"No, no, I want this one," Koby insisted, tossing a bag of money to the vendor before using his Lightning Dash ability to head swiftly to Chiba's research lab.
"Eat me, eat me..." The fruit's persistent call was tempting. The Shock Fruit was known as the most destructive of all Devil Fruits, granting its user the power of an Admiral.
Yet, Koby resisted the urge to devour it. He suspected that his acquisition of the fruit was linked to Master Chiba.
He decided it would be best to present it to Chiba first and see how he would handle it.
Swallowing his excitement, Koby quickened his pace toward Chiba's research lab.
Soon after Koby left, three Marines approached. Two of them grumbled, "We've been at this for two months, and still nothing."
"Yeah, they just bark orders, and we have to run around."
"We need to find a way to climb up the ranks. Being a low-ranking soldier is tough."
"Alright, enough complaining. If the captain hears you, we'll all get an earful."
"Boss, have you seen a melon with purple lines?"
"Yes."
The three Marines stopped, turned, and stared at the vendor.
"What did you say?" The leader demanded.
"I said yes, I did."
"Where is it?" The Marines surrounded the vendor, eager for answers.
"Well, a Marine just bought it. He gave me a thousand Berries and vanished before I could give him change," the vendor admitted timidly.
"Blast it, he wants to keep it for himself," one Marine grumbled. If it truly was the Shock Fruit, anyone would want it for themselves.
"What did the Marine look like? Any distinguishing features?" the leader asked.
"He wore a green headband, had a cross-star scar on his forehead, and carried a sword at his waist."
"Koby? Rear Admiral Koby?" The Marines exchanged glances, recognizing the description.
Koby was a legend among the new generation of Marines. In just two years, he'd risen from a mere chore boy to Rear Admiral.
He and Helmeppo were both favored by Master Chiba, trained to the level of Vice Admirals.
These lower-rank Marines knew well not to underestimate them.
"This is beyond us. You two stay with the vendor; I'll inform the captain."
Fifteen minutes later, Sakazuki received the news.
"What? A Devil Fruit was found?" Sakazuki shot up, grabbing the Marine captain's collar. "Where is it? Is it the Shock Fruit?"
"Sakazuki Admiral, Rear Admiral Koby took the Devil Fruit. We're unsure what type it is," the Marine captain stammered.
"Koby took it? That's troubling news," Sakazuki muttered, heading for Chiba's research lab.
Inside Chiba's Research Office, Chiba concluded his weekly practice and opened his eyes. Hina entered with Koby.
"Report," Koby saluted, but Chiba waved it off, "We're all friends here; no need for formalities."
"Yes, Master Chiba." Koby stood straight, a habit Chiba found hard to break.
"What's up, Koby?"
"I found a Devil Fruit, but I'm not certain if it's the Shock Fruit. I'd like you to identify it," Koby explained, placing the fruit before Chiba.
Chiba's interest piqued; it was his first time seeing a Devil Fruit up close, and it intrigued him.
"How did you come across this Devil Fruit?" Chiba inquired.
Koby recounted his restless feeling and how he discovered the fruit at a street vendor, detailing the experience.
Chiba stroked his chin, nodding. "It's true; powerful Devil Fruits only appear to those destined to wield them."
"Do Devil Fruits possess consciousness too?" Chiba pondered aloud.
Just as Chiba was about to delve into research, a loud voice boomed from outside, "Move aside! I'm a Marine Admiral. How dare you block my path?"
"Sakazuki? What's he doing here?" Chiba frowned. Sakazuki hadn't visited since the lab's inception. Why now?
Suddenly, Chiba's intuition kicked in. "Koby, eat the Devil Fruit now."
Chiba tossed the fruit to Koby and strode out to confront Sakazuki, who had barged in after knocking aside a guard.
"Sakazuki, you dare invade my lab? Explain yourself, or I'll deal with you personally," Chiba warned.
Sakazuki, though angry, was cautious around Chiba. "Chiba, hand over the Shock Fruit immediately."
"Shock Fruit? What Shock Fruit? Sakazuki, you're talking nonsense. The Marines deployed millions, searched for months, turned the world upside down, and couldn't find it. And you think I, sitting in my lab, found it?"
"Are your Marines that incompetent, or did the Shock Fruit grow legs and walk into my hands?"
Sakazuki retorted, "Chiba, don't play coy. My men reported that Koby has the Shock Fruit. Hand it over."
Chiba laughed, "Sakazuki, you're delusional. Millions searched, and yet you think a stroll down the street will yield results?"
"Are your millions of Marines less capable than Koby alone? Who would believe that?"
"Listen, Chiba, powerful Devil Fruits choose their owners. I believe the Shock Fruit chose Koby. But you must hand it over to the World Government."
"I expect you to surrender Koby and the Devil Fruit," Sakazuki demanded.
Chiba's expression darkened, "You always want everything. Even if Koby had the fruit, I wouldn't give it to you, not with that attitude."
"You..." Sakazuki seethed, "Chiba, are you defying Marine and the World Government?"
"Akainu, do you speak for both Marine and the World Government now?"
"You're not the Marine Marshal yet. Save your big talk."
"What are you two arguing about?" Sengoku arrived, having heard the commotion.
Sakazuki explained the situation, and Sengoku frowned.
He valued Chiba, but the Shock Fruit was crucial too. After consideration, he prioritized Chiba. "Chiba, you sure you don't have the Devil Fruit?"
"No," Chiba said firmly, all the while hoping Koby and Hina were ready.
"Marshal, I have a witness," Sakazuki declared as a Marine brought the vendor forward.
The vendor, visibly frightened, knelt, "I don't know what I've done wrong."
"Stand up," Sakazuki said, lifting the old man. "Have you seen a Marine with a green headband, cross scar, and a sword, buying a purple-patterned cantaloupe?"
"Yes, that's true. He threw a thousand Berries at me and left before I could return the change," the vendor confirmed.
"Marshal, you heard it," Sakazuki said confidently. Securing the Shock Fruit would be a major win, possibly securing the Marshal position for him.
"Chiba, any last words?" Sengoku asked. He wanted to help Chiba, but the evidence was compelling.
"Hina, Koby, bring it here," Chiba instructed. Hina and Koby emerged with a cantaloupe adorned with purple patterns.
Sakazuki's and Sengoku's eyes widened. Sakazuki reached for it, but Chiba caught his wrist.
Sakazuki struggled, but Chiba's grip was unyielding, surprising and angering the Admiral. "Chiba, are you planning to keep the Devil Fruit for yourself?"
Chiba released Sakazuki, turning to the vendor, "Is this the fruit?"
"Yes, that's it," the vendor confirmed.
"Give me the Devil Fruit," Sakazuki demanded, and Hina tossed it to him.
Sakazuki inspected the Devil Fruit, his eyes alight with surprise, and left without a word.
Sengoku sighed, "Sakazuki did well this time."
However, a smile tugged at the corners of Chiba and Hina's mouths, while Koby's expression shifted between relief and excitement.
Back in the office, Chiba checked for eavesdroppers before laughing with Koby, "How was the Devil Fruit?"
"It tasted awful, like rubber. I almost spat it out," Koby admitted, yet he was thrilled. He could feel the Shock Fruit's power coursing through him, ready to unleash its might at will.
"But Hina really made a convincing fake Devil Fruit. Without eating it, you'd never know."
"Of course," Chiba chuckled, "Hina's been with me for years. Crafting a convincing fake is a breeze for her."
"Chiba, the Devil Fruit tricked them for now, but once someone tries it, they'll know it's fake."
"With Koby having eaten the Shock Fruit, if he encounters seawater, he'll lose power. If Sakazuki finds out, he'll have Koby swim, and our cover will be blown."
"Then we'll have two choices: hand over Koby or leave the Marines with him."
"I refuse both options. From now on, Koby and Hina, you'll secretly learn the true Black Water technique from me. Once mastered, you'll swim freely, even as Devil Fruit users."
"If that's possible, it's a plan. But with Koby now wielding the Shock Fruit's power, if he can't reveal it, what's the point?"
"No worries. I have Whitebeard's body. After two months, I'll claim I've developed a Shock Fruit cultivation method and offer it to Koby."
"Don't worry, Sakazuki won't have grounds to object."
"In the meantime, Koby, let me study you. I'm curious about the Shock Fruit's abilities."
"Of course, Master Chiba. Why not start now?" Koby excitedly offered, knowing Chiba's research methods well, and cut a piece of his flesh for study.
Chiba eagerly began his research, excited about the potential discoveries.
Meanwhile, Sakazuki personally transported the 'Shock Fruit' to Mariejois.
He traveled quickly, reaching Mariejois in half a month, and presented the 'Shock Fruit' to the World Government's Commander-in-Chief at the Marshal's Mansion.
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.