"Is that so?"
By the coast, after listening to El's explanation, Gerd finally understood what a Devil Fruit was and comprehended the full extent of the Soul-Soul Fruit's abilities. She was utterly stunned, never imagining that she had stumbled upon such a great fortune by accident.
"Linlin, thank you so much!" She threw herself at Linlin and hugged her tightly.
Although she had become a "landlubber" and was now cursed by the sea, unable to swim, she had gained an incredible and powerful Devil Fruit ability in return. According to El, once she mastered the Soul-Soul Fruit's powers, she could try infusing parts of her own soul into flames or clouds to create powerful "Homies," allowing her to indirectly control elements like fire and lightning. Eventually, she could even fly and manipulate the weather.
"Hehe, no need to thank me!" Linlin, who had missed out on acquiring the Soul-Soul Fruit's powers, didn't show any jealousy or regret. Hugging Gerd back, she happily said, "We're best friends, after all!"
"Yes, we're best friends!" Gerd grinned, her joy evident.
"Haha…"
Seeing this, El smiled softly. He then reached into the sack he was carrying and pulled out a gray wooden box. Smiling, he said to the two girls, "I actually had a gift prepared for both of you, Gerd and Linlin… But now that Gerd is already a Devil Fruit user, we'll have to reconsider that!"
Initially, El had planned to give the Paramecia-type Dice-Dice Fruit to Gerd. This fruit not only allowed the user's body to become as tough as steel, impervious to weapons, but also let them turn any part of their body into sharp blades capable of slicing through anything. It was a fitting ability for someone from the giant race, known for their immense size and strength. However, now that Gerd had the Soul-Soul Fruit, it was no longer necessary.
"A gift? Really?" Linlin looked at El with wide eyes, filled with anticipation. Gerd, however, was curious, staring at the mysterious box and asking, "Is it a Devil Fruit?"
"That's right. Remember this—"
"A person can only have one ability. Eating two Devil Fruits will cause the body to explode. This is common knowledge on the seas!" El explained with a smile, not keeping them in suspense any longer.
Opening the box, he revealed a deep purple, apple-shaped Devil Fruit. It wasn't the Dice-Dice Fruit he had taken from the World Government; rather, it was a rare fruit he had found on Forgotten Island during his travels through the first half of the Grand Line.
Yes, it was the Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan-type, Vampire model.
By eating this fruit, the user could transform into a legendary vampire, gaining the ability to steal youth and life from others to keep themselves eternally young. Additionally, it granted several other extraordinary abilities. Although it was unclear whether the Vampire form could grant true immortality, it undoubtedly allowed the user to retain a youthful appearance for an exceptionally long time.
Giving this fruit to Linlin seemed perfect, as El didn't want his "queen" to eventually turn into a haggard old woman. He had retrieved the fruit from the village earlier.
"Huh? Is this for me?" Linlin accepted the fruit, surprised.
El patted her head, smiling as he explained, "Although it doesn't taste good, it will give you great power, including the ability to fly in the sky!"
"Flying in the sky? Really?" Linlin's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Yes, if you swallow it all at once, it won't taste as bad!" El nodded with a grin.
Given Linlin's size, the Mythical Zoan Bat-Bat Fruit, Vampire model, was only about the size of her thumb.
"Hehe, okay!"
Without hesitation, Linlin tossed the fruit into her mouth.
'Gulp!' She swallowed it in one go.
"Big Brother El, can I fly now?" Linlin eagerly looked at herself, impatient to see her new abilities.
"Not so fast, don't be in such a hurry!" El chuckled.
"El, what power does Linlin's fruit have?" Gerd asked curiously.
"It's the Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan-type, Vampire model," El replied.
"Huh? A bat fruit?" Gerd's eyes widened.
"A Vampire form? Does that mean I'll turn into a vampire?" Linlin was startled.
"Don't be scared. A power isn't inherently good or bad; it depends on how you use it..." El reassured Linlin with a smile as he patted her head. "The Vampire form not only lets you fly, but it also allows you to stay young forever!"
"Linlin, you wouldn't want to end up looking like Sister Carmel, would you?"
El wasn't envious of the Vampire model at all. After all, the Mythical Zoan Snake-Snake Fruit, Quetzalcoatl model, that he had acquired was on par with the legendary Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon model. It was undoubtedly one of the most powerful abilities on the seas.
Its many accompanying abilities, such as controlling wind, lightning, and fire, manipulating plants, and regenerating through shedding skin, made it akin to possessing multiple Paramecia-type powers in one.
On top of that, the Lunarian race's natural ability to control fire combined with the fruit's powers in a synergistic way, amplifying the effects far beyond what one could imagine.
These enhancements not only strengthened his already formidable body but also significantly increased his power, speed, defense, endurance, and healing ability.
With his already durable, nearly invincible defense and the Lunarian's racial trait of ignoring most damage, El was practically unkillable, making him a terrifying force to reckon with.
"Turn into an old lady like Sister Carmel?" Linlin recalled the wrinkled and unattractive face of Sister Carmel, shuddering with disdain. "No way! I don't want to become an old hag!"
Gerd, on the other hand, wasn't too concerned. Giants had a naturally long lifespan. For instance, the two giant elders, Mountain Beard and Waterfall Beard, were over 300 years old. Even if she didn't live that long, living to 200 or 300 years wasn't an issue for her, and she was still only 12.
"That's why I'm giving this power to you, Linlin!" El placed his hands on her shoulders, smiling as he said, "Look, Gerd is a giant and will live three times longer than a human. I'm also half-giant and a Lunarian, so I might live just as long as a giant!"
"But you, Linlin, even though you're large, are still just a human."
"By becoming the user of the Vampire model, you'll not only remain forever young, but you might also gain a longer lifespan. That way, we can be together forever!"
Unlike Linlin, a mutated human, El's mixed heritage as a half-giant left the length of his lifespan uncertain. He had asked Mountain Beard and Waterfall Beard about other half-giants in the past, and they mentioned that if not cut short by accidents, most half-giants lived at least 150 to 180 years.
However, El was a unique case, being both Lunarian and half-giant, as well as a naturally powerful being. If he inherited the best of both bloodlines, he might live as long as, or even longer than, pure giants.
If given the chance, El wouldn't mind living for a long time. And as far as he knew, there were several ways to achieve immortality.
For now, though, he was confident he could easily live up to 200 years. Even if his lifespan didn't match that of a giant, it would far surpass that of an ordinary human.
And in a century's time, when he was still in his prime, there would be plenty of time to explore ways to extend his life.
"Be together forever?" Linlin's eyes gleamed as she exclaimed excitedly, "Then I want to be a vampire!"
"That way, we can stay together forever, Linlin!" Gerd hugged her happily.
"Hehe…"
~~~
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