Chapter 63: This Is Outrageous
"That's it! So amazing!"
After listening to Kaizen's explanation of Devil Fruits, Dr. Vegapunk's mouth hung open in surprise.
"But don't forget," Kaizen said, his tone leisurely as he looked up at the moon, "once you gain the power of a Devil Fruit, you're cursed. The sea will reject you forever, and you'll become a landlubber."
It almost sounded as though Kaizen was glad he had never eaten one himself.
"This is even more fascinating!" Vegapunk exclaimed, practically glowing with excitement.
"That's how it is," Kaizen replied calmly. "There are pros and cons. Devil Fruits grant people power, but they also take something in return. It's a fair trade."
"Can only humans eat Devil Fruits? What if an animal eats one—would they gain powers too?" Vegapunk asked curiously.
"I haven't personally tested it, but it's definitely possible," Kaizen answered cautiously. Though he knew the truth, he didn't want to ruin the mystery. Better to let Vegapunk discover things on his own.
"If a little flower near the big tree outside the school gained power, could it fly in the sky?" Vegapunk's imagination was running wild.
"Maybe," Kaizen said, nodding in agreement.
"Hahaha! Imagine if we could make flowers and grass talk!" Vegapunk burst into laughter.
"How ridiculous, Vegapunk."
Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the conversation.
"Caesar! When did you get here?" Vegapunk shouted in surprise.
"He's been hiding there since you arrived," Kaizen said, resting his hands behind his head, unfazed.
"What?! You caught me, you bastard," Caesar muttered, walking out of the shadows with a glare directed at Kaizen. His expression was full of hostility.
"You're Caesar? Why are you looking at me like that?" Kaizen asked, tilting his head slightly in curiosity.
"Damn it, so you already know who I am! That's right—I am Vegapunk's only friend, M. Caesar Clown!" Caesar declared, puffing out his chest with exaggerated pride.
"And what are you doing here?" Vegapunk asked.
"I'm here to destroy your friendship, of course!" Caesar announced without a hint of shame.
Kaizen chuckled. "What kind of grudge could make you act like this?"
"Vegapunk can only have me as a friend!" Caesar declared dramatically.
Kaizen burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! You're serious, aren't you?"
"Caesar, I never said you were my only friend," Vegapunk retorted, clearly annoyed.
"Of course I am! I'm the only one who truly understands you. Everyone else is lying!" Caesar insisted, glaring at Kaizen as if he were the biggest liar of all.
"No, you're wrong!" Vegapunk argued stubbornly.
Their heated debate grew louder, and Kaizen finally stepped in to stop it.
"Enough, you brats!" Kaizen said, clenching his fists and delivering light taps to both their heads.
"Ouch!" they shouted in unison, rubbing their heads.
Finally, the three of them sat cross-legged under the quiet night sky. A single firefly floated out of the darkness, its glow faint but determined.
"Wow! It's a firefly! So cute!" Vegapunk exclaimed, his earlier irritation forgotten.
"Tch, what a boring thing," Caesar sneered. When the firefly flew near him, he swatted it to the ground without mercy.
Kaizen acted swiftly, catching the firefly before it hit the ground.
"Caesar! What are you doing?!" Vegapunk yelled, outraged.
"It's just a bug. What's the big deal? You're making a fuss for nothing," Caesar replied dismissively.
"Its wings are injured. It might never fly again," Kaizen said, his tone heavy with sadness.
"No! It'll be heartbroken if it can't fly anymore!" Vegapunk cried, as if the firefly's fate were the end of the world.
"This is the fate of the weak, Vegapunk," Caesar said coldly. "Why should we care?"
"Caesar, you idiot!" Vegapunk shouted, his voice shrill with anger.
"This is what my father taught me! He's a great scientist, so he can't be wrong!" Caesar barked back, trying to sound confident but betraying a hint of insecurity.
"It'll be okay," Kaizen said softly. His warm, soothing voice calmed the tension. "Flying isn't just about wings—it's about willpower. Don't underestimate it."
"If you're that desperate to save it," Caesar added arrogantly, "why not feed it some Devil Fruit juice? Maybe that'll heal it."
"Really?" Vegapunk asked, his eyes wide with hope.
"Believe it or not, that's what my father would say," Caesar replied smugly, crossing his arms.
Vegapunk turned to Kaizen, silently asking for confirmation. Kaizen nodded.
They followed Caesar's suggestion, feeding the firefly a small amount of Devil Fruit juice.
At first, nothing happened. The three of them began to lose hope.
Then, suddenly, the firefly began to glow brighter. Its body grew larger, shifting and morphing.
In the end, the firefly transformed into a humanoid figure.
The quiet night erupted into astonished gasps.
TO BE CONTINUED.