Who Would Get the Dark-Dark Fruit

The number of Devil Fruits in the warehouse kept growing, but Lin Yuan still hadn't decided who should eat them.

He crouched in front of the chest, taking the fruits out one by one to examine them before putting them back. The Dark-Dark Fruit, seized from the first transport ship, had been kept until now. The Gold-Gold Fruit had also been seized that time. There were two more unidentified fruits, one entirely silver-white and the other dark red. He still hadn't figured out what powers they granted.

Kaido walked into the warehouse and saw Lin Yuan rummaging through that chest again.

"You look at them every day. Figured anything out yet?"

"No." Lin Yuan closed the lid. "None of the people we have now need these fruits."

"Then who are you saving them for?"

"People who come later."

Kaido didn't ask any more questions. He had never liked using his brain. If Lin Yuan said to save them, then they would save them.

"Wororororo... All right. Want to go train?"

"Let's go."

Two

On the training ground, Kaido and Bullet were already fighting.

Their blows landed hard, neither giving an inch. Kaido swung his club down, but Bullet dodged to the side and drove a fist into Kaido's stomach. Kaido took two steps back, then charged again.

"Wororororo... You've improved!"

"No shit!" Bullet wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "I get better every damn day!"

King stood on high ground with his eyes closed, sensing everything within several kilometers. Moria practiced Shadow Horn Spear in a corner, his black spear piercing one steel plate after another.

"I pierced it." Moria looked at the hole in the steel plate, a rare hint of a smile on his face.

"Not enough." Lin Yuan walked over. "Your Shadow Horn Spear can pierce steel, but can it pierce Armament Haki?"

Moria's smile faded.

"No."

"Then keep practicing."

Moria didn't argue. He turned around and resumed practicing.

Three

Kuma's training method was the simplest: sparring with Kaido.

Kaido brought his club down, and Kuma repelled it with his paw. Kaido struck harder, and Kuma repelled it again. Over and over, Kuma's Armament Haki grew rapidly through their clashes.

"Wororororo..." Kaido laughed. "This kid is improving faster than Bullet!"

"Shut up!" Bullet shouted from nearby.

Kuma said nothing. He simply raised his palm and aimed it at Kaido.

"My turn to attack."

Kaido froze for a moment, then laughed even louder.

"Come on!"

Kuma thrust his palm forward, compressing the air into a cannonball that blasted toward Kaido. Kaido blocked it with his iron club, but the impact drove him back several steps.

"Wororororo... Interesting!"

Ginny stood at the castle entrance, ledger in hand, watching everyone on the training ground.

"These people are all crazy." She shook her head.

Four

No one could understand Lin Yuan's training.

He stood in the middle of the training ground with his eyes closed. The space around him twisted slightly, as though an invisible hand were folding heaven and earth.

"Space Folding."

He vanished from where he stood and appeared in front of a wooden stake fifty meters away.

"Done." Lin Yuan opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Fifty meters. No need to open a door; he could teleport directly.

"Space Cutting."

He raised his hand and slashed through the air. A black rift appeared before him, its edges sharp enough to cut through anything. He took out a piece of Seastone and threw it at the rift.

"Crack."

The Seastone was cut in two, its cut surfaces smooth as mirrors.

"Done." Lin Yuan looked at the two halves of Seastone and fell silent for a long time.

It had been several years since he defected from the Navy. He had finally cut through Seastone.

"Wororororo..." Kaido walked over and saw the Seastone on the ground. "You finally cut through it?"

"Finally."

"Then it'll be much easier to capture Devil Fruit Users from now on."

Lin Yuan smiled but didn't reply.

Five

At night, Lin Yuan sat alone on the terrace, gazing at the stars.

Ginny came up carrying two glasses of water. She handed one to Lin Yuan and sat down beside him with the other.

"No alcohol?"

"No."

"You really are boring."

"Living longer matters more."

Ginny didn't argue. She took a sip of water and looked out at the distant sea.

"Lin Yuan, do you think we'll die someday?"

"Yes," Lin Yuan said. "Everyone dies."

"Aren't you afraid?"

"I am. But being afraid is no use."

Ginny was silent for a moment.

"You always say things that leave people with nothing to say."

"Then don't say anything."

Ginny rolled her eyes and stood up.

"I'm going to bed. You should get to sleep early too."

"Mm."

Ginny left.

(End of Chapter 28)