"You really are having a rough time. Defeated again?" Alonso said with a grin, reclining in his lounge chair.
Lao Cai was covered in wounds and wrapped up like a rice dumpling as he was sent back once more. These were the injuries he had sustained in his recent fight against Bones, the Superslash Fruit ability user, in the arena.
Still unwilling to accept it, Lao Cai grunted, "That guy's Devil Fruit gives him way too much of an advantage!"
Indeed, the Superslash Fruit combined offense and defense, came with its own counterattack armor, and could even protect the user's internal organs. Compared to swordsmen, it was far more hostile toward martial artists.
After all, swordsmen used weapons to cut people down, while martial artists attacked entirely with their bodies. It was like punching directly at blades—and famous blades at that!
If one's Haki was even slightly weaker, a single punch might leave their own fist sliced into several pieces first.
"Devil Fruit ability users naturally have the advantage in the early stages. If martial artists want to surpass them, they need the determination to train their bodies and Two-Colored Haki to the limit."
"Of course, if you want one, I can also apply for some Devil Fruits. There might not be anything exceptional, but there are a few that can rival the Superslash Fruit."
"Um..." Lao Cai frowned and instinctively refused. "Forget it. That would be too great a favor. I'm afraid I couldn't bear that debt."
Devil Fruits were said to start at 100 million Beli, but those were usually only the most ordinary kinds, such as Zoan Fruits like the Rabbit Fruit or Sheep Fruit.
Even a carnivorous Zoan Fruit could cost two or three times as much, while Paramecia Fruits, so long as they were not