Aokiji's Indifference

Perhaps sensing Sumer's gaze, Kuzan, who had been about to sit directly on the sofa, looked over as well.

But he showed no reaction. He simply sat down, pulled down the green sleep mask on his forehead, and went to sleep.

He had completely treated Sumer as an ordinary Celestial Dragon.

Ignored.

Sumer did not feel anything about it.

Like Garp, the other man had the right to be arrogant. Although Sumer possessed the status of a Celestial Dragon, it had been personally granted to him by Saint Nerona Imu.

But in this world, strength ultimately had the final say.

Even Saint Marcus Mars was so tolerant. There was no need for him to make a big fuss over such a trivial matter.

That was life!

Knowing how to read the situation and understand oneself was important.

But once he became powerful while also possessing the status of a World Noble, then sorry—if anyone dared give him attitude, he would make sure they regretted it.

An Admiral?

Even an Admiral would have to kneel before a Celestial Dragon—

For a time.

The air gradually fell silent, leaving only the sounds of Sumer eating, Saint Marcus Mars turning the newspaper pages, and Kuzan's faint snoring.

Until a burst of commotion came from outside.

"Go see what's going on."

Sumer opened his mouth and accepted the fresh strawberry Califa offered him. It had been rushed overnight from another island yesterday evening.

It could be called extravagance.

Not only were there strawberries, but there were also many expensive goods that Water 7 had never possessed.

"Yes."

Doll, who was closest to the door, nodded lightly and headed outside, but she quickly returned.

"Five Elders, Saint Sumer, it is CP9's commander, Spandam. He has personally brought the items Saint Sumer requested and has come to pay his respects."

"Let him in."

Sumer turned toward the doorway, chewing on his strawberry with clear anticipation.

Before long.

Spandam entered with three others. He had curly purple hair, a dark nose bridge, pronounced dark circles under his eyes, and an ivory-hilted sword at his waist.

They were Jabra, Kumadori, and Fukurou from CP9's seven-member team.

The three of them all had highly distinctive appearances or attire.

"Honorable Five Elders, Saint Sumer, CP9 Commander Spandam reports for duty."

The moment he entered.

Spandam wore a fawning expression, immediately focusing on Saint Marcus Mars seated on the sofa and Saint Sumer, who was enjoying the strawberries Califa was feeding him.

He prostrated himself, dropping to both knees and pressing his forehead against the cold floor.

Though he was the renowned commander of CP9 and held considerable authority, it was incredibly difficult for him to even meet the Five Elders or a Celestial Dragon.

Especially the Five Elders, the World Government's highest authority.

Even his father, Spandine, was not qualified to pay respects to the Five Elders. Celestial Dragons, on the other hand, could occasionally run into them at Mary Geoise.

The kind of meeting where one was kneeling on the ground.

Behind Spandam, Jabra, Kumadori, and Fukurou were also excited, uneasy, and nervous as they knelt on the floor.

Kumadori was holding a treasure chest.

If nothing unexpected happened, it should contain the Giraffe Fruit Kaku would eat in the Enies Lobby Arc, as well as the Bubble-Bubble Fruit Califa would eat.

"All of you, get up!"

"Bring the items over."

Sumer stared fixedly at the treasure chest until Spandam snatched it from Kumadori's hands, opened it with an ingratiating smile, and presented it to Sumer.

That expression.

It looked exactly like Sumer when he flattered Saint Nerona Imu.

As for that.

Sumer did not find it embarrassing at all. They were all striving to survive—and to live better.

"Saint Sumer, these are two Devil Fruits the Government has prepared to strengthen CP9. Their specific abilities are not yet known."

As the treasure chest opened.

The first was a banana-shaped Devil Fruit, blood-red in color and covered entirely in arabesque-like spiral patterns.

If Sumer remembered correctly, this should be the Zoan-type Ox-Ox Fruit, Giraffe Model that Kaku would eat.

The other was a purple, oval-shaped cantaloupe with wavy patterns across its surface. It was the Paramecia-type Bubble-Bubble Fruit Califa ate in the original story.

"What fascinating things!"

Sumer held the Giraffe Fruit and examined it from every angle. Aside from the arabesque spiral patterns on its skin, which looked somewhat strange and unsettling, it really was just like a banana.

He peeled away its skin.

The flesh inside was also covered in arabesque spiral patterns, resembling a snail shell.

"Sumer, are you planning to eat that Devil Fruit?"

Seeing Sumer peel the Giraffe Fruit, Saint Marcus Mars, who had been reading the paper all this time, put down the newspaper.

One look was enough to tell that this Devil Fruit was not particularly valuable.

It had no value as food at all.

He felt it was necessary to give Sumer a reminder.

"I do not plan to eat this Zoan-type Ox-Ox Fruit, Giraffe Model, because there is someone better suited for it."

"Kaku, this Devil Fruit is your reward!"

Sumer directly tossed the Giraffe Fruit to Kaku, who had been watching curiously from the side.

Although the Giraffe Fruit was an ordinary Zoan Fruit.

Once awakened, it would still be no small matter.

In the original story, Kaku had developed it to awakening in only two short years.

That showed just how compatible Kaku was with this Devil Fruit.

Fruit awakenings were not something to underestimate.

It was difficult to reach that stage, especially for Zoan awakenings. One small mistake and the user could become like the Jailer Beasts in Impel Down.

By comparison.

The Bubble-Bubble Fruit was not particularly suitable for Califa, and its ability itself was not especially powerful.

It also had weaknesses against water and wind.

Califa had not achieved Fruit awakening during the following two years, either.

Now that CP9 had become his personal CP0, he naturally had to cultivate them properly.

In the future, he could find a stronger Devil Fruit more suitable for Califa.

If Rob Lucci had not already eaten the leopard model, Sumer would at least have gotten him a Mythical Zoan—or given the Door-Door Fruit to Rob Lucci.

Because Bruno was wasting the Door-Door Fruit.

In Sumer's eyes, Bruno was more suited to a "bull"-type Devil Fruit.

"Huh?!"

"Saint Sumer, is this really for me?"

Kaku froze, hurriedly catching the Giraffe Fruit. It felt as though a surprise had fallen from the sky and struck him.

This was a treasure of the seas.

Even the cheapest ones cost at least one hundred million Beli on the market.

"From now on, all of you will be the personal CP0 of Saint Germain Sumer. You cannot be too shabby or too weak when you are out there."

"Eat it. It is destined for you."

"Thank you, Saint Sumer!!!"

Kaku was ecstatic. Unable to wait any longer, he opened his mouth and swallowed it in one bite. The next second, his face rapidly turned bluish-purple as an unbearable taste shot straight to his head.

With astonishing willpower, Kaku suppressed the urge to vomit.

Immediately afterward.

His body began to undergo an astonishing transformation, and in the blink of an eye, he became a massive giraffe.

Its long neck pressed directly against the ceiling.

"What Devil Fruit is this one?"

Saint Marcus Mars withdrew his gaze from the giraffe Kaku had become and looked toward the other Fruit Sumer had picked up.

"The Paramecia-type Bubble-Bubble Fruit. It can create special bubbles that can both clean objects and make the surfaces of whatever they touch extremely smooth. It is a fairly decent Devil Fruit."

Sumer felt that the Bubble-Bubble Fruit possessed part of the abilities of Alvida's Smooth-Smooth Fruit and Tsuru's Wash-Wash Fruit.

Unfortunately, its potential was limited.

As he spoke.

Sumer placed the Bubble-Bubble Fruit back into the treasure chest, intending to store it away for now.

He did not plan to let Califa eat this Fruit. It was not suitable for Kumadori or Fukurou either, while Jabra had long since eaten the Dog-Dog Fruit, Wolf Model.