The Escaped Fruit

Noki smiled faintly and reached out to ruffle Ain's hair. "Thanks for your hard work."

Ain's cooking was quite a bit behind Noki's, but it was more than enough for delicious home-cooked meals.

That night,

Ain chose not to stay and returned home. After all, it was Noki's first day back, and someone would definitely come to visit tomorrow. It might even be Admiral Sakazuki. She couldn't let herself get caught red-handed again like last time.

Early the next morning, a knock on the door woke Noki up. However, it wasn't Sakazuki who had come, but Borsalino, another admiral.

"Yo, Noki, did you miss this old man? This old man missed you very much~"

Seeing the lecherous grin on his face, Noki couldn't help shivering. He smiled and said, "Admiral Borsalino, did you need something from me this early?"

"Can't this old man visit you without a reason? You're being so distant. This old man is heartbroken~"

"Hahaha, you're as humorous as ever, Admiral." Noki laughed awkwardly.

Kizaru shoved both hands into his pockets and crooked his lips. "This old man really did come to see you about something today."

"Please come in and tell me about it."

Noki invited Kizaru to sit on the sofa and poured him a cup of hot water.

Kizaru picked up the cup with one hand and took a sip. "Noki boy—oh no, Rear Admiral Noki—you should know that besides my duties as an admiral, I also oversee the Navy's Science Division."

"Mm." Noki nodded.

Kizaru continued, "The Science Division has recently been conducting experiments and research into making objects consume Devil Fruits, and things have been progressing quite well.

Some time ago, the Navy seized a rare Mythical Zoan Fruit. It happened to be useful for the research, so this old man requisitioned it."

"So what do you need my help with?"

"Mythical Zoan Fruits are very different from ordinary Zoan Fruits. Even if an inanimate object consumes one, it can develop intelligence comparable to a human's.

But once an object gains intelligence, it can no longer be controlled by humans as freely as before. Yesterday, due to one of my subordinates' negligence, it actually escaped.

Since that thing can freely transform itself, even this old man can't pick it out from the vast sea of people~

I recall that your Dark-Dark Fruit can draw in other Devil Fruits' powers, right? Could you help this old man capture it? If a Mythical Zoan ability is lost, this old man's salary for the next few months might not be enough to cover it. What a headache~" Kizaru slowly explained the whole matter.

Noki gave a wry smile. "Admiral, you think too highly of me. It's true that I can absorb Devil Fruit powers, but Marineford is so large. How could I possibly cover the entire place?"

"Don't worry. The moment it escaped, this old man immediately ordered the Science Division sealed off. No one but this old man was allowed in or out. So the area you need to cover is only one tiny Science Division."

Noki pondered for a moment before asking, "Admiral, could you tell me the name and ability of that Devil Fruit? It might make it easier for me to find."

"Of course~ The Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nine-Tailed Fox. Its ability is to use illusions to transform into the appearance of any person or object, even replicating their sense of touch."

A nine-tailed fox!

Noki remembered—wasn't that the ability of the pirate Catarina Devon, who had perished alongside his father?

Led by Kizaru, Noki strolled leisurely down the street with him until they arrived before a building surrounded by towering gray-white walls.

"Admiral, you've returned." The Navy officer guarding the gate snapped into a formal salute.

"Mm. This is Rear Admiral Noki. How is the situation?"

The officer replied, "Not even a fly has gotten out under my watch."

"Very good."

Kizaru glanced back at Noki. "Let's go. The rest is up to you~"

As Noki entered the heavily guarded building, it was his first time coming here despite having lived in Marineford for years. "Admiral Borsalino, I remember many areas here are absolutely classified. Would wandering around freely violate any regulations?"

"This old man will vouch for you. As long as you don't do anything too excessive, there won't be a problem. And if there is, let Sakazuki take the blame for you~" Kizaru maintained his trademark smile.

"Hehe..."

This research facility had not only floors aboveground, but underground levels as well. The upper floors mainly housed administrative staff, while the researchers stayed below.

Kizaru took Noki through the lowest underground level first and had him use Dark Water to conduct a carpet search.

During the process, Noki saw many things he had never seen before. There were no Pacifistas among them, as they had yet to be developed.

At this point, the Science Division was still mainly focused on Devil Fruit research.

In just a few dozen minutes, Noki saw at least five or six weapons that had consumed Devil Fruits.

There were blades that could transform into elephants.

There were also pistols that turned into dogs.

And even an alpaca cannon...

They searched every corner.

"Strange, where did that thing run off to~"

After circling around, the two returned to the main gate.

Noki examined the Navy soldiers standing guard and said, "As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is the safest place. Could it be hiding among the Navy soldiers, quietly waiting for its chance to escape?"

"Noki boy, what you said does make sense~" Kizaru's gaze behind his sunglasses fell in a certain direction.

Dark Water!

A pitch-black vortex swirled in Noki's palm.

"Awwooo!"

One "Navy soldier" moved.

He instantly transformed into a snow-white fox and darted beneath everyone's legs with lightning speed, charging toward the wall in a final desperate struggle.

Yasakani Mirror!

"Wait, Admiral. Leave it to me," Noki said confidently.

Hearing this, Kizaru stopped moving.

Dark Water's suction gradually intensified.

The white fox with nine tails moved its short legs faster and faster, yet it became increasingly unable to run. It desperately clawed at the ground, but it still couldn't resist the pull of darkness and was yanked backward.

Noki successfully caught the little thing by the neck.

Since Dark Water nullified the "devil power," the fox returned to its original form: a brand-new Navy jacket.

Noki could have handed it directly to Kizaru, but he harbored selfish intentions. He deliberately swallowed the jacket into the dark space and reduced it to nothingness. Naturally, the devil power fell into his "hands" as well.

"Hm?"

A glint flashed in Kizaru's eyes. A shrewd old man like him could hardly fail to see Noki's intentions, but in front of so many people, he chose to play dumb. "It's finally caught. That means this old man won't have to take responsibility~"

He was right. Since the ability had fallen into Noki's hands, if the higher-ups investigated, it would be Noki's superior Kuzan or his uncle Sakazuki who would bear the blame. It had nothing to do with him.

Seeing that the other man had not exposed him, Noki simply continued playing dumb. "Yes, Admiral. I helped you solve your problem, so don't forget that you owe me a favor."

"Indeed. No matter what, this old man won't be punished. Boy, this old man does owe you a favor."

All Kizaru cared about was who would take responsibility. Staying detached from matters that did not concern him was one of his guiding principles. Since this matter no longer involved him, it was as good as resolved.

"Admiral, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first. I still need to practice boxing with Vice Admiral Garp today."

Noki had done something underhanded, so he felt somewhat guilty. But such an opportunity to obtain a top-tier Devil Fruit ability was rare. Letting it slip away would have been a shame.

Kizaru revealed an unfathomable smile. "Mm, go on. This old man has other matters to attend to, so I won't see you off. Goodbye, Noki boy~"

Noki left the Science Division and headed all the way back home.

In just a few hours, he had gained a top-tier ability for free. Such good fortune was hard to come by.

Come to think of it, there had also been an incident in the original story where an object that had consumed a Mythical Zoan Fruit escaped.

It just hadn't been this particular Fruit, though both had the ability to transform.

Having just seen so many objects that had consumed Devil Fruits, Noki had become curious.

Come to think of it, his Dark Liberation seemed capable of controlling the flow of devil powers as well.

Back in Loguetown, he had used that very method to release a devil power into a fruit.

Then could he directly inject a power into an inanimate object?

Noki decided to conduct an experiment. He took several fruits from the refrigerator in case the devil power escaped if he failed.

He looked around.

Golden Scale and Sandai Kitetsu were both too valuable to use as experimental subjects.

So he simply chose one of his own Navy coats. That ability had just been attached to clothing; perhaps using the same kind of object would give it a better chance?

In any case, since he could use Dark Water, he could absorb the devil power back at any time. There was no loss in trying.

In truth, Noki knew that the Navy's method of making objects consume Fruits involved the so-called Lineage Factor.

However, various signs indicated that the Lineage Factor was probably not the full explanation behind Devil Fruits. It might even be a very superficial one.

If Devil Fruits merely possessed a DNA-like lineage, then the Five Elders would not have mentioned, when speaking of the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nika, that "Zoan Fruits often possess wills of their own."

That meant Devil Fruits were far from simple!

In Noki's view, will might be closer to the soul.

Wisps of black mist emerged from Noki's pale jade-like hand, enveloping the coat on the ground without drawing it in.

Liberation!

Noki guided the mysterious devil power within his space.

A moment later,

His coat emitted a burst of white light.

Immediately afterward, a ball of snowy-white fur appeared before Noki. It blinked its pitch-black eyes and raised its nine fluffy tails, seemingly studying the man before it carefully.

It worked?

Noki tried reaching out to touch it.

The white fox lifted its head and gently sniffed his fingertips. Then, to his surprise, it spoke in a human voice. "Such a familiar scent."

As expected of a Mythical Zoan. It could even speak?

It was somewhat timid and quickly scampered away from Noki on its four little legs, keeping a certain distance from him.

Noki remembered there were still a few sausages in the refrigerator, so he took them out and placed them on the table.

Smelling the rich scent of meat, the fox hesitated slightly before jumping onto the table, lowering its head to eat.

Noki took the opportunity to reach out and stroke its soft, snow-white fur.

Perhaps because the white fox's original body had been a coat Noki often wore, it did not resist his touch.

Noki reached out to pick it up. The white fox struggled a little at first, but soon obediently lay in his arms.

It found Noki's scent comforting.

The time Noki had arranged to train with Garp was approaching. Afraid that no one would watch over the fox, he went to Ain and asked her to look after it for the time being.

"So cute~"

Girls were especially interested in fluffy things, and Ain was no exception.

"Noki, where did you get this little fox?" Ain thought it was a pet Noki had brought her.

Noki told her the entire story in detail.

Only then did Ain understand. "This little thing is actually a Mythical Zoan?"

"Mm. Could I ask you to look after it for me?"

"Of course."

Ain tried to take the white fox from Noki's arms.

The white fox was somewhat reluctant. It blinked its little eyes and looked at Noki pitifully.

Noki rubbed its little head and smiled. "Ain is the person I trust most. She'll take good care of you. I have something important to do, and I'll come find you tonight."

The white fox tilted its head and thought for a moment. Then, with a flick of its nine tails, it returned to its original form and draped itself over Noki's body.

"This..."

Ain smiled gently. "It seems this child doesn't want to leave you."

Noki said helplessly, "Even so, I can't take you with me." He was afraid Garp would not know his own strength and might smash the coat to pieces.

The white fox transformed again, this time directly taking Ain's form. It timidly grabbed Noki's hand. "Then I'll follow you like this. That should be okay, right?"

"No!" Ain was the first to reject it.

Even though she knew it was only a piece of clothing using her appearance, the more Ain thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.

Noki was astonished by its transformation and tried touching other parts of "Ain." There was actually a sense of touch everywhere.

"Why?"

"Ain" tilted her head, not understanding.

"Because..." Ain was momentarily at a loss for words. She couldn't exactly say she was jealous of a piece of clothing.

Noki helped her out. "Because you've only just come into this world, and there are many things you need to learn and understand. Ain is a very good teacher. She can teach you those things, right?"

Ain nodded. "That's right."

"Alright then."

"Ain" agreed reluctantly.

After Noki left,

Ain looked at the person who was identical to herself and asked curiously, "Can you transform into other appearances too?"

"Mm..."

As she spoke, Noki's breathtakingly handsome face appeared before Ain.

Ain subconsciously reached out, touching here and there. Sure enough, it felt quite different from the real Noki. Only the appearance and voice were identical.

"You should use my appearance instead."

Ain somehow felt a little sorry toward Noki. Did this count as her coming into contact with another man?

"Oh."

The white fox did not seem very good at talking.

"Do you have a name?"

"No."

"Then how about I give you one?"

"Okay."

"Your fur is snow-white, so I'll call you... Little Black. Is that okay?"

"Okay."

"Little Black, come here. I'll give you something tasty."

"..."

At the training ground,

Garp shouted loudly, "Brat, you're already late on the second day. If you're late again next time, this old man will make you suffer."

Noki smiled bitterly upon hearing that. "Vice Admiral, have I not suffered enough in your hands already?"