The Runaway 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-style 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. However, it was not Sakazuki who had come, but Borsalino, another admiral.

"Yo, Noki. Did you miss this old man? This old man sure missed you~"

Seeing the lecherous smile on his face, Noki could not help shuddering. He smiled and said, "Admiral Borsalino, did you need something from me so early in the morning?"

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

"Hahaha, you're as humorous as ever, Admiral." Noki gave an awkward laugh.

Kizaru slipped both hands into his pockets and crooked his lips. "This old man 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. "Brat Noki—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 on 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 needed for research, so this old man requested it for use."

"So what do you need my help with?"

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

However, once an object develops intelligence, it can no longer be controlled as freely as before. Yesterday, due to the negligence of one of this old man's subordinates, it actually escaped.

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

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

Noki smiled wryly. "You think too highly of me, Admiral. It's true that I can absorb Devil Fruit powers, but Marineford is huge. 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 except this old man has been allowed in or out, so the area you need to cover is only the small Science Division."

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

"Certainly~ Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nine-Tailed Fox. Its ability lets it use illusions to transform into the appearance of any person or object. It can even imitate touch."

A nine-tailed fox!

Noki remembered that this had been the ability of the pirate Catarina Devon, who had perished together with his father.

Led by Kizaru, Noki strolled slowly down the streets 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 are things?"

The officer answered, "I haven't let even a fly out."

"Very good."

Kizaru glanced back at Noki. "Let's go. It's up to you now~"

Noki entered the heavily guarded building. Even though he had lived in Marineford for a long time, this was his first visit. "Admiral Borsalino, I recall that many places here are top-secret areas. Will 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 responsibility for you~" Kizaru maintained his trademark smile.

"Heh..."

This research institute had not only floors above ground, but underground as well. The upper levels were mainly for administrative personnel, while the researchers worked below.

Kizaru took Noki from the lowest underground level upward, having him use Dark Water to conduct a carpet search.

During the process, Noki saw many novel things. There were no Pacifistas among them, because they had yet to be developed.

At present, the Science Division was focused mainly on Devil Fruit research.

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

There was a blade that could transform into an elephant.

There was also a pistol that could become a dog.

And even an alpaca cannon...

They searched every corner.

"Strange. Where could that thing have run off to~"

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

Noki studied the Navy soldiers standing guard and said, "As they say, the most dangerous place is the safest place. Could it be hiding among the Navy soldiers, quietly waiting for the right chance to escape?"

"Brat Noki, you do make sense~" Kizaru's gaze behind his sunglasses fell in a certain direction.

Dark Water!

A black vortex spun in Noki's palm.

"Awwooo!"

One of the "Navy soldiers" moved.

In an instant, he transformed into a snow-white fox and darted beneath everyone's legs like lightning, charging straight for the high wall in a last-ditch struggle.

Yasakani Mirror!

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

Kizaru stopped at his words.

The pull of Dark Water gradually intensified.

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

Noki successfully caught the little thing by the neck.

Because Dark Water neutralized Devil Power, the fox reverted to its original form: a brand-new Navy shirt.

Noki could have handed it directly to Kizaru, but he harbored selfish intentions. He deliberately swallowed the shirt into Dark Space and reduced it to nothingness. Naturally, the Devil Power fell into his "hands" as well.

"Hm?"

Light flickered in Kizaru's eyes. A man as shrewd as he was could hardly fail to see Noki's intentions, but before so many people, he chose to play dumb. "It's finally been caught. Now this old man won't have to take responsibility~"

He was right. Since the power had fallen into Noki's hands, if the higher-ups investigated, Noki's superior Kuzan or his uncle Sakazuki would be the ones held responsible. It would not fall on Kizaru at all.

Seeing that Kizaru had not exposed him, Noki simply continued playing dumb. "That's right, 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. Brat, this old man does owe you a favor."

The only thing Kizaru cared about was who would take responsibility. Staying out of trouble was one of his great principles. Since this matter no longer concerned him, it was as good as resolved.

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

Noki had done something underhanded, so he felt somewhat guilty. Still, a chance to obtain such a top-tier Devil Fruit ability was rare. It would be a shame to let it pass.

Kizaru revealed an unreadable smile. "Mm, go on. This old man has business of his own, so I won't see you off. Goodbye, brat Noki~"

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

In just a few short hours, he had gained a top-tier ability for free. Opportunities like this were 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 simply had not been this particular Fruit, though both had transformation abilities.

Having just seen so many objects that had consumed Devil Fruits, Noki had grown curious about them.

Come to think of it, his Dark Liberation seemed capable of controlling the flow of Devil Powers too.

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

So, could he directly inject a power into an inanimate object?

Noki planned to try it. 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 relatively precious, so they were unsuitable as test subjects.

Thus, he simply chose one of his Navy robes. That ability had just been attached to a shirt, so perhaps using the same kind of object would give him 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 something called the Lineage Factor.

However, various signs showed that the Lineage Factor was likely far from a complete explanation for Devil Fruits. It might even be a very superficial one.

If Devil Fruits only possessed a bloodline similar to DNA, then the Five Elders would not have stated, when mentioning the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Nika, that "Zoan Fruits often possess wills of their own."

That meant Devil Fruits were not nearly so simple!

In Noki's view, will was perhaps closer to the soul.

Wisps of black mist emerged from Noki's fair jade-like hand, completely enveloping the robe on the floor without drawing it inside.

Liberation!

Noki guided the mysterious Devil Power within the space.

A moment later.

His robe gave off a burst of white light.

Then, a snow-white ball of fluff appeared before Noki. It blinked its pitch-black eyes, raised its nine furry tails, and seemed to scrutinize the man before it carefully.

It worked?

Noki tentatively reached out to touch it.

The white fox raised its head and lightly sniffed his fingertips. Then, it actually spoke in human language. "Your scent feels so familiar."

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

It seemed somewhat afraid of strangers. It moved its four little legs and quickly put some distance between itself and Noki.

Noki remembered that there were several sausages in the refrigerator, so he took them out and placed them on the table.

Smelling the rich aroma of meat, the fox hesitated briefly before jumping onto the table and lowering its head to eat.

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

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

When Noki reached out to hold it, the white fox struggled 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 there would be no one to watch the fox, he went to Ain and asked her to look after it for him first.

"So cute~"

Girls had a particular fondness for fluffy things, and Ain was no exception.

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

Noki explained the entire sequence of events 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 resisted slightly, blinking its little eyes as it looked pitifully at Noki.

Noki patted 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 see you tonight."

The white fox tilted its head and thought for a moment. 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 smash the robe to pieces.

The white fox transformed again. This time, it directly became Ain, timidly taking Noki's hand. "Then I can follow you like this, right?"

"No!" Ain was the first to object.

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

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

"Why?"

"Ain" tilted her head, completely puzzled.

"Because..." Ain was momentarily speechless. She could not exactly say she was jealous of a piece of clothing.

Noki rescued her from the awkwardness. "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."

"Then okay."

"Ain" agreed reluctantly.

After Noki left.

Ain looked at the person before her, who was identical to herself, and asked curiously, "Can you turn into other forms too?"

"Mm..."

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

Ain subconsciously reached out and touched here and there. Sure enough, it felt quite different from the real Noki. Only its appearance and voice were exactly the same.

"You should use my appearance instead."

Ain somehow felt a little sorry toward Noki. Did this count as her touching another man?

"Okay."

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 how about... Little Black?"

"Okay."

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

"..."

The training ground.

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

Noki smiled wryly at his words. "Vice Admiral, haven't I already suffered enough in your hands?"