Distributing the Devil Fruits

"Thanks, boss! Then I'll take this one!"

After hearing Lind's words, Allison hesitated for a moment before finally picking up the Grow-Grow Fruit.

Although Allison did not understand the power of Lind's Mutation Fruit, she knew how important the Grow-Grow Fruit's power was to him.

But sometimes a woman's intuition really was spot-on. Hers told her that choosing this Grow-Grow Fruit over a Zoan Devil Fruit, which she had never particularly liked anyway, would definitely bring her a pleasant surprise.

"Hahaha, you're welcome, Allison!"

"The Grow-Grow Fruit might not seem to offer much of a boost in combat strength, but with proper development, it can still be a powerful Devil Fruit."

"I know of a powerhouse who used the power of plants to control a thousand-meter wooden giant. It was every bit as impressive as Sengoku's Buddha Form."

Lind smiled and nodded to Allison, offering her a few words of encouragement.

As for the greater role he had in mind for Allison, Lind did not mention it yet. He only told her about the Grow-Grow Fruit's potential in combat.

Next, Calvin chose the Snake-Snake Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Titan Python Form, while Rex chose the Human-Human Fruit, standard Zoan, Silverback Gorilla Form.

Their physical abilities improved enormously, and their combat strength shot up. Their physiques and Taijutsu alone brought them to the level of an Elite Vice Admiral.

As for Larry, he declined the remaining Zoan Devil Fruits on the grounds that he was not a combatant.

Lind did not give it much thought. After all, although Larry looked strong, his actual combat strength was considerably lower than that of the other officers. He barely had the strength of a Commodore or Rear Admiral.

Since the Seventh Division was not particularly short of fighters at that level, Larry's role leaned more toward management or support than combat.

Lind also promised Larry that he would give him a suitable Paramecia Devil Fruit if he came across one later.

Finally, Lind looked at Liana, knowing he could not play favorites.

"Liana, you've already eaten a Devil Fruit, so I've prepared something else for you today!"

With that, Lind took out a short sword and a pistol. Both weapons were beautiful, their ornate designs carrying a touch of carefree elegance.

"This sword is called Wave-Slasher. Like Kunpeng, I forged it myself, and its quality is no worse than that of an ordinary Great Grade Sword."

"The pistol is called Water Shot. I made it myself too, and it's definitely one of the finest firearms in the world."

"So, do you like them?" After finishing his introduction, Lind smiled at Liana, who could hardly bear to put either weapon down.

Lind had designed these two weapons specifically for Liana, combining his aesthetic tastes from his previous life and this one while drawing inspiration from quite a few famous weapons.

They were not only powerful, but also perfectly suited to Liana's disposition. Clearly, Lind had plenty of potential to become a womanizer.

"Yes! Thank you so much, boss!" Liana said excitedly, holding the two weapons. She could not hide the delight in her eyes.

Liana was still rather reserved, all things considered. Had it been Allison, she might have planted a kiss right on Lind's cheek.

"Uh, Larry, don't look at me like that. Liana has already eaten a Devil Fruit and can't eat another, so I'm just making it up to her."

"As for you, although I don't have a suitable Devil Fruit for you today, I'll definitely make it up to you later."

Watching Liana, who was as excited as a little girl, Lind suddenly noticed Larry's gaze: three parts reproach, three parts insinuation, three parts knowing understanding, and one part confusion. Suspecting Larry was entertaining some strange ideas, he hurried to explain.

It would have been better if he had said nothing. Once he explained, the others began looking at him strangely too. Liana, in particular, blushed instantly.

"Ahem, that's about it for today. Everything that needed handing out has been handed out. Once you get back, spend some time familiarizing yourselves with your fruit abilities."

Lind paused, glanced at Liana, and added, "And your weapons."

With that, Lind left everyone in the meeting room and hurried back to his room alone.

The other officers did not linger in the meeting room either. After exchanging nods, they left one after another.

In these officers' eyes, although Lind was a powerful, exceptionally intelligent, and charismatic boss, he was ultimately still a seventeen-year-old boy.

Some youthful tendencies were bound to show in the way he usually handled things. Those who understood, understood.

It was precisely this "youthful spirit," as they saw it, that made them admire him all the more and willingly support him in building something truly great.

In his room, Lind looked at the three remaining standard Zoan Devil Fruits: two dogs and one cat. Although they were not particularly powerful, they were still useful, and would make perfect prizes for the top three contestants in the tournament half a month later.

"If the three winners eat these Devil Fruits, their strength should improve quite considerably."

"Reaching the level of a Rear Admiral, or even an ordinary Vice Admiral, shouldn't be much of a problem," Lind muttered to himself as he put the three Devil Fruits away.

"If I go back to that deserted island and harvest all the Dragon Bananas of various grades to train my men, their overall strength should improve quite a bit more."

"I planted plenty of bananas there whenever I had some free time. Although their effects are a little weaker than the first generation's, they're more than enough for training my men."

"And there's Oran Island. We can establish large banana plantations there too. Oran Island is much bigger than that little island, so even the ordinary pirates outside the elite squads will be able to eat them."

"If production is high enough, we could even sell fourth- and fifth-generation bananas to outsiders."

"Then the officers and I can eat the first generation, the elite pirates can eat the second, and the ordinary pirates can eat the third and fourth. The fourth and fifth can be sold to outsiders."

"Although I've never grown fourth- or fifth-generation Dragon Bananas, judging by how the effects grow weaker with each generation from the first through the third, the fourth and fifth should be weaker still."

"Dragon Bananas work by accumulating small changes until they produce a qualitative change in the first place. They aren't fruits with particularly dramatic effects. After weakening them a few more times, they might not even compare to Sea King meat!"

Lind sat at his desk, thinking through his future plans. He was so engrossed that he did not even notice Allison arrive.

Only when Allison walked up beside him did Lind realize there was someone next to him.

"Allison, you're here. Did you need something?" Lind stood up and asked her.

"No, I just came to see whether you needed me to do anything, boss. As your secretary, shouldn't I always be by your side?" Allison answered with a warm smile.

"Hahaha, perfect timing. I happen to have something I need you to do."

A smile curved Lind's lips. He had just been wondering how to organize the banana plantations, and the very person he needed had come to him.

With Allison's management skills and her Grow-Grow Fruit, she would definitely be able to run the banana plantations well.

And entrusting the banana plantations, an important enterprise tied to the overall strength of his forces, to Allison, his most trusted confidante, would give Lind greater peace of mind.