Three days later.
The Eternal Kingdom, Level Two, Ron's Private Laboratory.
The laboratory door was tightly shut, blocking out all outside noise.
Suddenly, dazzling golden light burst through the seams of the heavy door.
The eyes of those waiting outside lit up with joy, like hope blooming in darkness.
"Success!" someone couldn't help but cheer, their voice filled with unconcealable excitement.
"Vice-Captain Ron's Devil Fruit production is complete!" another followed up, their tone full of admiration.
"Fortunately, the shielding devices above are blocking the energy signature. Otherwise, such intense golden light would have been discovered by others long ago," someone murmured quietly, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Amid the crowd's exclamations, Ron emerged first from the laboratory.
His face showed signs of fatigue, but his eyes sparkled with the light of success.
He was followed by his assistants, Whitey Bay and Conis, each holding a tray bearing three precious Devil Fruits.
The fruits' surfaces displayed swirling magma-like patterns and dragon scale-like markings, faintly glowing in the dim light as if containing boundless, violent power.
Douglas Bullet and Crocodile stood rooted to the spot, their eyes fixed intently on the Devil Fruits, their breathing unconsciously growing rapid.
Having only heard rumors before, they now understood the true magnitude of this shock upon seeing them with their own eyes.
Two types of fruits, three identical copies of each.
You couldn't find this anomaly anywhere else in the entire world!
"Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit and Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan Type: Azure Dragon," Whitey Bay announced to the two men.
She then produced two leaves from the Contract Tree.
With a snap of her fingers, two golden-glowing contract scrolls materialized out of thin air, slowly drifting down before the two.
Bullet's thick fingers picked up the contract, his brow immediately furrowing into a deep knot.
Crocodile also narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade as he scanned the contents.
The terms were clearly laid out:
First: Do not harm the interests of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Bullet had no objections to the first clause.
Since Whitebeard had provided Akainu's blood, this condition was entirely reasonable.
Crocodile had no objections either.
Asking him to obtain Kaido's blood himself would be a suicide mission.
How could he possibly defeat Kaido? If he could, he wouldn't have resorted to scheming for the Ancient Weapon Pluton in his desperate bid to become the ruler of the world.
Second: Extend the bodyguard contract to six years.
Bullet's lips twitched.
Another three years?
Three years, then another three—if this kept up, it would truly feel endless.
But he really wanted that enchantment!
'It's just three more years, not thirty,' Bullet thought, gritting his teeth.
'I'll sign!'
Third: Prioritize the interests of the Eternal Kingdom above all else. Violators will face death.
Neither of them had any issues with the final clause.
It was the most straightforward one of all.
The scene fell into utter silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Enel stood with his arms crossed, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he watched Bullet and Crocodile.
His tone dripped with sarcasm. "What are you two hesitating for? If I were you, I'd have signed long ago with terms this good!"
Izo shook his head as well, his voice tinged with disdain. "Exactly. What's the difference between these conditions and having no conditions at all? It's practically a freebie!"
"Ah, Ron-sama, if you ask me, you're just too kind-hearted," Enel continued teasing them, though his eyes flickered subtly toward Ron, gauging his reaction.
Ron smiled faintly with a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
These two are truly wasted as mere security for the Eternal Kingdom.
But before the words could fully settle, Crocodile suddenly let out a light chuckle.
Picking up the contract pen, he spoke in a casual tone.
"I'll sign."
His voice was crisp and decisive. The tip of the pen glided across the contract, leaving behind an elegant signature.
The moment the final stroke was completed, the contract transformed into two beams of golden light—one vanishing into Ron's forehead, the other piercing Crocodile's.
The contract was sealed!
"You're quite decisive," Bullet grumbled, a note of surprise in his voice.
Crocodile toyed with his golden hook, replying nonchalantly, "What does it matter who I work under?" His gaze swept over Ron as he added, "Besides, this deal isn't a loss."
Bullet fell silent for a moment.
A flicker of struggle passed through his eyes, but it was soon replaced by resolve.
Suddenly, he grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.
He snatched up the other pen, signing his name with a flourish.
"I'll sign too!"
As his words faded, another flash of golden light appeared, binding him and Ron together through the contract's power.
Bullet rolled his shoulders as a fighting spirit igniting in his eyes. "Six years it is, then. Just gives me more chances to challenge that old man Whitebeard!"
Ron smiled.
The addition of these two would bring tremendous strength to the Eternal Kingdom.
Then, Ron gently pushed a tray toward them.
Six Devil Fruits lay quietly on it, awaiting their new owners.
"Then, let's begin." Ron's voice was calm and resolute.
...
As for the monetary cost of the Devil Fruit, Ron had exempted them from it.
Both Bullet and Crocodile were satisfied with this, but deep down, they understood the rule of the sea: often, things that come for free are the most expensive.
"Hehe."
Bullet's rough, large hands carefully cradled the dark red Devil Fruit as if holding an invaluable treasure.
His fingers traced the raised spiral patterns on the fruit's surface, feeling its unique texture.
The fruit radiated a scorching heat in his palm, as if magma flowed within the skin.
Bullet's voice trembled slightly with excitement. "So this is Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit? Hahaha! I never thought I'd get my hands on it one day!"
Feeling the fruit's burning temperature, Bullet clicked his tongue. "So hot. I wonder how Akainu managed to eat this thing."
He shook his head, his eyes lighting up with a sudden realization.
"Magma can create land, while my Combine Fruit allows me to restructure inorganic material! A perfect combination—this truly makes me invincible!"
The others froze momentarily before nodding in agreement, realizing Bullet made a terrifyingly valid point.
Crocodile's pupils constricted sharply.
He had initially thought Bullet—who appeared rough and simple-minded—chose the Magma Fruit merely to spite Akainu out of hatred.
He never expected Bullet to have considered the tactical synergy so deeply!
'Truly, his man's reputation is well-deserved,' Crocodile thought.
His brutish appearance is just a facade!
Ron nodded as well. "That is indeed the case."
He explained further, "The Magma-Magma Fruit allows its user to produce infinite magma from their body. Once that magma cools, it forms volcanic rock, a new land."
Straightening up, he walked slowly toward Bullet.
"And Bullet's combine powers allow him to freely control and reshape these inorganic materials."
"The combination of both indeed creates a perfect, self-sustaining synergy."
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