Chapter 8 — The Slip-Slip Fruit…
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It turned out that Old John had stumbled upon the location of this Devil Fruit by accident. To keep it under wraps, he had arranged a normal trading expedition to acquire it. But news still leaked, and on his way back after obtaining the fruit, his ship was ambushed by the One-Eyed Pirates. The highly paid bodyguards he had hired all died in battle. In the end, he barely escaped, running all the way here—unintentionally leaving a windfall for Jack.
Compared to life itself, a Devil Fruit worth at least 100 million Berries suddenly seemed far less important. Money can't be spent if you're dead!
And as for why he didn't just have someone eat it and counterattack…
Don't joke! A Devil Fruit's value depends on the user's strength and imagination. Not just anyone can eat it and immediately wield a fire fist like Sabo did with the Flame-Flame Fruit.
Normally, it's like Luffy eating the Gum-Gum Fruit: you can barely control it at first, let alone unleash its full power.
At that moment, Jack confirmed his identity as a true European-style protagonist. Even if he ended up being beaten to death by a mob of angry people later, he was determined to preserve his protagonist luck!
Although selling this Devil Fruit might not fetch 500 million Berries, in normal circumstances, you couldn't even buy one with money!
His insistence on getting paid had two reasons: one, to improve his life after leaving here; two, to save up enough for potential Devil Fruit auctions in the future.
For someone wielding the Infinity Gauntlet, the more Devil Fruits the better! Even a "trash" ability could be used to strengthen himself—wasting them was impossible.
When you're a paying player with cheats, what can normal players do besides cowering in a corner?
So Jack, without hesitation, took the Devil Fruit right in front of Old John's face.
"I'll handle this job. Consider your payment already with me. No objections, right?"
"No… no."
Old John dared not say otherwise. At worst, this voyage would count as a wasted trip; once back at the trading company, he'd still be the envy of all.
"By the way, what ability does this Devil Fruit have?"
Jack knew that someone in this world had compiled a Devil Fruit encyclopedia, cataloging all previously discovered fruits. Whether this one had appeared there or remained unknown was uncertain.
He hadn't expected an answer—yet Old John gave him a "surprise," or rather, a "shock."
"After finding this Devil Fruit, I compared it to the encyclopedia and confirmed it's a Paramecia-type Slip-Slip Fruit."
Uh… Slip-Slip Fruit?
That sounded strangely familiar…
Holy crap!
This wasn't the fruit that turned the ugly, fat Alrita into a stunning beauty after Luffy defeated her… the so-called "overpowered" fruit!
In terms of effects—especially for women—this fruit was absolutely game-changing. Even that hideous woman became a 36D, tiny-waist beauty, comparable to the legendary "Cosmetic Fruit"!
But in combat? Hilarious…
No wonder, in such a dire situation, Old John hadn't thought of eating it himself or giving it to someone else.
Beyond the question of whether its power could even be utilized, the fruit's ability itself was the real problem.
Turn an entire island into a slide?
If the cosmetic effects of this fruit were publicized, women all over the world would probably go crazy…
So, did this deal make money or lose it?
Was it just a consolation gift for me because the transformation of the Badger Man was so ugly?
In an era where looks were justice, Jack was confident in his own appearance. Young, rich, and handsome, picking up girls was practically effortless.
But in this era of great pirates, strength rules. Handsome but weak? You'd either be kept as a trophy or sold to a rich woman as a servant—or worse.
Shaking his head to clear the cluttered thoughts, Jack reached out once more.
"Hand it over!"
"Hand over what?" Old John was confused.
"The encyclopedia!"
"On the ship…"
"Then hurry up! Still waiting for me to serve dinner?"
Resentment…
A few minutes later, Jack led the survivors back to the beach where they had landed. The unwashed blood stains were still visible, and countless broken arms and legs littered the sand.
"The pirates?"
"With such obvious evidence right in front of you, you still ask? Your IQ is worrying~"
Jack's expression reflected the frustration of going from heaven to hell in an instant.
The young man being mocked turned red with anger but didn't dare retort. Anyone capable of wiping out so many pirates could certainly kill him even more easily.
Others were not so brainless. With the greatest danger now past, many collapsed onto the ground.
"Send a few people to inspect the ship's condition."
"When can we depart?"
Old John thought for a moment.
"About half an hour. The ship we came in on is ruined, but fortunately, the pirate ship is intact. Once we consolidate resources, we can set sail."
"Alright, I'll go inform the others."
Jack turned and left—clean and efficient, not even worried about Old John leaving him behind. There wasn't a single combatant left on the ship; encountering pirates now would be suicidal. Luck couldn't always follow them.
Old John understood the situation and hurriedly prepared for departure.
Back in the forest, Jack let out a roar, calling his "old friends" to his side once more.
"Big Black, Little White, Flower, I'm really leaving this time. You must behave. If you get bored, roll on the ground, play—don't keep fighting endlessly…"
"The little monkeys are in your care. If one goes missing before I return, you'll go hungry for a month!"
"Especially you, Big Black, you…"
Half an hour later, as Big Black neared breakdown and spirals appeared in the eyes of Little White and Flower, Jack left, fully satisfied.
He didn't know when—or if—he'd return again, but this experience would stay with him forever.
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Year 1518 of the Sea Calendar. On a pirate ship he had seized, Jack first stepped into this world.
By this time, 20 years had passed since Roger kicked off the Great Age of Pirates. Luffy was 15, and in two years, the future worst-generation supernova would begin his journey.
What incredible changes would sweep the world in those two years?
Jack's era was about to begin…