After testing the Shadow-Shadow Fruit's abilities, Merlin's thoughts turned to the Clear-Clear Fruit.
The equipment slot appeared before his eyes.
He checked the data: the [Compatibility] between the Shadow-Shadow Fruit and the Clear-Clear Fruit was only 50%.
The affinity between the two fruit origins wasn't high.
Merlin realized that the compatibility between different equipment fluctuated significantly. It wasn't always 100% like the initial synthesis.
However, the synthesis between the Shadow-Shadow Fruit and the Human-Human Fruit - Demon Form was 75%. It seemed to follow an exponential decrease based on the [Synchronization Rate].
Merlin had anticipated this.
Seeing that the compatibility between the Shadow and Clear fruits was sitting right on the lower threshold of 50%, Merlin decided against synthesizing them in a split second.
With such low compatibility, the energy consumption for synthesis would be massive. If it dropped below 50%, there was even a risk of failure and damage to the items.
It wasn't worth the loss.
Besides, as long as the synchronization rate increased, he could still obtain special specialties.
"I'll wait until I get a specialty from the Clear-Clear Fruit, then I'll just consume it. It's better if I'm the only one who possesses such a dangerous ability!"
Invisibility and the like...
Originally, the Clear-Clear Fruit couldn't hide one's movements or scent at the current stage. But with the boost from his "Awakening" specialty...
Whether it was scent or sound, Merlin could now render them all "transparent."
He would essentially be a top-tier Assassin.
His hiding stats were maxed out instantly.
Merlin glanced at the large chests in the corner. Resting on top was Shusui—the Black Blade Shusui, tempered by the Sword God Ryuma using his own Armament Haki.
Legendary swords possessed their own spirituality. Merlin had briefly equipped it before; Shusui's effect could drastically increase his attack power.
Moreover, equipping Shusui allowed him to accelerate his learning of Armament Haki and comprehend Ryuma's swordsmanship.
That is to say, the heirloom swordsmanship of the Shimotsuki clan from Wano Country, passed down for a thousand years.
But right now, he didn't have enough equipment slots.
A thought stirred in Merlin's mind. A shadow hand extended, gripping Shusui's hilt and drawing the blade. Simultaneously, he controlled another shadow hand to grab Shusui's shadow cast on the floor.
With a ripping sound, the sword's shadow was torn and elongated. Merlin swung the physical blade, and the shadow hand delivered the shadow strip to him.
Shusui's "Soul Shadow."
A shadow possessing Shusui's spirituality.
Merlin grasped it and shoved it into his own body. As the shadow completely merged with him, he closed his eyes.
The shadow returned Shusui to its scabbard.
Gripping Zanye, Merlin began to swing the sword inside the room. In a flash of insight, he felt a faint instinct guiding him—telling him how to swing, how to move.
Shusui had accompanied the Sword God Ryuma for a lifetime. The blade had a spirit, having experienced Ryuma's life alongside him. At this moment, Armament Haki wrapped around Zanye's blade.
Merlin suddenly felt a strange, instinctive understanding of how to use Armament Haki. The Haki stored within his body began to flow faintly.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. A shadow appeared on the deck outside. In the next instant, shape and shadow swapped places. Merlin appeared on the deck and began to slowly dance with his sword.
Merlin's appearance drew everyone's attention. Monet watched his movements, and after a moment, she felt that Merlin's swordsmanship seemed different somehow.
The unconscious Soul Shadow was subconsciously guiding Merlin to execute Ryuma's techniques. Merlin's mind was fully immersed in it.
At the same time, he was mentally dancing on Moria's grave. The man had possessed mountains of treasure and held the keys, yet never opened the door to claim them.
Now, Merlin had acquired everything Moria owned and was gradually digesting it all.
The dark forest, survival of the fittest.
Moria had coveted Merlin's body; hadn't Merlin coveted his Shadow-Shadow Fruit?
Now, Merlin was stronger. So he feasted upon the spoils while Moria could only sleep eternally underground.
While Merlin and Monet trained in swordsmanship and Pink repaired the ship, Baby 5 and Perona were handling the cleaning. Once they finished, Perona looked curiously at Baby 5.
The two sat on the sofa in the cabin's living room. Baby 5 was about a year younger than her.
Perona took small sips from a cup of hot cocoa.
"Baby 5," Perona asked, "Are you Lord Merlin's apprentice too?"
Baby 5 blinked, then shook her head with sudden dejection. "I'm not. I'm a maid and combatant for the Donquixote Family. Mr. Pink is too, though he's an executive.
"On this ship, only Big Brother Merlin and Monet are together. You're the new apprentice Big Brother Merlin recruited today."
As she spoke, Baby 5 gloomily spilled everything she knew.
Perona looked thoughtful. After listening, she blinked and smiled happily at Baby 5. "I see. So, Lord Merlin, Monet, and I are the inner circle.
"You guys are just business partners!"
Hearing this, a wave of displeasure surged in Baby 5's heart for some reason. She looked at Perona with an unkind gaze. "What are you being so cocky for? Remember, you're just a small fry who got promoted from prisoner to apprentice. And I am Big Brother Merlin's... his... maid! That's right, I'm the maid who takes care of his daily life!
"Whether it's status or seniority, I'm above you. You need to use honorifics with me. You have to call me Big Sister, understand?
"And Monet—you have to call her Lady Monet. No manners... do you want a beating?"
Watching her flustered outburst, Perona rolled her eyes in secret.
Just an outsider. What's there to be arrogant about? Just a maid?
Hmph! Just wait until this lady steals your maid position, making that guy Merlin unable to leave me, and then he'll tell you to get lost early.
"Hollow hollow hollow..."
Reaching this part of her fantasy, Perona covered her mouth and giggled happily. Baby 5 stared blankly, but for some reason, she sensed a wave of malice coming from Perona.
"Are you badmouthing me in your head?" Baby 5 asked, eyes narrowing.
"..." Perona's eyes went wide with disbelief, as if saying, How did you know?
Seeing this reaction, Baby 5's fair face darkened. She gritted her teeth. "You bastard, I think you need a beating. Watch me beat you to death."
Putting down her coffee cup, she clenched her fist and walked over. Perona's face paled instantly. Reflexively, she waved her small hand. A white, transparent Negative Hollow passed right through Baby 5's chest.
In the blink of an eye, the furious Baby 5 dropped to her knees. Her entire aura became rapidly depressed, followed by an extremely negative tone.
"I'm sorry for being born human. If there's a next life, I want to be a weed.
"I'm so stupid... why aren't I Big Brother Merlin's partner! I want to bury myself in the dirt and sprout next spring!"
Perona blinked. She felt like she had caused trouble. Looking at Baby 5 kneeling on the floor, she quickly stood up, put down her cup, and ran outside.
As soon as she got to the deck, she saw Merlin standing by the railing, having stopped his sword practice. She shuddered, took a deep breath, and tried to keep a straight face as she walked over, fighting her fear.
"Um... Lord Merlin?"
"Something wrong?" Merlin turned his head, looking at her calmly. Hearing Merlin's voice, Perona trembled—she was clearly scared.
Seeing this, Merlin smiled at the little girl, who was only about 1.3 meters tall. "You don't need to be afraid of me. I'm not going to eat you. You've boarded my ship, so you're one of my people.
"As long as you don't betray me or hurt the people on my ship, I'll tolerate whatever you do.
"So, there's no need to put on this pitiful, timid act for me."
Hearing Merlin's gentle tone, Perona blinked and looked up to properly size him up for the first time.
A few seconds later, Perona looked away, her face flushing red. She muttered, "What the heck! Acting all exploding with gentleness... not long ago you were clearly hinting that... if I didn't listen, you'd eat me."
Damn it!
I almost had the urge to let my guard down and just follow him.
Pepe, don't fall for it!
Merlin watched her muttering, thinking he couldn't hear.
He couldn't resist reaching out and patting her head. "I'm not deaf. I can hear what you're mumbling.
"Also, I never hinted at eating you. I was saying that if you joined and then betrayed me, I'd throw your corpse into the sea to feed the fish.
"Isn't that normal?
"A pirate crew isn't a game of house. If you dare to betray, don't you get thrown in the ocean?"
Perona shook again. Her mouth opened and closed before she sighed helplessly. "I get it already!
"I won't betray you. Before you die, I won't abandon you!"
Merlin's lip twitched. This girl was asking for a beating. But suddenly, Perona remembered why she came. She looked at Merlin nervously. "I just used my ability to take down Baby 5. She wants to beat me up. Help me?"
"Hehe! So you're here!"
Baby 5 walked over with a dark expression, gritting her teeth and glaring furiously. "You actually dared to sneak attack me?"
Perona felt guilty but kept her tone tough. "If I didn't sneak attack, I'd be the one getting beaten up. I'm not stupid. Besides, you started it."
Baby 5 was so angry she wanted to strike, but Perona nimbly grabbed Merlin's arm and hid behind him, poking her pink head out and sticking her tongue at Baby 5. "Nyeh nyeh nyeh, can't hit me!"
Baby 5's face flushed with rage. At this moment, Merlin raised his hand and pushed Perona's back. She stumbled a few steps forward, landing right in front of Baby 5.
Cold sweat instantly poured down her forehead. She turned to look at Merlin, wanting to cry but unable to shed tears. "You sold me out?"
Merlin chuckled softly. "You two need to get along. If there's a conflict, fight it out. Just remember—killing each other is forbidden."
Hearing Merlin's words, Baby 5's eyes lit up.
The next second.
She tackled Perona, straddling her and pinching her cheeks, pulling them in opposite directions. Perona screamed in pain.
But she wasn't about to give up. While crying out, she sent a Negative Hollow through Baby 5's chest. Baby 5 went limp and her head dropped forward. Her mouth happened to be open, and their lips smashed together.
Perona's eyes went wide. Tears welled up instantly. With a whimper, she shoved Baby 5 away, pointing at her and screaming in exasperation, "You shameless jerk! That was this lady's first kiss, and you stole it!
"Ahhhhhhh—"
Amidst her impotent rage lay Baby 5, paralyzed on the ground and muttering extremely negative things.
Monet walked over, looking confused. She pointed at the two of them, let out an "Ara," and covered her mouth to giggle. "When did their relationship get so good?"
Merlin looked amused. He chuckled, "Who knows! Maybe this is some strange friendship between little girls!"
Baby 5 recovered, looking heartbroken and on the verge of tears, but soon she gritted her sharp teeth and roared, "You shameless brat! You used your ability to sneak attack me again! I didn't even use mine. Do you have no shame?"
Perona yelled back frantically, "I haven't trained in Taijutsu! If I can't beat you, why can't I use my ability?
"I didn't use Ghost Rap (Mini Hollows), so you should be secretly happy, you jerk!!"
"You blame me for not knowing Taijutsu? Have some shame! You're older than me but can't beat me, you pink-haired weakling!"
Baby 5 cursed back, unwilling to show weakness.
The two continued to chirp and bark at each other. Merlin watched with amusement for a while before clapping his hands to get their attention.
Seeing them look over, Merlin smiled. "Since you brought it up, I'll be guiding your training later. Don't complain about being tired then."
Speaking of this, Merlin laughed to himself. "Hehe, I just thought of a great idea. Even if you scream about being tired later, it won't help."
Instantly, the two quieted down.
Unlike Perona's nervousness, Baby 5 looked at Merlin with great curiosity. "Big Brother Merlin, what are you going to teach me?"
"You'll know when the time comes."
Merlin smiled. He glanced over at Pink, who had pretty much finished repairing the deck.
Merlin grinned. The shadow beneath his feet spread out, merging into the shadows of both ships.
Then, the shadows at the stern of both ships formed into giant propellers.
With a thought from Merlin, the two sailing ships began to move away from the shore, driven by the rear propellers. Soon, under the rapid rotation of the shadow propellers—which were as hard as steel—the speed of both ships surged.
At Merlin's signal, they raised the sails to catch the wind.
The ship's speed increased even further.
"Your shadow ability is really convenient!"
Pink walked over, sighing with admiration as he looked at Merlin with astonishment.
To be able to use the ability so proficiently so soon after acquiring it... he really was a monster of a man.
"It's alright! Shadows are easy to control!"
Hearing this incredibly humble-brag, Pink's eye twitched. The two chatted idly for a while.
Half an hour later.
An island appeared in the distance. Before long, the ship docked at the port.
The Donquixote ship, meanwhile, docked in a private bay.