"Three fruits, huh?"
"Then, Boss, give me a moment. Let me think this through carefully."
Kingpin greeted Rorschach, then picked up the Devil Fruit catalog again.
"Take your time, Fisk. No rush."
Rorschach smiled and waved him on.
Kingpin nodded and began studying the catalog in earnest.
But before long, his brows drew together.
"Boss, is this Rust-Rust Fruit still in stock?"
He looked up and fixed Rorschach with a serious stare.
He had just eaten the Steel Fruit, and now there was a fruit that could rust objects?
Was this thing created specifically to counter him?
The moment Kingpin saw it, it felt like a fly had dropped straight into his soup.
"The Rust-Rust Fruit is still available."
Rorschach nodded.
"Boss, the catalog says this fruit can make objects rust and corrode?" Kingpin asked again.
"That's right, Fisk."
Rorschach understood exactly why he cared so much about this fruit, so he explained further, "But the Rust-Rust Fruit doesn't just rust steel. It can rust non-metallic things too."
"Even the human body."
"The human body can rust too?"
Wesley was genuinely stunned.
Metal rusting made perfect sense.
But non-metal?
That was beyond reason.
Once again, it proved that Devil Fruits existed completely outside normal logic.
"Of course it can, Wesley." Rorschach smiled. "In the world of Devil Fruits, throw away your old assumptions."
"You're absolutely right, Boss." Wesley nodded deeply. "Devil Fruits really aren't something that can be judged by common sense."
"Even so…" Kingpin still couldn't let it go. "Boss, the fruit's corrosive effect on metal should still be much stronger, shouldn't it?"
"Fisk, even among metals, some rust more easily than others."
Rorschach simply shrugged.
He didn't need to say the rest.
The meaning was obvious enough.
Forget the difference between metal and non-metal. Even two pieces of steel placed in the same environment wouldn't rust at exactly the same speed.
Some things were always more vulnerable to rust than others.
That much was beyond dispute.
"Boss, I want this Rust-Rust Fruit too."
After understanding the situation, Kingpin made his decision almost immediately.
The Rust-Rust Fruit was a direct counter to the Steel Fruit.
A fruit like that absolutely had to remain in his own hands.
He could never allow someone else to buy it.
Not just an enemy.
Even his own people wouldn't be allowed to eat it.
Kingpin had no intention of leaving behind even the slightest risk or hidden threat for himself.
There was only one reason he wanted the Rust-Rust Fruit—
to destroy it.
That meant one of his three precious slots was being spent for nothing.
He only had one purchase left now.
And that final choice had to be considered very, very carefully.
Kingpin's eyes returned to the catalog and continued scanning.
Roughly five minutes later, his gaze stopped.
He pointed to another fruit.
"Boss, I think this Dice-Dice Fruit looks very promising."
Kingpin had picked it only after careful consideration.
Daredevil's appearance had made him realize just how important a top-tier fighter could be.
He never would have imagined that a single man could cause him so much damage and become such a headache.
Daredevil had ruined more of his operations than he cared to count, and yet he had been utterly powerless to deal with him.
If Wesley hadn't hired Wade, Kingpin really would have had a problem figuring out how to kill Daredevil.
After that lesson, he had thought long and hard.
He needed to cultivate a true elite fighter of his own—someone strong enough to deal with the next Daredevil before that person could become a problem.
Of course, Kingpin himself was already a powerhouse.
And with the Steel Fruit, he had become even more terrifying.
He believed that if he faced Daredevil again now, the one dying would most likely be Daredevil.
But a man in Kingpin's position couldn't personally step in every time.
Creating another high-end combat asset was the real solution.
After comparing option after option, this fruit—which could turn the body into blades—stood out as one of the best.
It could raise attack power.
It could improve defense.
All in all, it was an excellent choice.
"So, the Dice-Dice Fruit."
Rorschach looked at Kingpin's selection and nodded with an approving smile.
The Dice-Dice Fruit was a fairly famous one.
To be honest, Mr. 1 had been genuinely strong. Otherwise, Crocodile would never have valued him so highly, nor taken him along again even after escaping Impel Down.
"Fisk, this really is an excellent fruit. Just as the catalog says, it allows any part of the body to turn into a blade."
"I don't need to tell you how much of an advantage that gives in combat."
"On top of that, it shares some similarities with your Steel Fruit, because it can also harden the user's body to a steel-like level."
"It's a very balanced fruit—one that combines offense and defense."
"Exactly." Kingpin nodded. "That's why I chose it."
Then he made his decision.
"Boss, that settles it. I'll take the Rust-Rust Fruit and the Dice-Dice Fruit. How much for both?"
"Both fruits are priced at one million dollars each. After the discount, the total comes to one million four hundred thousand."
"Alright, Boss. Please pack those two up for me."
Kingpin paid without the slightest hesitation.
Rorschach placed both fruits into the custom packaging bags he had prepared and handed them over.
As Kingpin felt their weight settle into his hands, he felt a rare sense of deep satisfaction wash over him.
Spending five million dollars in one trip to acquire treasures like these?
It was worth every cent.
Any irritation and resentment caused by The Hand had already been completely blown away.
Once the transaction was complete, Rorschach asked for Kingpin's permission and, as usual, added him to the group chat.
Shop Owner: @Everyone Devil Fruit Home has welcomed another new member. Let's all welcome Wilson Fisk!
The quiet group instantly became lively.
Wesley: Welcome, Mr. Fisk.
Vanessa: Another new member? @Shop Owner, business is really good for you today. @Wilson Fisk, welcome, welcome!
Vanessa?
What the hell?
Kingpin froze on the spot.