"It feels pretty old, doesn't it…"
Shia looked at the small, dilapidated wooden chest, frowning slightly.
"It might just be weathered by the sea," Nao suggested.
Nao picked up the wooden chest. It wasn't as heavy as he expected. Though it was locked, with his arm strength, a little force would easily break it open.
He had no intention of concealing it and directly opened the wooden chest.
Unlike the system's shop, the "Somewhat Miraculous Fishing Rod" could only fish up items from the local world. There was no need to worry about something overly shocking appearing when he opened it, like a Sparklence or something.
"Wow, a golden legend…"
Nao joked in an exaggerated tone as he opened the lid.
Alas, once opened, no golden light burst forth. There were only a few scattered gold coins and a strangely shaped, oval fruit covered in spiral patterns.
"This is…"
Vice Admiral Kizaru, startled, couldn't help but lean his head closer. "Oi, Oi, are you kidding me? A Devil Fruit?"
What is it with this kid?
He fishes with a smelly sock, and it's one thing that he actually catches something, but for it to be this kind of treasure inside…
Can his luck really be this good?
Nao was equally surprised, but his attention was quickly drawn to a notification box that appeared above the treasure chest, listing detailed item information:
[Item: Paramecia-type · Rust-Rust Fruit]
[Type: Devil Fruit]
[Description: Grants the eater the ability to rust metal. After in-depth development, the range of rustable target types will further expand.]
[Value Judgment for this Fishing Attempt: High]
The Rust-Rust Fruit?
Nao vaguely remembered it. It seemed that in the manga, this fruit would be obtained by Marine Captain Shu. Zoro's treasured sword, "Yubashiri," was destroyed by this very ability.
"My apologies, junior brother."
Shu was also a disciple of Zephyr. Perhaps in a few years, he would be seen in the Elite Camp. Nao silently offered a prayer for him in his heart, "I hope you can get a more suitable Devil Fruit in the future. Anyway, this one's mine…"
"It should be a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit…" Kizaru was still pinching his chin, observing it intently, muttering to himself. "It's a shame I didn't study the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia carefully; I can't tell exactly which one it is. Ah, my head hurts, my head hurts…"
"Then don't bother, Vice Admiral."
Nao put away the Devil Fruit and innocently blinked at him: "I fished this up myself; it's not confiscated goods. It should count as my own, right? No need to hand it over to the government?"
"Of course not." Kizaru was momentarily stunned, then unhappily retorted, "You stingy brat, you won't even let me look at it for a bit longer. Hurry up and open it. Do you think I'd covet something like this?"
"I'm not coming to G-2 after I graduate."
"…Uh, the rain's getting heavier. There's really nothing to see anyway. Everyone, let's head back to the cabin to rest. It's uncomfortable standing out here in the rain."
Stepping into the training room, Nao casually closed the door.
The sound of rain was immediately shut out. The warm orange light and the howling wind and rain from the sea pressed against the transparent porthole glass, yet felt like two different worlds.
Nao took off his jacket and hung it by the door, then went to a quiet corner, sat cross-legged, and took out the Rust-Rust Fruit again, his gaze fixed on it in thought.
This wasn't the first time he had obtained a Devil Fruit.
In the past two months, he had wiped out dozens of pirate crews, and naturally, Devil Fruits occasionally appeared among the confiscated goods. However, those had all been handed over and confiscated by the Marines, transforming into substantial battle achievements on his record, just like pirate bounties.
But this one was different. The ownership was entirely his; he could dispose of it as he pleased.
"I remember Devil Fruits start at over a hundred million Berries in the black market, right?"
Nao first thought of this, but then immediately shook his head. "Money, that thing is useless to me…"
Although he currently only received a monthly allowance of twenty to thirty thousand Berries because he was still an Elite Camp recruit, that number would easily multiply a hundredfold after he graduated.
Not to mention the accumulated battle achievements he had. If he wanted to buy anything later, he could apply to Headquarters for priority exchange at any time…
He truly had no interest in Berries at all.
Perhaps in the future, when he, the great Natsuya Nao, officially became a Marine Admiral, he could even sadly say in front of interview cameras that his happiest days were when he was a recruit earning 91 Berries a month…
Eat it himself?
That was even less likely. Nao didn't want to waste his excellent swimming ability to become a "landlubber." Not to mention, he didn't think much of the Rust-Rust Fruit. Besides adding a weakness, its power boost was extremely limited…
"I'll keep it for now."
He mumbled, scratching his head. "After graduation, I'll go back to the East Blue and ask my parents if they want it. If they're not interested, I can give it to Belle-mère…"
Huh?
Belle-mère?
Nao suddenly snapped to attention. It seemed that since their last communication, he hadn't contacted her for a full four or five months…
He wasn't at Headquarters right now, and he wondered if Belle-mère had sent any more letters to Marineford during his trainee period.
He felt guilty and decided that after his internship ended, he would check for letters as soon as he returned to Headquarters. Even if he hadn't received any, he should proactively contact her.
"We won't reach the waters near Sandy Island until at least the day after tomorrow morning."
Nao put away the Devil Fruit and glanced at the sky outside the window. "I should continue training first…"
Before beginning his arduous training, he habitually opened his system panel and checked his current physical data.
[Name: Natsuya Nao]
[Age: 19]
[Strength: 23]
[Agility: 23 (+2)]
[Stamina: 25]
[Intelligence: 9]
[Charm: 14]
[Current Points: 83900]
[Regular Skills: Two-Sword Style (Intermediate), Six Powers (Intermediate),Firearm Proficiency(Advanced), Close Quarters Combat (Intermediate), Self-Discipline (Master), Armament Haki (Intermediate), Observation Haki (Beginner), Painting (Advanced), Fishing (Master)]
[Talent Skills: Radiant Smile, Thick Skin (Intermediate), Iron Head (Intermediate), Limb Regeneration]
[Currently Equipped: Boots of Lightness, Thornmail]
Compared to a month ago, his strength hadn't increased much, but his agility and stamina had both gone up by twenty to thirty percent, which, reflected in the data, amounted to a solid attribute point.
25 points in stamina… that was truly terrifying.
Nao couldn't quite quantify it, but he knew he hadn't slept for twenty-seven days until Shia dragged him to bed, and he was still energetic and not tired at all.
"I'll practice sword techniques for a while, then meditate to train my Observation Haki."
After a brief thought, he formulated his training plan for the next two days. As a swordsman, it was too embarrassing for his Observation Haki to still be at the beginner level. He absolutely had to focus his energy and spend more time on it.
…
Two days passed in a flash.
By the third morning. Nao, who had finished a night of arduous training, walked out of the training room, which now reeked of "snail noodle" (luósīfěn), and went directly to the empty stern of the ship, sitting down and taking out his "Somewhat Miraculous Fishing Rod."
With the example of fishing up a Devil Fruit, he had begun to force himself to gradually develop the good habit of fishing once a day.
Unfortunately, his luck wasn't good these two days.
Yesterday, he fished up a badly damaged great grade sword, which the system barely classified as medium value. Today was even more ridiculous; he actually fished up a fish.
A bighead carp, weighing a full sixty kilograms, looking very fresh, tender, and plump.
Nao was speechless for a while. Not wanting to waste it, he took the fish to the galley, handed it to the cook, and then returned to the deck with a gloomy expression.
It seemed like the drop rate rules in the system were pretty strict. He probably wouldn't have a chance to fish up anything good until he left this large sea area near the G-2 Branch.
Just as he returned to the deck, he suddenly saw a Communications Marine with the rank of Lieutenant rushing from the far end of the deck into the cabin, looking panicked.
And just a moment later, Vice Admiral Kizaru, clearly just roused from bed, strode out from inside, clad in his coat of "Justice," his face grim, appearing at the bow of the ship.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin