Novel En
Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Yami-Yami No Mi
Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Yami-Yami No Mi
(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited
smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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"What fruit?"
Colt blinked, momentarily confused by the sudden question.
"What...?" Sasuke growled through gritted teeth.
"Did you forget what you told me back then?"
Even though they were separated by hundreds of miles, Colt could feel the resentment seeping through Sasuke's tone.
"Wait, let me think," Colt said, massaging his temples.
He had shared countless conversations with Sasuke, so how was he supposed to know which one he meant?
As someone who often made ridiculous promises, there was no way he could remember them all.
After a long moment of thought, he ventured, "Are you talking about the Dark Fruit?"
"If not, then what else?" Sasuke retorted.
His sharp reply left Colt momentarily speechless.
To be honest, Colt had only used the fruit as a way to motivate Sasuke to join the Whitebeard Pirates.
After all, he couldn't expect Sasuke to just accept a new "father" outright.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
That would be a surefire way to provoke Sasuke into a life-or-death battle with him.
What Colt hadn't anticipated was that Sasuke would actually find the Dark-Dark Fruit. It almost seemed like he had made it his main mission instead, with how he was so angry that Colt forgot.
"Wait a second," Colt said, his expression turning serious.
"I don't remember telling you what the Devil Fruit looked like. How did you confirm it was the real deal? Don't tell me you let someone eat it!"
The Dark-Dark Fruit was no ordinary item in the One-Piece world.
Its appearance had caused massive shifts in the world's balance. It had led to the downfall of one of the original Four Emperors, the decimation of the Pirate King's bloodline, and had even played a part in Luffy's transformation into a determined, unstoppable force.
If someone random ate it... even Colt would feel a pang of pain.
"How could I do something so careless?" Sasuke scoffed.
"The second Hokage with his network got his hands on a more detailed Devil Fruit guide from the World Government. It had an entry on that Devil Fruit."
Hearing this, Colt let out a breath of relief.
"Alright, that's a weight off my shoulders. But how exactly did you find it?"
Sasuke then recounted the events leading up to his discovery.
As it turned out, the situation had a lot to do with the Whitebeard Pirates' territory and Sasuke's relentless drive to train.
Recently, Sasuke had been immersed in training his swordsmanship, inspired by insights Colt had shared with him.
While the Whitebeard Pirates were idling in their own waters, Sasuke had ventured out alone to hone his skills.
His training method? Splitting entire islands in half.
Yesterday, during one such session, Sasuke sliced an island cleanly into two and discovered a Devil Fruit hidden within the rubble.
The fruit was unidentifiable based on the Whitebeard Pirates' Devil Fruit guide, which led him to seek confirmation from Tobirama.
Tobirama's swift response had confirmed it: the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Colt fell silent after hearing the tale.
While everything seemed logical, it still felt utterly absurd.
Was this just the luck of someone destined for greatness?
"Keep that fruit safe," Colt said firmly.
"Don't let anyone from the Whitebeard Pirates know about it. One day, it'll serve a greater purpose."
Sasuke nodded in agreement before the two shared some additional updates and ended their
conversation.
****
Several days later, Colt's ship exited the Calm Belt and re-entered the Grand Line.
However, instead of heading toward Sabaody Archipelago as they had decided, they were sailing toward the ominous waters near Thriller Bark.
Deidara and Sasori had reached out to Colt, inviting him to their territory.
Suspicious of their intentions, Colt decided to make a detour.
****
Deidara and Sasori were an odd duo.
The former was an explosive fanatic, while the latter was obsessed with perfecting his puppet
art.
Compared to the other Warlords of the Sea, they were relatively harmless-at least until Deidara decided to test his new explosive clay near the infamous Thriller Bark.
When Nami heard of their destination, she paled.
"Are we really going there? They say Thriller Bark is haunted!"
Even Robin, usually calm and collected, appeared uneasy.
She buried herself in researching Thriller Bark, only to grow more anxious the more she read.
Observing their reactions, Colt maintained a serious demeanor.
But inside, he was struggling to contain his laughter.
As their ship entered the eerie, mist-filled waters, Colt finally burst out laughing.
Realizing they had been tricked, both women retaliated with playful but irritated punches.
Robin's attacks, enhanced by her [Hana-Hana no Mi], were particularly impactful.
****
"Hahaha! Colt, it's been a while!"
Deidara's boisterous voice echoed from above as a giant clay bird descended.
He and Sasori-still in his youthful form-landed on the shore.
"Do you want to witness my latest masterpiece?" Deidara asked with a manic grin.
"Idiot," Sasori said with a deadpan expression. "Do you think your pathetic art would work on
him?"
"Damn it, Sasori! Can't you at least let me have my moment?" Deidara fumed.
"One day, I'll create a piece of art that'll blow him away!"
Colt sighed, stepping off the ship with Nami and Robin in tow.
"You didn't summon me just to listen to your bickering, did you?"
The two exchanged glances before Deidara broke into a grin.
"Of course not. We have a gift for you."
"A gift?" Colt asked skeptically. "What kind of gift?"
Deidara's grin widened as he answered.
"A new crew member."