Chapter 298: Dividing the Fruits (Part 1)
Ever since Caesar Clown began researching artificial Devil Fruits, Charlotte had been fully supporting him from behind the scenes. He knew that Caesar had the potential to succeed. However, three to four years had passed, and nearly fifty Devil Fruits had been consumed in the experiments—including some people who had eaten the Devil Fruits themselves, whom Charlotte sent to Caesar for research.
Yet, after all this time, there had been no tangible results.
When Charlotte questioned him, Caesar immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He knew his captain well—Charlotte was someone who only cared about results, not processes. Over the years, Charlotte had been extremely supportive, handing over any Devil Fruits he obtained—mostly regular Zoan types, but still valuable. Ordinary people would hardly know what a Devil Fruit was, let alone get their hands on one. Yet Charlotte managed to acquire around ten every year.
"Um... that... currently... I have a little progress, but... it still needs time! I will definitely succeed!" Caesar stammered nervously.
"Hmm."
Hearing this, Charlotte didn't press any further. He wasn't in a rush. After all, he didn't particularly care about wasting regular Zoan-type Devil Fruits. He had a whole stash of more powerful Devil Fruits reserved, so losing a few common ones didn't bother him.
It was worth noting that even ordinary Devil Fruits could fetch a starting price of 100 million Berries on the market.
"Make sure to hurry up! Don't let me down! I don't expect you to match Vegapunk, but if Vegapunk can make artificial Devil Fruits, I believe you can too!" Charlotte said, patting Caesar's arm, deliberately using Vegapunk's name to provoke him.
The effect was immediate. For several days after that, Caesar didn't leave his lab even once, completely engrossed in his research.
Despite this, Charlotte continued to supply Caesar with all the resources he needed, never cutting him off. It was fair to say that the scientific division alone consumed more than half of the Rockefeller Pirates' budget—sometimes even more. After all, scientific advancements remained the most critical force multiplier.
No matter how many years he had spent in this world, Charlotte never forgot that technological innovation was key to power.
After taking a glance at the sealed laboratory door, Charlotte chose not to disturb Caesar. He walked outside to the deck and saw the children still playing around.
He pondered for a moment.
By now, the third batch of children had grown up—the oldest was already six, while the youngest was five. It was about time for them to eat Devil Fruits!
With that thought, Charlotte returned to his cabin and opened a hidden compartment, revealing his carefully stored collection of Devil Fruits.
Nineteen Devil Fruits were brought out—some of the rarest and most valuable in his possession.
Logia: Swamp Swamp Fruit
Paramecia:
Scythe Fruit
Mirror Mirror Fruit
Door Door Fruit
Temperature Fruit
Heat Heat Fruit
Obsidian Fruit
Stone Stone Fruit
Glass Fruit
More More Fruit
Cube Cube Fruit
Paper Paper Fruit
Thorn Thorn Fruit
Compression Fruit
Zoan - Mythical Beast: Vampire Form
Zoan - Ancient Type:
King Crocodile Form
Titan Python Form
Saber-Toothed Tiger Form
Twin-Toothed Dragon Form
Archeopteryx Form
Additionally, there was one unidentified Devil Fruit that wasn't listed in any Devil Fruit encyclopedias.
A total of twenty-one Devil Fruits—though the Vampire Fruit was kept aside for the time being, leaving twenty Devil Fruits available.
Six children had reached the appropriate age to consume Devil Fruits: Julie, Logan, Philip, Trunks, Kakarot, and Gibetta—one girl and five boys.
Charlotte carried the Devil Fruits to a hall on the third floor of the deck—the same hall where he had distributed Devil Fruits before.
"Go call Julie, Logan, Philip, Trunks, Kakarot, and Gibetta," Charlotte instructed one of the maids.
The maid quickly left and returned shortly with the six children, followed by several other kids, including Robert.
"Dad!"
"Dad!"
As soon as they entered, the kids shouted in excitement, chattering non-stop, making Charlotte feel like his head was about to burst.
"Alright, alright! Stop yelling and listen to me!" Charlotte quickly calmed them down, rubbing his temples in exasperation.
"Every day, it's nothing but playing! Have you finished your studies?" Charlotte scolded, and immediately most of the kids lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.
Charlotte sighed, shaking his head. "You need to study hard. You can't just think about playing all day."
After giving them a short lecture, he moved on to the main topic.
"Julie, Logan, Philip, Trunks, Kakarot, Gibetta—you're all getting older now. The oldest among you is six, and the youngest is five. Today, I called you here to give you power."
He gestured to the Devil Fruits on the table.
"See these Devil Fruits? Eating one of them will grant you abilities like your older brothers and sisters!"
Hearing this, the six kids' eyes lit up, staring at the colorful Devil Fruits with excitement.
Charlotte nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, let's go in order of age. Logan, you're the oldest—pick first."
Logan, with a serious expression, approached the table, examining the fruits laid out before him.
At the front was the lone Swamp Swamp Fruit, but Logan glanced at it briefly before ignoring it.
(Swamp Swamp Fruit: "Boohoo! Ignored again!")
His eyes wandered over the Paramecia types, the labels with various abilities dazzling him. After some thought, his gaze settled on the Zoan section.
Finally, he picked up the Zoan - Ancient Type - Saber-Toothed Tiger Fruit and held it in his hands.
"Dad! I've made my choice!" Logan declared firmly.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised that Logan had chosen a Zoan type, but he didn't object. "Alright, if that's your decision, go ahead and eat it."
Logan took a deep breath and bit into the fruit. Instantly, a taste beyond imagination assaulted his senses, making him gag.
"Logan! You have to endure it! You must finish eating it!" Caesar, who had just arrived to watch, encouraged.
Hearing his older brother's words, Logan fought the urge to vomit and forced himself to finish the entire fruit—an enormous melon-sized fruit that was almost too big for him.
The other kids watched in shock and awe as Logan choked down the whole thing.
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