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Of course.
Rhodey had noticed the purchase restrictions placed on Devil Fruits the moment he started browsing. Still, deep down, he didn't see them as a serious obstacle.
After all, the military playes by a different set of rules.
Regulations existed for civilians. Once the military got involved, Rhodey firmly believed the Shopkeeper would be more than willing to "adjust" those limits accordingly.
If Rhodey had known Rosh's true level of strength, however, he likely wouldn't have been so confident. By now, Rosh had grown powerful enough to completely disregard the military altogether.
"Then, shopkeeper, thank you for your time," Rhodey said courteously.
"I'll need to return and carefully consider the Devil Fruits. I won't take up any more of your time today."
Having more or less understood the situation surrounding the Devil Fruits, Rhodey took his leave and walked out of the shop.
Rosh watched him go, falling into brief contemplation.
'If Rhodey showed up personally, that means the military has already taken notice of Devil Fruits,' he thought. 'The only question now is what stance they'll take.'
'Will they be as sensible as that bald-headed Director, Nick Fury?' Rosh scoffed inwardly.
The thought passed as quickly as it came. In truth, Rosh didn't care what position the military chose to adopt.
No matter their decision, he had a way to deal with it.
To put it simply: when friends came, he welcomed them with fine wine. When jackals came knocking, he answered with hunting rifles.
With that, the matter was promptly pushed to the back of his mind.
In the days that followed, he went on living exactly as before.
When customers came, he attended to them. When there were none, he scrolled through his phone or played a few games, relaxed and at ease as ever.
Until one day...
A convoy of military vehicles suddenly rolled in, surrounding the Home of the Devil Fruits with swift, aggressive precision.
*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Car doors slammed shut in rapid succession as soldiers poured out of the vehicles one after another.
They moved with practiced efficiency, quickly forming a tight perimeter around the shop. Standing straight and orderly, they resembled rows of javelins, sharp, disciplined, and unmistakably threatening.
"This is the place."
A colonel in his forties, with slightly dark skin, finally stepped into the shop, flanked closely by two personal guards.
"This kind of spectacle…"
Rosh, who had been in the middle of a game, calmly set his phone aside and swept his gaze across the scene.
His eyes narrowed just slightly. A cold glint flashed within them. 'So the military ultimately chose the path of suicide after all.'
"You're the owner here? Rosh?"
Colonel Kyle swept his gaze across the shop with open disdain before finally stopping in front of Rosh. His posture was rigid, his tone dripping with authority as he questioned him from a clearly superior position.
"That's right." Rosh gave a slight, calm nod, his expression relaxed and utterly unbothered.
"If you're here to buy Devil Fruits, you're welcome to do so. But if you came with other intentions," he added lightly, "then I can only advise you not to do anything you'll regret."
"Heh!" Colonel Kyle let out a short, cold laugh.
'This brat is ridiculously arrogant,' the Colonel thought. 'Who does he think he is, talking to us like that?'
"Rosh," Kyle said sharply, his voice turning icy, "you have been privately selling prohibited items, posing a serious threat to public safety. Under the relevant regulations, this illegal operation of yours is hereby shut down."
"You will also be coming with us for investigation."
Now that Rosh's identity was confirmed, Colonel Kyle didn't bother with any polite formalities. He delivered his judgment on the spot, as if the matter were already settled.
"Take him away." He gestured casually toward the two guards at his side.
Without hesitation, they stepped forward.
"Actually… you're not entirely wrong," Rosh said, his voice turning cold.
"The Devil Fruits were never officially registered. From a legal standpoint, they are prohibited items. What you're doing does technically fall within the law."
Rosh lifted his gaze, eyes sharp. "But let's be clear, you're nothing more than bandits using the law as an excuse to take what you want."
"Choosing to target me," he continued evenly, "was the worst mistake you could have ever made."
He didn't even glance at the guards who had already closed in on him, instead directing his words straight at Colonel Kyle.
Kyle's lips curled into an even deeper sneer. 'This bastard still dares to run his mouth in front of us, the military? He must be out of his fucking mind.'
"Arrest him," Kyle ordered again, flicking his hand impatiently.
The two guards immediately moved to seize Rosh.
*Bang! Bang!*
In the next instant, Rosh struck.
Two lightning-fast punches exploded forward. The dull impact of flesh colliding echoed through the shop, and the guards were sent flying backward like discarded dolls, crashing away from him in a heap.
"How dare you?! You've really got some nerve!"
Colonel Kyle froze for a brief heartbeat before his rage exploded. His face twisted as he glared at Rosh, roaring in disbelief.
This man had actually dared to attack them. A civilian, no, a shopkeeper, raising his hand against the military. It was outrageous.
"You really think you're worth something?" Rosh sneered, already stepping forward as he threw another punch straight at Colonel Kyle.
With Rosh's current strength, once he chose to strike, dodging was nothing more than a fantasy.
Kyle's vision blurred. Pure instinct kicked in as his hand reached for his gun, but it was far too late. An overwhelming force crashed into him, and his body was lifted clean off the ground.
*Crack!*
The sharp, unmistakable sound of breaking bones rang out as Colonel Kyle's chest caved in on the spot.
*Boom!*
In the next instant, he was hurled out of the Home of the Devil Fruits, flying through the entrance just like his guards before him. His body slammed hard into the pavement outside, collapsing in a heap. His vision swam with stars, pain ripping through him as if his entire frame were about to fall apart.
"Colonel!"
"Colonel!"
Shouts of alarm erupted as the soldiers stationed outside rushed forward in panic, quickly helping the battered Colonel back to his feet.
At the same time, Rosh calmly stepped out of his shop, coming to a stop in the doorway.
*Clatter! Clatter!*
In perfect unison, the soldiers raised their rifles, dozens of gun barrels locking onto him.
Rosh didn't even bother looking at them. His expression remained icy, devoid of any concern.
"I'll say this only once," he said flatly.
"Get out. Now. Otherwise, I won't be this polite next time." A faint smirk tugged at Rosh's lips as he finished speaking.
"Arrest him!" Colonel Kyle snarled, barely able to contain his fury.
The soldiers surged forward as one.
"You brought this onto yourselves, fuckers," Rosh muttered coldly as he slowly raised both hands.
Brilliant light flared to life at his fingertips.
*Szzzt! Szzzt!*
In the next instant, golden beams of light erupted outward like a raging storm. Photon bullets flooded the air, raining down mercilessly and completely engulfing every soldier charging toward him.
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Next Chapter: The Streets Ran Red with Rosh's Wrath
Next Next Chapter: Without Mercy
Next Next Next Chapter: A Living Nightmare for America
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