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The dockworkers, terrified, scrambled off the ship, yelling about ghosts.
"Hey, Arthur! Are they blind? They walked right past us!" Jessica asked, bewildered.
"It's my Devil Fruit ability," Arthur explained, adjusting his greatcoat as they disembarked.
"But you ate the Rumble-Rumble Fruit! How can you turn invisible?" Jessica's expression was a mix of confusion and suspicion. "You can only eat one Devil Fruit. Unless—you're some kind of exception and ate the Clear-Clear Fruit too?"
Arthur chuckled. "You're so naive—Many Devil Fruits have overlapping effects. The Rumble-Rumble Fruit allows me to control Electromagnetism, which I can use to bend light and become invisible." He saw no harm in revealing this ability—as the World Government already knew about it.
He grinned. "Do you even know what Electromagnetism is, little miss know-it-all?"
Jessica's face flushed. "I don't know, and I don't care! I'm sure it's nothing good."
To a young girl, invisibility was synonymous with perversion.
Who knew if Arthur had been watching her while she bathed?
"Ahem! By the way, I have two Devil Fruits here. Interested? You'll have to join my crew, though." Arthur pulled the Castle-Castle Fruit and the Door-Door Fruit from his pocket, dangling them before her.
He planned to keep the Castle-Castle Fruit to create storage equipment, but the Door-Door Fruit was expendable—He'd give it to a loyal crew member eventually.
"No way!" Jessica refused instantly, turning her head. "The sea is full of amazing ingredients. If I eat a Devil Fruit, I'll be rejected by the ocean, just like you—a landlubber!"
Arthur was speechless. She had a point.
"You have no idea what you're talking about, kid! Once I master Electromagnetism—I can create a protective field around my body. I'll be able to survive not just in the sea, but even in the vacuum of space!"
"I'll be able to roam the skies, the earth, and the seas as I please!"
Jessica scoffed.
Everyone had their own aspirations.
He couldn't force her to eat a Devil Fruit. Besides, he didn't want a crew full of Devil Fruit users. If they fell into the sea, no one would be able to rescue them.
"Alright, remember our bet? It's still on. You can't escape my grasp now. Hahahaha!" Arthur said.
"In your dreams! I'm going to win!"
——
Arthur and Jessica, cloaked in invisibility, entered Spring Queen City, Saint Poplar.
This island was well-known on the Grand Line, attracting travelers from all over, a hub for information and trade.
If Arthur entered openly, he will be noticed by the local underworld, Bounty Hunters, or the Marines.
He wasn't afraid of being discovered, but he was still in the middle of his bet with Jessica. She hadn't joined his crew yet. She was still, technically, a Marine.
Killing Marines in front of her would damage the rapport he'd been carefully building.
She knew too many of his secrets. He wouldn't let her go unless he absolutely had to.
"Where are we going?" Jessica asked, wrapping a red scarf around her neck.
"Wait." Arthur's Observation Haki spread out, enveloping the island. He sensed an auction about to begin a few miles away.
Auctions were notorious for attracting all sorts of shady characters: Nobles, Underworld figures, Pirates, and even Marines.
Arthur and Jessica strolled into the auction house unnoticed.
Only those with exceptional Observation Haki glanced their way, sensing something amiss. Most people were oblivious to their presence.
They bypassed the crowded ground floor, heading directly to the second-floor VIP area.
Walking through walls and past people without being seen was a novel experience for Jessica. Her eyes darted around, taking it all in.
They entered a separated VIP room.
Such luxury was usually reserved for the wealthy, requiring Billions of Belly to access. Many rooms were empty, ensuring privacy—except for the occasional waiter.
"Rear Admiral Cancer! Fancy meeting you here. What are you planning to buy today?" A short, stocky, bald Marine in a Justice coat boomed.
Rear Admiral Cancer, sporting blue sunglasses and a cigar, looked surprisingly young.
"I'm looking for a couple of slaves to handle chores. I hear they have a rare mermaid slave this time? What about you, Rear Admiral Gumir?"
"I saw a mermaid at Rear Admiral John Giant's place last time. I haven't been able to get her out of my mind. I'm planning to bid on this one."
"Hahahaha! May the Best—and richest—Man win!"
The two high-ranking Marines openly discussed the illegal slave trade, as casually as if they were discussing the weather.
Arthur amplified their conversation with Electromagnetism, the words echoing in Jessica's ears, her face draining of color, her body swaying.
In Jessica's mind, the Marines were paragons of justice, protectors of the innocent, their duty to uphold the law. Yet, here they were, openly discussing illegal activities—slave trading—without a shred of shame.
And she recognized them. They were heroes, celebrated for their bravery in fighting Pirates.
"How…how can this be?" Jessica whispered, her faith shaken, her face ashen.
Arthur sighed. "Justice and evil are subjective. A mask of righteousness can hide the darkest of hearts."
"Those two might be corrupt, but they're the minority. There are Marines who truly believe in justice—Garp, Zephyr, even the radical Akainu."
"Akainu might have a bad reputation, disregarding the safety of his men and even civilians in pursuit of his goals, but he believes in 'Absolute Justice,' even if his methods are—extreme. Even within the Marines—he's not universally liked."
"Yes, there must be a few bad apples, but most Marines are good! They uphold justice!" Jessica clung to this belief, her spirits lifting slightly.
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