"Ninety-nine… one thousand!"
Inside the training hall, Jin's body glistened with sweat. His muscles trembled, skin flushed crimson as steam rose in waves, making him look like a blade fresh from the forge.
For two days now, he had followed Little Ai's strict training plan, pushing his body to the limits. And already—he could feel it. The difference.
His body was no longer the same.
In the past, even moderate training would leave him exhausted, collapsing like a dog. But now? The harder he pushed, the stronger he felt. Strength and stamina surged endlessly, as if his body had tapped into some bottomless reservoir of energy.
Of course, Little Ai monitored everything with precision. "Stop. Time's up," the AI chimed. Overtraining past the limit would only lead to damage.
Jin obeyed, staggering over to the snow-filled ice barrel beside the hall. With a hiss, he plunged in. The snow sizzled and melted instantly, steam curling upward.
The sudden clash of searing heat and numbing cold relaxed his muscles, soothing soreness and repairing micro-tears.
"Ahhh… heaven."
He leaned back, eyes half-lidded, luxuriating as his flushed skin cooled back to its natural color, his body firming with each recovery session.
When the snow finally melted into warm water, Jin climbed out, pulling on his clothes and fur-lined coat before stepping from the training hall.
Ever since swallowing the royal castle, the warship's interior had expanded dramatically. Now, there were designated sections: a training hall, dining room, sleeping quarters, and even a conference chamber.
And more importantly—the late king's treasury had been devoured along with the castle, its contents now sorted neatly within. Piles of materials—exactly what the warship needed for upgrades—were at Jin's disposal.
He opened the interface.
[Primary Authority: Captain Jin]
[Hull Data: Length 22m, Width 13m, Height 8.3m, Weight 58 tons]
[Internal Space: 210×68×32 cubic meters]
[Ability: Munch-Munch Fruit]
[Note: Due to exposure to temporal radiation during transmigration, the vessel possesses extraordinary strength, is capable of assimilating active matter, and has gained the property of being "alive." With proper energy and materials, it can evolve infinitely.]
[Next Evolution Requirements: Soul Crystals 18/100, Refined Steel 10/10 tons, Gold 0.1/0.1 tons, Silver 1/1 tons, Rare Earth 10/10 tons, Active Matter 0/1]
Jin whistled. "Incredible. The internal expansion doesn't even affect external dimensions or weight… Space-folding technology? These Devil Fruits are something else!"
He tapped the requirements list, grinning. "Steel, gold, silver, rare earth… all secured. And with the Munch-Munch Fruit's synthesis ability, even if we run short, I can just create more."
He recalled the story. After Luffy defeated Wapol, the man revived himself by inventing "Wapometal," synthesized through his fruit. Proof that the Munch-Munch Fruit wasn't merely ridiculous—it was the foundation for an industrial revolution.
"This fruit is an industrial cheat code," Jin muttered, eyes shining.
But Soul Crystals—that was another matter. "Still far from a hundred. Do animals count? If not, I'll have to hunt down pirates."
And then there was the mysterious "Active Matter." Jin tapped the word thoughtfully. "Alive… active… Could it mean a Devil Fruit itself?"
His heart skipped.
"Wait… doesn't eating two Devil Fruits kill you?" His grin widened. "But my ship is different. A product of time-space distortion. Rules might not apply here."
He chuckled darkly. "Besides… if Blackbeard can pull it off, so can I. That makes it reasonable."
Still, he frowned. "But getting even one Devil Fruit is hell. At minimum, it's a hundred million Berries. Drum Island's yearly GDP barely scrapes that much."
"And fruits are priceless even then. No one just sells them."
Lost in thought, he wandered into the dining hall.
As the newly crowned king of the former Drum Kingdom—now Winterhan—he had chefs at his disposal. Meals were carefully designed by Little Ai, tailored to match his grueling training regimen with local ingredients.
They weren't exactly gourmet. Drum Island's food was heavy on meat, scarce in vegetables. Fresh produce had to be imported at staggering prices. No matter how skilled the chefs, there was only so much they could do with such limitations.
Still, it was enough. He ate quickly, replenishing the energy he burned through.
After the meal, Jin convened in the conference hall. Dalton, promoted to Chief Minister, attended alongside the six town mayors of the island.
Little Ai displayed data across the wall:
Winterhan Kingdom (formerly Drum Kingdom):
-> Area: 5,800 km² (irregular circular shape)
-> Administration: 6 towns, 15 villages
-> Population: ~16,500
-> Resources: snow peaks, Lapahn rabbits, Hiking Bears, reindeer, timber, herbs
-> Industry: Medical tourism (currently defunct)
Jin's first decree as king was simple yet seismic—he abolished every law Wapol had made. Including the infamous "Doctor Hunt."
The announcement was met with thunderous approval.
"We've already sent messengers to nearby islands," Dalton reported. "Inviting exiled doctors back home. But…"
He trailed off uneasily.
"But what?" Jin asked.
Dalton's jaw tightened. "The former king Wapol had a younger brother, Mushul. He was exiled years ago. If he hears of Wapol's death, he may return to claim the throne. He too is a Devil Fruit user."
Jin's eyes sparkled. He clapped his hands, grinning. "Perfect!"
Dalton and the mayors blinked, baffled.
"Someone's coming to seize your throne, and you're… happy?"
Dalton's gut clenched. Mushuru was every bit as vile as Wapol. But Jin, despite being new, already radiated the aura of a wise ruler. If he stepped aside, their fragile peace would shatter.
Jin waved them off. "I mean it's perfect because this is the chance to eliminate him once and for all. No threats left."
Dalton exhaled in relief. Yes. That made sense.
"Don't worry," Jin added confidently. "Spread the news. Let him come."
His grin widened. "He'll bring me exactly what I need."
Dalton didn't understand, but Jin wasn't bluffing. A warship infused with an awakened Devil Fruit wasn't losing to some second-rate pirate lord. He wasn't aiming for Yonko or Admirals yet. But Mushuru? Easy prey.
And so Jin buried himself in training. He left day-to-day governance to Dalton, uninterested in petty disputes between villages.
Dalton managed everything diligently. Jin only cared about growth.
…
A month passed.
Snow fell heavy upon the sea as a black-sailed ship approached. Its Jolly Roger whipped in the wind.
At the prow stood a broad-shouldered man with slicked-back hair, one eye gleaming with hunger. In his hands, a spyglass. He stared at the snowy peaks of Drum Island.
"Shishishishi… Drum Island," Mushuru whispered. "Your king has returned."
The thought of claiming the throne filled him with glee.
"That idiot brother of mine. If not for Father's favoritism, how could it have been you wearing the crown? It should have been me."
Ambition burned in his gaze.
This time, he would not fail. To ensure victory, he had recruited an entire pirate crew. With his own loyal men, their force numbered two hundred strong.
Plenty to crush any resistance.
Behind him, a bald brute sat on a crate, slicing fruit with a knife. Juice dripped from his blade as he bit deep, devouring it like it was Drum Island itself.
"Oi, Mushuru," the man growled. "You'd better not forget our deal. A hundred million Berries. Or else…"
"Relax, Dam," Mushuru replied smoothly.
The man sneered, pinning a wanted poster to the mast with his knife. The paper flapped in the wind, revealing the mark: Captain Dam of the Razor Pirates. Bounty: 22 million Berries.
Mushuru smirked, spyglass glinting.
"This time… the throne is mine."