"Not bad. A Devil Fruit that, once on the market, would definitely spark a scramble among countless powers."
Kahn first gave Robin a thumbs-up, then feigned amazement. "When I first overheard this intel, I could hardly believe it myself."
"Once relegated to legend in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, unseen in the Blue Sea for who knows how many years—the Logia Lightning Fruit, one of the invincible powers among the three classes of Devil Fruits, actually originated on an island ten thousand meters in the sky."
"Lightning Fruit?"
"Lightning Fruit?!"
At Kahn's words, the Boa sisters—who didn't know Devil Fruits very deeply—only blinked in mild confusion.
Robin's eyes, however, flew wide as she stared at the fruit in Hancock's hands.
"Robin-nee, what powers does the Lightning Fruit have?"
Seeing the ever-composed Robin show that expression, Mary couldn't help asking.
Hancock and Sonia also turned their eyes to Robin.
Robin took a slow breath and explained to the Boa sisters. "Devil Fruits are divided into three great classes: Paramecia, Zoan, and Logia."
"Among them, Paramecia and Zoan each have sub-categories. For example, Master's Devil Fruit—rarer than Logia—the Zoan: Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Mythical Beast Model, Heavenly Dragon."
"Of the three classes, only Logia has no sub-categories."
"That's because, in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia and every primer you'll find, Logia is recognized as the strongest class of the three."
"Every Logia corresponds to a natural element of the world."
"And among all natural elements, lightning is always one of the very top—one of the natural disasters humans fear most."
"So whoever eats the Logia Lightning Fruit can command the power of lightning itself."
Finishing, Robin glanced at the fruit in Hancock's hands and murmured, "Just as Master said—the Logia Lightning Fruit is one of the invincible powers among the three classes."
"Hiss..."
Robin's explanation was detailed enough that even the Boa sisters, not well-versed in fruits, understood—and realized what a treasure the fruit Master had casually tossed over truly was.
Sonia and Mary drew sharp breaths.
Hancock didn't lose her composure, but her hands around the fruit trembled slightly.
It suddenly felt unimaginably heavy.
The Logia Lightning Fruit's value made the proud Hancock, for once, unsure. She looked to Kahn and asked, "Master, are you really giving such a precious fruit to me?"
"Of course."
Reading Hancock's uncertainty, Kahn stepped over, ruffled her straight fringe into a mess, and smiled encouragingly. "Robin, Mary, and I are already ability users. That leaves you and Sonia as non-users."
"The reason I didn't let you have the Paramecia Stronghold Fruit yesterday is because you have the greatest talent among us. When I was twelve, I hadn't mastered even two colors of Haki."
"With your talent, only a top-class Devil Fruit suits you. And only a top-class fruit can awaken your potential the fastest."
"Once you eat the Logia Lightning Fruit, you'll have the strength to protect your sisters—and the ability to repay me."
With that, Kahn pinched Hancock's face—still short of the world's most beautiful, yet already exquisitely cute.
"I understand."
At his last words, Hancock's expression firmed.
Just as Master said: only with great power could she protect her sisters and repay his kindness.
And beyond the favor of saving her life, Kahn's care for her sisters and his investment in them had, like with Robin, made the simple-hearted Hancock accept Kahn as her Master for life.
Unnoticed, her heart had been molded to his shape.
Unless Kahn cruelly killed Sonia and Mary, or schemed against them and was discovered—
For thirty years to come, Hancock would neither bear nor wish to leave Kahn's side.
In Hancock's heart, the scales between Amazon Lily and Master had completely tipped toward Kahn.
Hancock looked at Kahn with solemn eyes and spoke the same words as her sister. "Master, I won't let you down."
Then she lifted the Logia Lightning Fruit, took a bite, and tore off a chunk.
Knowing in advance how vile Devil Fruits tasted, she merely knit her brows as she chewed.
Zzzzt zzzzt zzzzt...
After swallowing, Hancock tossed aside the remaining fruit and focused on the changes in her body.
A few seconds later, a vast number of blue-white electric serpents burst from her form.
The harsh crackle made Mary and Sonia take several steps back, rubbing their arms.
At the very moment the current flared, gooseflesh crawled over both sisters from head to toe.
"S-so… strong!"
Bathed in searing light, Hancock wore a face of pure awe.
She raised her hands, glanced at the lightning coiling around her palms, then looked toward the suite's balcony and whispered, trembling, "The Logia Lightning Fruit… is it truly an invincible power?"
"Big sis, what can you do now?"
Sonia and Mary started toward her by reflex—then halted at the sight of the crackling discharge, choosing to stand behind Kahn as they asked, eyes bright with wonder.
Pulled back by her sisters' voices, Hancock said, excited, "I haven't figured out the specifics yet, but my Observation Haki's range just exploded by countless times."
"My Observation can also eavesdrop on outside conversations like Master's, and the cost is practically nothing."
"Hiss..."
Sonia and Mary were struck speechless.
Robin, however, remained cool. "It seems the Logia Lightning Fruit grants a formless force similar to telekinesis, greatly amplifying Observation Haki."
"Mm. In the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia I read as a kid, that should be one of the Lightning Fruit's basic abilities—electromagnetic waves," Kahn nodded.