Reno stared at the legendary figure, fearless. His violet eyes locked onto Rocks.
"My name is Reno. I am a demon."
Rocks stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed, slapping Reno on the shoulder. The force nearly threw him off balance.
"Jahahahaha! Excellent! Very good!"
"Reno, I want to know if we were to become demons, what would it cost?"
"If you want to become a demon, all you need is a single Devil Fruit," Reno said.
"But no matter what fruit you bring, you will become that demon. Remember that."
As for the cost…
"I only hope that someday you have the chance to act."
What!
Everyone was stunned.
Even Linlin widened her eyes, staring at Reno in disbelief.
Shiki jumped forward first.
"Hey, hey, hey! Kid! Are you serious?"
Is it really that simple?
"This ability allows a person to gain a second Devil Fruit power and to no longer fear seawater or Sea-Prism Stone!"
"You charge so little?"
Newgate frowned.
Gurararara…
"Reno, I don't like taking advantage of others. Isn't this price too low?"
Reno waved his hand.
"Low?"
He looked at everyone's confused faces and spoke slowly.
"If I have all of you follow me to attack the Marine Headquarters, would that cost still be considered low?"
"And when you become a devil, my power will grow along with yours."
"So for me, this isn't a loss at all."
"And…"
Reno paused, his voice turning serious.
"I want you not to tell anyone that a devil can eat a second Devil Fruit."
"If you do, the number of Devil Fruits will decrease, meaning fewer people can transform. As a result, my strength won't grow as much."
"Although this can't remain a secret forever, we should hide it for as long as possible."
Suddenly, everyone understood.
So that's it!
This boy can turn others into devils, and in doing so, he grows stronger himself.
He was right. If the world learned that someone could consume two Devil Fruits, every powerful person would go insane trying to seize them.
When that happens, the number of available fruits would drop sharply, and the number of people Reno could transform would also shrink.
Shiki exhaled a cloud of smoke and laughed loudly into the sky.
"Jiehahahaha!"
"You little brat! Not only can you enhance your own strength, but you can make others indebted to you as well!"
"Good! I agree!"
Wang Zhi laughed as well.
"Hahaha… Reno, no wonder you became Linlin's husband."
"You don't just have incredible power."
"You also have a brilliant mind."
Marlin, cigarette in his mouth, squinted and nodded.
"Indeed."
Stussy closed her fan nearby, left hand resting on her waist, her right hand holding the fan casually at her side.
Her right leg extended from the slit of her cheongsam, crossing over the left, revealing smooth, fair skin.
Her red lips parted slightly, her gaze fixed completely on Reno's strikingly handsome face.
"Hehe… such an interesting person."
However, Newgate frowned, gripping his naginata tightly.
"Glurglurglur…"
"Reno, your power is undeniably tempting."
"But I want to know, does this transformation carry any irreversible risk for us?"
The moment Newgate spoke, everyone's joy vanished. Their eyes scrutinized Reno sharply.
Reno met their gazes calmly and smiled faintly.
"A good question."
"Once the transformation is complete, the power belongs to you. I cannot take it back, nor can I control you."
"The only benefit I gain is feedback from your transformation in terms of strength."
"So we are true partners, achieving a win-win."
"Besides, hasn't Linlin already transformed?"
Rocks gave a knowing smile.
If that's the case, perhaps it's time to prepare for the next fruit.
And if something unexpected occurs, it's better to let Wang Zhi and the others test the waters first.
Charlotte Linlin showed no signs of anything unusual for now.
"Hehe…"
"So, what are we waiting for!"
Rocks chuckled and waved his hand theatrically.
"Reno, you will join my pirate crew as well!"
"We set sail immediately!"
"First, we raid the Celestial Empire's tribute, then hunt for Devil Fruits!"
Linlin frowned immediately.
"What?! We just arrived and you're leaving already?!"
"I'm not doing it!"
Reno knew Linlin's voice alone wouldn't be enough, so he spoke quickly.
"Rocks, we can join your crew now."
"As for raiding the Celestial Empire's tribute, we'll set out tomorrow."
"After all, Linlin and I just arrived. We need to dock and rest a while."
Rocks fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha! Fine!"
"Since you're willing to join, we set sail first thing tomorrow!"
"Today, we hold a feast!"
"To celebrate Charlotte Linlin and Reno joining the Rocks Pirates!"
At that moment,
[ Ding! ]
[ System detected the host joining the Rocks Pirates, triggering a special reward! ]
[ Succubus Special Skill 3: Devil Contract, awakening… ]
[ Awakening progress: 10%… 30%… 100%! ]
[ Succubus Special Skill 3: Devil Contract awakened! ]
[ Devil Contract: The host can form a contract with specified individuals. Anyone who violates the contract will immediately face the contract's punishment. ]
[ Note: Terms and penalties are drafted solely by the host and cannot be changed after signing. ]
Reno stared at the system prompt, stunned.
He hadn't expected joining the Rocks Pirates to awaken a third special skill, and one as rule-based as the Devil Contract.
In these seas, pirates cannot be trusted.
If someone betrays him or tries to harm him, the contract comes into play.
Moreover, the violator will be punished, and Reno alone decides the specifics!
If Reno sets the punishment so the violator's powers are transferred to him, he would secretly hope someone breaks the contract.
Thinking this, Reno suppressed his excitement and returned with everyone to the first floor of the Skull Fortress on Eight Isles.
A long table was set with roasted meat, fine wine, and various dishes.
Thousands of pirates had gathered, the atmosphere electric.
They raised their cups, cheering wildly.
Reno and Linlin sat side by side at secondary seats next to Rocks.
Seeing the spirited pirates, Rocks no longer hesitated. He raised his cup and spoke in a deep, commanding voice.
"Men!"
"Today, our Rocks Pirates have gained two powerful new allies!"
"'The Natural Destructor' Charlotte Linlin!"
"The Devil Reno! One Devil Fruit is enough for him to turn someone into a true devil!"
"Together with them!"
"Our Rocks Pirates will dominate the world!"
"And rule these seas!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!!!"
Everyone raised their cups, downing the drinks in one go.
Reno lifted his cup, clinking with those around him.
Shiki draped an arm over Reno's shoulder, his golden hair almost brushing Reno's face.
"Jiehahahaha!"
"Reno!"
"Once we seize the Celestial Empire tribute, I will find the Gorou Gorou Fruit!"
"When the time comes, I will soar across the sky and unleash thunder. Who can stop me on these seas!"
Newgate lifted a massive sake bowl, drinking heartily before letting out a deep laugh, "Glurglur!"
"The Gorou Gorou Fruit is impressive, but I prefer the Tremor Fruit!"
"One punch to shake heaven and earth, now that's exhilarating!"
Reno looked at Newgate and thought:
The fruit you want, you'll get it someday… is this the world correcting itself?
I wonder how much of a butterfly effect my presence will cause?
The Rocks Pirates' officers chattered excitedly, discussing which fruits they wanted.
Even the small fry in the hall fantasized about impossible Devil Dreams.
Reno listened quietly, calculating.
Just turning them all into devils… even turning Rocks into a devil would make Reno rise directly to Admiral.
The thought alone sent a thrill through him.