Chapter 55: 55. Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Worth Several Million Baileys

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- Currency on Sky Island differs from that of the Blue Sea, with the standard unit being the Extol. Since one Berry is equivalent to 10,000 Extol, Alex was able to buy an abundance of Sky Island's special Dial shells and gather information about a nearby island: Birka. Located south of Angel Island, Birka is a smaller Sky Island with a similar layout and pristine white architecture, despite its "Angel" name implying something more colorful. For Alex, reaching it by flight was a simple matter. Upon arrival, Alex was welcomed by the people of Birka, who, though curious about his lack of wings, were accommodating due to his status as a Blue Sea dweller and his considerable spending. However, not all wingless residents are so well-received—like the frail young man before him, who was regarded as an outsider, known among locals as the "Birka oddity." This youth, a wingless inhabitant, was none other than Enel. Still untouched by Devil Fruits at this time, Enel had not yet discovered the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, which remained hidden somewhere on the island. "Your name is Enel, right?" Alex asked. The young man curled up in his worn-down house looked up, surprised to see a stranger speaking to him. His face lit up as he noticed that this stranger, too, was without wings. "You... are you like me?" Enel sat up, hopeful. "No, I'm from Blue Sea, down below," Alex replied. Hearing this, Enel's eyes dimmed. He knew of the Blue Sea and its people from stories he'd heard in childhood, but it wasn't what he'd been hoping for. "So, why are you here? I'm just a monster to them. Even you, a Blue Sea person, will end up rejected by these people," Enel muttered, lying back down, his brief excitement fading. Alex placed a pouch of Extol in front of Enel. "I came to ask you about something. If you have the information I'm looking for, all of this will be yours." The sound of clinking coins revived Enel's interest. He stared at the thick pouch, unable to resist, and asked, "You're asking me? The people outside would know more about Birka, wouldn't they?" "There might be things only you would know," Alex replied purposefully. "Have you ever seen a fruit with strange patterns on it?" "A fruit...?" Enel's gaze shifted to Alex, an unreadable look crossing his face. He went inside his shack and soon returned, holding a blue, spiraled fruit with a pattern resembling a lightning bolt. "Is this what you're looking for?" Even without a Devil Fruit encyclopedia for reference, Alex felt certain—this was the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, one of the most powerful Logia fruits in existence. Heart racing, Alex nodded. "That's exactly it. Consider these Extol payment for the fruit. Surely, with this money, you'll be able to live a better life than what you've had here." Though Alex presented it as a trade, the underlying threat was clear—if Enel refused, there would be consequences. Unaware of the life-or-death stakes, Enel handed over the fruit without hesitation and took the Extol. But as he pocketed the money, a strange melancholy settled over him. "Can you at least tell me... what that fruit does?" Enel asked quietly. He had always assumed the fruit was poisonous, considering its peculiar appearance. He'd kept it hidden, thinking that if his suffering grew unbearable, he might one day eat it to end his life. But now, seeing Alex's eagerness, he began to wonder if he had been wrong. Alex couldn't help but find it amusing that Enel had been holding onto the Rumble-Rumble Fruit all this time, unaware of its true value. But for someone who knew nothing of Devil Fruits, Enel's wariness was understandable; after all, strange-looking things often seemed dangerous by nature. "For you, this fruit might bring risk," Alex said with a slight smile, "but for me, it holds tremendous value. In every sense, you're quite fortunate." Hearing this, Enel, who had assumed the fruit was harmful, felt his melancholy ease. But as Alex began to walk away, Enel suddenly called out, "If you're from the Blue Sea, could you take me there with you?" Without turning, Alex replied, "I don't have that luxury of time. A man has to reach his goals by his own means. If you want to reach the Blue Sea, you'll have to find your own way." He continued on, leaving with the Thunder Fruit in hand. Alex had kept Enel in mind solely for the Rumble-Rumble Fruit; had Enel already eaten it, he might have considered taking him on as an ally. But without the fruit, Alex saw no reason to invest time in him. Though he wasn't heartless, he was far from charitable. After half a day, Alex returned to Shandora, the Golden City, recalling the Poneglyph beneath the massive golden bell. With his abilities, he dismantled the base to retrieve the ancient stone tablet. Back in Shandora, things had changed—a giant snake had been subdued by the crew. In the half-day he'd been gone, they had gathered their favorite items from the city. Some chose ornate jewelry, others picked up curiosities or small treasures, while Hogback could be seen lugging several large bags back to his quarters, his love of wealth on full display. Compared to Shandora's massive wealth, Alex had no interest in the few extra pieces Hogback had collected. Upon Alex's return to the ship, the crew greeted him eagerly, their eyes falling on his haul—a Poneglyph, a mysterious package, and a Devil Fruit in his hand. "Is this what you found on your outing, Captain Alex?" Laffitte asked in surprise, marveling at the rare treasures Alex had brought back. Alex nodded. "I came across it while buying some Sky Island specialties. The locals didn't know what the fruit could do, so I bought it for just a few million Berries." "A few million Berries?!" The crew gasped in shock. They knew this was a remarkable bargain. Laffitte immediately headed for the cabin to fetch the Devil Fruit encyclopedia, intent on verifying the fruit's ability. A few minutes later, he returned, looking both excited and awestruck. "Captain Alex, this fruit is incredible..." "This Devil Fruit you bought for only a few million Berries is one of the strongest Logia fruits—none other than the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!" "What?!" The crew shouted again, stunned. For a mere few million, Alex had acquired one of the most powerful Logia Fruits in existence—a true fortune! Alex grinned, holding the Rumble-Rumble Fruit out to Yamato. "It looks like our journey to Sky Island has yielded more than just the riches of Shandora. Yamato, I want you to have this fruit."