Aboard the One-Eyed Wolf Pirate Ship.
"Boss, that massive ship ahead looks like a cargo vessel. There's barely anyone visible on deck," the first mate said gleefully as he approached Captain Old Du.
"And it doesn't look like it has many cannons. Probably barely defended."
A ship like that—huge and packed with goods—was a prime target. One successful raid could fund years of carefree living.
Old Lang grinned lecherously. "Plus, I spotted a few good-looking women on board. Captain, you're in for a treat."
Captain Old Du, with only one eye remaining, lit up. He glanced at Old Lang, and the two burst into hearty, malicious laughter.
Behind them, their crew of over a hundred cheered excitedly. Raids like this were their livelihood—and the aftermath, especially the women, was part of the thrill. After the captain got his fill, the rest of the crew could join in before the women were sold on the black market. It wasn't the first time they'd done this.
"Listen up, boys! Give it your all—we've got cash and women waiting for us!"
As the pirate ship drew closer to the Divine Slave, Old Du transformed into his werewolf form and rallied the crew with a triumphant howl.
"YEAH!!" the pirates roared in unison.
…
But just as the cheering erupted, it stopped—abruptly.
Their eyes widened in horror.
The Divine Slave's broadside suddenly deployed a hundred cannons, all aimed directly at them.
They were screwed.
Everyone on the One-Eyed Wolf Pirate Ship broke into cold sweat as the same thought flashed through their minds.
BOOM!!!
A deafening barrage exploded. In an instant, the entire pirate ship was reduced to splinters.
A synchronized broadside from a hundred heavy cannons didn't just obliterate the vessel—it even caused the Divine Slave to shift sideways slightly from the recoil.
Anna and Reiju watched in stunned silence. They knew Sora's ship was powerful, but witnessing it completely annihilate a large pirate ship in a single salvo was shocking.
Even Shalria, who knew well the firepower of the Divine Slave from her time with CP0, was taken aback. Normally, it took two or three rounds of fire to destroy a medium-sized ship. A large one like this would usually require even more.
But Sora had done it in one strike.
Of course, Shalria also understood why—because Sora's "broadside" was a true, simultaneous strike. Others fired in waves, diminishing the overall force.
While the girls were still reacting, Sora ignored them and looked toward the system notification that had just appeared.
『Ding! The One-Eyed Wolf Pirate Crew has been wiped out. You may automatically claim their treasure and bounty, or sacrifice the loot in exchange for the pirate's Devil Fruit ability.』
So the system lets him choose between cash or the ability?
Without hesitation, Sora narrowed his eyes and selected the Devil Fruit.
True power outweighed money any day.
『Ding! Zoan-Type—Dog Dog Fruit: Snow Wolf Model. Estimated value: 130 million berries. One-Eyed Wolf Crew treasure + bounty: 90 million berries. Consuming the Devil Fruit will cost 40 million berries or equivalent treasure.』
『Confirm payment?』
Sora chuckled. "So it's basically buying a Devil Fruit with cash. Not bad at all."
Even if he had to pay, the ability to plunder Devil Fruit powers was a game-changing skill.
From now on, all he had to do was hunt down Devil Fruit users, and he could start arming his women with powers—accelerating both his strength and theirs.
After confirming, a strange white Devil Fruit with a shape like a spiky melon appeared in his hand.
Sora had looted over two billion berries' worth of treasure from the Kachinov Kingdom and the Celestial Dragon ship, so forty million was a trivial price to him.
"A Devil Fruit?" Reiju, Shalria, and Anna all gasped at the sight of the fruit in his hand.
He hadn't made any movement—yet it had just appeared. They were baffled.
"This is Old Du's Snow Wolf Fruit," Sora explained, eyeing Anna and Shalria.
He was deciding which of them would get it.
"What?" Reiju and the other two stared at him in disbelief.
He could steal Devil Fruit abilities?
They looked like they'd seen a ghost—wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
"You. Shalria."
Sora motioned to her, glancing at the collar still wrapped around her neck.
"M-Master…" Shalria hesitated, stepping forward nervously. The idea that he could steal and grant Devil Fruit powers was overwhelming—she didn't know how to process it.
"Open your mouth," Sora instructed, peeling open the fruit.
Shalria froze for a second, then obediently opened her mouth.
A Zoan-type Devil Fruit like this meant massive boosts to stamina and recovery—just what she needed to survive the daily training.
She was surprised Sora chose to give it to her first. She had always seen herself as the lowest in the pecking order. The gesture touched her.
『Ding! Shalria's favorability +X…』
『Ding! Shalria's favorability +X…』
Anna clenched her lips, looking away. She was jealous—furious, even. She began scheming how she could win Sora's affection.
Reiju, meanwhile, was still lost in thought. Sora's ability to seize Devil Fruits meant following him could lead to limitless growth.
Glancing at Shalria's now 50 favorability rating, Sora's sliced off a small piece of the fruit and held it out to her.
Shalria leaned forward and obediently ate it.
"Urgh…"
Her face contorted. It was unbelievably disgusting.
Sora smirked and offered another slice.
Only one bite was required to gain the power, but he found Shalria's reaction amusing and kept feeding her more.
Though she clearly hated the taste, she didn't resist—quietly opening her mouth to accept each piece.
Watching this, Sora chuckled while continuing to "feed" her.
Reiju rolled her eyes. This was basically bullying disguised as kindness.
When the fruit was finally gone, Sora reached out and patted Shalria on the head like she was a pet.
"Get used to it."
"Come to my room tonight."
...
[TL/n: rip old Du, he didn't see that coming hope in his next life hope he doesn't mess with a gentle-looking psychopathic MC)