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Rimuru's pulls were the Space-Space Fruit (Ultimate Enhanced) and the Source Fire.
As for the others who contributed to the One Piece mission, they'd already received rewards like crystals. On top of that, they each got a bonus—a Devil Fruit. Of course, theirs weren't Ultimate Enhanced like Rimuru's.
"Great news!"
"Rimuru-sama, I drew the Gourmet-Gourmet Fruit!" Shion's eyes sparkled as she exclaimed, "That means my cooking is about to level up again!"
"What!?" Rimuru's face went pale in shock.
That walking biochemical-weapon-level cooking was about to get an upgrade? His joy from just obtaining the Space-Space Fruit and Source Flame evaporated instantly.
"Huh?" Shion tilted her head, puzzled. "Rimuru-sama, aren't you happy? From now on, everything I make for you will taste even better!"
"Heh… heh…" Rimuru forced a stiff smile. "Of course I'm happy. I'm really looking forward to it… I guess?"
Inside, though, his thoughts were spinning: 'Should I just demolish every single kitchen in town? But… even that probably won't stop her. Forget it. I won't die from eating it anyway. I'll just drag Benimaru and the others along next time—share the suffering together. That's the plan.'
Benimaru and the rest, completely unaware of the deadly crisis about to descend on them, were busy experimenting with their own new abilities.
"I'll go test out my new powers, see you later, Rimuru-sama!" Shion ruffled Rimuru's hair, beaming, before running off.
As he watched her disappear into the distance, Rimuru's heart sank with grief.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard threw his head back in laughter. "Seems fate's on my side—right off the bat, I drew the Quake-Quake Fruit! This will either strengthen mine further… or even push it toward awakening."
"Pfft. Big deal," scoffed Garp. "Look at my Human-Human Fruit, Model: Titan. Way more impressive than your puny quake powers."
Rimuru sighed as the old men bickered, each boasting about who had drawn the stronger Devil Fruit. They were all over fifty, yet they argued like squabbling children.
As for Roger? The man left to take care of his wife, Portgas D. Rouge.
...
After watching for a while, Rimuru slipped away to the underground chamber in his house. Time to see exactly what his own fruit could do.
He sat cross-legged on the floor, pulling out the Space-Space Fruit he had drawn earlier. It looked like a perfect polyhedron, as though carved with countless cuts, mysterious blue patterns etched across its surface.
Channeling his energy, Rimuru let it flow into the fruit, then drew the power inside into himself. Within moments, the fruit's energy was completely absorbed, and the Devil Fruit in his hand crumbled into ash.
Immediately, he sensed a shift deep within. One of the starfields inside his slime body began to stir.
It blazed with an eerie radiance, and when the light finally faded, it had completely transformed."
Every star within looked sliced apart, fragments drifting chaotically in space. But when Rimuru focused, he realized it wasn't destruction—it was overlapping space itself, creating the illusion of shattered stars.
He flicked his wrist. Space around him rippled like waves. With a light press of his palm, the ripples calmed and stilled.
"Amazing." Rimuru's lips curled into a grin. Not only was this power overwhelming, it was also practical. He could teleport instantly, unleash space-rending slashes, and more.
Then he took out the Source Flame and absorbed it as well. Another starfield shifted—this time bursting into blazing fire. Stars ignited one by one, releasing a force capable of burning everything.
Rimuru smiled faintly. Another useful ability. His offensive power had grown considerably, and with the added bonus of devouring other flames to strengthen it further, the possibilities were endless.
"I wonder how the others are doing… I should ask them."
He opened the group chat.
『Rimuru』: Everyone, how are your devil fruits working out?
『Garp』: Just ate the Titan Fruit. My new form is two hundred meters tall! From now on, Edward has to look up to me, hahaha!
『Whitebeard』: Two hundred meters? Even if you were two thousand, I'd still beat you until your own mom wouldn't recognize you, Garp.
『Garp』: If your mom recognizes me, then it's enough, son.
『Whitebeard』: YOU—
『Rimuru』: Ahem, can you two calm down for once?
『Benimaru』: I got the Bomb-Bomb Fruit. Overall, a solid upgrade. Thank you for your concern, Rimuru-sama.
『Hakuro』: Mine is the Slash-Slash Fruit. Doesn't help me much, but it's not bad.
『Veldora』: Mine's called… the Fission-Fission Fruit? Seems like I can spit out shells or something. Kinda useless, if you ask me.
Rimuru nearly dropped his jaw. 'The Fission-Fission Fruit!? Don't tell me Veldora's about to go full Godzilla—a walking nuclear bomb.'
『Sengoku』: You guys all got great fruits! Meanwhile, I ended up with the Love-Love Fruit. What the hell am I supposed to do with this!?
Everyone immediately imagined a scene: Sengoku standing tall before the enemy, smugly declaring, "No matter what crimes I do, you'll forgive me… Why? because I'm just handsome." Then blowing them a kiss.
Rimuru and others shivered. That mental image was too much. Nothing could possibly be scarier.
『Garp』: Hahaha! Sengoku, you should totally eat it. Imagine it—one flying kiss and the enemy dies of disgust. Victory without a fight!
Sengoku's face turned darker than storm clouds. Without another word, he transformed on the spot. If he didn't beat Garp into an idiot today, he swore he'd write his name backward.
The chat fell silent.
『Shion』: Rimuru-sama, I just finished a brand-new dish! I'll bring it to you right away!
『Rimuru』: Oh! Uh, right… I just remembered I have something urgent. You know, that guild-establishing business. Might be busy for the next few days. So, no need to bring it over. Bye!
『Shion』: You mean you won't get to taste my cooking? Don't worry. When you're back, I'll make it for you again!
Rimuru's heart sank. 'Am I doomed to face this torture no matter what?'
『Shion』: Anyway, who wants to try today's meal?
『Benimaru』: I have military duties. Excuse me.
『Geld』: Repairs to finish today. I'll pass.
『Hakuro』: I must train my sword. Farewell.
Anyone who knew Shion's cooking immediately found an excuse to flee. But a few reckless newcomers dared to test the rule of the Dark Cuisine Queen.
『Garp』: None of you want it? Fine, I'll have some!
『Whitebeard』: I want to taste it too. Count me in.
『Shion』: Great! I made plenty, so anyone who wants some can come over!
No. Absolutely not. Nobody else wanted any. The veterans silently offered a three-second prayer for Whitebeard and Garp.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
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