Chapter 18: Girl's Choice
"I'm a rubber man. I ate the Gum-Gum Fruit. Your attacks don't work on me."
Alvida had expected that—
But still pursed her lips at the strange, squishy impact.
She'd thought about countering rubber on the boat.
The answer: slashing.
But she didn't know swordsmanship.
No blade.
No technique.
So she found another solution.
Fire.
It was something Cheng Lang had mentioned during one of their long chats—
A discussion about ability development.
The Slippery Fruit was simple:
It reduced skin friction to zero.
Only the skin.
Only reduction—no increase.
But that was enough.
Alvida reached into her chest and pulled out a pouch of powder.
She sprinkled it on her mace—
Then wiped it with her bare hand.
Fwoosh.
Flames ignited.
She swung the flaming mace toward Luffy.
Of course, he dodged.
"Tsk! Coward. Not gonna stand still?"
Luffy grinned.
"I'm not dumb enough to take a fire hit. But that was awesome—what was that?"
Alvida sighed.
He hadn't attacked once.
Truth was, when he called her beautiful, her anger had already faded.
Part of her wanted to prove she'd changed—
No longer the fat woman he punched away.
She also wanted to see if he'd blush at her transformation.
Turns out…
Luffy hadn't changed at all.
Same attitude.
Same lines.
As for her crew falling apart because of him?
She still held a grudge—her teeth itched just thinking about it.
But after meeting Cheng Lang, her path had shifted.
Her hatred wasn't as strong.
Cheng Lang watched her slam the ground a few times—then give up.
He shook his head.
The Slippery Fruit was passive.
Great for beauty.
Decent for mobility.
Limited in combat.
The fire was a brief burst—gunpowder and magnesium powder.
His idea.
The sloppy battle was over.
"Is that it?"
Alvida tossed the mace to Cheng Lang.
"I'm not fast enough. He didn't even hit me.
Guess I'm too pretty now—he's embarrassed to fight me."
"But you look disappointed," she added.
"I'm disappointed in your fruit development."
Alvida didn't argue.
Cheng Lang's powers were bizarre and powerful.
She respected his critique.
---
"It's only been a short time," Alvida said, shrugging.
Cheng Lang offered ideas.
"If you reduce friction across your whole body—except your feet—you could move faster."
Alvida blinked.
She had no idea what air friction was.
Cheng Lang decided to give her a crash course in physics.
Kuya Mi was impressed.
Alvida had set her mace on fire—how cool was that?
Luffy and his crew realized something:
Alvida had powers.
Luffy asked bluntly:
"Alvida, you've got a Devil Fruit too?"
She nodded.
"Yeah. Slippery Fruit."
She walked over to Nami.
Before Nami could react, Alvida brushed her cheek.
Nami didn't feel a thing—just a soft pressure.
She touched her own face.
"So… smooth."
Alvida smiled.
Luffy didn't care much.
"Usopp, where's that restaurant you mentioned?"
Food was still his top priority.
---
Soon, the seven of them arrived at the restaurant.
"Why are you three sitting down like it's normal?" Nami asked, exasperated.
"There's no friendship without a fight," Cheng Lang said with a grin.
Luffy laughed.
"Food tastes better with more people!"
Zoro didn't object.
They started eating.
Then Nami, Zoro, and Usopp watched in awe as Luffy, Alvida, and Cheng Lang began a speed-eating contest.
The whole restaurant stared.
Alvida was the first to drop out.
She had a big appetite—
But Luffy and Cheng Lang were monsters.
Luffy could digest anything instantly.
Cheng Lang?
He could eat past the fullness bar.
Zoro cheered Luffy on.
Eventually, the restaurant ran out of ingredients.
"Hahaha! You're a big eater!" Luffy said, looking at Cheng Lang—who hadn't changed shape at all.
Luffy was thrilled.
It reminded him of eating with Ace—
Competing to see who could eat more.
"You're not bad either."
They laughed.
The owner, however, was stressed.
He'd known Usopp since childhood.
He wanted to be generous—
But they'd eaten everything.
Cheng Lang didn't make it awkward.
He tossed 100,000 Berry on the table.
The owner smiled and ran off to get change.
Luffy looked at Cheng Lang with admiration.
Anyone who buys him food couldn't be a bad guy.
"My name's Luffy. What's yours?"
"Cheng Lang. This is Mi—our navigator.
She probably has something to ask you."
Everyone turned to Luffy.
Alvida's story was still fresh—
Now another?
Kuya Mi shrank back.
Her social anxiety flared—
But she spoke.
"Um… do you know Coby?"
Luffy nodded instantly.
Zoro looked over, curious.
Kuya Mi lit up.
"Where is he now?"
"He should be in the Navy.
I wonder how he's doing at that base…" Luffy said, thinking of the pink-haired boy with no muscles.
"You're looking for him?"
"Yes. Can you tell me which base?"
Luffy scratched his head, trying to remember…
---