"What the... why is there a glowing apple over here?"
Luca had originally just planned to swing by and check on Gina before hitting the sack. But his attention was immediately hijacked by a fruit basket sitting on the coffee table.
Normally, seeing a fruit basket in a hospital room couldn't be more mundane.
But the apple sitting right on top of the pile was emitting that unmistakable white glow—the signature shine of a Core Component.
This...
Although he was a bit confused, there was no way he was going to pass up a free Core Component.
Luca pushed the door open, walked straight to the table, and reached out to grab the seemingly "ordinary" apple.
The next moment, a pale blue System interface popped up. But as Luca read the information on the screen, his expression grew serious.
> [Artificial Devil Fruit – Pink Dragon Model]
> [World: One Piece 1/5]
> [Creator: Dr. Vegapunk]
> [Core Component: Apple Blessed by Mephisto]
> [Synthesis Materials: 1 Demon Soul, 1 Liter of Dragon Blood]
> [Item Description: This is the first artificial Devil Fruit created by Dr. Vegapunk after 20 years of research extracting Kaido's Lineage Factor—the Artificial Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon (Pink Version). Although Vegapunk publicly claimed it was a failure, the only difference from the original Azure Dragon Fruit is the color. The abilities it grants—transforming into a dragon, breathing fire, and controlling wind and thunder—are identical to the original. Consuming this fruit grants anyone the potential to become a top-tier powerhouse.]
> [Friendly Reminder: Devil Fruit users generally fear seawater because the ocean in the One Piece world contains a unique substance called 'Pyrobloin' (Sea Stone particles). Ahem~ I think you get what I'm saying, right?]
Luca quickly scanned the description.
This [Pink Dragon Fruit] was undeniably a top-tier item. It was perfect, actually, since Luca had always held a grudge against his own physical weakness. Synthesizing this fruit would massively shore up that vulnerability.
According to the System's final hint, eating this Devil Fruit in this world meant he wouldn't even have to worry about the weakness to seawater.
It looked like all upside.
And yet, the look on Luca's face was grim.
It wasn't because the required materials—"Demon Soul" and "Dragon Blood"—were hard to get.
It was because the Core Component was clearly labeled: this ordinary-looking apple was an "Apple Blessed by Mephisto."
Damn it! Mephisto? Blessed??
Seeing those two words together made Luca feel like he'd been struck by lightning.
Who is Mephisto?
In the Marvel Universe, he's the embodiment of the Hell dimension, ruler of demons, a composite of all things evil. He plays with conspiracies, manipulates reality, and imprisons souls.
basically, he's one of the most sinister villains in existence.
And this apple was "blessed" by him?
What kind of "good thing" comes from a blessing by Mephisto?
Why would a Hell Lord randomly decide to bless a piece of fruit?
Thoughts raced through Luca's mind. The "Demon Apple" slipped from his hand and hit the glass table with a loud thud.
For the first time, Luca felt genuine repulsion and fear toward a Core Component that had been delivered right to him.
Sure, he had some minor achievements on the tech side of things, but compared to a mystical heavyweight like Mephisto, his tricks weren't even worth mentioning.
If touching that "Demon Apple" meant the so-called "blessing" had spread to him... Luca didn't even want to imagine how "exciting" his life was about to become.
Shit!
"Baymax! Get in here..."
With his guard up to the max, Luca didn't touch the apple again. Instead, he called for Baymax—his super-scanner—to thoroughly analyze the anomaly. Then he'd have Hajimi, who monitored the entire building, track down exactly where this apple came from.
However, the sound of the apple hitting the table and his shout had woken Gina.
No, "woken" might not be the right word. Gina emerged from sleep but didn't sit up. She just turned her head slightly, looking at Luca with empty, hollow eyes. Then, she calmly turned back and stared blankly at the ceiling. She looked like a wooden puppet that had merely reacted to a stimulus.
That single, dead look from Gina sent a chill straight through Luca's bones.
A cold shiver started at his skull and shot down his spine.
Puppet-like... hollow... like she's lost her soul...
Mephisto!!
In an instant, the chill turned into a raging fire of anger.
Luca didn't know exactly what had happened to Gina yet. Did she really lose her soul? Or was it some other symptom?
But combining her current state with the "Apple Blessed by Mephisto" sitting in front of him, it was hard not to connect the dots.
Fortunately, Baymax had already activated. He waddled out of his charging station with small, quick steps and spoke up.
"Luca, I am here." (●—●)
"Do you require assistance? I detect a spike in your adrenaline, accelerated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and rising cortisol levels. I can play some soothing jazz to help you relax."
Hearing Baymax's calm, gentle voice—even without the music—helped Luca pull himself back from the edge of fear and rage.
Forcing down the emotions churning inside him, Luca gave a new order, his voice a bit stiff.
"Baymax, scan all the apples on the table. Confirm what's different about this one compared to the others."
After saying that, Luca looked up at the speaker and camera on the ceiling.
"Hajimi!"
"I'm here."
"Pull up all surveillance footage. I want to know where these apples came from! I want to know who touched them!"
"Understood. Shall I hack into the surveillance systems surrounding the building to trace the detailed procurement route of the fruit?"
Luca gritted his teeth.
"Do it!"
Soon, the information was compiled, and the scan results were presented to Luca.
As expected, neither Baymax nor Hajimi could provide any useful leads.
Everything looked completely normal. Aside from the fact that this apple was of exceptional quality—perfect skin, ideal sweetness, perfect shape—there was nothing unusual about its origin or its internal structure.
Looking at the red apple again, Luca decisively pulled out his Dehydration Gun.
"No choice. I have to go find that old ha... I need to go see the Ancient One!"