Chapter 53: Whitebeard Enchants the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!

Meanwhile, under the influence and authority of the Whitebeard Pirates, no major conflicts broke out between the Shandians and the island residents.

On the surface, the two groups appeared to coexist peacefully.

In reality, however, it was only a fragile balance.

As time passed, the resentment between them continued to accumulate, like a ticking time bomb waiting for the right moment to explode.

Three days later.

As the first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the laboratory windows and illuminated the rows of precision instruments and note-covered workbenches, the entire room seemed bathed in a soft golden glow.

Then—

Ten dazzling pillars of golden light shot into the sky from the laboratory tables as if summoned by some mysterious force.

"One, two, three, four, five..."

"...Ten!"

"Ten Devil Fruits are finished!"

"My God! Ron is incredible!"

"Long live the Vice Captain!"

"As expected of Ron !"

"This time I’m definitely becoming a Devil Fruit User!"

"Become my ass. How much money have you even saved up?"

"Thirty million Berries ! I’m getting there!"

The crowd erupted into excitement and rushed toward Upper Yard, where Ron was located.

Their hurried footsteps echoed across the island.

When they arrived, the sight before them left them even more astonished.

Whitebeard, Portgas D. Ace, Marco, Jozu, and the other Division Commanders were already gathered there, waiting patiently.

Every face was filled with anticipation.

Their eyes gleamed with excitement for what was about to happen.

On a large table sat ten Devil Fruits.

Among them, six had been placed separately from the others.

They were clearly special.

Ron gestured toward them.

"Pops, these six are Enchanted Devil Fruits."

Then he clapped his hands lightly.

Two crew members immediately dragged out Enel, who had been sleeping in a nearby holding cell.

The self-proclaimed god was still groggy.

"What is it now?!"

"You people actually dare disturb a god’s sleep?!"

He struggled instinctively, but the moment he recognized everyone present, he immediately quieted down.

Like a mouse spotting a cat, he lowered his head and cautiously observed his surroundings.

"Blood collection."

Jozu stepped forward with his usual honest grin.

He grabbed one of Enel’s fingers and made a small cut across the tip.

Fresh blood immediately flowed out.

Careful not to waste a single drop, Jozu dripped the blood onto three pure white Enchanted Devil Fruits.

The process proceeded smoothly.

"What are you doing?!"

Enel’s eyes darted around nervously.

He had long noticed their unusual interest in his blood.

Thump!

Jozu smacked him on the head.

"Oww!"

Enel nearly lost his footing.

"Quiet down," Jozu laughed. "You’re about to see something interesting."

Enel gritted his teeth.

These people were unbelievably violent.

They hit people first and explained later.

Still, he knew resistance would only earn him another beating, so he obediently shut up.

Then—

His gaze landed on the three white fruits.

His eyes instantly widened.

The fruits began changing before his very eyes.

Their surfaces turned a brilliant azure blue.

Lightning-shaped patterns rapidly spread across them, intertwining into intricate designs.

The transformation was both mysterious and eerie.

The sight immediately reminded Enel of the fruit he had eaten years ago.

A tremendous shock surged through him.

"T-This...! Th-This is...!!"

His mind went completely blank.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t comprehend what he was seeing.

Jozu turned around and grinned.

"Looks familiar, doesn’t it?"

"Hahaha!"

"Let me tell you something."

"The three Devil Fruits in front of you are all Rumble-Rumble Fruits."

"As long as someone eats one, they’ll gain the same lightning powers you have."

"They’ll become the ’gods’ you keep bragging about."

Jozu patted him sympathetically on the shoulder.

"So?"

"Still think you’re that special?"

Enel: "..."

At that moment, his heart suffered catastrophic damage.

He wanted to deny Jozu’s words.

He desperately wanted to call it impossible.

But three identical Rumble-Rumble Fruits were sitting right in front of him.

The evidence was undeniable.

"...How...?"

"...How can this be...?"

Nobody paid attention to his shattered expression.

They had all expected this reaction.

"Gurararara!"

Whitebeard laughed loudly.

"Ron, having you in the Whitebeard Pirates is truly our good fortune."

His words came from the heart.

He stepped forward and picked up one of the Rumble-Rumble Fruits.

Ron smiled.

"Pops, there’s no need to thank me."

"Meeting the Whitebeard Pirates was also my good fortune."

Whitebeard chuckled.

Then, under everyone’s watchful eyes, he swallowed the Enchanted Devil Fruit whole.

He closed his eyes and quietly sensed the changes within his body.

A few moments passed.

Nothing happened.

The atmosphere immediately became tense.

Everyone stared at Whitebeard nervously.

After a while, Whitebeard calmly picked up a second Rumble-Rumble Fruit and ate it as well.

The crowd held its breath.

Their hearts climbed into their throats.

Yet after waiting again—

Nothing happened.

The oppressive silence became almost unbearable.

"Pops, don’t worry!"

Ace quickly broke the silence.

"The third Enchanted Devil Fruit will definitely work!"

"That’s right!" Jozu immediately added.

" Ron taught me that things never fail three times in a row!"

Whitebeard smiled and shook his head.

"Enough, you brats."

"Your old man isn’t that fragile."

Then, before everyone’s eyes, he picked up the third Rumble-Rumble Fruit and swallowed it.

Every gaze focused entirely on him.

Time seemed to slow.

The wait felt endless.

Yet when the final moment passed—

Nothing happened.

Still nothing.

Whitebeard slowly opened his eyes.

His brows were tightly furrowed.

Confusion filled his face.

He turned toward Ron.

"Ron, what’s going on?"

"Three Enchanted Devil Fruits..."

"All of them failed?"

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