Kyo 41

“You don’t know about Devil Fruits?” Nok said, confused. “Then how did you make those without using a fruit power?” Claw and Fang stood innocently as the chef pointed at them.

Kyo devoured a seasoned chicken leg before saying, “That isn’t a Devil Fruit. It’s a superior skill known as Alchemy. Prepare the proper ingredients, channel the mana, and get sand golems. Easy.”

“Ok, I have no idea what half those words mean, but if it isn’t a Devil Fruit power, it sure looks like one,” Nok said, frying another batch of meat he plated for Kyo to devour. “Devil Fruits are a key element in this world. They are mysterious fruits of seemingly endless variety that grant those who consume their superhuman abilities at the cost of their ability to swim.”

“Eeeeehhhhh?” Kyo exclaimed. “That sounds insane. I had to train, train, and train some more with a crystal blue demon for my power. People can eat fruits and become strong in this place?!”

“Well, they lose the ability to swim in exchange,” Nok said weakly. “The world is largely seas and oceans, making the loss of swimming ability a significant drawback?”

“Why does it sound like you aren’t sure about that?” Kyo said as she ate more crunchy chicken. Even as the plate emptied, she looked with imploring eyes at Nok.

Nok sighed as he cooked sausages, seasoning them with spice, “I don’t know much more than anyone else. Each Devil Fruit is unique, and the abilities they confer range from the control of natural elements to body transformation, levitation, and more.”

“Are there different types?” Kyo asked as she chewed the plate piled high with sausages.

“Yes, there are three known types of Devil Fruits. Paramecia. Those are the most common of the three types. Paramecia fruits grant various abilities that can affect the user's body, manipulate the environment, or produce substances. They are considered the strongest and weakest at the same time. Abilities gained from these fruits are very random.” Nok warned as his hands moved with precise skill. For a chef, it was clear he was both talented and quick.

“Are there any Devil Fruits that let someone look like an animal?” Kyo asked, her gaze sharp.

“There are. The next type I was about to mention is Zoan. These fruits allow the user to transform into another species, gaining the physical abilities of that species in the process. These types of fruits can grant transformations into a broad range of species, from ordinary animals like dogs or cats to prehistoric creatures or mythical beasts,” Nok said as he plated a well-cooked steak for Kyo.

Maybe I can pretend to be a Zoan fruit user? Kyo thought as she reached for the steak plate.

“The third and final type is Logia. These are the rarest type. Logia fruits grant the user the ability to create, control, and transform into a natural element or force of nature. These fruits provide powerful offensive and defensive capabilities and near-invulnerability to physical attacks, as users can transform into their respective elements to avoid damage. They are pretty much considered the most broken type of fruit by far.” Nok said as he started chopping vegetables and meat to create a stir-fry.

“Do you know where a Devil Fruit can be found?” Kyo asked, thinking about her main objective. The abilities of these fruits seemed like something that could be based on mana. She wasn’t sure how it could be done, but it was highly possible. Nota would know for sure with a glance; however, Kyo only had a gut feeling.

“No, I have to emphasize Devil Fruits are a double-edged sword. While they grant incredible powers, they also curse their consumers with an inability to swim. In this world, a person who has eaten a Devil Fruit becomes a "hammer" in the sea, sinking to the bottom. Additionally, the Marines use Sea-prism stone, a substance that emits the same energies as the sea, to weaken Devil Fruit users and negate their abilities. Then they toss them in Impel Down, never to see the light of day again.” Nok said, beginning the stir-fry.

“If you don’t know where they are, are there any groups that might have them on hand?” Kyo asked curiously.

“Well, the Marines or the Council of Kingdoms might have a few stored. Once a Devil Fruit user dies, their fruit reincarnates into another fruit of the same kind, waiting to be found and eaten again, continuing the cycle of power and curse.” Nok said, plating the stir-fry. “The battle for One Piece caused quite a few deaths for the major world powers, too.”

Kyo’s eyes flashed as she said, “So, there are many powerful fruits now out in the “wild” as a result. Good.” She leaped atop her stool, brandishing a silver fork. “Prepare, for we shall begin fruit hunting after breakfast tomorrow!”

“Captain, there are many different organizations after these fruits. Are you sure you want to pursue them too?” Nok asked as he started cooking his meal.

Kyo hopped back down and started eating her heaping plate of stir-fry. “Yes, I need to confirm if they are what I’m looking for. If they are, then I’ll collect them all!”

Neither commented on how Claw and Fang were cheering to the side with flags. Alchemy golems were patently weird sometimes, after all.