The texture of the Devil Fruit was distinctly repulsive—similar to spoiled jelly coated in wasabi and chili powder.
Its taste wasn't just unpleasant—its absolutely disgusting.
A deep sense of existential discomfort came in, as if the very world has turned its back on you!
As the fruit's flesh was chewed and crushed in her mouth, Monet taste buds seemed to explode with an overwhelming mix of sourness, bitterness, fishiness and foulness—almost every imaginable negative flavor flooded her senses at once.
Her stomach convulsed uncontrollably and the urge to vomit was nearly unbearable.
Yet, as she watched the Holy Light growing increasingly faint, a look of urgency flashed across Monet's face.
Almost instinctively, she raised her arm.
A cold breeze blew through the air, bringing with it a sudden and significant drain on her already low stamina.
The power of a Devil Fruit is sustained by the user's stamina.
Having been trapped in the dungeon for nearly a week, Monet's stamina was weaker than even an average person.
Activating her unfamiliar Devil Fruit ability now was akin to gambling with her life.
Frost crystallized over the stone body of Pica, whose narrow eyes bulged with rages.
The primary reason Doflamingo had brought the entire family's executives here was for these two Devil Fruits—one held by Diamante and the other entrusted to Pica himself.
Yet now, the fruit under his watch had been swallowed right before his eyes!
A wave of humiliation and guilt toward Doflamingo instantly overwhelmed Pica.
His body covered with full Armament Haki, reduced the frost's to almost nothing.
The numbing, burning sensation from the golden lightning gradually faded—the glowing kid was clearly on his last legs.
Seizing the opportunity, Pica didn't hesitate.
He tanked Monet's attacks and launched a devastating strike straight toward Jake.
The sheer force of the blow made the air itself sting Jake face before impact.
A direct hit would mean instant death.
Blood trickled from her nose and mouth as her stamina drained like a broken dam.
Her head felt heavy, her breath labored, her throat thick with blood.
Darkness crept into her vision—she had reached her limit.
Even the faintest breeze, given time, can slow a giant's stride.
Frost solidified the sand beneath Pica feet.
Just as his attack was about to land, he lost his balance, staggering briefly.
For a fighter of his caliber, recovery took less than half a second.
But that 0.5-second window was all the time needed for the azure slash soaring across the sea to arrive.
The slash cleaved into Pica's Armament Haki-hardened body, its force carving a deep gash across his torso.
The impact sent Pica flying backward.
Dust and sand swirled as Pica figure stood at the center of the haze, blood flowing from the left side of his body.
Crimson blood slid down muscles coated in Armament Haki as a gloomy, sharp voice rang out.
Before Jake lost consciousness, his last lingering memory was a Justice cloak fluttering in the air.
"I am Marine Lieutenant Commander! T-Bone! You vile pirates! I will never allow you to harm innocent civilians again!"
That voice echoed through the night sky—the last sound Jake heard before passing out.
Pica glanced at the unconscious Jake, then at T-Bone, whose body now radiated a fierce killing intent.
His expression darkened, but as he looked at his empty right hand, his mind returned to that Devil Fruit.
With a slight crouch, Pica shifted his target to Monet, who now lay unconscious on the ground.
Two massive craters erupted where he had stood as Pica shot forward like a cannonball.
Though the Devil Fruit had been eaten, bringing that person back would at least partially make up for his mistake.
This was the Young Master grand plan—he absolutely couldn't fail!
Only the Young Master was worthy of becoming the Pirate King!
He stretched out his arms, whose now covered in stone towards monet body.
Just as he was about to reach Monet— T-Bone furious voice roared.
"Damn pirate! I told you—I won't let you harm civilians again! Right-Angle Slash: Flying Slash!"
A pale blue sword beam erupted from the slightly worn blade, illuminating his face that held unshakable determination!
As blade met stone, Armament Haki clashed, the terrifying shockwave sending pebbles flying across the beach!
Feeling the intense pain in his Armament Haki-coated arm, Pica voice turned frantic.
"Damn Marine! I'll crush you into paste right here, right now!"
"Then you'll never lay a finger on another civilian until I'm paste!"
Staring at the stubborn Marine before him, Pica felt an unbearable frustration.
What the hell was wrong with this Marine?
He and the Young Master had traveled across the Four Seas and the Grand Line, the New World—yet they'd never encountered such a relentless Marine!
Why did they have to run into this bastard on some no-name backwater island?!
Just as Pica gritted his teeth, ready to press the attack, the Den Den Mushi hidden at his waist crackled to life.
"Pica! Retreat immediately! Damn Marines are closing in—the Young Master's badly injured. We need to get him out of here now! West harbor! Move!"
The call ended before Pica could respond.
His face twisted with fury—he couldn't defeat this Marine quickly and lingering here would only delay their escape.
That brat who wielded light and lightning, the woman who ate their family's Devil Fruit—he'd remember them all!
And this damn Marine!
None of them would escape!