Chapter 34: King Bekori

As the four reached the gates of Castle Town, Koa turned to his crew.

"Go enjoy the city on your own," he said calmly. "Explore, taste the local dishes, talk to people. I want you all to experience the Sorbet Kingdom for yourselves."

None of them questioned it. Greenbull nodded eagerly, already dragging Joichiro toward a food stall, while Kuzan muttered something about hot springs. Soon, Koa was left alone — just as he planned.

He had another goal in mind.

Koa wasn't here just to sightsee. He intended to break into the vault of the Sorbet Kingdom — to search for Devil Fruits he could store in his ship's collection. In his eyes, there was no shame in offering powerful fruits to trusted crewmates. Strength wasn't a burden if used wisely.

Without wasting time, Koa moved toward the royal castle, activating his invisibility power to ensure he passed through undetected. The capital's streets were bustling, but the castle was heavily guarded. Dozens of soldiers patrolled the perimeter.

Koa calmly activated his Observation Haki, his senses expanding in a wave. The layout of the entire castle mapped itself in his mind — the halls, the guard rotations, and the large chambers. One in particular caught his attention.

A large, private room on the upper floors.

Flying upward, Koa scanned the castle's walls until he found what he was looking for — an open window. Slipping inside with ease, he found himself in a lavish bedchamber, its centerpiece a huge, ornate bed.

Lying atop it was King Bekori, snoring quietly. Koa's expression remained neutral. He recognized this man — the so-called "tyrant king" of Sorbet Kingdom — the one who had branded Bartholomew Kuma a criminal and enslaved him.

The irony was bitter. Kuma, the gentle soul, had been defamed by this wretched monarch. Koa didn't care for justice, but he believed in removing obstacles, especially ones that lied for power.

And now, Bekori was right in front of him.

Koa activated the Rooster Talisman, tapping into its control over telekinesis, but he used it more subtly. He forced the king's heart rate to rise, pushing it gradually into a deadly rhythm. A silent, calculated assassination. No trace, no blame.

King Bekori suddenly gasped awake, chest heaving. Panic filled his eyes. He couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Every nerve in his body betrayed him. His breath came in short bursts. He was drowning in the weight of his own heart.

Koa stood in the shadows, unseen. Cold and distant.

Minutes passed. The king suffered in complete helplessness, and when his heart finally gave out, he died alone, never even knowing who his killer was.

Once the tyrant's body went still, Koa quietly began his search. His Observation Haki guided him once more. Behind a false panel near the wardrobe, he found a hidden switch. A concealed passage opened, revealing a small room sealed tight with stone and gold trim.

Inside: three treasure chests.

He opened them one by one. Each contained a Devil Fruit — their unique spirals and vibrant colors unmistakable. Without hesitation, Koa closed the lids, made them float, and cloaked them in invisibility as well.

Silent as a shadow, he retraced his path and exited the castle. Not a single soul noticed his presence.

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A few minutes later, Koa returned to the ship. The deck was quiet — his crew was still out exploring Castle Town. Perfect.

Koa wasted no time. He entered the captain's quarters and summoned the three treasure chests he had made invisible. With a quiet gesture, they appeared before him. He opened the lids slowly, one by one, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

From beneath his desk, he pulled out the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia — thick, aged, and bound in sea cow leather — and began flipping through the pages.

The first fruit he examined resembled an oversized fig, but with a distinctive rectangular shape, like a closed book. Its deep burgundy skin was lined with thin gold markings, and colorful, leaf-like protrusions sprouted from the top like bookmarks.

Koa scanned the entries until he found the match.

Tome Tome no Mi (Bookmark-Bookmark Fruit)

Type: Paramecia

Grants the user the ability to place "bookmarks" on objects, locations, or even their own physical state. With a snap of their fingers and the command "Page turn!", the user can instantly revert to any bookmarked condition — be it a prior location, a healed wound, a previous physical state, or a thrown weapon's path. Multiple bookmarks can be placed at once and selectively accessed.

Koa's eyes lit up.

"Now that's interesting," he muttered, a smirk playing on his lips. "With the right mind behind it, this could rival time manipulation…"

Eagerly, he reached for the next fruit. This one gleamed slightly even in the low light — smooth, reflective, and heavy in his hands. Its surface resembled molten gold frozen mid-pour.

He flipped through the encyclopedia again.

Michi Michi no Mi(Tar Tar Fruit)

Type: Logia

Grants the user the ability to become, create, and control tar at will. The user can coat their body in sticky, corrosive tar for offense and defense, trap opponents, blacken surfaces, or even transform into a tar mist to avoid damage. Famously eaten by "Black" Bart Vincent, it offers both crushing strength and lethally adhesive versatility.

Koa's lips curved in a grin. "Tar, eh? A Logia that can stick anyone in place… perfect for sabotage and escape alike."

Finally, he turned to the last fruit. It sparkled faintly…

Koa found the entry quickly.

Chira Chira no Mi (Crystal-Crystal Fruit)

Type: Logia

Grants the user the ability to create, control, and transform into crystal at will. The user becomes a Crystal Human, capable of refracting light for invisibility, creating crystal constructs, and even shaping razor-sharp crystal weapons. Offensively powerful and defensively sturdy — a rare elemental Logia with aesthetic brilliance.

"A second Logia," Koa murmured, impressed. "Not bad at all."

Still, a flicker of disappointment passed through him. There was no Mythical Zoan — the rarest and most powerful Devil Fruit type, the kind he truly coveted for his long-term plans.

But even so, two Logias and a utility-based Paramecia of this caliber were far beyond what he'd hoped for. He could already imagine how the late King Bekori had planned to offer these fruits to the World Government, likely in a desperate attempt to maintain his fragile rule.

Koa smirked again, leaning back as the ocean breeze swept through the cabin window.

"Well, too bad for you, Bekori. Guess I got to them first."