Chapter 442: Distributing the Devil Fruits (Part Two)
"I'll take this one, Dad!"
Lorrine's soft voice spoke up as she pointed at the Paper-Paper Fruit.
Charlotte glanced at the fruit and nodded approvingly.
"Eat it."
Without hesitation, Lorrine took the fruit and bit into it.
Her delicate face twisted from the horrific taste, but she pushed through, swallowing every bite.
Once done, she looked up at Charlotte with innocent, expectant eyes.
"Try out your ability," Charlotte said with a gentle tone.
Lorrine nodded, raised her hand, and focused.
With a quiet flutter, a sheet of paper appeared in her palm.
She held it up, marveling at the pristine white surface.
Charlotte smiled warmly.
"Not bad. Develop this ability carefully. I know you don't like to fight — so in the future, you'll handle administration for the family."
He ruffled her hair as he spoke.
"Thank you, Dad!"
Lorrine beamed, her eyes forming happy crescents.
Charlotte wasn't about to force all his children into becoming fighters.
With Caesar and himself standing as the family's shield, there was no need.
"Go now, and study that fruit well. The Paper-Paper Fruit has real potential."
"I will!"
Lorrine skipped off, returning to the line.
Hilde and Sweifa gave her a warm pat on the head as she rejoined them.
---
"Next — Ackerman!"
The boy dashed up, full of energy, much like Simon before him.
"Dad!"
"Pick one."
Without wasting time, Ackerman pointed at a grayish-white fruit.
"I want the Stone-Stone Fruit!"
Originally, he'd been eyeing the Mercury Fruit, but Simon got to it first.
Still, he'd heard the Stone-Stone Fruit was like a pseudo-Logia — whatever that meant.
All he knew was, it was awesome.
Charlotte raised a brow. "You sure?"
"Yup!"
Ackerman nodded firmly.
Charlotte handed it over.
"No regrets after this."
Ackerman accepted it and, without hesitation, began devouring it whole — face calm and composed.
Even Charlotte was a bit surprised by the kid's grit.
When he finished, Ackerman closed his eyes, feeling the surge of power within.
Then he crouched low, placing his hands on the stone floor.
"Up!"
A deep rumble echoed as a pillar of stone rose beneath his palms, pushing toward the ceiling.
Ackerman grinned proudly.
Until Charlotte's cold voice interrupted:
"You trying to destroy my room, kid?"
Ackerman froze.
The stone stopped rising mid-air.
He turned and stood stiffly like a kid caught stealing cookies.
Charlotte massaged his temples.
Where did this reckless personality come from?
"Can you return it to normal?"
Ackerman nodded quickly, placed his hands on the pillar, and willed it downward.
It slowly returned to the ground, leaving visible cracks.
The imperfection made Charlotte's inner perfectionist twitch.
He waved a hand.
"Have someone repair this later," he told the maid.
"Yes, Master."
Ackerman gave his dad a big apologetic smile.
"Get lost."
Charlotte sighed, amused.
Ackerman scurried back to Simon's side, where the two quietly observed the rest.
---
"Rachel — you're up."
A sweet voice replied:
"Coming, Dad!"
Rachel walked over with a bright smile.
"Choose one," Charlotte gestured.
Her eyes flicked across the remaining fruits, finally landing on the Gold-Gold Fruit.
"I want this one!"
Charlotte blinked.
The Gold-Gold Fruit — the same one the original Gild Tesoro wielded in the movie.
Esther had acquired it after slaughtering a pirate crew and bringing it back.
Charlotte had been stunned to see such a powerful fruit appear so early.
In his past life, Tesoro had manipulated gold with unmatched finesse, turning an entire city into his playground.
Had he not faced a protagonist-boosted Luffy, who knew how it might've ended?
From wealth accumulation to combat manipulation, it was one of the best Paramecia.
He hesitated for a brief second.
Then shrugged inwardly.
So what if it was the Gold-Gold Fruit? If his daughter liked it, she could have it.
Even if she messed it up, he didn't care.
He handed it over.
"Take good care of this one. It's a very powerful fruit."
"I will, Dad!"
Rachel accepted it with both hands, her voice firm.
Charlotte smiled again.
In his mind, he made a note:
> "I'll guide her myself. I'll teach her how to use it like Tesoro did."
If she could unlock even half that potential, it would be worth it.
Rachel bit into the fruit, barely keeping herself from vomiting.
She forced it down, clenched her fists, and closed her eyes to feel the change.
…
But nothing happened.
She tried again — and again.
Still nothing.
---
To be continued…
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