A week later
Elbaph
The events of that dramatic day spread through Elbaph like wildfire. Within days, every giant on the island knew exactly what had happened in the throne room.
Because Harald's anger had lashed out at Estrid, Jarul, Jorul, and the elders alike, public opinion quickly turned against him.
To make matters worse, Harald had even written an official divorce letter and sent it straight to Estrid's natal house. He then forcibly brought Ida and Hajrudin back to the palace.
Many people felt genuine compassion for Estrid. The usually cunning woman had been seen shedding tears whenever visitors came to see her, whether the tears were true or not, only she knows.
-x-X-x-
Brewers Village, Estrid's natal house
"Sister, I'm sure Harald will regret his decision in a few weeks. Will you go back with him?" Regent asked, watching his sister sip tea with red, swollen eyes.
He really wonders if the tears his sister shed were for losing Harald or losing her Queen status…
"As if," Estrid replied bitterly. "The only reason he would regret it later may be because the elders would force him to take me back so I can give birth to his child. In his heart, I'm nothing but a greedy woman. The moment I deliver his heir, he'll send me away again."
She had finally seen Harald's true face that day. The man felt almost no real emotion toward her, maybe a bit of lust, but that was all.
She doesn't want to be used by him again to appease the elders, this is her revenge on him, let's see how he manages things without her…
Regent sighed. "He already brought Ida to the palace by force last week. I'm sure he'll do the same to you. Your own decisions might not matter at all."
"Then what can I do?" Estrid asked helplessly. "Run away from Elbaph? I don't have the power to oppose a crazy man like him."
For the first time, she truly wished Harald would just stay far away from her.
Regent's eyes suddenly lit up. "Then let's do exactly that. Let's go to sea, far away from his control. We can stay in Paradise for a few years and come back once we're mentally ready. I'm really afraid he might kill us in a fit of anger if we openly oppose him."
Estrid listened quietly, then nodded. She would rather die than live in the same palace as Ida. She could accept any other woman, but not Ida.
The two siblings spent the rest of the day planning. In the end, they decided to depart in three days.
The place they chose was Paradise. It was large enough that they could hide in a small city without anyone noticing their presence.
Though they didn't visit Paradise, they heard Harald talking about it.
Meanwhile, secret meetings were happening all over Elbaph. Giants gathered with friends and family to discuss how they should react to Harald's angry outburst, words that had clearly revealed what had been hidden in his heart for years.
Ida, for her part, helplessly questioned Harald's sudden actions. She felt both sad and deeply guilty toward Estrid.
-x-X-x-
Sabaody Archipelago
Finn's Rip-off Bar
Finn's life had quickly returned to normal. Over the past week, he had gotten used to his new strength and the 4000 Doriki flowing through his body. After a few days of testing and experimenting with the Six Powers, the initial excitement faded, and he slipped back into his lazy routine, watching pirates party, listening to gossip, and reading the newspaper.
Oddly enough, the customers seemed almost brainwashed. No one ever tried to bully him or cause trouble.
It was honestly a disappointment. He had secretly hoped for a classic face-slapping moment where he could reveal his hidden power and shock everyone. Instead, every pirate and merchant treated him with respect. How boring.
After another long day of work, Finn followed his usual routine: locking the door, cleaning the tables, brewing a fresh cup of coffee, and settling onto the sofa by the window with the day's newspaper.
Suddenly, a transparent window came in his vision, and the iconic robotic voice in his ears.
[An important event is about to start.]
[Event title: Kaido Devil Fruit]
[Event Script details:
Terracotta's grandmother, Cerracotta, lives in Rainbase, Arabasta Kingdom. A strange fruit grew on the tree in her small garden.
Being a simple woman, she picked the fruit and sold it to an overseas merchant who visited the city every week.
The merchant, known as Jack the Cow, was shocked when he saw it and gave her 1000 berries without hesitation.
Cerracotta happily accepted, thinking she had made a great deal for one weird-looking fruit.
Unknown to her, it was actually a Devil Fruit.
Jack, who was secretly one of many Cipher Pol agents scattered across the world, was thrilled by his luck.
He sent the Devil Fruit to the World Government that very same day. It would remain in storage for decades until the day it was eaten by Kaido.]
[Do you want to enter the script?]
[Yes / No]
Finn was genuinely surprised by today's script. This was the Devil Fruit that would one day make Kaido the strong monster he became.
Kaido loved to boast that Haki transcended everything, and it was true to an extent, but the man still relied heavily on his Devil Fruit. Its durability and toughness were second only to Topman Warcury's Fengxi fruit.
Finn was determined. He wanted that power for himself.
He chose [Yes] without hesitation.
His soul left his body and instantly traveled to Rainbase in the Arabasta Kingdom, appearing right in Cerracotta's garden.
Looking at the thirty years old woman, who looked strikingly similar to both Terracotta and Igaram, Finn couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with this family's genes.
A new system window appeared in front of him.
[Sub_Script_K001 is starting. Please choose the decision that Cerracotta needs to make.]
[You found a weird fruit in your little garden. What should you do?]
[Decision_1: Take the fruit to Jack the Cow and sell it to him, since he is always generous when buying strange items.
Reward: You will get 1000 berries, help Alabasta get rid of the agent Jack since he would get a promotion after this achievement, Wano Country will be in misery because of you. Finn will get 1000 berries for helping you choose.]
[Decision_2: Hide the fruit under your bed and wait a few months for a destined person to ask for it. Even if it starts to rot, sell it for 10000 berries.
Reward: You will get 10000 berries, your granddaughter Terracotta's husband's life will be spared one day because of this, Wano Country will not be in misery because of you, Kaido would be free from Charlotte Linlin debt, Finn will receive 5000 berries.]
Finn chose the second decision without a second thought.
Cerracotta pulled the strange fruit from the tree and stared at it. She thought about selling it to Jack, but then suddenly shook her head, refusing the idea.
"How could a fruit like this be sold so cheaply? Let's wait a few months. Maybe someone who is destined for it will come… Ma~ma~ma~, why am I suddenly talking about destiny today?"
The moment Cerracotta made her choice, Finn's soul returned to his body in the bar. Five thousand berries appeared in his hand.
Another window popped up in front of him.
["Kaido Devil Fruit Event" has ended. Because the host took control of Cerracotta's decisions in Sub_Script_K001, you will bear some of Cerracotta's and Kaido's fates. Two fates will be cast upon you forcefully, while you may choose one fate to reject:]
[1. Sell the fruit with 1000 berries after getting it]
[2. Help someone rule Wano instead of Kouzuki]
[3. Let Vegapunk extract your Lineage Factor for the purpose of creating an Artificial Devil Fruit]
Finn looked at the three fates and quickly ruled out the first one. Selling the fruit for a measly 1000 berries was completely out of the question.
The second option, helping someone rule Wano instead of Kouzuki, he will worry about it when the time comes.
The third option didn't bother him at all. In fact, Finn was actually looking forward to it. If Vegapunk ever extracted his lineage factor to make an artificial Devil Fruit, that pink dragon fruit might end up being perfect for his future wife or daughter.
So Finn chose to refuse the first option.
[The host chose to reject "Sell the fruit with 1000 berries after getting it." Please move to Alabasta to acquire the fruit.]
[The host must choose someone to rule Wano, and the system will force the host to choose if necessary.]
[Be sure to let Vegapunk extract your Lineage Factor for the purpose of creating an Artificial Devil Fruit.]
[Please wait patiently for the next event.]
"Sigh, I have many debts now, marrying Estrid, helping Wano get rid of Kouzuki, letting Vegapunk poke around with my lineage factor someday, but…I have two Devil fruits now, a good start for a bar owner," said Finn with a smile.
Next, he needed to sleep early, so that he could travel to Alabasta tomorrow.
There are many merchants moving from Alabasta to Sabaody Archipelago, so he wasn't worried about travelling there.
The voyage would take a month with Eternal Pose without stopping at other islands for long time.
-x-X-x-
Oi oi, I was only supposed to drop three chapters a week because I'm busy as hell… and here I am writing another one today like a damn fool 😂
Anyway, I just tossed this chapter, and there is nothing left!
If you're reading this, drop whatever you're holding right now, gold, meat, or your dignity, and leave me some comments! Paragraph comments, chapter thoughts, praise, roasts, theories… anything goes!
We're in the One Piece world after all, so let's do this the proper pirate way: loud, greedy, and full of energy!
What do you think of Estrid becoming the new Goddess of Skypiea? And poor Harald sitting alone in the throne room having a breakdown lmao