Chapter 366: Paramecia-Type – Barrier Fruit
Robert froze mid-rummaging when he heard Kakarot's troubled voice. He turned to see his little brother deep in thought.
Though he liked to mess around, Robert had always cared deeply for his siblings.
"Why do you think we went too far? We're pirates, remember? There's no need to feel guilty,"
Robert said, patting Kakarot on the shoulder.
Robert didn't really know what to say to his brother's kindness.
But in his mind, everyone in that casino had a reason to die.
He never hesitated against anyone who pointed a gun at him or his family.
Kakarot fell silent.
Yes, they were pirates.
Why should pirates have guilt? Pirates did whatever they pleased.
He shook his head, casting aside those soft-hearted thoughts, and waited quietly while his older brothers searched the room.
"Robert! Come quick! Look what I found!"
Deidara suddenly called out in excitement.
The joy in his voice was unmistakable.
The three hurried over and saw Deidara holding a treasure chest.
At first glance, Robert already had a feeling what it was.
"You found a Devil Fruit?"
he asked.
Deidara beamed.
"Yup! A Devil Fruit! I found it inside a vault!"
"Seriously?! Open it! Let's see!"
Robert was just as excited.
After all, their dad loved Devil Fruits. If they brought one back, maybe he'd overlook the whole casino debacle.
"Hold up! Robert! Deidara! What are you two up to?"
A familiar voice suddenly rang out.
At the top of the stairs stood two figures.
"Big Sis! Big Bro!"
Robert shouted, startled.
Deidara also turned, facing their elder siblings.
"Big Sis! Big Bro! We found a Devil Fruit!"
He rushed up with the chest and presented it.
The arrival of Kaiser and Esdeath caught them all off guard.
"Oh? A Devil Fruit? Let me see,"
Kaiser's interest was piqued.
Deidara eagerly handed him the chest.
Kaiser opened it. Inside was a pineapple-shaped, green Devil Fruit with shimmering patterns.
"It's the real thing. You guys got lucky,"
Kaiser nodded.
"But what happened here? Why the explosion?"
Kaiser's tone shifted as he looked around—the top floor was intact, but the three floors below had been obliterated. The air still reeked of gas.
It was obvious a fight had taken place.
But given the charred corpses below, the kids had clearly come out on top.
"About that, Kaiser… it went like this—"
Robert, ever quick on his feet, launched into a carefully worded explanation.
Once the four finished recounting the events…
Kaiser blinked, then chuckled.
Esdeath, however, frowned.
"You kids! If Dad finds out you were gambling at your age, he'll have you hanging from the mast getting whipped!"
Kaiser said with exaggerated sympathy.
All four turned pale instantly—even Kakarot broke into a nervous sweat.
Kaiser smiled, pleased with their reaction.
"But… I'm pretty sure Dad doesn't know yet. Whether he finds out later though… that depends."
He casually rubbed his thumb and fingers together in front of the boys.
Robert instantly understood.
Without a word, he took two-thirds of the casino winnings and handed one share to Esdeath and one to Kaiser.
Esdeath looked at the pile of money, then at her younger siblings' pleading faces. She hesitated, then eventually accepted it.
Seeing her take it, the four boys grinned in relief.
Kaiser also pocketed the money with a sly grin.
"I'll keep your secret."
But just as he finished speaking—
"What secret? Can't a father know what his sons have been up to?"
A terrifyingly familiar voice rang out.
The air instantly went cold. All six kids froze.
Even Kaiser broke into a sweat the size of pearls.
"D-Dad…"
they all turned slowly toward the staircase railing.
Sitting there casually… was Charlotte.
Even Esdeath tensed for a moment.
"Dad, what brings you here?"
Kaiser laughed nervously, subtly trying to return the cash to Robert.
Esdeath did the same.
Robert looked down at the massive pile of money in his arms, nearly in tears.
"How could I not come? After such a commotion, you think I'd feel at ease staying behind?"
Charlotte's eyes swept over the group.
"Well well… so you've learned to gamble already. Guess your skin's itching for a beating?"
He smiled, but it only made them shudder more.
"No! Of course not!"
Robert instantly dropped the money and waved his hands.
The other three mimicked him exactly.
Charlotte shook his head, then looked at the chest Kaiser was holding.
"Bring that over."
Kaiser quickly and respectfully handed over the chest.
Charlotte opened it.
A pineapple-shaped fruit, green all over, with curtain-like swirling lines.
He searched his memory.
A name came to mind.
"Paramecia-type… Barrier Fruit."
Charlotte announced.
Hearing that, Esdeath flinched.
She hadn't forgotten—this was the same fruit once used by that creepy old man, Kurozumi Semimaru… whom she had killed.
"It seems your luck's been pretty good… you actually found this fruit!"
Charlotte's eyes sparkled as he rolled the fruit in his palm.
It was a highly respected fruit among fans in his past life—said to be the ultimate defense.
The previous user, Kurozumi Semimaru, had been worn down over the course of half a day by a ten-year-old Esdeath before she finally managed to kill him.
But that guy had been old, his body wrecked by years of indulgence, and barely clinging to life.
"Not bad. I'll let you all off the hook this time."
Charlotte never planned to punish them too harshly anyway—just a stern warning. But since they brought back a Devil Fruit, he could let it slide.
Hearing that, Robert and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Phew… that was close."
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