Chapter 223: Ralph: To Love a Person Means to Love Her Whole Family!
The research hit a dead end from the very beginning.
"So... you don't feel anything at all?"
Chopper crouched on the table, his small hooves propping up his chin, staring seriously at Lufia across from him.
Lufia tilted her head, thinking carefully.
Then she shook her head.
"Nothing."
She thought again.
"A little sweet?"
Chopper: "..."
Ralph facepalmed beside them.
This was the first major obstacle they encountered.
To develop a specialized Rumble Ball for Lufia, they needed to observe the patterns of Devil Fruit ability changes within the body.
Chopper could sense the fluctuations of the fruit's power based on his own transformation states.
When it strengthened, when it weakened, when it erupted.
But Lufia couldn't.
She only knew whether something tasted good or not.
No matter what she ate, she only knew if it was delicious or not.
Two researchers, no feedback, no data.
What kind of research was this?
"Ralph, what should we do?"
Chopper looked worried.
Ralph remained silent for a few seconds.
"I'll observe."
Chopper was stunned.
"You can observe the principles of Devil Fruit power?"
"There are people in the world who can."
"Who?"
"Vegapunk."
Chopper blinked.
"Who is he?"
"The world's greatest scientist."
Ralph said, "It's said his research is 500 years ahead of this world."
"Currently supported by the World Government, he has already made multiple breakthroughs in Devil Fruit research."
"Not only can he make objects eat Devil Fruits, but he can also replicate them."
Chopper's eyes lit up.
"Objects eating Devil Fruits?! Replicating Devil Fruits?!"
His little hooves began to tremble.
"Then, then what has he researched?"
"How does he study?"
"Has he published any papers?"
"Can I see them?"
Ralph's smile stiffened a bit.
"Well... I haven't read them."
"But you know about him?"
"I know of him, but I don't know the details of his research."
Ralph shrugged, "I'm not a scientist."
"Then how will you observe?"
"Using Observation Haki."
Chopper blinked, then blinked again.
"Observation Haki... can see Devil Fruits?"
"Theoretically, yes."
Ralph said,
"Advanced Observation Haki users can even see the future. No one knows the limits of Observation Haki."
Chopper's eyes lit up again.
"Can you see it?"
"Not right now."
Ralph said, "But I can train."
Chopper's excitement dimmed again.
"How long will that take?"
"I don't know."
Chopper's light went out completely.
Seeing his dejected face, Ralph couldn't help but laugh.
He was full of confidence in himself.
"I'll raise my Observation Haki to a higher level. First, I'll observe the fluctuations during your transformations, then see if there are similar changes in Lufia."
Chopper thought about it.
"How long will that take?"
"I don't know."
"What about Lufia?"
"Let's eat first."
Chopper: "..."
Lufia, listening nearby, didn't understand a word they were saying.
But she understood the last sentence.
"Eat!"
She jumped up and rushed toward the kitchen.
Chopper watched Lufia's back, feeling a bit discouraged.
Ralph patted his head.
"Don't rush, take it slow. Scientific research isn't something that happens overnight."
Chopper nodded.
But deep down, he still felt a little disheartened.
Days passed one after another.
The research made no progress.
Ralph practiced Observation Haki every day, trying to detect the fluctuations of Devil Fruit power from Chopper.
However, the results were minimal.
Lufia wasn't the least bit anxious.
Every day, she lay contentedly on the deck, basking in the sun with her round, full belly.
Until one day—
The Going Merry arrived at an island.
Partia.
The finish line of the Dead End Race.
"Welcome, champion—!"
The pirates on the island raised their glasses, erupting in thunderous cheers.
Lufia stood at the bow of the ship, completely bewildered.
She had almost forgotten about the race!
But seeing so many people welcoming her, she happily waved back.
"Hello, everyone—!"
"So cute!"
"Such a little kid is the champion?"
"That Straw Hat Girl is the monster who punched the Giant Brothers away?"
"Monster my foot, she's clearly a goddess!"
Amidst the chaotic chatter, the Straw Hat Pirates disembarked onto Partia Island.
And then they discovered—
A feast was indeed underway here.
And it was a feast held in their honor.
"Champion! Please take the seat of honor!"
"Champion! Have a drink!"
"Champion! Eat this!"
Lufia was surrounded by a crowd, with piles of food placed before her.
Her eyes lit up.
"Then I won't hold back!"
She began to devour everything.
Chopper and Usopp were also swept up in the atmosphere, joining in the eating and drinking.
Zoro leaned to the side, drinking calmly.
Sanji weaved through the crowd with plates, serving food to the ladies.
Robin sat nearby with a smile, elegantly sipping her wine.
Nami sat beside Ralph, her expression complicated.
"So… there really is a finish line?"
"Yes."
Ralph nodded.
"And people really welcome the champion?"
"Yes."
"What about the bet? The prize money?"
Ralph glanced at her.
Nami's eyes were already filled with the symbol of Berries.
Ralph smiled.
"Don't rush."
He snapped his fingers.
Robin walked over from the side, holding a Den Den Mushi.
"We've made contact."
She said.
The Den Den Mushi's eyes opened, revealing a chubby face.
It was the Boss of the underground casino.
His expression at the moment was as if he had seen a ghost.
"E-everyone, big shots…"
His voice trembled.
Nami snatched the Den Den Mushi.
"You fatso! Where's our prize money?! The 300 million Berries?!"
The fat Boss's face turned even paler.
"Uhh, uhh..."
"Uhh what?!"
"The prize money will of course be paid!"
A voice came from the other end of the call.
It wasn't the fat Boss.
It was a young man's voice.
Nami was taken aback.
Ralph took the Den Den Mushi.
"Shuraiya?"
"It's me."
The voice on the other end carried a hint of laughter.
"As you instructed, I've been keeping an eye on him."
"During this time, he tried to escape, so I invited him to be a guest on the Salamander."
"If he dares to renege, we'll take his casino as compensation!"
The fat Boss's face was now as pale as paper.
Ralph smiled.
"Well done."
He looked at Nami.
"Feeling reassured now?"
Nami was stunned.
Then—
"Ahhhhh—!"
She jumped up, trying to hug and kiss Ralph.
Ralph sidestepped to avoid her.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
Nami missed but didn't mind, continuing to spin in place.
"300 million! 300 million Berries! Hahahaha!"
Ralph wiped away a cold sweat.
He instinctively glanced in a certain direction.
His gaze met Ace's.
Ace was holding a glass, watching them.
Their eyes locked.
Ralph immediately put on an expression that said, "Don't worry, I'm completely devoted to your sister."
Ace didn't say anything and continued drinking.
But that look—Ralph understood it perfectly.
He cleared his throat awkwardly and averted his gaze.
The feast went on.
Lufia ate even more happily.
As she ate—
Pop!
A soft sound.
Seventeen-year-old Lufia reappeared before everyone.
"Huh?"
She looked at her hands.
"I'm back to normal!"
Everyone paused for a second.
Then they went back to eating and drinking.
"Oh, you're back to normal."
"Congratulations."
"Eat some more then."
Lufia didn't mind and continued devouring her food.
Ralph watched her thoughtfully.
She was back to normal.
And it happened after a big meal.
It seemed that energy intake was a major factor in restoring her original form.
He made a mental note of that.
Then—
[Ding—]
[Detected that target "Lufia" is extremely satisfied with this adventure]
[Favorability increased by 5%]
[Current relationship: Best Friend Level 6%]
Ralph smiled.
6%.
Not much, but it was progress.
He picked up his glass, about to take a sip.
[Ding—]
[Detected that "Friend" relationship has been established with target "Portgas D. Ace"]
[Upon death, Devil Fruit reincarnation permission granted: Mera Mera no Mi]
Ralph's hand froze.
He looked at Ace.
Ace was busy fighting Lufia for food, completely unaware of what was happening.
Ralph fell silent for a few seconds.
Leaving aside the fact that this thing was something even a dog wouldn't eat—
More importantly—
He would never let something like that happen.