Fruitful Conversation #167

Despite his casual demeanor and the perpetual grin that adorned his face, Ace was far from foolish. As Masked Deuce stood frozen, struggling with his conflicting emotions, Ace immediately sensed the danger in his friend's intentions. Though his heart stung, Ace refused to let his smile falter.

"There you are, Deuce," Ace said, keeping his tone light and carefree. He raised the peculiar fruit in his hand, presenting it as if it were a marvelous discovery. "Look what I found! You want to eat it with me?"

Deuce's face turned pale as he registered Ace's words, the weight of his actions crashing down on him. He fell to his knees, releasing the boulder he intended to be his weapon.

He felt the remorse and self-disgust surge within him. What had he been thinking? How could he contemplate killing someone who had done nothing to wrong him? All for the sake of a strange-looking fruit, the edibility of which he wasn't even certain about? Was it merely because the young man before him happened to be the son of the infamous pirate king?

The realization of his own actions struck Deuce hard, and he hung his head in shame. He had let his anger and desperation cloud his judgment, allowing the darkness to consume him. He had lost sight of who he wanted to be, who he had vowed to become.

However, Ace remained oblivious to Deuce's internal struggle, always assuming the best of people. He extended the fruit towards Deuce, his genuine smile not faltering for a moment. "Come on, Deuce," Ace urged, trying to lighten the mood and dismiss the tension. "I bet it's edible, and even if it's not, we can figure something else out together. No need to do things alone, right?"

Deuce couldn't find the words to express his remorse. His voice caught in his throat. He knew he had almost committed an irreparable act-- one that would have shattered his soul forever. The warmth of Ace's words and the trust in his eyes made Deuce's heart ache with guilt.

Swallowing hard, Deuce managed to shake his head weakly, not trusting his own voice. The darkness that had gripped him slowly receded, replaced by a newfound resolve. With a weak grin, Deuce replied, "You shouldn't share it with me... I just tried to kill you, you know?"

Ace's grin only widened, his cheerful disposition never faltering. "But you didn't, did you?" he retorted playfully, his eyes glinting mischievously. "It'll be easier if we work together to find a way out of this island."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Deuce couldn't help but let out another exasperated sigh. "You really are an idiot," he muttered, though a small spark of gratitude flickered in his eyes. "Fine. We'll definitely get out of here!" Despite his tough exterior, Deuce couldn't deny the warmth of camaraderie blooming within him, grateful for Ace's stubborn refusal to hold a grudge.

Ace chuckled heartily at Deuce's remark, fully aware of his friend's penchant for teasing and sarcasm. Their banter had always been an integral part of their friendship, and even in dire circumstances, they found comfort in their familiar exchange of words. Without another word, Ace retrieved his knife, its blade gleaming in the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy of the forest.

With the skilled precision of a seasoned adventurer, Ace carefully sliced the peculiar fruit in two halves, revealing the fiery patterns within. The vibrant colors and swirling designs seemed to dance before their eyes, a mesmerizing sight in the midst of the island's unforgiving wilderness. Ace kept one half for himself and held out the other to Deuce.

The two young men shared a determined look, their eyes locking in silent agreement. Hungry and exhausted, their stomachs rumbling, they knew that this peculiar fruit held the key to quelling their hunger and granting them the strength to continue their perilous journey. With unwavering resolve, they both took a bite of their respective portions.

Deuce's face twisted in disgust as he tasted the foulness of the fruit, making him hesitate before swallowing. It was unlike anything he had ever encountered, and he could hardly comprehend how Ace had devoured his portion so effortlessly. On the contrary, Ace's expression remained undeterred, the eternal smile still present as he savored the unusual flavor, seemingly unfazed by the fruit's peculiar taste.

As Deuce swallowed his portion, he couldn't help but pause as he felt a searing heat coming from Ace's direction. With wide eyes, he turned to look at Ace, who had a shocked expression as he looked down at his body that was engulfed in flames.

"What the?!" they both exclaimed in surprise, their voices tinged with alarm. Ace's eyes darted around in panic, and without a moment's hesitation, he began frantically rolling on the ground in a desperate attempt to put out the flames.

Deuce seemed to get infected by Ace's panic, his heart pounding in his chest. He quickly rose to his feet, his mind racing as he assessed the situation. Without thinking, he swiftly took off his long coat and rushed towards Ace, using it to smother the flames and help his friend.

Their panicked actions continued for what felt like an eternity, but in reality, it was only a couple of minutes before Ace finally realized something peculiar.

The flames didn't seem to hurt him.

Much to Deuce's shock, Ace suddenly stopped rolling and with a puzzled expression, he cautiously began opening and closing his fist, passing it through the flames. "It doesn't hurt...?" Ace muttered, his voice filled with a mixture of confusion and wonder. The fiery blaze continued to dance around him, but it was as if he was untouched by its searing heat.

Deuce's eyes widened in disbelief as he witnessed the inexplicable phenomenon. It was almost as if Ace had become one with the flames, immune to their scorching power. He had heard stories of mythical beings with such abilities, but to see it firsthand was nothing short of astonishing.

As the initial shock subsided, Ace's expression transformed from bewilderment to exhilaration. A sense of excitement coursed through him as he experimented with the newfound power. He moved his hands through the flames, creating intricate patterns that seemed to dance in response to his touch.

Meanwhile, Deuce stood there, the long coat still in his hands, unsure of how to process what he was witnessing. The sense of panic was replaced by awe, and he couldn't help but marvel at Ace's transformation.

"You're like... a human torch," Deuce finally managed to say, his voice filled with amazement. "This is incredible!"

Ace grinned, his face beaming with excitement as he held up the peculiar fruit for Deuce to see. "It's probably because of the fruit," he explained. "It has to be a devil fruit."

Deuce furrowed his brow, intrigued by the term. "Devil fruit?" he repeated, seeking further explanation.

Ace nodded, eager to share his knowledge. "Yeah, they're mysterious fruits that grant strange powers to those who eat them," he said. "But there's a catch – once you eat a devil fruit, you lose the ability to swim."

His grin widening, Ace continued, "My little brother, Luffy, ate a devil fruit too. It turned his entire body into rubber!"

Deuce scratched his head, trying to piece everything together. The prospect of gaining incredible powers was both thrilling and daunting. "So, if I eat the other half, I'll get powers as well?" he asked, holding up the remaining piece of the fruit in his hand.

Ace shook his head, his demeanor becoming more serious. "I'm not entirely sure how it works," he admitted. "But it seems that only one person can possess the power of a devil fruit at a time. So, even if you eat it, you won't gain abilities."

Deuce nodded, absorbing the information. While the idea of gaining powers was enticing, the thought of losing his ability to swim gave him pause. Not that mattered anyway since the fruit's power was already gone. Besides They were surrounded by the vast ocean on this island, and the sea was his means of escape, and one of them had to be able to swim.

Despite his reservations, a glint appeared in Deuce's eyes, and a spark of hope ignited within him. "But with your new power," he said, looking at Ace with determination, "We might have a chance to find a way off this island!"

...

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