MTLNOVEL Chapter 20: Upgrading Potential
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Charlotte Linlin usually only came back home around New Year's.
There was no other way.
She was part of the Rocks Pirates.
As one of the most dominant pirate crews of this era, they waged war constantly.
Though Linlin had a simple, childlike demeanor, she wasn't a fool. For the sake of amassing wealth, staying away from home was often unavoidable.
This New Year, however, the entire family was gathered together:
Perospero, Compote, Katakuri, Daifuku, Oven…
And, of course, Joey and the Big Mom herself!
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Everyone wore bright smiles, filled with joy and celebration.
The New Year's feast wrapped up quickly, and soon after, Linlin left once more.
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Now, Joey was busy again.
Tap, tap.
Lightly tapping the table, Joey murmured to himself, "Perospero and Compote are on track. Next up are Katakuri, Oven, and Daifuku."
"The Paramecia—Puff-Puff Fruit."
"The Paramecia—Heat-Heat Fruit."
"These two Devil Fruits have already been secured. And…"
He rubbed his temples, contemplating.
The Puff-Puff Fruit, Heat-Heat Fruit, Lick-Lick Fruit, Cream-Cream Fruit, and Snake-Snake Fruit, Model: Yamata-no-Orochi.
These five were all extremely valuable Devil Fruits that could never be traded away.
On top of that, Linlin had brought back only 100 million berries this year, though the family's total assets had reached 2 billion berries. Joey kept 1 billion for operational costs and gave Linlin the remaining 1.1 billion.
Money was never the real issue. The most critical resource was Devil Fruits.
The more they could acquire, the better.
Teach chose the Whitebeard Pirates to search for the Dark-Dark Fruit because of their overwhelming strength.
Likewise, the Rocks Pirates were the most formidable pirate crew of this era and the ability to get more devil fruits was there.
Moreover, the crew consisted mostly of maniacs driven by greed, and with Linlin's power, purchasing Devil Fruits was never a problem.
"We have 10 other Devil Fruits on hand, aside from the five key ones."
"Oh, right!"
"That's right!"
"There's also the Booze-Booze Fruit. That one is non-negotiable for trading either. Which means only 9 Devil Fruits are available for trade."
"With the 800 achievement points accumulated over the years, should I improve Body Refinement Techniques first, or focus on resolving the side effects for Mom and the younger siblings?"
"And then there's…"
"The Lick-Lick Fruit, Cream-Cream Fruit, and Booze-Booze Fruit—they need to be handled separately."
"As for the Heat-Heat and Puff-Puff Fruits, should I give them to Oven and Daifuku?"
Joey felt overwhelmed.
Developing a family wasn't something to be taken lightly.
It required meticulous planning.
Massaging his temples, Joey considered his options and then began thinking of the pillar of the family, Charlotte Katakuri.
If no better option appeared in the future, the Mochi-Mochi Fruit would be suitable for Katakuri.
The Mochi-Mochi Fruit had a unique versatility, classified as a Special Paramecia.
Special Paramecia Fruits were as rare and valuable as some Mythical Zoan types, reaching a pinnacle of potential.
Sighing, Joey muttered, "I need to find another extraordinary Devil Fruit. Mythical Zoan types are already allocated for other purposes. Ancient Zoan types are beneath consideration. The best options are high-grade Paramecia or Logia types. Ugh, having a prodigy like Katakuri as a younger brother really makes things complicated. It's so hard to find a fruit worthy of him."
At this moment, Joey could only lament over the difficulty of securing the right fruit for Katakuri.
The Lick-Lick Fruit, Cream-Cream Fruit, and Booze-Booze Fruit…
These could be considered mid-tier Devil Fruits.
Meanwhile, the Heat-Heat and Puff-Puff Fruits were high-tier options.
In theory, Devil Fruits weren't inherently ranked by strength. The user's capabilities mattered most.
But let's be real: powerful fruits like Mythical Zoan, Logia, and Special Paramecia types were priced sky-high for a reason—they were strong.
This was why Joey insisted on only the best for his family.
The Puff-Puff and Heat-Heat Fruits would be perfect for Daifuku and Oven.
Perospero, too, had been matched with the top-tier Brush-Brush Fruit.
But for Katakuri and Compote, things were trickier.
Compote had specialized in the combat techniques of the Giant race, while Katakuri's ideal fruit remained uncertain.
Ding!
A transaction notification interrupted Joey's thoughts.
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Titan Clan Leader: "Charlotte Clan Leader, I have 12 strands of Divine Bone Essence. Willing to trade for 8 Devil Fruits. Interested?"
Charlotte Clan Leader: "Deal. Let's trade."
Titan Clan Leader: "Straight to the point! Great!"
In an instant, 9 Devil Fruits turned into just 1, replaced by 12 strands of Divine Bone Essence.
Joey fused 30 strands into a complete Divine Bone.
A brilliant golden glow illuminated the room, as though devouring everything in its radiance.
What emerged was a small, golden bone, about the size of a pinky finger, exuding pure, dazzling light.
"Excellent!" Joey nodded with satisfaction. "The Divine Bone will be fused with Mom. As for the remaining two strands, one will boost Katakuri to golden-level Potential. The other… I'll keep for now."
Without hesitation, Joey got to work.
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Soon, the family's status updated:
[Charlotte Katakuri]
Identity: Third son of the Charlotte Family
Strength: Black Iron, Level 9
Potential: Gold, Level 1
Description: A true monster of the Charlotte Family! With his aptitude breakthrough, he is destined to be a cornerstone of the family's future.
...
[Charlotte Linlin]
Identity: Mother of the Charlotte Family
Strength: Silver, Level 2
Potential: Platinum, Level 9
Description: The mother and pillar of the Charlotte Family! With the Divine Bone surpassing the world's limits, she can break through the global cap with proper training. She's the family's ultimate shield!
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Joey glanced at the two updated panels and chuckled.
"Mom, go for it! Your goal is to become unbeatable! The family's future rests on you as our foundation!"
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