Chapter 008: Helen Cho’s Shock

"Hello, ma'am. Welcome!"

Rosh greeted Helen with a professional smile.

"Hello, Store Manager."

Helen responded politely while discreetly surveying the store. Her eyes were quickly drawn to the colorful and varied fruits displayed in the cabinet.

"Ma'am, I know what you're wondering. Yes, indeed, these are Devil Fruits."

Without waiting for Helen to ask, Rosh proactively began his explanation.

Helen Cho's face showed a look of surprise. She turned to Rosh with a skeptical expression as if questioning whether he was joking. Could these things really be eaten?

Her refined demeanor, however, kept her from voicing her doubts.

Helen paused momentarily before turning her gaze back to Rosh.

"Store Manager, do you know Wade Wilson?"

"Wade? Of course. He bought the Smooth-Smooth Fruit from me just yesterday."

Rosh smiled and said, "You must be Dr. Helen Cho. Wade mentioned that you might come by."

Although Rosh had already recognized Helen Cho, he only pretended to guess her identity now.

"Yes, I am Dr. Cho. I came to investigate after seeing the incredible changes in Mr. Wade. Please forgive the intrusion."

Helen nodded and spoke honestly. "I hope it's not too much of an inconvenience."

"Not at all, Dr. Cho. We're always happy to welcome visitors. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'll answer everything honestly."

Rosh was very gracious in his response.

"So, Store Manager, is it true that Mr. Wade's facial restoration was due to eating one of these Devil Fruits?" Helen Cho's voice still carried a strong note of skepticism.

"Of course." Rosh shrugged. "I'm sure Wade has already told you about it."

"But, Store Manager, forgive me for saying so, but the notion that a single fruit could contain such miraculous power contradicts scientific principles."

"That's precisely the point, Dr. Cho. The purpose of established principles is to be challenged," Rosh said, adopting a slightly pretentious tone.

"So, Store Manager, is this your answer to me?"

Helen Cho felt a pang of disappointment and even a hint of regret for being swayed by Wade. Such miraculous fruits seemed implausible. Wade must have had some other form of good fortune.

"Dr. Cho, Wade mentioned that you are a scientist, so your understanding of the world might be somewhat biased."

Rosh continued speaking as though he hadn't noticed Helen Cho's displeasure.

"Is that so? For example?"

Helen Cho raised an eyebrow, barely managing to suppress her laughter. Having created the epoch-breaking Rebirth Cradle, she found it absurd that a young man would claim she had a flawed understanding of the world.

"Like… this!"

Rosh said, extending a finger, which gleamed with golden light.

Helen Cho's eyes widened in shock, but she quickly composed herself. "May I examine your hand?"

"Of course. Feel free to inspect it."

Rosh extended his hand, and Helen Cho began a meticulous examination. Her brow furrowed slightly as her preliminary inspection revealed no abnormalities. There were no implants or prosthetics; current market prosthetics could not convincingly mimic actual limbs.

"Dr. Cho, I understand that scientists view the world through a materialistic lens, but it cannot be denied that some things in this world defy scientific explanation."

"Devil Fruits are one such phenomenon."

Seeing that Helen Cho was visibly shaken, Rosh seized the opportunity to stoke her curiosity.

"I haven't found anything unusual yet, but I'm confident that I'd be able to uncover something in my laboratory."

Helen Cho remained stubborn and confident, a common trait among brilliant scientists.

"Really, Dr. Cho?"

Rosh smiled. Scientists might be difficult, but it was not a problem. "Then, please keep your eyes wide open."

Rosh opened his left hand and placed it in front of Helen Cho. With his right hand, he stabbed his left palm with a finger.

Yes, he pierced his own palm.

Helen Cho's face turned pale, and she was visibly shaken by the horrific scene before her. The sight was quite unsettling.

Once Rosh withdrew his finger from his palm, Helen Cho hurriedly examined his hands. Her previous confidence was completely gone.

The astonishing sight before her truly defied her understanding, leaving her utterly bewildered.

"So… Wade was telling the truth? These Devil Fruits are real?"

Helen Cho took a long time to come to a conclusion that she found hard to accept.

"Indeed, Dr. Cho. The evidence is right in front of you," Rosh said with a confident smile.

"Store Manager, please tell me more about these Devil Fruits."

After a moment's reflection, Helen spoke, her gaze fixed on a pink fruit. "What is this fruit?"

Is pink really a universal favorite for women? Even a high-achieving scientist like Helen Cho wasn't immune.

Rosh thought to himself but quickly explained to Helen Cho, "This fruit is quite special. It's called the Kilo-Kilo Fruit or the Pound-Pound Fruit. Eating it allows the user to alter their weight."

"Really?" Helen Cho's eyes lit up. "So this fruit can be used for weight loss?"

Oh dear!

Rosh was left speechless, utterly defeated by Helen Cho's expansive imagination.

"Dr. Cho, if you think it's just for weight loss, you're underestimating Devil Fruits. Moreover, can you reduce someone's weight to just one kilogram?"

Rosh was amused and exasperated.

"One kilogram?" Helen Cho's brow furrowed deeply. "Are you saying this fruit can reduce a person's weight to only one kilogram?"

"Yes, the Kilo-Kilo Fruit allows the user to freely adjust their weight. Reducing to one kilogram is possible, and even lighter if one is skilled with the power."

"How could that be possible?" Helen Cho was stunned.