The Castle Part 6

The Castle Part 6

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"Baby?"

I tried to turn my head to look at her, but I wasn't able to see from my position of doing vertical pushups, "Yes momma?"

"What's this…?" With some effort, I maneuvered my six year old ass around in the handstand so I could see what my momma was talking about. She was holding up one of the books I'd stuffed beneath our hammock on the ship.

"Code." A.K.A. – English. Thank you past life. "I don't want someone going through my stuff to know what I'm working on from stealing one of my books."

Momma raised an eyebrow at me in amusement, "Why not?"

With a grunt, I started back again at my push-ups, "If I discover something neat, I don't want somebody to steal it."

Momma shook her head smiled down at the book of my research notes in her hand before putting them back, "Alright baby, you have fun with your spy work."

"Mad scientist work momma!" I called out as she headed back towards the deck of the ship, "Mad scientist!"

-oOo-​

Devil Fruit cell structure apparently identical to that of a normal pumpkin.

Chromosome stain reveals that Devil Fruit has fewer than a pumpkin's normal 40 chromosomes. Current estimate is at 25 pairs. Chromosomes appear to structure themselves into spirals similar to the patterns found on the fruit proper. Recursive structure? Possible mistaken structure. Devil Fruit may lack true chromosomes, but have an analogous structure… possibly one that simply stains instead of the chromosomes… insufficient equipment to test further.

Unusual structure noted in Devil Fruit cells. Spiral support structures that stained as part of the cytoskeleton… modified microtubules or centrioles? Currently unknown.

Internal structure of Devil Fruit similar to that of a pumpkin. Definite case of recursive structure, randomized spiral patterns? Possible algorithm involved. Does not appear to operate on the golden ratio or Fibonacci sequence, unusual for a natural organism.

---

All samples involve less than one gram of Devil Fruit shaving and one milliliter of appropriate substance or one cheek swab as appropriate.

Sample is placed upon slide and additional substances added. Mixture is allowed to sit for one minute before being moved beneath the microscope due to the possibility of explosive decomposition.

Initial examination done without staining. After initial examination, stains added and allowed to sit as appropriate. See Reference 2.

Day 1

Devil Fruit Sample + Pure Water = No Effect

Didn't expect a reaction. Control test.

Devil Fruit Sample + Salt Water = No Effect

Didn't expect a reaction, but just in case.

Devil Fruit Sample + Sea Water = No Effect

No reaction expected. Devil Fruit themselves have no reaction to the ocean that I was aware of, but I had to check.

Devil Fruit Sample + Casey Tissue = No Effect

Devil Fruit Sample + Florida Tissue = No Effect

Devil Fruit Sample + Bonney Tissue = No Effect

Didn't think it would, but control testing needs to be done. Just touching the fruit has no effect, even the 'meat' of the fruit. What constitutes 'eating' the fruit?

Devil Fruit Sample + Casey Saliva = No Effect

Devil Fruit Sample + Florida Saliva = No Effect

Devil Fruit Sample + Bonney Saliva = No Effect

There's no reaction with saliva. It takes more than that apparently to 'eat' the fruit. I guessed, but what is it? Possibly stomach acid? Stomach enzymes? Need to get some… joys. Need a bucket. Will wait to perform test until additional fruit gathered to ensure possession of the Devil Fruit.

---

My own cells appear to have the same, unusual, spiral cytoskeletal structures as the Devil Fruit. Unable to take a sample of transformed cells, body durability greater than integrity of cheek swab.

While general chromosomal structure appears to be the same, but an additional pair of pseudo-chromosomal structures similar to those the Devil Fruit possesses. Further suggests that these spiral structures are chromosomes rather than analogous structures. Upon direct comparison with normal cell chromosomes, they appear closer in size to the male Y-chromosome.

Florida Cheek Swab + Pure Water = No Effect

Florida Cheek Swab + Salt Water = No Effect

Florida Cheek Swab + Sea Water = No Effect

Complete lack of discernable effect unfortunate. Unable to determine sources of waters effect on the user's powers. The water in the users body does not interact, so what could it be? Possible effect that is simply unable to be seen with current stains and technology? Possible that body parts removed from user no longer 'count'? Conceptual effect? Insufficient data.

---

The same structural changes noted in my cells is present in Bonney's. Possible source of the powers? Insufficient data do draw conclusions.

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Fruit has arrived, testing to continue.

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Devil Fruit Sample + Stomach Acid = Effect!

The slide upon which the sample was placed reacted, flashing through a pink color briefly upon application of stomach acid to sample. Observation Haki detects a difference between affected slide and other microscope slides.

Affected Slide (A.S.) appears to have a lattice of what appears to be collagen fibers through it as well as subtle spiral patterns on a microscopic scale. Initial testing shows that A.S. does not possess the properties of jello or gelatinous substances. A.S. appears to retain properties of a normal piece of glass aside from slight discoloration. Extensive testing to follow.

---

A.S. had structural integrity identical to normal microscope slide as far as current instruments can tell. Breaking of A.S. caused the discoloration to fade and a pumpkin from the nearby box to shrink slightly and transform into a new Devil Fruit. Sound was a 'Zzz-Zzz-Zzz'. Was not looking at the basket at the time. Will rectify. Can the fruit be added to something else? Has structure of previous fruit body changed?

---

No discernable difference in initial fruit. Possible change in cytoskeleton, but instruments lack measurement accuracy to be certain. Entirely possible that it's researcher bias. Cells in initial fruit appear to be dead.

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Applied a paste of active Devil Fruit Sample as well as Initial Devil Fruit Sample to two separate knives. Stomach acid applied. Active Devil Fruit Sample Knife flashed as per A.S. and slightly discolored, but was otherwise unaffected. Initial Devil Fruit Sample Knife had no effect.

Affected Knife was slightly pink. But no obvious macroscopic changes were discernable. Microscopic spiral patterns detectable in metal. Transforming my eyes into metal showed that the Affected Knife is meaningfully different from the unaffected one, though the image is difficult to put into words. Instead of a single, solid structure, the knife appears to have a lattice within it of… something. The structure of the metal internally appears to mimic that of connective tissue. Insufficient practice with Metal-Vision in order to ascribe traits to the lattice.

Affected Knife had noticeably greater structural integrity than normal knife of similar quality. Effect of the fruit?

Upon breaking, a new pumpkin was transformed into a Devil Fruit. Process is fluid and softly audible. Does not appear to affect closest fruit.

---

Ten trials show that there is a marked preference for a particular kind of fruit within range, but this is not a requirement. Apple was selected when it was within a few feet of the broken object and all other fruit were on the other side of the Cake. Apple expanded outwards and internal structure changed to match that of the initial Devil Fruit.

Insufficient fruit to continue testing in such a manner. Consistency of effects confirmed. Blood does not appear to be affected as per cheek swab. Saliva shows no reaction as well.

Objects, upon breaking, lose traits of the fruit and revert to previous state.

Applying stomach acid to a Devil Fruit Sample mixed with Casey's Cheek Swab (ACCS) caused a change in structure to the cells in the swab identical to those observed in Bonney and myself. Casey himself showed no discernable change and was able to swim safely. ACCS showed a change in the cytoskeleton structure upon immersion in pure water as well as other forms of liquid once full immersion was achieved. ACCS possessed insufficient mass to test structural changes. Upon burning, a new fruit was created.

Applying stomach acid to a Devil Fruit Sample mixed with both Bonney's Cheek Swab and my own caused explosive decomposition within one minute. Explosive force approximately equivalent to a firecracker. Given size of samples, effect seems disproportionate.

Bonney came back with the crew, significant haul tonight. I'm obviously exempt, but they want me to cook. Small celebration. Not a bad idea to relax some.

---

It's getting late. Will do more work in the morning. Have set up an apparatus to separate chlorine gas out of a brine solution. Insufficient equipment to electrolyze molten salts. Should have sufficient chlorine gas by the morning to make some hydrochloric acid to test whether activation is based on stomach acid or hydrochloric acid.

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Day 2

Hydrochloric acid created. Initial testing shows that it is insufficient to 'eat' the fruit and transfer abilities. Stomach acid required.

Fuck. I hate straining puke.

Casey's physical is complete.

Long term stains revealed no significant changes between cell structures of Devil Fruit users and normal humans not already noted. At least no changes visible with current technology.

Former Devil Fruit show noticeable degradation on a cellular level even after a single day.

Careful application of stomach acid to CCS while under the microscope reveals that the stomach acid causes Devil Fruit cells to lyse completely and violently. Process is extremely quick, insufficient fruit to consider sufficient testing to explore process currently. See Notes 4 for initial observations. Previously un-noted change in that all Devil Fruit cells disappear upon application of stomach acid. Previous samples had no traces of Devil Fruit cells, researcher failed to note significance.

Frustration noted at inability to observe process leading up to explosive decomposition of Devil Fruit samples applied to cheek swabs of current Devil Fruit possessors. Microscope of insufficient durability to consider. Possible acquisition of diamonds to create lenses? Monetary costs likely excessive. Application of Observation Haki? Possible shaping of Armament Haki around the eyes to replicate a lens? Testing required.

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Observation Haki capable of providing information on cellular level, however information is difficult to parse and not immediately grokkable. Insufficient fruit to consider testing at current time.

Fine control of Armament Haki is difficult, but doable. However, sufficient capability to consider testing was not achieved within four hours.

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Realized possible reason for hydrochloric acid failure. 1 Milliliter Saliva mixed with 1 Milliliter Hydrochloric Acid. Substance applied to Devil Fruit Sample and Florida Cheek Swab mixture. Explosive decomposition achieved. Further testing required to confirm. Initial supposition: Saliva enzymes required as well as an acid? Not stomach enzymes? May need to rinse mouth heavily to ensure no stomach enzyme contamination from gathering stomach acid previously during the day.

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Bonney and the crew brought back some fancy foodstuffs today using loot they'd gotten from the Huns. They're going back tomorrow. I'm getting roped into another–

"God damnit woman wait up! Let me finish my experiment first!"

"I–! Want–! Truffle–! Pizza!"

---

Another mug of beer was shoved towards my face as the crew roared with laughter, glasses clinking as they sang a shanty. With a smile, I pushed it away.

"Come on Florida! Drink up!"

"I don't like beer." I reiterated for the… twelfth time tonight? Let's go with twelfth.

The crew was eating up the feast they'd prepared with the treasure they'd been able to swipe from the Huns right under their noses. They'd spent a good amount of it on the food and beer for today, but not all of it. I was sitting at the big dinner table in the oversized mess hall of the Cake, I'd pitched in with the cooking, but mostly was munching as they drank themselves silly.

A warm mass suddenly pressed against my side, nearly enveloping my shoulder, lean and muscled but also distractingly soft–

"Come on Ironhide!" Bonney wrapped an arm around the top of my head and hugged it against her side, "Drink!"

"Tcheheh," I elbowed Bonney in the stomach and pushed the mug of beer she shoved into my face, "Nooooo. You didn't bring me any whiskey!"

'… is that pizza grease in my hair…? That's pizza grease in my hair. Damnit. Woman, don't hold a pizza while hugging someone like this! No matter how soft you are.'

Looking up, I could see that her cheeks and nose were flushed from alcohol, and the little dab of lipstick she favored was smeared a bit from the food she'd been stuffing her face with. She grinned, "What's the matter goody two shoes? Beer not to your taste?"

"Tchah! No! It tastes like horse piss!"

"Whiskey tastes like fire and burning!" she fired back with a grin.

"Still better than horse piss!" I brought my piece of pizza up, taking another bite out of it as Bonney laughed, leaning more heavily against me and my chair.

She guzzled down some of her mug before wolfing down her own piece of pizza, half sitting on me. Washing the last of the piece down with another swig of beer, she raised the barely filled mug high and shouted, "To treasure!"

Two dozen glasses were raised high, "To treasure!"

"To food!" she shouted, waving her glass about.

"To food!" they called back.

"To the sea!"

"To the sea!

"And to bleeding those stupid natives dry!"

And a cheer went up from the crew and I smiled, rolling my eyes even as they downed their drinks.

My pizza was halfway to my mouth when it was snatched out of my hands. I blinked twice stupidly before turning to scowl at Bonney, who was happily munching on the half-eaten piece, "Oi! That's mine!"

"Mine now!"

"Oh hell it ain't!"

---

"Wakey wakey eggs and bakey~"

"Mmmnnnggggg." Bonney groaned as I entered her room, rolling over to bury her face into the pillow. A devious smile appeared on my face as I walked into the room. It would've been a bit on the small side for my first life, but for the ship it was moderately sized, especially for a single person. She had a basic bed, a wardrobe, a large table and desk, as well as a dresser and a little minifridge. There was a door to her personal bathroom since she was the only girl on the ship, one circular window in the curved wall leading outside, and the curtains were drawn on it.

Yup, gonna fix that right quick.

My leg snapped out, a burst of wind knocking the curtains aside and letting in sunlight, earning another groan as she pressed the pillow to her face harder. "Come on, Captain," I drew the word out teasingly, "You have treasure to get."

A arm was raised and a single finger salute was waved about to eloquently express Jewelry Bonney's… disdain for the concept.

"Come on…" this time I said it a bit gentler, taking a knee beside her bed and setting the plate of food I'd made up on the minifridge that doubled as end-table, "You do have to get up Bonney." Reaching out, I placed a hand on her bare shoulder.

"Mmnngg… dnn'wnna…"

"I know, but it's already about 11, if you want to get to the castle in a reasonable amount of time you have to go now." The pink haired woman groaned unhappily and rolled over, covering her face with her hands. "Come on, I've got some water and painkillers right here as well as a good breakfast, a specialty of mine. Eggs, bacon, and sausage biscuits and gravy."

Grumbling under her breath, Bonney forced herself into a sitting position, the covers falling off of her. She'd ditched the jacket sometime during the party, but before collapsing into bed she'd ditched her suspenders. One of the shoulders of her top was slipping off as she ground the sleep out of one eye and made a grabbing motion with the other, croaking out, "Water. Asprin."

With a smile, I dutifully handed it over. She gulped it down quickly, letting out a relieved sound as she finished, her eyes cracking open for an instant before closing them again with a wince, "More water would've been a good idea."

"Shut up jackass," she grumbled, though she already was starting to sound better.

Reaching out, I placed a finger beneath the falling strap and slowly lifted back into place, "Taking a shower and getting changed will help." Goosebumps rose on her arm in the wake of my finger.

"Stop talking," she groaned as she rolled away and quite literally out of bed. She didn't fall to the floor, but it was a near thing. Bonney stood, stretching her arms above her head with a grunt and my eyebrows went up even as I stood.

"You definitely want to get dressed," Apparently, she'd decided to go to bed in just the tank top and panties, "Pirating in your undies, while perfectly possible, probably isn't the best idea."

She stiffened, and I couldn't help but grin, "Now, while the view is wonderful and I certainly wouldn't complain," I watched as the skin at the back of her neck slowly turned a shade of red, my grin widening, "You would likely have–"

There was a blur of motion that I only barely had time to react to before there was a pillow in my face, "Tchehehahahah!" I caught it to keep it from falling, backing away.

"Get out!"

"Getting–" *Wham!* "Guh! What is with you and kicking–" *Wham!* "I'm getting! I'm getting!" *Wham!!* "That's my ass!"

"Then stop staring at mine!"

"But you've got a nice one-!"

*Bongg!*

"Shit woman! That was my neck!"

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The Castle Part 6 End