I'm Not Interested in Devil Fruits

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Twenty-six Years Ago, in the Sobert Kingdom

Through the beautifully adorned windows of the palace, young Bartholomew Kuma, dressed in fine clothing, gazed quietly at the world outside. Guards and maidservants stood nearby, their presence a constant reminder of his royal status.

The young prince, peering out at the town, murmured softly, "It's too far..."

"What did you say?" A guard, thinking the prince was addressing him, leaned closer.

With a childlike voice, Bartholomew replied, "It's too far from the people; I can't see them clearly."

The guard was taken aback, momentarily speechless as he looked at the five-year-old prince.

"I'm going to find Father." The little prince, displaying a surprising maturity, didn't linger with the guard. He lifted his short legs and dashed toward the King's chambers.

Ignoring the maid's gentle reminder outside the hall, Bartholomew burst in and found his father seated at the conference table, deep in discussion with a visitor.

The man, refined and more akin to a scholar than a government official, stood up and smiled. "Well, Your Majesty, if that's the case, I'll take my leave. I hope with your support, the factory can be built soon..."

"And the charity organization you promised as well," the King of Sobert Kingdom replied with a nod.

"As you wish." The researcher bowed and, as he passed by Bartholomew, offered another respectful nod. "Prince Your Highness."

The young prince maintained his composure, waiting for the man to exit before rushing to his father, his eyes sparkling with hope. "Father, I want..."

The King scooped up his little prince in a warm embrace, laughing joyfully, "What's wrong, my future King?"

After hearing his son's request, the King looked at Bartholomew with newfound seriousness, his laughter echoing in the room. "My prince, at just five years old, you're already thinking like a King! I'm so proud of you."

The little prince beamed shyly. As he turned to leave, he bumped into a middle-aged woman at the door. He bowed obediently and said, "Queen Mother..." before cheerfully making his exit.

The Queen shook her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation, before stepping inside to find the King. The maidservants closed the door, and through the narrowing crack, their conversation could be faintly heard. 

They seemed to be discussing a name that had been making headlines recently— the infamous Roger Pirate Crew on the Grand Line...

After changing out of his princely attire, Bartholomew donned a simple shirt and pants. To the astonishment of the maidservants, he shaved his head down to stubble, revealing his cyan scalp. Satisfied with his transformation, he instructed the guards to stay behind, left the palace alone, and ventured into the royal city.

As he walked through the familiar yet strangely new streets, the little prince was filled with excitement and curiosity, soaking in the lively atmosphere around him.

A few guards trailed him discreetly, keeping a safe distance...

…

"Let's start from twenty-six years ago. On that day, the five-year-old Prince wandered the streets of the royal city, disguised as a commoner..."

Old Boss, taller than Liam, continued his tale. "The young prince's experience as a commoner went surprisingly well. After enjoying the freedom for a while, he realized that the townsfolk had recognized him, and the palace guards had been shadowing him the entire time to ensure his safety... He had never truly lived as an ordinary citizen. Embarrassed, he returned to the palace and didn't venture out for a month. But a month later, when he reappeared in the royal city, he embraced his princely identity and accepted the guards' presence. A common citizen remarked, 'You can't truly experience the life of an ordinary person like this.' The prince smiled and vowed to try living the hardest life of the poor. From then on, he traveled daily between the palace and various towns on the island, never once riding in the royal carriage. He walked with woodcutters into the mountains and observed fishermen along the coast..."

Old Boss reminisced, his tone tinged with nostalgia.

Robin listened intently, while Liam let the words wash over him, growing increasingly impatient. "That's too much! You're not going to recount the prince's life from age five to seventeen when he became a tyrant, are you? Shorten it!"

"Tyrant..." Old Boss's expression shifted, agitation creeping into his voice. "Don't call him that! He was never a tyrant!"

"Records indicate that fourteen years ago, the King of Sobert Kingdom, Bartholomew Kuma— the prince you're reminiscing about— went into a violent rage, destroying the Vice Admiral of the Marines, pirates, and even his own kingdom, harming his own citizens..." Robin stated calmly. "Or do you, as a witness, believe that record is false?"

Old Boss opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.

Liam was taken aback. "So, he really did all that?"

Robin continued, "It's true. Bartholomew Kuma did kill Marines, pirates, and citizens of the Sobert Kingdom. Since this part of history is accurate, the other parts are likely true as well..." 

She recalled the book about the Sobert Kingdom they had read on the ship, "Eighteen years ago, after the King's unexpected death, the young prince ascended the throne at the age of thirteen. On the day of his coronation, the new king lost control and caused immense death and destruction..."

Old Boss's expression grew more despondent with each word, muttering to himself, "That... that was for a reason! The King... the prince... he was such a gentle person... It was because of Ice Cream, because of Ice Cream Paradise!"

Old Boss became emotional, his eyes reddening as he coughed and gasped for air.

Robin was puzzled, while Liam frowned. He exchanged a knowing glance with B.I.B., sensing a deeper story.

Old Boss looked at the young couple, scratching his dry hair, and sighed. "Do you know? I'm really twenty-eight! Fifteen years ago, I... I also lost control! It was the prince... it was the King who suppressed the chaos and took the blame upon himself..."

…

Meanwhile, Marigold and the Kuja warriors:

Marigold and the other Kuja warriors traversed another desolate, abandoned town.

Suddenly, the snakes coiled around their arms and raised their heads, hissing ominously.

The Kuja warriors immediately fell into a state of alert. Marigold and several experienced female warriors calmly activated their Observation Haki, and all at once, they looked up at the roof.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A flash of fire erupted from the rooftop, and several bullets tore through the air, hurtling toward the Kuja warriors below.

(End Of The Chapter)