Chapter 180: Chapter 180: The Ownership of the Devil Fruit
Chapter 180: The Ownership of the Devil Fruit
The morning dew had just begun to appear beneath the warm winter sun.
A slight chill lingered in the air, but for Ryosuke, the temperature was just right.
Wearing a loose bathrobe, he stepped into the courtyard bathed in golden light and stretched lazily. It had been a long time since he’d enjoyed such a peaceful morning. For the better part of the past year, he’d been living on a boat—where opening his eyes meant staring at endless water, breathing in the fishy scent of the sea, and enduring the constant sway beneath his feet. Compared to that, this was paradise.
Haa—
He exhaled a faint stream of turbid air and took a deep breath, savoring the familiar scent of plants and trees in the courtyard.
With a casual wave of his hand—lacking any real force—a series of swift yet gentle palm strikes danced through the air. Though the movements appeared fierce, they carried no weight. The strikes weren’t meant to be powerful—they were a test of control, a way for Ryosuke to regulate and refine his strength.
Going from frugality to extravagance is easy, but the reverse is hard. The same principle applied to cultivation.
Light blue chakra flowed slowly through his meridians as he moved.
The Fierceness of Strength was his current expression of taijutsu, an evolution formed after integrating the Navy’s Six Styles into his own system. But now, Ryosuke was exploring a new approach—shifting hardness into softness, testing the true limits of the human body through deeper mastery.
By the time he finished a full set of soft boxing forms, his once-stiff muscles and meridians had relaxed entirely.
"But my physical cultivation... still lacks refinement."
Lowering his stance, Ryosuke assessed his control over his body and silently noted his progress.
In the ninja world, his physical capabilities had long since neared their limits. Without special opportunities, breaking through further would take time—and perhaps more than just sweat and perseverance.
After all, even growth has its bottlenecks. Without breakthroughs, even the transformation one undergoes every three years might not yield any meaningful change.
Unless... he advanced Black Zetsu’s plans and helped summon the Sacred Tree again. If the tree bore fruit once more, he could devour it—crushing his limiter and advancing beyond his ceiling.
But that method... was insanity. Trading the planet’s future for personal gain? No matter how obsessed Ryosuke was with strength, there were lines he wouldn’t cross.
Because people... are still human. And humanity comes with restraint.
Thankfully, after encountering Blueno from the One Piece world and secretly learning the Six Styles, Ryosuke had once again found room to grow—no limiters needed.
The Six Styles were the pinnacle of physical martial arts in that world. Though it was merely a technique, the rigorous training it required reinvigorated Ryosuke’s stagnated path.
"Is that technique something you learned from those people from other worlds?"
A clear, curious voice rang out from behind him.
Ryosuke chuckled and turned around.
Hinata stood at the edge of the wooden corridor, barefoot. Her pale toes rested delicately against the smooth surface, and her cold expression was softened by the early sunlight. Her Byakugan was already activated, the meridians around her eyes faintly visible. Though other Hyuga members looked intimidating like this, on her face... it only enhanced her beauty.
Ryosuke approached her and replied gently, "Yes. But this technique requires a strong physical foundation. You shouldn’t try it lightly."
Standing on the raised corridor, Hinata was finally able to meet his eyes at level.
"You give me too much credit," she said, her tone quiet but firm. "I’m not like you. I can’t just watch something and instantly learn it. Don’t worry—I won’t be trying anything reckless."
She slowly deactivated her Byakugan, her expression softening.
Then she frowned. "But... why are you out here this early in the morning wearing makeup? Isn’t that a little strange?"
Without replying, Ryosuke took a step forward. In a single motion, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her soft frame, lifting her effortlessly.
"Wha—?"
Before she could react, he had already seated her gently on the corridor’s edge. It was the perfect height—his feet flat on the ground, not hanging, not stretched.
"You..."
Hinata, now sitting in his lap, was frozen. Her lips parted slightly, her pearly teeth barely visible. Her widened eyes stared at him, dazed.
"You’re beautiful," Ryosuke murmured, unable to stop himself.
The closer he got, the more breathtaking she became. Her creamy skin shimmered in the sunlight, fine hairs catching the golden glow. She was like a dream—one that had stepped quietly into his arms.
Unaware of her own reaction, Hinata’s lips parted again in surprise. The gesture made her look even more ethereal.
Ryosuke’s heart stirred.
"My dear clan head," he whispered with a smile, "you’ve finally grown up."
So this is my... wife?
The thought struck him with unexpected emotion. An intoxicating warmth spread through his chest as he took in her scent—familiar, calming.
For the first time in two lifetimes, Ryosuke felt the joy of being a husband. Or maybe a boyfriend. Whatever it was, it felt good. No grand gestures, no lust—just this moment, this peaceful closeness.
Despite all his past experiences—flings, companionship, brief sparks of romance—this feeling was something new.
Even without doing anything, just holding her like this was enough to make his heart race.
In his old life, he’d been too cold. Calculated. Always thinking of what came next, of what could be gained or lost. Even relationships had to be measured in terms of benefit.
But not this time. Not with her.
Hinata had been willing to give up everything for him.
And for her, Ryosuke didn’t need to think. He could simply feel.
As he gazed at her flustered, gentle expression, Ryosuke raised his hand and slowly ran it through her hair—starting at the crown and sliding down the silky strands of hazy blue, twirling them around his fingertips.
In his arms, Hinata bit her lip. Her hands unconsciously rested on her chest, crossed tightly.
She kept her eyes locked on Ryosuke’s face, heart pounding in chaos.
Should she resist?
But... she didn’t want to.
Should she just accept it?
But... wasn’t that too fast? Especially outside?
Yet before she could decide—
Swoosh—
The sliding door behind them opened suddenly.
"Sister... sister?!"
At first, it was a lazy call. Then the voice cracked like a stock chart hitting its peak.
"What are you doing?!"
A startled, angry, and oddly flustered shout broke the silence.
Through the gap between Ryosuke’s shoulders, Hinata turned her head and saw Hanabi covering her cheeks with her palms, her frightened yet curious eyes peeking through the gaps between her fingers.
"I..."
But before she could think of how to explain, the flustered Hinata had already been lifted into the air by Ryosuke.
Feeling herself suspended helplessly, she instinctively wrapped her arms around Ryosuke’s neck and rested them on his shoulders.
"I was just having a private conversation with your sister," Ryosuke said, looking down at the little girl in front of him with a gentle smile. "It’s been a while since we last saw each other. There’s a lot to catch up on."
As he spoke, he adjusted the soft weight in his arms.
Not too heavy, not too light—just right.
Hinata frowned at the motion and responded with a subtle pinch to his shoulder, her delicate fingers pressing in. It didn’t hurt, but it sent a message.
"Hateful!"
Hanabi, who had initially been curious, suddenly grew angry. She dropped her hands, clenched her fists, and looked at Ryosuke with reluctant frustration, yet powerless to do anything.
Staring ahead, she felt a strange discomfort.
It was as if her sister no longer belonged solely to her.
Her cheerful morning mood? Ruined in an instant.
"Hanabi, let’s go. It’s time for breakfast," Ryosuke reminded her kindly, starting toward the dining hall with Hinata still in his arms.
But it didn’t last. Hinata, red-faced and flustered, slapped his chest until he finally set her down.
Showing off in front of Hanabi was one thing—but to do so in front of her father...
...
"You’re almost ready to apply for graduation this year, aren’t you?"
At the breakfast table, after the meal was finished, Hyuga Hiashi looked toward Hinata and posed the question.
"...Yes."
Hinata blinked and nodded silently.
Graduating early was still graduating early, even if it was only by a few months. It wasn’t something to brag about.
In terms of strength, after Ryosuke’s previous hands-on guidance, she was confident. As long as she didn’t get unlucky and draw some perpetual Genin like Maruboshi Kosuke in the assessment, she should have no problem passing the Chunin-level combat test.
She hadn’t applied yet simply because it didn’t matter to her.
She was already managing clan affairs as the acting heir. Even the clan’s senior ninja had to follow her lead.
Once she officially graduated, she wouldn’t be placed into a team like the others. Instead, she’d take on a deeper role within the clan’s leadership.
Whether she graduated or not wouldn’t change much.
Once the matter was settled, Hiashi seemed ready to rise and leave. But Ryosuke stopped him.
"Father, wait."
In a flash, Ryosuke vanished from the dining hall. A second later, he reappeared with a scroll in hand.
"This contains the information I compiled on those otherworldly training systems. It includes the swordsmanship and Six Marine Styles I mentioned before. I believe it will be of great value to the clan."
Hiashi accepted the scroll calmly, as if he had expected this.
"To prevent leaks, only core family members will be allowed to study these techniques."
"These physical arts require rigorous conditioning," Ryosuke reminded him. "The body must be tempered to extreme levels. It doesn’t reach the demands of the Eight Gates technique, but it’s close."
"I’ve noted the major taboos in the scroll, but I still hope the clan will exercise caution. Ideally, a dedicated medical team should supervise those practicing."
"I will make arrangements accordingly," Hiashi replied, then left the dining room without further comment.
Ryosuke had never hesitated to share the combat systems of other worlds with the family.
Especially the Hyuga family.
Though the clan had reformed, it still wasn’t truly thriving. But one thing was certain:
As long as Ryosuke lived, the position of clan head would remain in their line’s control.
And so, the family’s strength was his strength. Publicly or privately, he was more than willing to contribute.
Of course, he was confident—arrogant, even. He believed that even if someone in the clan could fully master the advanced techniques from another world, they still wouldn’t surpass him.
Ryosuke had that much faith in his own abilities.
After their father departed, Hinata and Hanabi also left one after the other.
As they were heading off to school, Hanabi grabbed Hinata’s hand and stuck her tongue out at Ryosuke.
He didn’t need to guess what she was thinking.
But soon enough, the little girl would realize:
Once Hinata graduated, her last chance to monopolize her sister would vanish.
"So... what should I do today?"
For the first time in a while, Ryosuke was home alone. His mood couldn’t have been better.
Still catching the faint scent of his wife on his clothes, the day had already started off just right.
He didn’t leave home right away to meet Naruto as planned.
Instead, Ryosuke returned to his room to begin preparing for his upcoming year-long journey.
The most important item?
The Devil Fruit.
He pulled the bizarre-looking fruit from a tiny sealed scroll and began to ponder.
Who would be best suited to receive this treasure—this fragment of One Piece’s immense combat system?
Every training method had its own growth curve, its own power progression.
Back when Ryosuke was still advancing in his own skills, he often felt like he was moving into darkness, as if there were no road ahead.
But ever since discovering the existence of other worlds, everything had changed. His vision had broadened.
Each world emphasized different strengths. The collision of their techniques, the merging of their philosophies—all of it gave him more paths forward.
Even the loneliness he once feared, the kind that came from having no equals chasing him, now had the potential to disappear.
Maybe... this Devil Fruit could unlock something truly valuable.
He didn’t intend to eat it himself. He preferred to observe.
But who should he give it to?
Hinata?
The moment the thought surfaced, Ryosuke shook his head.
Not a good idea.
Though the Devil Fruit granted strange and often terrifying powers, its effects were unpredictable.
Without a proper guidebook, he couldn’t even guess what ability this particular fruit held.
It could be a Zoan-type that transformed the user into a beast, a Paramecia with bizarre superpowers, or a Logia that let one become an element of nature itself.
It was all unknown—and that meant the risks were unknown too.
What if it turned the user into a walking poison cloud?
If Hinata were to eat it...
Ryosuke couldn’t bear the thought.
He wasn’t reluctant to part with the fruit.
He was simply unwilling to let someone he loved suffer its unknown consequences.
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