SCIAW: Chapter 126/127

Chapter 126: Door-Door Fruit

The impact of the Dragon Ball was undeniable.

Collecting seven Dragon Balls could grant a wish, even resurrecting someone.

But precisely because of this, all the girls present gained a new understanding of the diary's limits.

It had the power to grant abilities for no reason, even something as taboo as resurrection.

This diary was beyond anything they had imagined.

"Dragon Balls are one of the few special items capable of resurrection."

"Aside from bringing someone back to life, they can also grant wishes like regaining youth, immortality, and more."

"However, excessive wishes often disrupt the natural order, which can lead to serious consequences."

Ren explained the mechanics behind the Dragon Balls.

"Ah? Then, I..."

"A wish or two won't be a problem."

Ren waved his hand dismissively.

"Besides, the Dragon Ball you obtained is probably a consumable item, right?"

Nagi immediately recalled the description she had seen.

"Right… It does say one-time use."

"Exactly."

"The Dragon Ball appeared because your wish aligned with the diary's power."

"But obtaining Dragon Balls is extremely difficult. You need to collect seven just to make a single wish, and each Dragon Ball can only be used once."

"That restriction is what balances the power of the wish."

The Dragon Ball's existence, along with its many limitations, made it clear that it wasn't some overpowered, all-purpose wishing machine.

Ren even suspected that the Dragon Ball Nagi received was specifically tailored for her mother's resurrection, nothing else.

Otherwise, the ability to make any wish come true would be too much.

There's no way something that powerful would exist without conditions.

Wishes needed to be regulated.

Especially resurrection, one of the greatest taboos.

Yet, Nagi wasn't disappointed.

"Once is enough."

"Other desires… I can strive for through my own efforts. But resurrection, that is something no amount of effort can achieve."

Her resolve was unwavering.

Bringing her mother back was her greatest wish.

Ren understood.

There were things you could work for, but some wishes…

Some things could never be achieved, no matter how hard you tried.

Then, he shifted his gaze to Kaguya.

Ran had obtained Magic Nullification.

Nagi had received the One-Star Dragon Ball.

Now, it was Kaguya's turn.

"Shinomiya-san, it's your turn next."

Kaguya took a deep breath.

Her gaze locked onto Ren, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

"The diary grants abilities based on the owner's strongest desire."

"Ren, what do you think I need most?"

That question was broad.

Ren didn't answer immediately.

He took his time, carefully considering her situation.

Then, after a long pause, he spoke.

"What you need most… is someone you can trust."

The moment she heard those words, a glimmer of light flashed in Kaguya's eyes.

"In the story I know, that is the one thing Shinomiya-san needs more than anything."

"Even when you were betrayed, there was still one person you could never let go of."

As Ren spoke, his eyes shifted to the girl standing behind Kaguya.

"I think the person you need most… is Hayasaka-san."

"She's the one you trust the most. Your oldest friend."

"Even when she betrayed you, you let it go."

"Now that you've broken free from your cage, you still spared her."

"I don't think Hayasaka-san will ever leave your side again."

"And deep down, what you truly desire… is for her to always be by your side."

Kaguya looked at Ren.

She didn't respond.

Instead, she silently took out the diary and spun the roulette wheel.

She needed confirmation, a way to verify her true feelings.

The wheel spun.

Then, it stopped.

[One Piece]

Just like last time, the pointer landed in the same section.

[Obtained Devil Fruit: Door-Door Fruit]

A strangely patterned pear-like fruit materialized in front of Kaguya Shinomiya.

It was confirmed.

This was the result she had wanted all along.

Kaguya's emotions slowly settled.

"Ren, a person can only eat one Devil Fruit, right?"

"Yeah, only one."

"Heh~ Looks like the wish in my heart really was what you said."

Realizing that Ren was right, Kaguya couldn't help but laugh softly.

Then, she turned to the girl standing behind her.

"Hayasaka, eat it."

"Yes, Kaguya-sama."

Without hesitation, Hayasaka Ai opened her mouth and took a bite.

The moment the fruit touched her tongue.

A horrible, indescribable taste spread through her entire body.

A wave of disgust surged through her, making her freeze on the spot.

Now she understood.

She finally understood why Kaguya's face had looked so twisted when she ate her own fruit.

Eating this thing… was like eating literal garbage.

Even though her expression contorted in agony, even though her brows furrowed tightly in sheer disgust.

Hayasaka forced herself to swallow.

For her, this was torture.

No—this was worse than torture.

But she endured it.

In just a few bites, the entire Devil Fruit was gone.

Watching from the side, Chika couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Is Hayasaka suffering that much?"

Ren explained casually.

"Devil Fruits grant powerful abilities, but their taste is absolutely disgusting."

"Ironically, despite their magical properties, their flavor is… beyond horrible."

Almost instinctively, Chika asked.

"How bad are we talking?"

"It's like eating shit."

"...Hiss!"

Chika visibly shuddered at the thought.

She glanced at Hayasaka, who was still struggling to swallow.

And suddenly, she could almost taste it herself.

Instantly—

All her envy vanished.

Eating shit wasn't a joke.

She suddenly respected Hayasaka a lot more.

But then—

She realized something.

Wait!

Didn't Kaguya eat a Devil Fruit before too?!

Didn't that mean…

Kaguya also ate shit?!

Chika's admiration for Kaguya shot through the roof.

She really couldn't have done what Kaguya did.

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Chapter 127: The Gap Between Mystery and Reality

Hayasaka struggled to swallow the entire Devil Fruit, and as she did, a strange intuition surfaced within her.

Instinctively, she activated the newfound power within her body.

A circular door appeared in the void, pushed open by her hand.

"Eh?"

Using this ability for the first time, Hayasaka was momentarily stunned.

Oh, it's the Door-Door Fruit.

Seeing the door open in thin air, Ren immediately recognized the ability.

After all, the Door-Door Fruit was an extremely rare Devil Fruit.

It granted the ability to move through space, even enabling instant teleportation.

Among all spatial abilities, this was one of the most terrifying.

While the Door-Door Fruit lacked direct offensive power, its mobility was unmatched.

Especially since the user could hide in another dimension.

Unless they opened the door themselves, there was almost no way to detect them.

As for whether the Door-Door Fruit had any combat potential, that would likely depend on its awakening.

"Hayasaka-san, that is the ability of the Door-Door Fruit."

"By using it, you can open a door to another dimension identical to reality."

"Try stepping inside and take a look."

Hayasaka hesitated slightly before nodding.

"Then, I'll give it a try."

She stepped through the circular door.

The moment she entered, the door closed behind her.

She turned around.

"Kaguya-sama … Can't hear me?"

She tried calling out, but Kaguya, who was seated outside, showed no reaction.

She really can't hear me.

Just as she was about to test another theory, her gaze involuntarily shifted toward Ren.

And in that instant—

Their eyes met.

A chill ran down Hayasaka's spine.

…Was that a coincidence?

She quickly shifted positions, only to realize something unsettling.

No matter where she moved, Ren's gaze followed her.

It's not a coincidence.

Amamiya Ren can actually see me.

She didn't understand why, but one thing was certain.

He could perceive her in this dimension.

But given how strange Ren was to begin with, she wasn't entirely surprised.

Setting that thought aside, Hayasaka began observing this new world.

It was identical to reality, except for one thing.

The colors were different.

Everything had a lighter tone, making it easier to distinguish from the real world.

That's a good design.

If this parallel dimension looked exactly like reality, navigating between the two would be confusing.

But with these visual differences, she was certain she wouldn't get lost.

This ability suits me perfectly.

If I had this before, I could have uncovered all of Shinomiya Oko's secrets.

It came a little late… What a pity.

Just as she was lamenting this, Ren's voice suddenly rang out.

"Hayasaka-san, try picturing your room and opening a door to it."

"The Door-Door Fruit also grants the ability to travel through space, give it a shot."

"…!"

Snapped out of her thoughts, Hayasaka turned to look at him.

He's looking straight at me again…

Feeling slightly uneasy, she still nodded in acknowledgment.

She closed her eyes.

My room… My room…

Focusing on the image of her room, she activated the power she had just obtained.

A circular door formed in the air.

Taking a deep breath, she gently pushed it open.

And beyond the doorway.

Was her room.

"It actually worked…!"

Hayasaka's eyes widened in disbelief.

This was her first time using a supernatural power.

But instead of stepping through immediately, she carefully observed her surroundings.

Then, she noticed something interesting.

The scene beyond the door was completely different from the hot spring hotel she was standing in.

Beyond the doorway, it was as if she had already arrived at her room.

So I can check my destination before stepping through…?

That's a useful feature.

At last, Hayasaka fully understood something.

Now she knew why Kaguya had been so eager to solve problems with power after obtaining her ability.

Who wouldn't, after gaining something like this?

Moreover, she was beginning to realize.

The power she obtained was not inferior to Kaguya's.

Maybe she couldn't freeze an entire RV like Kaguya.

But she could instantly return from Tsukikage Island to her room.

This kind of spatial jump is even more terrifying than raw destructive power.

And another unexpected advantage.

Even in this parallel dimension, she could hear sounds from the real world and see people in it.

Unless she opened a door back, no one would be able to detect her.

Except, of course.

For Ren.

This ability… is ridiculous.

With this power, she could effortlessly steal any information without being noticed.

This was the difference between mystery and reality.

Hayasaka couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Until you obtain supernatural power, you can't truly comprehend the gulf between the mystical and the mundane.

She was still a beginner.

Yet even this level of power had already transformed her life.

No wonder everyone desires the mystical.

As Amamiya Ren once said.

Once you have power, it becomes easier to break past the limits of human nature.

After a moment of reflection, Hayasaka closed the door leading to her room.

However, the scene within the doorway remained unchanged.

She quickly walked over, gently opened the door, and—

Stepped into her room.

Then, without hesitation—

She created another door and immediately headed to Kaguya's room.

Along the way, she saw maids cleaning, just like usual.

These maids existed in a different dimension from her.

None of them had Ren's ability to see her in this world.

Because of that, she was able to move unnoticed.

Arriving at Kaguya's room, she created another door back to reality.

"I actually… made it back."

To confirm her success, Hayasaka did one last thing.

She walked straight to Kaguya's wardrobe.

Opened it.

And took out a piece of Kaguya's personal clothing.

Proof—that she had traveled through space.