OP: My Aircraft Carrier Evolves#3+4: It's Decided, You'll Be Our King, Munch-Munch Fruit Awakening? Dr. Kureha's Shock!

"What the..."

Back in the ship's cabin.

Jin stood slack-jawed.

The old worn-out equipment had transformed completely—everything gleamed like new.

The boiler blazed with unknown fuel, steam pressure surging. The gauges had maxed out, yet nothing exploded.

Beside it, the engine—now resembling a biological heart—pulsed slowly, its surface reflecting a metallic sheen.

It seemed alive, otherworldly—a perfect blend of sci-fi and gritty cyberpunk.

Jin opened the interface.

[Soul Crystals: 18/100!]

"It increased?"

"Did it extract soul crystals from the people it swallowed?"

"My ship runs on souls as fuel?"

Jin was astounded.

"In One Piece, all Devil Fruit weapons are Zoan-types. The Munch-Munch Fruit is clearly Paramecia."

"How is this possible?"

A thought struck him, and his eyes widened in disbelief: "Paramecia Devil Fruit Awakening?"

"Only Awakened Paramecia Fruits become 'alive'—like the Tot Musica from the Sing-Sing Fruit's awakening."

"My ship ate the Munch-Munch Fruit... and immediately Awakened?"

"Could it be related to the spacetime energy?"

Suddenly—

"That's correct, Master."

A clear, melodious voice rang out.

Jin jumped.

"WHO'S THERE?"

"I am Ai—your mobile AI assistant!"

A small holographic robot materialized.

"My apologies. I just finished rebooting my system and completing the activation sequence."

Phone?

Jin patted his pockets, realizing his phone was missing. Right—he'd set it aside to play music while doing repairs.

"You got swallowed by the ship after it mutated?"

Jin was amazed.

"Yes, Master."

"So you can control the ship, too?" Jin asked.

"I can. However, as the Captain, you possess the highest authority. I am here as your optimal assistant to support you."

AI was hardly a novelty anymore.

But in this strange, alternate dimension, having a familiar voice to accompany him wasn't bad. Besides, one person's capabilities were limited.

Without a system to rely on, he'd need to maximize his AI tools!

Jin asked: "You said the ship's mutation isn't just from the Devil Fruit, but also spacetime energy?"

Ai: "Correct, Master."

She projected the moment of their arrival.

A massive void suddenly appeared. The ship plummeted wreathed in energy lightning, crushing Wapol into bloody paste on impact.

An electromagnetic field formed, drawing a special energy dispersing from Wapol's body into the ship's hull.

Then the hull transformed.

"The spacetime tunnel's opening generated enormous energy that captured the Devil Fruit's power."

"During fusion, while absorbing that energy for awakening, it also erased the fruit's inherent will."

Ai explained.

"Not just the ship—Master, you also unconsciously absorbed some energy. It's dormant within your body."

Jin looked down at himself in surprise, clenching his fist. "But I don't feel any different!"

Ai: "That's because Master's body is too fragile. With training, it will gradually manifest."

Jin understood now. "Scan my body data."

Ai: "Yes, Master."

"Data generated."

——————

[Name: Jin]

[Height: 180cm]

[Weight: 60kg]

[Body Fat: 18%]

[Heart Rate: ...]

[Analysis: Master's health is satisfactory. Please maintain. You've been working for 18 consecutive hours. Sleep recommended.]

——————

"Not bad, not bad at all."

Jin was satisfied. Quantified analysis could clearly track his changes. Ai was proving to be an invaluable assistant.

"I'm going to sleep. You're on watch duty."

Ai: "Understood, Master. Good night!"

Jin collapsed into his makeshift bunk. Exhausted beyond measure, he was asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

—————————

Meanwhile, outside.

Drum Island's villages and towns erupted in chaos.

"Hey! Big news! HUGE news! King Wapol is dead!"

"What? That son of a b— I mean, the king is dead?"

"How? Who killed him?"

The messenger grabbed a drink from the table, downing it in one gulp before wiping away the foam. "Hold on, I saw it myself..."

"An ironclad warship, wreathed in thunder, fell from the sky! It was like divine retribution! It struck Wapol dead on the spot!"

"YES!"

"FINALLY!"

"HE DESERVED IT!"

"What goes around comes around!"

For a year, the townsfolk had suffered under Wapol's tyranny. Everyone despised him, but lacking the strength to resist, they could only endure.

"Then what?"

"Then, from within the lightning, a young man emerged from the warship wielding a divine artifact. He annihilated the guard unit."

"Even Dalton submitted to him."

"WHAT?"

"Who is he?"

"I was too far away to hear clearly, but it sounded like... King Jin? He spoke a different language than us."

"King?"

"He's a king too?"

"Did he come to challenge Wapol for the throne?"

The celebrating townspeople fell silent. A new king had arrived—but what policies would he bring?

"What if the World Government investigates Wapol's death?"

Someone voiced their concern.

The Drum Kingdom was a World Government member nation. Wapol had just returned from the Reverie.

"Hehehehe, what's there to fear? As long as the Heavenly Tribute gets paid on time, does the World Government care who sits on the throne?"

From a corner—

An aged but spirited voice cut through.

Everyone turned, then recoiled.

Someone whispered: "It's the witch!"

"DR. KUREHA!"

Dr. Kureha—the doctor who would one day teach Chopper everything she knew—had heard about Dr. Hiriluk's death and the mysterious avenger from Chopper himself. Her curiosity was piqued.

She'd come to see for herself.

—————————

Outside the castle.

Dalton remained uneasy. He'd built a fire and stood guard by the carrier, occasionally stealing curious glances at the strange vessel.

"Dalton! We have a problem!"

One of his trusted subordinates came running.

"What's wrong?"

Dalton jumped up. "Pirates?"

"No, no—it's everyone..."

"Everyone?"

The subordinate gasped for breath: "Everyone heard the new king killed Wapol. They're all heading this way!"

"Huh?" Dalton was stunned.

Right...

Dalton looked toward the ironclad ship.

His mind began to race. That young man seemed incredibly strong, and he controlled a Devil Fruit warship.

Having him protect the Drum Kingdom would be infinitely better than bringing back the exiled eldest prince—who was just as vicious as Wapol.

As for his character... could he really be any worse than Wapol?

Why had Dalton, despite his clear dissatisfaction with Wapol's tyranny, continued to serve and tolerate him?

It wasn't just loyalty—it was consideration for the remaining citizens.

This was the Grand Line. Every year, countless pirates from the Four Seas invaded. Without strong protectors, everyone would suffer far worse.

Wapol couldn't handle the major pirates, but he was sufficient against newcomers.

Now Wapol was dead.

Dalton's own strength couldn't support a nation. Therefore, keeping the powerful youth who'd killed Wapol was the optimal choice.

IT'S DECIDED. YOU WILL BE OUR KING!

<><><><><><><><>

He woke refreshed, feeling like a million berries.

Jin stepped onto the deck, only to be greeted by a sea of over a thousand people chanting "King" in unison.

"What the hell—is this a protest? Or what?"

He was bewildered.

Especially when they erupted in cheers the moment he appeared.

Ai's holographic form materialized, perching on his shoulder: "Master, they want you to be their new king."

"HAH??"

Jin's brain short-circuited.

"Me? A king?"

His expression mirrored someone being told they'd won the lottery but had to fight a dragon to claim it—pure disbelief mixed with confusion.

"Yes, Master!"

Jin scratched his head.

This was absurd.

Choosing a complete stranger as king? Had they all lost their minds?

Then again, people in One Piece weren't exactly known for their critical thinking skills. Look at Oden, or Yamato—their decision-making was catastrophically bad.

Ai: "Based on my big data analysis of the One Piece world, they've made the optimal choice."

Jin: "Huh?"

After a moment's thought, it clicked.

Ever since Roger kicked off the Great Pirate Era, the seas had descended into chaos. Strength and violence had become the only currency that mattered.

For the average person, there were only two options: fight for your life, or just barely survive.

Those who chose to fight had one path—go to sea, whether as marines or pirates.

The rest? They just endured.

Dalton and the citizens of Drum Island had tolerated Wapol's tyranny for eight years without rebelling.

They'd perfected the art of taking punishment.

So—

In Dalton's eyes, by killing Wapol, Jin had proven himself stronger—someone they couldn't resist.

That slave mentality ran deep.

"Wait, you understand their language?"

Ai: "Yes, Master. While you rested, I collected and analyzed environmental and linguistic data."

"Language decryption is complete."

Jin was thrilled: "Perfect!"

He gazed down at the crowd.

Through the swirling snow, countless faces looked up at him expectantly.

He pondered: 'I just got here. Both the ship and I need time to develop.'

'Using this place as a temporary base is better than just drifting aimlessly.'

'But I can't accept immediately. History's taught us—true leaders refuse power before accepting it. Like Caesar refusing the crown.'

'I need them begging me to rule...'

—————————

Jin turned and walked back into the ship.

The crowd exchanged confused glances.

What did that mean?

"He doesn't want to be king?"

"Was our sincerity insufficient?"

Dalton considered, then said: "Maybe he doesn't understand. I'll go explain."

He carefully leapt onto the deck. The moment he landed, the deck split open beneath him. Before he could react, he was swallowed whole.

Dalton plummeted, crashing hard against solid metal. The impact rattled his jaw, pain shooting through his skull.

"Dalton, didn't I tell you not to approach?"

Dalton looked up to see the young man standing before him, speaking in perfectly understandable language.

"What? You can—" He was stunned.

Jin smiled slightly, using Ai's real-time translation: "I couldn't before. Now I can."

IN ONE NIGHT?

HE LEARNED THE LANGUAGE?

Dalton couldn't believe it. Was he some kind of God?

It defied comprehension.

"Alright, why are you here?"

Dalton remembered his purpose and bowed respectfully: "You killed our former king and saved our country."

"The citizens are grateful. We hope you'll become our new king."

Jin feigned surprise: "Really? Is this just your idea, or does everyone on the island feel this way?"

Dalton hesitated.

Jin continued: "Look, you can go. I'm just passing through, resting here briefly before moving on."

The metal deck warped, a mysterious force ejecting Dalton. He tumbled onto the snow outside.

"Dalton! You're out!"

"How'd it go?"

"Did he agree?"

"Resting briefly before leaving?"

The news spread quickly.

The villagers wavered.

Should they insist on keeping someone who wouldn't stay?

—————————

"Ai, create a training regimen for me."

"Yes, Master."

Jin stretched his muscles. While the carrier could evolve infinitely, personal strength couldn't be neglected.

Otherwise, he'd end up like Spandam.

This was especially true in a world with Conqueror's Haki—an attack that could overwhelm others on a spiritual and mental level.

If he couldn't withstand that, it wouldn't matter how strong his ship was.

Knowing he'd absorbed spacetime energy with massive potential made him eager to grow stronger.

Who didn't dream of punching Emperors and kicking Admirals?

"Unfortunately, the space inside the cabin is too small," Jin noted with a frown.

Ai: "Suggestion: utilize the Munch-Munch Fruit's properties to expand your space."

Jin's eyes lit up.

"GOOD IDEA!"

"The Munch-Munch Fruit can swallow anything and make it part of the body, or synthesize materials."

"What should I swallow?"

Lightning struck his thoughts.

The royal castle!

With Wapol dead, by pirate world rules, the king's castle was rightfully his spoils of war, right?

Let's do this!

Jin stepped outside, eyed the royal castle, then willed the ship to devour it.

"WHOOOOOOM..."

A deep, resonant sound echoed across Drum Island—like a whale's song from the abyss, shaking everyone to their core.

It made their skin crawl.

—————————

"Hey, what's that sound?"

"No idea, but it's terrifying."

Those still near the castle all turned their heads.

"Holy shit, look!"

"The ironclad ship is moving!"

The warship anchored in the snow began emitting strange steam—black-red flame clouds that swirled around its hull.

Supported by the steam, it slowly rose twenty meters into the air. From the ship's underside, massive sections split open to both sides.

Like a demon opening its maw, it expelled waves of bizarre flaming light that engulfed the enormous royal castle.

"AHHHHH..."

The sight was beyond comprehension.

Everyone who witnessed it stood slack-jawed, unable to make a sound, frozen in shock and terror.

Dr. Kureha, clutching her plum wine, looked grave as she whispered: "That's actually Devil Fruit Awakening!"

"Who the hell is he?"

Her mind reeled.

The Munch-Munch Fruit had changed hosts just one night ago, and it had already awakened?

A Paramecia Awakening at that?

She'd never heard of anything like this.

"Fruit Awakening? Dr. Kureha, is that really powerful?"

Dalton asked nervously.

"Powerful?" Dr. Kureha scoffed. "In the first half of the Grand Line, as long as he doesn't go looking for trouble with the Marines or a few other major players, he's basically untouchable."

"Woooooooooom..."

Another soul-shaking cry rang out. Before everyone's eyes, the royal castle vanished—devoured completely.

Dalton stood in shock, taking a deep breath.

This was beyond powerful!

WE HAVE TO KEEP HIM HERE.

That very day, he visited every town, convincing the mayors to approach Jin together, pleading for him to become king.

"Can you really speak for everyone? I'm genuinely not interested in being king, although... I am a bit of a softie."

When the rebuffed Dalton refused to give up, he and the mayors set out to collect the signatures of every single citizen on a petition.

People even began sitting outside the carrier in protest, clearly prepared to stay until Jin accepted the crown.

"Hey, what are you all doing?" Jin sighed.

"Alas... You're really putting me in a tough spot here!"