Chapter 12: Returning Home to Share the Fruits

At home.

Ao Chen stared at Liu Xiyao in stunned amazement.

Such a beautiful woman!

And what had she just called his brother?

“Master?”

Oh no! What on earth has my brother been up to outside? He actually dared to bring this woman home!

And that muscular man—he claimed to be a special forces soldier, and honestly, I’d believe him!

He even called my brother “Boss”?

At this moment, Liu Xiyao stood quietly behind Ao Xin like a proper maid, her hands folded over her abdomen.

Meng Kui looked clearly at a loss.

Though outgoing by nature, he was unsure how to interact with the family of the leader he had sworn loyalty to.

Eventually, Ao Xin’s mother, Zhang Hong, took the initiative and said, “You must all be hungry. Come and eat!”

After learning her son was returning, she stayed up all night preparing food, wanting her son and husband to have a warm meal.

She hadn’t expected her son to bring back two extra guests, which made the food a bit scarce.

Fortunately, Ao Xin had prepared plenty of canned goods in advance, opening several to set a full table.

Seeing Meng Kui and the others hesitant, Ao Xin said, “Come, eat together.”

Just as Meng Kui stepped forward, Liu Xiyao declined, “No need. Just some canned food will do. I can’t dine at the same table as my master.”

Ao Chen: !!!

Zhang Hong: ???

Ao Kang: ...

Ao Chen’s suspicious gaze flicked between the two, then he suddenly shouted, “I get it! This is called... ouch!”

Before he could finish, Ao Xin suddenly smacked him on the forehead, causing tears to well up from the pain. In retaliation, Ao Chen grabbed Ao Xin’s arm and bit it.

After some playful scuffling, Ao Xin said to Liu Xiyao, “Come eat with us. It’s not that formal.”

With his consent, the elegant beauty in the cheongsam gracefully seated herself at the table.

Ao Chen sat on her other side and whispered, “Liu Xiyao sister, what exactly is your relationship with my brother?”

Liu Xiyao replied calmly, “Master and servant.”

---

After the meal, Liu Xiyao stayed in a room with Ao Chen, while Meng Kui was assigned to a guest room.

The next day, they woke up to find it was already two in the afternoon.

After breakfast, Ao Xin took two Devil Fruits from his backpack and said to his parents and sister:

“I have two more Devil Fruits here—one is the Thunderclap Fruit, the other’s power is still unknown. You can have them.”

Having witnessed Ao Xin’s fierce Azure Dragon form and seen many powerful ability users dominate in videos, they now understood the immense value of these two fruits.

Meng Kui and Liu Xiyao were both shocked—Ao Xin actually had two more!

Their eyes shone with deep longing; who wouldn’t envy a Devil Fruit user?

But they also knew they weren’t worthy of possessing such treasures.

Still, with Ao Xin’s formidable strength, it was very likely he could find more Devil Fruits in the future. If they proved themselves, they might be granted one later.

At that moment, their resolve to serve him grew even stronger.

Curious, Ao Chen picked up the two fruits, examining them and showing them to his parents.

Afterwards, Ao Kang handed them back to Ao Xin: “Give one to Xiao Chen. We’re too old now; it would be a waste if we ate them.”

Zhang Hong agreed, “Yes, Xiao Xin, as long as you protect us, we’re content. These precious items are better kept by you for a greater purpose; we won’t eat them.”

Ao Xin said, “I already have the Azure Dragon Fruit. My strength will grow quickly. If you eat these, you can kill zombies faster and exchange for Haki cultivation techniques—these are the true survival capital in the apocalypse.”

But after all that, Ao Kang and his wife still refused: “No, if you get more in the future, you can give them to us. Eating them now would be a waste.”

Ao Xin sighed and said to Ao Chen, “You pick one.”

Ao Chen had been eagerly eyeing them for a long time. When it was finally her turn, she became excited.

She held up the two fruits, looking left and right.

The Thunderclap Fruit was famous and the safest bet.

The other one was unknown—if it was just an ordinary Zoan-type, that would be a big loss.

After much thought, she returned the Thunderclap Fruit to Ao Xin: “I’ll eat this one.”

Ao Xin was surprised: “You’re not eating the Thunderclap? Natural elemental powers are unbeatable early on! And who knows what that other one’s ability is?”

Ao Chen shook her head: “There’s a demon-dispelling potion in the divine space that removes the side effects of Devil Fruits and allows a person to eat a second fruit. Brother, you’re so strong now, you’ll definitely get that potion. The Thunderclap Fruit suits you best.”

“I’ll eat this one.”

Ao Xin considered it and said, “Alright, I’ll identify the power first. If it’s good, you can eat it.”

“Identify?”

Ao Chen was puzzled.

Fruit identification was a privilege unlocked only after earning a thousand points; Ao Chen currently had zero points, so she naturally didn’t know.

She had rushed home from school and killed over a thousand zombies at the central hospital entrance—just enough to unlock one identification.

But upon hearing it cost a thousand points, she immediately protested: “No way! A thousand points? That’s too expensive!”

“A thousand points can already be exchanged for one of the Navy’s Six Styles or a sharp blade! Identifying a single fruit is too wasteful!”

Without waiting for Ao Xin to reply, she grabbed the golden corn-like fruit and stuffed it into her mouth.

She bit into the flesh without tasting it and swallowed it right away.

She knew Devil Fruits tasted terrible.

“Xiao Chen!”

Ao Xin was shocked. He hadn’t expected her to eat it directly. If the fruit was weak, there’d be no chance to regret it!

But with a piece swallowed, it was done. He could only pray the fruit’s power was strong.

The whole family, along with Meng Kui and Liu Xiyao, watched her closely, observing any changes.

Ao Chen nervously felt the strange energy within her.

Soon, the energy spread throughout her body, and her form began to change.

Her cheeks lengthened, ears grew large and pointed, white fur sprouted across her body, adorned with dark golden stripes.

Then, her entire body shrank rapidly, transforming into a tiny white-furred mouse with golden stripes no larger than a palm.

“It’s a Zoan-type!”

Everyone immediately recognized the fruit’s category. But this little mouse seemed extraordinary, likely not an ordinary species!

The mouse spoke in a human voice: “Brother! You all are so big!”

Ao Xin and the others crouched down, curious: “What kind? Ordinary Zoan? Ancient Zoan? Or Mythical Zoan?”

Ao Chen giggled, “It’s a Mythical Zoan!”

Hearing “Mythical Zoan,” Ao Xin was delighted—it seemed his sister had made a wise choice!

“Mythical Zoans all have special abilities. What’s yours?”