One Piece:The Merchant King of Grand Line

The Merchant King of the Grand Line

Chapter 7: The First Experiment

A Gamble Worth Billions

Artificial Devil Fruits.

A concept so dangerous, so valuable, that it could shake the world.

But a product was worthless without proof of quality. If I wanted to dominate this market, I needed more than just a prototype in a lab—I needed results.

Which meant one thing:

A test subject.

A Difficult Decision

Dr. Kreig was already working on the next batch of experimental fruits, but he was facing the same problem.

"The replication process isn't stable," he said, adjusting his glasses. "Most of the previous test subjects suffered horrific mutations or simply… died."

I wasn't interested in failures. I needed success.

"So how do we ensure the next test works?" I asked.

Kreig's lips curled into a slight smirk. "By testing it on someone who is… expendable."

I expected that answer. This wasn't a charity. This was science with no moral restraints.

Still, I had a choice.

Option 1: Use a random prisoner—easiest, but unreliable.

Option 2: Force a Cipher Pol agent into it—dangerous, but high-quality.

Option 3: Take the risk myself—foolish… but bold.

I leaned back in my chair, considering.

I wasn't an idiot. The risks were astronomical.

But the rewards?

If I consumed the first successful artificial Devil Fruit and survived?

I wouldn't just be the owner of the industry.

I'd be the living proof that my product worked.

The First Artificial Devil Fruit

Two days later, Kreig stood before me, holding a small black case.

Inside was a fruit unlike any other.

Golden in color, with spiraling dark-red patterns.

It emitted a faint heat, almost like it was alive.

There was a strange, metallic scent—as if power had a smell.

"This," Kreig said, "is the Avarice-Avarice Fruit."

A prototype designed based on the Paramecia-type model.

Theoretically, it would grant the power to store and summon wealth itself—a living inventory of treasures, accessible at will.

A Devil Fruit made for a businessman.

But theory was one thing. Reality? That was another.

I stared at the fruit. No turning back now.

Without hesitation, I took a bite.

The Transformation

The moment the fruit hit my tongue, a burning sensation shot through my body.

Not just heat—it was like my very soul was being rewritten.

I clenched my fists as a tidal wave of energy surged through me.

Something was changing.

I felt it in my blood, my bones—my very existence was being reshaped.

Then, as suddenly as it began…

The pain stopped.

I exhaled sharply, my hands trembling. But I was still… alive.

Kreig adjusted his glasses, observing. "Fascinating. You didn't mutate. No visible side effects."

I flexed my fingers. I felt the power inside me. But what exactly did it do?

I needed to test it.

I turned toward the gold coin sitting on Kreig's desk.

I focused—instinctively. And then—

The coin vanished.

Not like it disappeared. It was absorbed into something.

No.

Into me.

I closed my eyes and concentrated—willing it back.

The coin reappeared in my hand.

I grinned. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

Understanding My New Power

Over the next few hours, I ran multiple tests.

I could store anything valuable—gold, jewels, even weapons—inside an invisible space.

There was no weight limit. If I absorbed an entire chest of gold, I felt nothing.

I could summon stored items instantly, as long as I touched them first before storing.

Objects were preserved perfectly—food didn't rot, weapons didn't rust.

But the real game-changing ability?

I could absorb money from a distance.

If I focused, I could make coins, banknotes—even gold bars—simply vanish into my storage.

This wasn't just a power.

This was an empire in my hands.

The Future of Wealth Itself

Dr. Kreig was watching me closely, intrigued. "So? What do you think?"

I smirked. "I think we've just created the most profitable Devil Fruit in history."

But I wasn't done.

This was only a prototype.

Now that I had tested it myself, I knew what improvements needed to be made.

If we could refine the process…

If we could eliminate failures entirely…

Then I wouldn't just be selling a few artificial Devil Fruits.

I would be mass-producing power itself.

And once I controlled the supply?

Even the Celestial Dragons would come begging to buy from me.

I chuckled to myself.

This was just the beginning.

Next Chapter: The Market for Power

(Victor takes the next step—introducing artificial Devil Fruits into the underground market.)