Chapter 61: Not merely the adherence to promises
"This cannot continue; I must preemptively enter a state of diminished combat effectiveness! If I lose the power to suppress this band of ruthless individuals, the consequences are all too clear—I would be devoured without a trace, and when it comes time to divide the spoils, my share would undoubtedly be included.
With deliberate intent, I reduced the coverage of the Holy Light Bomb, and indeed, in the face of life-and-death peril, several individuals immediately exhibited greater combat prowess than before. The nameless and unaccomplished mental discipline forms the foundation of all my strength; this technique has established an unbroken cycle. Whenever I gain a moment of respite in battle, the abundant true energy that I have yet to utilize slowly replenishes the severely depleted Platinum Glory, allowing my combat effectiveness to gradually recover.
Though we are all on foot, the six men here possess the capability to complete a marathon at the speed of an Olympic sprint champion. Thus, our progress is not slow. The only surprise is that the winged demon apes, whom we expected to encounter swiftly, have yet to appear.
"Up ahead lies the location indicated on the treasure map; the method to unlock it must reside with you, right?"
Snoke shouted in a low voice, swiftly dispatching a Thunderbird with a swift stroke of his blade, paying no mind to the charred wound on his shoulder. He called out to me, "I will unlock the treasure cave; you all provide protection."
Without needing to be told, I would not stand idly by. Only by retreating into the treasure cave could we evade the Thunderbirds' pursuit. After fighting together for so long, our mutual understanding had fostered a seamless cooperation, ensuring Snoke received robust protection.
The location indicated by the treasure map was a low peak on this nameless island. Snoke produced an unusual key, measuring thirty centimeters in length, from his mouth. He inserted it into a concealed keyhole he must have discovered and turned it; a massive stone began to shift slowly. Jack, Bullet, and Maki Shinpu entered in succession, while I stood guard at the rear. As we stepped into the cave, the stone sealed behind us, and the Thunderbirds shrieked in furious protest. Yet, even if they breached our defenses, they would be slain by the Wolf King and me.
Seeing the last Thunderbird crushed by the massive stone, I let out a quiet sigh of relief, intentionally maintaining a safe distance from everyone. Snoke had already retrieved a large flashlight, leading the way ahead.
"Could the winged demon ape be waiting for us inside?"
Maki Shinpu, gripping his long knife, Koyuki, and the bone knife, Mikazuki, expressed concerns about our safety. Snoke replied solemnly, "That adventurer would have no opportunity to set more traps. This cave lacks any protective measures; if the winged demon ape were placed inside, it would have long since devoured those wish fruits."
I rubbed the bloodstains left by the Thunderbirds and was about to speak when Juliere's voice suddenly echoed in my mind: "Congratulations! You have found the Rainbow Altar, which grants bonus points!"
"The Rainbow Altar? What is it, and what purpose does it serve?"
"The Rainbow Fruits are fully matured wish fruits, each possessing unique effects. To utilize them correctly, one must locate the Rainbow Altar to unleash their full potential."
"Isn't it just about making wishes? How hard can that be? Just wish for whatever!"
I dismissed Juliere's explanation, and the demoness scolded me in my mind, "You truly are a fool. For instance, if a Rainbow Fruit grants you the wish for eternal life, and you merely wish for good health, that would be a waste! Similarly, wishes granted by fruits of the same level differ in power; if you wish for something that the fruit cannot provide, it will naturally be diminished in effectiveness."
"So, for example, if a wish fruit is inclined towards wealth and I wish for love, I might end up with a dinosaur instead of a beautiful woman, right?"
"That analogy is rather simplistic! But I suppose you understood it correctly." In my banter with Juliere, I alleviated some of the tension brought on by excessive slaughters.
The cave was not large; Snoke quickly discovered a black cloth package concealed behind a well-masked stone wall. When he produced the twelve wish fruits inside, their rainbow-like hues dazzled everyone's eyes. I finally understood why these high-level wish fruits were called Rainbow Fruits—their translucent skins changed color with every gaze, enveloped in a halo of neon brilliance. "As agreed, each of you four can take one; I hope our collaboration this time has been pleasant, and that we may meet again in the future."
Just as Snoke was about to stow away the remaining Rainbow Fruits, Jack chuckled softly, "Why not twelve fruits? There are four of us, and you only have two, plus we possess the advantage in combat strength!"
Snoke's expression shifted, and Bullet sighed in resignation, standing behind Snoke. He whispered to me, "The potential of the Locke Group is beyond your imagination. Perhaps with these Rainbow Fruits, they could more easily extricate themselves from their predicament, but even without them, the Locke Group will not be utterly defeated. When they return, every enemy will face dire consequences."
A wish fruit can only be used once in a lifetime; possessing more is of no use.
Jack was about to speak when I interrupted him, stating coolly, "Jack, I have never believed you could represent my opinions. When you calculate the number of participants, you might want to exclude me."
Jack shrugged and exclaimed, "I'm only looking out for everyone's best interests. These high-level wish fruits can be exchanged for many things on Demon Island; even if they cannot be used on oneself, their value is immeasurable."
"Indeed, and that is why I have decided to take two for myself, leaving none for you!" Jack suddenly laughed, displaying a grace I had not anticipated. He bowed elegantly and stepped aside. I reached out to accept the four Rainbow Fruits that Snoke offered, passing two to Maki Shinpu and the Wolf King, then murmuring to myself, "In the end, I am not a reckless outlaw; I have no interest in offending those who should not be crossed. However, when it comes time to eliminate certain individuals, I will not hesitate."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone