The throne room held the contained warmth of towering torches. Their orange glow mingled with the dark marble floor, casting dull reflections across the steps. Riser sat with one leg crossed over the other, his gaze fixed ahead. Hancock rested in his lap, relaxed but alert.
Kalifa stood to his left, her calculating eyes scanning every detail. Nojiko kept her gaze lowered for a moment before lifting it toward the throne. All three knew the purpose of this meeting.
Riser's left hand grazed Hancock's hip as he spoke, his tone steady.
"As you know, Merlin is preparing the ship. We'll set sail for Spearhead soon. But before that… I want to make an upgrade."
Kalifa crossed her arms more firmly.
"What exactly does that mean?"
Riser glanced at her without turning his head.
"It means I intend to grant power."
Silence hung for two seconds. Hancock leaned her head against his chest. Nojiko remained still, though her eyes flickered.
Kalifa tilted her head just enough to show interest.
"Fruits?"
"Yes."
The answer was direct.
"They're already in my possession. And now they'll have owners."
Nojiko's brow furrowed slightly.
"Even so… why now?"
Riser ran his fingers through Hancock's hair, unhurried.
"I don't need a reason to reward my followers."
He extended his right hand. The air around his palm shimmered briefly. Two fruits materialized, floating—one with a glossy yellow rind etched with electric grooves, the other a deep blue with silver spirals.
Riser locked eyes with Nojiko.
"The Goro Goro no Mi is yours."
Nojiko's breath caught for a moment. Her eyes fixed on the fruit with restrained hesitation. A flicker of disbelief crossed her face.
"That's… a lot."
Riser didn't waver.
"You need strength. This fruit is one of the most direct in that regard. It'll complement your nature well."
She reached out slowly, taking the fruit as if grasping a new fate.
Kalifa stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the other fruit.
"And this one?"
Riser turned his face slightly toward her.
"The Doa Doa no Mi. Originally Blueno's, from your old squad."
Kalifa didn't blink.
"You remember it?"
"Of course. It was his. Now it's yours."
She didn't hesitate. She took the fruit with steady fingers, turning it lightly in her palm.
"Functionally… perfect. Mobility, range, support. With vampiric abilities, it opens dozens of possibilities."
She looked at Riser with a faint, genuine smile.
"Thank you."
Riser didn't respond.
The two stood in silence for a moment, studying the fruits as if deciphering what came next.
Kalifa was the first to bite.
Her jaw tensed slightly at the first taste. The flavor was vile—sour, fibrous, with a lingering bitterness. She swallowed without pause, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
"It doesn't get better…"
Nojiko watched silently for a few seconds. Then she bit into the Goro Goro no Mi. The taste made her gag slightly—like swallowing metal and rust. She took a deep breath and finished the necessary piece.
Silence lingered for a few more seconds.
Riser looked at both, his body still.
"Test them outside the palace. We have time before departure."
Nojiko stepped back and bowed her head slightly.
"Thank you… again."
Riser's reply was emotionless.
"No more thanks."
Kalifa flicked her wrist gently. A faint sound, like tearing paper, cut through the air. The wall to the left of the throne folded in on itself, revealing a perfectly outlined rectangular opening. The light beyond was dim but clear.
She glanced back.
"Let's go, Nojiko."
Nojiko looked at the passage for a second. She took a deep breath, bowed her head again.
"Yes, Kalifa. Riser-sama."
She turned with resolve and walked through the structure without hesitation, vanishing into the shadows ahead.
Kalifa paused briefly before entering. She turned slightly and fixed her eyes on Riser.
"We'll come back stronger."
Riser didn't reply.
Kalifa gave a faint smile, then stepped through the door and disappeared.
The passage closed on its own—as if it had never existed.
The hall returned to silence.
Hancock shifted in Riser's lap, sliding slightly to the side, her fingers tracing soft lines across his chest.
"They're excited."
Riser kept his gaze forward.
"They need to be."
Hancock smiled, satisfied, resting her chin on his shoulder. Her breathing was slow, but her mind stayed sharp.
"And until Merlin finishes the ship… what do we do?"
Riser didn't answer immediately. His hand moved slowly along her waist, the touch cool and steady. When he spoke, his tone was the same—firm, unhurried.
"You can do whatever you want. But we wait."
Hancock frowned slightly, not pulling away.
"Wait for what? No one can stop us. Not Marco. Not the world."
Riser tilted his face toward her, his gaze unwavering.
"Because this is the first act of the new Yonkou. And the world needs to see it done right. With strength. With protocol."
She fell silent for a few seconds.
"I only care about this title… because you said you wanted it. If you change your mind, I'll burn the crest right now."
"I haven't changed."
"Then neither will I."
Hancock leaned close to his ear.
"If I can do whatever I want…"
Her voice dropped to a near-silent whisper.
"…I want to go back to the room."
Riser didn't move, but his eyes blinked once.
"You don't tire?"
Hancock's smile reached her eyes. A faint flush colored her cheeks. She didn't answer.
Riser twisted his wrist slightly.
A Kamui opened beside the throne, silent, a dark distortion that swallowed the surrounding light without a sound.
The sea breeze blew softly from the side.
Hancock didn't hesitate. She slid from his lap with the grace of someone who owned the space. Riser stood after her, saying nothing more.
They stepped through the opening side by side.
The distortion closed behind them, erasing the last trace of their presence.
The throne stood empty.
---
Electricity sliced through the air in jagged lines. Sparks crackled from Nojiko's right arm as she held her palm outstretched, her jaw clenched with the effort of focus. A steady hum filled the air, and the scent of ozone clung to the ground around her.
"Relax the base of your foot. If you tense too much, you won't redirect the flow."
Kalifa's voice was precise. She stood three meters away, arms crossed, watching every move with infuriating calm.
Nojiko didn't respond. She adjusted her stance. Her eyes locked on her fingertips, where tiny bolts leaped in erratic bursts.
"If I relax too much, I'll fry the ground."
"Better the ground than you."
Another crackle. The electricity veered sideways, striking a nearby rock. The impact was small but loud. Nojiko stepped back, her breathing quick.
"That's already progress. Before, you couldn't hold it for two seconds."
She flicked her wrist, and the energy dissipated in a short arc.
"I don't like feeling this much… inside."
Kalifa shrugged.
"Get used to it. The Goro Goro no Mi amplifies everything you feel. And you're already intense."
Alvida's voice cut through sharply.
"Enough with the lecture. Why aren't you training too?"
Kalifa glanced at her, unfazed.
"Because I knew my fruit before I ate it. And unlike you, I had years of real training. Missions, infiltrations, executions."
She turned back to Nojiko, as if Alvida wasn't worth further attention.
"But if you want a challenge, I can teach you something you've never seen."
Alvida scoffed, slamming her mace into the ground with a quick spin.
"I don't need your lessons. I've got my partner."
Across the platform, a Kuja pirate with braided hair stood in a combat stance, her arms coated in Armament Haki up to her shoulders. Alvida spun her wrist and charged again, trading three quick blows before retreating.
"Again."
The Kuja nodded and resumed her stance.
Alvida wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Where was I? Oh, right… breaking bones till the blood hardens."
Kalifa commented in a neutral tone.
"Self-explanatory."
Nojiko gave a faint smile, eyes still on her hand. The energy was more controlled now, forming a small, pulsing orb above her fingers.
"I can hold it like this… for about ten seconds."
"Make it fifteen."
"You're kidding."
Kalifa didn't answer.
Nojiko steadied her breathing and counted silently. The orb wavered but didn't explode. Heat surged up her arm, drawing instant sweat.
Alvida and the Kuja exchanged another flurry of attacks. The sound of Haki clashing against Haki filled the air with a tense, steady rhythm.
Kalifa watched them with the hint of a smile.
"We're getting sharper."
The sun rose slowly behind the walls of the Phoenix's Nest. The sea around it kept its constant roar against the rocks. The war hadn't started yet.
But the crackle of lightning… the thud of maces… the invisible doors yet to open… already heralded what was to come.
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