I finished cross-checking the Devil Fruits and tried not to grin like an idiot. One Logia, two Ancient Zoans, two Paramecias, two standard Zoans—an absolute haul.
Logia – Cloud-Cloud Fruit: a tier above the Smoke-Smoke Fruit; with careful development it should be terrifying.
Ancient Zoans:
Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Therizinosaurus (the "scythe lizard").
Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Saber-toothed Tiger.
If Kaido caught wind of these, he'd come knocking.
Paramecias:
Fragrant-Fragrant Fruit—exudes an intoxicating scent that lures foes into hallucinations and covert poisoning.
Swift-Swift Fruit—makes everything you do faster, but you'll need a monster's body to withstand the strain.
Standard Zoans:
Mantis-Mantis Fruit.
Owl-Owl Fruit.
The ceilings aren't sky-high, but in the right hands they're deadly.
Two fine grade blades rounded out the take. I already had my black blade, Xintinghou; these would go in the vault.
Tomorrow I'd check on that kid, Adrian.
At dawn, a tiny battering ram hit my door.
"Uncle, up! An's huuungry! Let's go buy treats in town!"
Why are little goblins morning people?
"Take your mom, okay? Uncle's still sleepy."
"No! Mommy never buys street snacks." Big eyes turned glassy. "Grandpa Dylan's ships always bring yummy things to sell… I never get any… An is very pitiful…"
…Devastating. "Fine. Give me two minutes to wash."
"Yay! Hurry!"
On the way we passed Uncle Ed.
"Back already, Karl? Been years."
"Morning, Uncle Ed. An, say hello."
"Morning, Grandpa Ed!" she chirped.
"Such a good girl. Headed to the bakery?"
"Mhm! Uncle, hurry or the cream puffs will be gone!"
We queued forever. When it was finally our turn, the clerk—a new face named Karin—smiled.
"An again? How many today?"
An counted on her fingers, peeked up at me, and declared, "T-Ten… Thirty!"
"Three hundred Berries," Karin said.
I paid. As we left, I asked, "When did this bakery open?"
Two years ago, apparently. Karin had come with one of Dylan's fleets. I hadn't seen her before—and I was pretty sure she wasn't just a baker. Strong aura. Noted.
"You like Karin, Uncle?" An asked through a mouthful of puff.
"I like you keeping crumbs out of your hair," I said. "We're visiting the mayor next."
Mayor waved us through to the backyard range, where Adrian was happily ventilating targets.
"Yo."
"Karl! You're back! Are we sailing?"
"Eventually. You aiming to be a sniper?"
"Yeah. Uncle Darron says my shooting talent's good. I love firearms."
"Nice. Then I've got the perfect Fruit." I held up a swirled sphere. "Owl-Owl Fruit. Boosts eyesight and Observation Haki; also grants flight. Want it?"
"They're expensive…"
"You're my crewmate. Don't nickel-and-dime me."
He bit down, face contorted, then—madman—ate the whole thing.
An piped up, perfectly serious: "Uncle Adrian is silly. I took one bite and it worked."
…This kid is devious.
Adrian closed his eyes, feeling things out. "My Observation range just expanded. I can lock targets with a kind of brainwave… I can see really far. Captain, this is perfect for me!"
"Good. Go master it. I'll call when it's time. Might be a while."
Back on the training grounds, the town guard had grown to 200. Thanks to Rokushiki drills, everyone had at least one technique; 33 had awakened Armament Haki—excellent odds for folks with no formal foundation.
I found Benson by the sea. "Here. Seastone bracelets. Pulled them from a Celestial Dragon vault."
His eyes lit. "Thanks, Captain. Now I don't have to come to the beach every day to train my weakness."
We headed up the mountain. Robin was grinding Rokushiki; Aili coached, hawk-eyed.
"How's your student?" I asked.
"Good base, weaker body—but she pushes herself. She'll catch up," Aili said, smug in that I-told-you-so doctor way.
"And your research?"
"Finished ages ago. Didn't you notice Aunt and Uncle barely aged?" She tilted her chin. Right—life-extension formula, stable version. Aili was a menace—in the best way.
"When do we sail?" she pressed. "I haven't seen the world in years."
"Not yet. You're still too soft. More Haki."
"I won't be a muscle-head like my brother," she huffed.
"Suit yourself. Robin, here—seastone band. Train with it so you're not helpless if someone shackles you."
Robin turned it over. "So this is what they use on Devil Fruit users. Thank you."
Days slipped by, gentle as tidewater. Two years passed.
I pushed my Fruit to awakening; my presence grew heavier, sharper. The crew climbed too. An turned nine, begged to learn the sword after watching me cleave a Sea King, and she took to it fast. With the Cool-Cool Fruit, she carried a frosty aura now—less chatter, more calm: a tiny ice princess.
"Robin, you're sure?" I asked one evening on the cliff.
She nodded. "I've decided, Karl. It's time I search on my own."
"Then I won't stop you."
"Thank you… for everything." Tears welled.
"Hey, big girls don't cry," I said, even as Aili bawled behind her.
I clasped Captain Dylan's forearm. "Please see her safely to the Grand Line."
"Hahaha! Leave it to me," he said.
Robin turned, bowed deep. "Goodbye!"
"Take care of yourself!" Aili sobbed, clinging till the last plank.
I watched their ship slip past the reef.
"Come on, Aili," I said gently. "Our voyage is soon enough."
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