Sabo let out a deep breath. While Ivankov had learned a great deal from Kuma, time was limited, and the Revolutionary Army still lacked a full understanding of Kuma's situation.
Now, having confirmation from his uncle that Kuma was safe, Sabo could finally put his mind at ease.
"For now, what you need to know is that Kuma's consciousness remains intact. However, to avoid certain complications, he is currently in a state akin to deep sleep, only awakening when necessary."
Wright gestured toward the door: "Originally, Kuma was supposed to personally protect Luffy's ship. But if he had come, the World Government would have suspected something about his 'modifications.' That doubt would have led to a terrible fate for him…"
"And that is something none of us—including myself—want to see."
Sabo shuddered. Having grown up among nobles and understanding the cruelty of the Celestial Dragons, he could well imagine what those people would do to Kuma if their suspicions were aroused.
"Thankfully… things haven't come to that yet."
He muttered to himself. For the Revolutionary Army, Kuma was an irreplaceable and loyal comrade.
"Now that you're here, I will pass on a message to Kuma, so he can be at ease… He knows Luffy is Dragon's son, but he doesn't yet know that Luffy is your brother."
Wright chuckled. "I must say, Luffy sure has some powerful backing."
Sabo's expression turned resolute.
"I lost ten years… Ten years of worrying them. That reckless idiot Ace was probably terrible at taking care of Luffy."
"And now that he's joined the Marines, it's already a miracle if he's not hunting Luffy down… So, it falls to me to protect him!"
"If anyone dares to lay a hand on Luffy, they'll have to deal with me first!"
The ultimate overprotective big brother, living up to the title.
Wright smirked. "With your current strength, you're about on par with Ace at best. But while you're here watching over Luffy's ship, your training will inevitably be delayed."
"At this rate, forget protecting him—when Luffy returns in two years, he might surpass you."
"Haha… Don't worry, Ojisan. As a Revolutionary, I've been through countless missions. Strengthening myself while staying hidden isn't new to me."
Sabo spoke with confidence: "With Dragon's teachings and your past guidance, even when I had amnesia, I instinctively focused on training my physical foundation…"
Clenching his fists, Sabo flashed a proud smile. "If nothing else, my mastery of martial arts and Haki will be enough to make me a top-tier fighter!"
"I won't neglect my training while watching over Luffy's ship!"
Wright studied Sabo for a moment before nodding. "I saw your fight with Ace, and I should remind you—he wasn't going all out."
Sabo's face darkened as Wright continued.
"Ace is a Logia-type Devil Fruit user—the Flame-Flame Fruit. Under Garp's and my physical training, he's developed his Devil Fruit abilities quite well. He may have been a bit distracted, but his full strength is far beyond what you saw."
"In your fight, he used orange flames, right? But he has already mastered white flames."
Sabo's expression turned even darker as he recalled Wright's teachings about flame properties.
"That bastard… Next time I see him, I'll have some serious questions! Holding back like that…!"
Right now, Ace is far stronger than he was supposed to be.
Wright glanced at Sabo's grim face, then at Koala, who was quietly chuckling. With a smirk, he pulled a large bundle toward him.
"You three brothers have all become key players in shaping the world's future."
"When we last parted, I only learned of our family ties at the very last moment… I didn't have the chance or the means to do much for you."
"But in an era where lineage holds weight… As my nephew, I won't let you face the world without support."
Wright opened the bundle, revealing a pale blue Devil Fruit with swirling patterns, shaped like a pear.
"This is…"
Sabo scrutinized the fruit, its spiral patterns seemingly radiating an inexplicable allure.
Wright tossed the Devil Fruit to Sabo, who fumbled to catch it.
"Ojisan… This… This is too valuable!"
"Idiot! Too valuable? Are you looking down on your uncle?"
Wright flicked Sabo's forehead, making him wince in pain.
"Stop whining and eat it. This is the Gura Gura no Mi!"
"Ha?!"
Sabo, Koala—who had stealthily moved closer—and even Shakky, who had merely raised an eyebrow at the fruit, were all utterly shocked.
The previous owner of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was none other than Whitebeard, the "Strongest Man in the World."
And this fruit was hailed as the "strongest Paramecia."
Now, it was sitting right in front of them?!
"As my nephew, you're more than worthy of this power… Its appearance here is fate."
Wright spoke solemnly. "Eat it, and your strength will skyrocket. The next two years will give you the perfect chance to master it."
"This… This…"
Still overwhelmed, Sabo hesitated—until Wright shot him a fierce glare.
"Eat it already!"
Sabo's expression hardened. Never in his wildest dreams did he think his uncle would grant him the "strongest Paramecia" Devil Fruit!
Crunch!
Biting into the fruit, Sabo's face twisted in disgust as he struggled to swallow the bitter flesh.
"Ugh… It tastes awful…"
"I can feel it… A surge of power rising within me!"
"Test it later! Unless you want to wreck the place and pay for it."
Wright cast an apologetic glance at Shakky before turning to Koala, whose face was flushed with excitement.
"Little girl, don't get too worked up…"
"Ah!"
Koala snapped out of her daze. The man before her was Sabo's uncle… and judging by Sabo's reaction, there was no doubt about it.
Which meant…
Her face grew even redder as her thoughts spiraled.
Wright smirked, shooting a warning look at the clueless Sabo.
"Alright, kid, this one's for you."
He pulled out another Devil Fruit and placed it before Koala.
"We're all family here… Ahem, consider this my gift to you."
"I… I agree to this!"
Koala's face turned crimson, steam practically rising from her head as she nearly fainted.
Family?
Ojisan's gift?
I agree?!
Koala wasn't as emotionally clueless as Sabo. Ever since she met him as a teenager, she had…
Sabo, you big idiot!
Wright stifled a laugh and cleared his throat. "Eat up. This is the Gasu Gasu no Mi—a Logia power that lets you transform into gas, perfect for infiltration missions. It also grants flight. Given that Sabo's a hopeless swimmer, he'll need your help."
Caesar Clown's usefulness had run its course, so Wright had retrieved this rare Logia fruit from Watcher's Island.
"T-Thank you, Wright-sa… Um… Ojisan…"
Koala's voice was barely audible, but everyone in the room caught it.
"Eh~ Koala, he's my ojisan, you know~"
A certain idiot kept digging his own grave.
Koala promptly grabbed his face and pulled.
"Sabo, you idiot! Got a problem with that?!"
"N-No…"
Shakky had lost count of how many times she had sighed today.
The Revolutionary Army now possessed two formidable Devil Fruits, and Wright, the next Fleet Admiral, was certainly…
Quite the character!
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