Warm yellow candlelight flickered throughout the palace hall, stretching everyone's shadows long across the floor.
Bonney clutched tightly at Kuma's coat with her small hand. Her round eyes peeked timidly at Shiro standing opposite her. Tilting her head slightly, she pointed at him and asked in a soft, curious voice unique to children,
"Daddy… I've never seen this uncle before. Who is he?"
Kuma lowered his head and gently patted his daughter's soft hair. He looked at Shiro with warmth, then turned back to his children and spoke with a rare seriousness,
"He's Daddy and Mommy's best friend from when we were young. Come on—say hello. Call him Uncle Shiro."
"Uncle Shiro!"
Bonney and her brother spoke in unison, their clear voices ringing out together. The two little ones even bowed politely toward Shiro, looking obedient and adorable.
"Good children,"
Shiro said with a warm smile. He stepped forward and gently placed a hand on each of their heads, feeling the softness of their hair. A quiet warmth rose in his chest.
Ginny watched the scene of reunion from the side, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
She stepped closer and looked at Shiro, asking softly,
"Little Shiro… why did you suddenly come to the Sorbet Kingdom? We haven't heard from you for years. We thought you'd been wandering the seas all this time."
"As for me,"
Shiro smiled mysteriously.
"I came this time to deliver something to Brother Kuma."
As he spoke, he reached into his coat with deliberate care. Resting in his palm was a dark-colored fruit covered in spiraling patterns.
It was none other than the Fish-Fish Fruit.
"This… this is a Devil Fruit!"
Ginny's eyes widened instantly. She stared at the fruit, barely daring to breathe, afraid she might be mistaken.
"Brother Kuma,"
Shiro said, his lips curling slightly, his voice soft as if stirring old memories.
"Do you remember this Devil Fruit?"
"This… this fruit…"
Kuma froze for a few seconds. Then his pupils contracted sharply as realization struck him. He exclaimed in shock, his hands unconsciously clenching.
"This is the Fish-Fish Fruit we encountered back at God Valley!"
"That's right,"
Shiro nodded slowly.
"This is the Zoan-type, Mythical Beast—Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon."
His gaze drifted into the distance as memories surfaced.
"If Big Brother Ivankov hadn't hesitated back then, and if 'Big Mom' Charlotte Linlin hadn't snatched it away… he almost would've eaten this fruit himself. Thinking back on it now—it's kind of amusing."
"But I remember…"
Kuma frowned slightly, still staring at the fruit.
"Didn't the Fish-Fish Fruit already get eaten by Kaido of the Beasts?"
"That's true,"
Shiro replied calmly, as if stating something trivial.
Then his tone shifted casually—
"But Kaido is dead. I killed him. After his death, this Devil Fruit naturally returned to me."
"What?!"
Ginny and Kuma shouted in unison, eyes wide, mouths agape in disbelief.
"Y-You're saying you killed Kaido? The 'Strongest Creature in the World'?"
Ginny stepped closer, blinking hard as if doubting her ears, her voice trembling.
"That's right,"
Shiro waved his hand dismissively.
"Kaido's gone. The seas won't hear his name anymore."
Then his gaze sharpened as he turned to Kuma.
"And that's why I came today—to give this Devil Fruit to you, Brother Kuma. I want you to eat it."
"…Me?"
Kuma froze completely. He pointed at himself, utterly stunned.
"Yes,"
Shiro said sincerely, pressing the Fish-Fish Fruit toward him.
"Back then, I ate the Paw-Paw Fruit that was meant for you. I've always felt bad about it. Giving you this Fish-Fish Fruit is my way of making up for that regret."
"Little Shiro,"
Kuma frowned slightly, displeasure flickering in his eyes.
"I don't like hearing that."
He didn't take the fruit, instead looking straight at Shiro.
"That Paw-Paw Fruit was meant for someone smart and capable like you. Only you could bring out its true potential. I've never once thought you took something from me."
"Exactly!"
Ginny immediately put her hands on her hips and stepped in beside Kuma.
"If you hadn't saved us back then, Kuma and I would've died long ago! We wouldn't be married, wouldn't have children, wouldn't be living this happy life. Don't you dare distance yourself from us!"
"Alright, alright—my mistake,"
Shiro laughed helplessly, deeply moved.
"Let's drop it."
He held the fruit out once more.
"Brother Kuma—eat it. I still need your help with something very important."
Kuma finally took the Fish-Fish Fruit, then instinctively looked to Ginny.
Ginny met his gaze and gently nodded, her eyes filled with support.
After receiving her approval, Kuma carefully set the two children down and told them to stay with their mother. Then he took a deep breath and swallowed the Fish-Fish Fruit in one bite.
In an instant—
An overwhelming power surged from his abdomen, rushing through his bloodstream. Kuma could clearly feel every cell in his body roaring with excitement.
His skin rapidly took on a bluish hue, and scale-like patterns began to emerge.
"This power…"
Kuma muttered in awe, eyes shaking.
"It's terrifying."
"Come on, Brother Kuma,"
Shiro grabbed his wrist.
"Let's go outside. Try transforming into the Azure Dragon."
Ginny followed behind with the children, her eyes filled with anticipation.
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