After leaving the medical bay, Rear Admiral Yafeil made her way to Vice Admiral Tsuru's office.
Tsuru was still buried in paperwork, her quill moving steadily. Yoska wasn't present, but Natayubis stood nearby sorting classified files.
"Vice Admiral," Yafeil greeted.
Without looking up, Tsuru asked, "How is the boy?"
"His wounds are severe," Yafeil replied, taking a seat and pouring herself a drink. "But he's out of danger."
"When he's recovered, send him on his way," Tsuru said calmly. She had rescued countless civilians in her career; once healed, they normally returned to wherever they belonged.
"Vice Admiral… the boy is a Devil Fruit user—and he requested to see you."
This time, Tsuru raised her head.
"A Devil Fruit user?"
Yafeil nodded. "Yes. And he wishes to join the Marines."
"Bring him to me," Tsuru ordered—decisive, without hesitation.
If he had been just a normal child, she wouldn't have spared the time.
But a Devil Fruit user?
That was different.
The Marines were already preparing for the era to come. Every branch had been instructed to begin scouting and cultivating gifted youths—especially those with potential to become future elites.
Even Admiral Zephyr himself had begun personally training young cadets.
The Navy needed new pillars.
And a young Devil Fruit user… was a valuable seedling.
"Yes, Vice Admiral."
Yafeil saluted and headed back toward the medical bay.
Not long later, she returned with Foxxy.
His head was still partially wrapped in bandages. He walked stiffly but determinedly, raising his gaze to the woman seated behind the grand desk.
He froze for a moment.
Vice Admiral Tsuru… was beautiful.
Mature. Sharp. Powerful.
A woman who radiated competence and absolute authority—yet still possessed the elegant charm of a late-thirties beauty.
It was hard to reconcile this breathtaking woman with the elderly figure Foxxy had once seen in anime.
As Foxxy studied her, Tsuru set down her quill and observed him in return.
"What's your name, child?" she asked gently. Her tone softened, recognizing he was just a boy.
"My name is Foxxy. Thank you for saving my life."
He bowed despite the pain tearing through his chest.
Tsuru nodded faintly. First impressions mattered—this child was polite.
"It's enough that you survived," she said. "Sit. There's no need to stand."
She gestured toward a sofa. Yafeil slipped out immediately, clearly going to prepare refreshments.
"I heard from Yafeil that you are a Devil Fruit user… and that you want to join the Marines?" Tsuru asked directly. She wasted no time with small talk.
"Yes. I accidentally ate a Devil Fruit when I was young," Foxxy answered.
"How did you even know what a Devil Fruit was?"
"I learned it from Uncle Kot," Foxxy replied, eyes dimming.
"Kot?" Tsuru pressed.
"A villager… he used to trade at sea. He's… gone now."
"…I see. My condolences."
The room fell quiet for a moment, broken only when Yafeil returned, placing a glass of juice before Foxxy and coffee before Tsuru.
Tsuru took a sip, then asked,
"What Fruit ability did you gain?"
"The Slow-Slow Fruit."
"Paramecia?" Tsuru muttered. She could already guess some of its nature.
"Can you demonstrate it?"
"I'll need someone to cooperate," Foxxy said honestly. He wasn't hiding anything—he knew Tsuru was evaluating his worth. His future depended on it.
He knew he wasn't brilliant, but he wasn't stupid either.
Everyone preferred a future with value—and Tsuru was no different.
"I'll assist," Yafeil offered, stepping forward.
"Go ahead," Tsuru nodded.
Foxxy rose shakily and raised his left hand.
His fingers curled into the iconic—and embarrassing—orchid gesture.
"What should I do?" Yafeil asked. The odd hand pose made her expression twitch slightly. She wasn't the only one—the animals in the back mountain had seen it more often than any person.
"When I release the Slow-Slow Ring, you'll move extremely slowly."
He lifted his hand.
A pink ring, the size of a baby's fist, shot out—gently, lazily drifting toward Yafeil.
To Tsuru, Yafeil, and Natayubis, the speed was absurdly slow—they could have moved out of the way several times.
But Yafeil didn't dodge.
The moment the ring touched her, her movements… froze.
Her voice dragged into drawn-out syllables.
Even her blinking slowed to a crawl.
Tsuru's eyes lit up.
She unconsciously stood from her seat.
This ability…
This was dangerous.
When the effect ended, Yafeil blinked rapidly, stunned.
But Foxxy felt little joy.
Because the Slow-Slow effect should have lasted twelve seconds…
Yet on Yafeil, a powerful Rear Admiral, it lasted only ten.
A two-second difference.
Which meant—
The stronger the opponent, the weaker the effect.
So the Fruit's power… scaled with strength.
Before Foxxy could brood further, Tsuru spoke:
"Your ability is formidable. Combined with strong physical combat, it could decide a battle before it even begins."
Foxxy froze.
Such an evaluation… from Tsuru?
Tsuru continued analyzing:
The Slow-Slow Fruit had elements of supernatural abilities, partial control abilities, and even aspects of domination. It was unorthodox, yet extremely potent.
She reflected aloud on Devil Fruit taxonomy—Zoan, Paramecia, Logia—and the further subdivisions of Paramecia:
Supernatural,
Superhuman Body,
Creation,
Local Transformation,
Control…
And even the rare Special Paramecia, pseudo-Logia fruits like Poison, Stone, Goo, or Mochi.
Then came the three unofficial categories recognized by veterans:
Cheat-Type Abilities
Slow-Slow, Ghost, Hobby…
Hit once, and even monsters kneel.
All-Purpose Abilities
Paw-Paw, Luck-Luck…
Abilities that bend the rules of this world.
Calamity-Type Abilities
Float-Float, Magma, Ice…
Devastating wide-area destruction.
All Devil Fruits had drawbacks.
None was perfect.
And all relied on physical strength and training to reach their potential.
Even the strongest Fruit was useless in weak hands.
Tsuru looked at Foxxy, a glimmer of interest in her eyes—
The first sign that, in her mind…
This boy might actually be worth something.