In the original timeline, the user of the Snow-Snow Fruit (Yuki Yuki no Mi) was Monet, but her own strength was far too weak to unleash the true potential of the Logia fruit.
Monet's development of the Snow-Snow Fruit was extraordinarily basic.
During her duel against Zoro on Punk Hazard, she was so thoroughly intimidated by his sheer bloodlust that even after being sliced in half without Haki, she was unable to quickly reform her body due to sheer terror.
Tashigi noted that Zoro hadn't even used Armament Haki for that strike—it was purely overwhelming psychological dominance that shattered her focus, proving just how weak Monet truly was.
Thinking of this, Shiraishi raised both hands, gathering the surrounding snow and compressing it continuously until it formed a gleaming, silver realm.
The Snow-Snow Fruit shared similarities with his Articuno freezing power: if vast amounts of snow were accumulated, infinitely compressed, and hardened, they could form a barrier of ice and snow with structural density matching solid steel.
These ultra-dense walls of compressed snow could form defensive domes or snow barriers to block incoming attacks, as well as seal off an enemy's escape routes.
Furthermore, the hardened snow could wrap around the user's body, transforming into razor-sharp blades of steel-hard snow to slice targets with immense force.
On another note, the wielder of the Snow-Snow Fruit could blend into and freely traverse through snowdrifts, allowing them to track targets silently within a blizzard.
This could be seamlessly integrated into combat without being hindered by their own elemental manifestations, or used to melt into snowdrifts to evade enemy strikes in critical moments—a trait remarkably similar to the Snow Cloak ability.
Additionally, the sub-zero snow generated by the Fruit could freeze blood and paralyze nerves, slowly tormenting opponents to death. All in all, the ultimate development path of the Snow-Snow Fruit depended entirely on the strength of its wielder.
The translucent, silver-white Snow-Snow Fruit now rested quietly on Sky Island. Shiraishi fell silent for a moment before temporarily sealing the Fruit away; he had yet to decide who should inherit its power.
"Wayne, are you certain you want to become my follower?"
Over these past years, although the Sunagakure Pirates had become the de facto rulers of Sky Island, core territories like Upper Yard and Angel Island remained under the civil governance of the natives. After years of mediation, the Shandians had gradually accepted co-governing Sky Island alongside Gan Fall.
Wayne Calgara—the elder brother of Wyper Calgara in the original timeline—should have fallen in battle against Enel. But now that the Rumble-Rumble Fruit (Goro Goro no Mi) had been secured and the so-called Thunder God crisis never came to pass, the sixteen-year-old Wayne was alive and well.
Featuring a head of dark hair, Wayne was far more studious than his fiery younger brother Wyper. He was also one of the few Sky Island natives eager to venture down into the Blue Sea for adventure.
"Teacher Shiraishi... I want to see how many powerhouses exist down below in the Blue Sea."
Looking at the energetic youth before him, Shiraishi's mood brightened considerably: "In that case, you shall stay by my side. Has your Mantra (Kenbunshoku Haki) developed enough to cover the entirety of Sky Island now?"
"Yes..."
Possessing a remarkably powerful Mantra, Wayne was naturally one of the native Sky Island talents Shiraishi sought to nurture. Compared to the complex, treacherous Blue Sea natives, Shiraishi preferred cultivating Sky Island locals to join the core ranks of the Sunagakure Pirates.
"This set of equipment will enhance your combat efficiency."
Utilizing Sky Island's unique Dials and a synthesis of special alloys, Shiraishi forged a set of refined, lightweight armor. This non-full-coverage design suited young Wayne's nimble frame perfectly.
Embedded with a specialized magnetic field network, the suit could effectively amplify Wayne's Mantra calculation and processing capacity.
"Thank you, Teacher...!"
Holding the new battle suit, Wayne's eyes sparkled like blooming flowers as he eagerly put it on to test it out.
Colossal ocean waves crashed across the West Blue. Nico Olvia and the surviving members of her research team sat trembling aboard a vessel under the command of the Sunagakure Pirates.
After a long silence, Olvia stepped forward: "Do the Sunagakure Pirates intend to claim the Poneglyphs as well?"
Uchiha Madara cast a cold glance at Olvia: "You should be thankful that you possess value, rather than adopting the accusing tone of a victim to question me on something we both already understand."
"You..."
"This world operates on absolute power. At the very least, we aren't launching a Buster Call against Ohara."
Madara's cold sneer caused Olvia's face to pale instantly: "What do you mean?!"
"The World Government has marked Ohara for total extermination. Sakazuki intercepting your ship was merely a prelude. Word has it that a Buster Call has already been authorized to wipe Ohara completely off the map."
Although young Nico Robin remained alive and capable of deciphering the Poneglyphs in the future, Shiraishi had zero interest in playing a decades-long child-rearing game—and Madara shared the exact same sentiment. Thus, the two decided to secure Nico Olvia directly; as Robin's mother, she possessed the exact same ability to read the ancient texts.
However, the Buster Call event still unfolded according to historical trajectory—albeit several months ahead of schedule.
The clash between Vice Admiral Sakazuki and Madara had accelerated the execution of the Buster Call. Yet among the Vice Admirals assigned to this fleet, Jaguar D. Saul remained an active participant.
Just as in the original timeline, Saul firmly believed the scholars of Ohara were innocent, openly questioning the directives issued by Marine Headquarters.
Due to his insubordination against naval orders, Saul was branded a traitor and hunted by the Marines. After drifting ashore onto Ohara, fate led him to meet young Robin, and the two became fast friends.
Now, as the catastrophe over Ohara broke out, Olvia rushed forward, grabbing Madara's sleeve: "I beg of you... please save Ohara!"
"Woman, do you think pirates are champions of justice?"
Madara dismissed Olvia's desperate plea with total contempt. Had Ace or Kikyo been standing here today, they might have yielded to her tears, but he was certainly not them.
Olvia's face flushed red as tears spilled silently down her cheeks. Her weeping was so heartbreaking that the surrounding scholars broke down into tears as well, plunging the entire deck into a heavy shroud of grief.
"Stop crying. Fine... we set course for Ohara."
This woman was the vital key to reading the Poneglyphs. Madara had initially considered using the illusory powers of his Dark Nine-Tails Fruit to control her mind directly.
On second thought, however, forcing her to witness the destruction of Ohara with her own eyes would be the most absolute way to crush her lingering attachments once and for all.
Up on Sky Island, Shiraishi received a Den Den Mushi transmission from Madara, tacitly approving his course of action.
Strictly speaking, both of them shared the ultimate goal of saving their original world. Although Madara's methods were somewhat brutal and dark, Shiraishi was no self-righteous saint who would intervene in his partner's moves for no reason.
Since he had authorized Madara to act freely across the Blue Sea, he would not micromanage him—besides, even if Shiraishi tried to interfere, Madara would hardly pay him any mind.
Inside the hangar compartment of Weatheria Base No. 2, while Wayne was conducting simulated combat testing in his new armor, Shiraishi turned his attention to the gemstone delivered by Doflamingo.
An earthy yellow this time...?
A Bug-type Gem?
Shiraishi didn't know much about Bug-type powers, as in his original Shinobi World, bug-related techniques were typically classified under combinations of Earth, Water, and Wind elements. Because he hadn't placed high importance on Bug-type attributes back then, he had rarely cultivated Bug-type cards.
In truth, most Bug-type abilities leaned heavily toward utility and support. However, on this gauntlet, the Bug Gem occupied a slot on the right hand—alongside Ice and Poison.
Does this gauntlet have an obsession with niche attributes?
Shiraishi no longer harbored any expectation of unlocking standard Fire, Water, or Electric gems anytime soon; those would undoubtedly exist merely as auxiliary modifier gems on his left hand to complement Bug, Ice, and Poison.
The moment he set the gem into the gauntlet, an eerie, luminous aura burst forth from the leather.
A specialized Bug-type entity totem suddenly manifested before his eyes!