At the edge of Plague Island.
"Woof!"
Beside Hitsuji stood a small dog with dark red fur and a sword-shaped pendant hanging from its neck, baring its fangs.
Despite its angry demeanour, its petite body made it look rather cute.
Yet all the survivors instinctively kept their distance. They all knew very well that this seemingly ordinary dog was actually a terrifying monster.
"Your ability is truly astonishing." At that moment, Issho, who was holding his cane sword, couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
Even as a Devil Fruit user himself, he was amazed by Hitsuji's power.
"It's nothing, really... just some immature tricks... Hey, Yazi, calm down!"
Before Hitsuji could finish his modest reply, he shouted at the dog. The dog let out a low "woof" and immediately settled down.
Seeing this, Hitsuji nodded in satisfaction before turning to Issho.
"My apologies. That thing was born from anger, so he couldn't leave a ship behind… I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Issho, to send them back."
"Trouble? Not at all." Issho shook his head. "To witness their return home and ensure the safety of their families is something I sincerely wish to do."
However, as he spoke, he hesitated slightly and looked at Hitsuji.
"But are you really planning to stay on this island?"
Despite having already heard of Hitsuji's intentions, he still found it hard to believe.
Yes.
After dealing with the Adi Kingdom fleet, Issho would naturally escort the island's survivors back to their respective homes.
But Hitsuji was different. He intended to remain on Plague Island.
"To be precise, this island is quite suitable for completing the mission assigned to me by the Leader." Hitsuji nodded.
"You should reconsider." Issho spoke seriously.
"Even if you are immune to the toxins on this island, the Adi Kingdom and the World Government will undoubtedly send people to investigate after what has happened. They have shown me kindness, so I won't speak ill of them, but that would hardly be a favourable situation for you."
Hearing this, Hitsuji simply shook his head.
"Have you forgotten, Mr Issho? I am one of the Twelve Zodiac." He spoke calmly. "As for making enemies of the world, my colleagues have done that countless times. I have my own way of dealing with it."
'…'
Seeing Hitsuji's firm attitude, Issho fell silent.
But then...
"After I send these survivors safely back to their homes, I will return." He looked at Hitsuji and spoke solemnly. "This is my promise."
Hearing this, Hitsuji couldn't help but chuckle.
"There's no need for that. To be honest, even if you come back by then, you might not be able to find this island anymore."
"…?"
Issho naturally couldn't quite understand what he meant.
"Still, a promise is a promise." He didn't dwell on it, treating it as mere deflection. "Kindness must be repaid, and grudges must be avenged."
The no-longer-blind swordsman grinned.
"I quite like the rules of that Phantom Beast you mentioned."
Before Hitsuji could respond, Issho had already decisively turned around.
"Gravity: Floating Field!"
A purple aura spread out. The ground beneath their feet shattered instantly amid the survivors' cries. Then it rose into the air and flew off into the distance.
"What a stubborn guy." Watching Issho's determined figure disappear into the distance, Hitsuji shook his head.
Then he turned to look at another figure behind him.
"Well then, Miss Cori, what about you? Are you sure about this?"
That was Cori.
At that moment, the young girl, who had now fully recovered her appearance, once again demonstrated why the arrogant Celestial Dragons had purchased her.
In terms of beauty alone, she might be the most exquisite person Hitsuji had ever seen. Her features were nearly perfect, and her overall presence resembled that of a mythical elf.
"I've already made my decision, Lord Hitsuji." But in her moist eyes, there was none of the softness one might expect from a girl, only unwavering determination.
It gave her an air of heroism.
"I'm not going back. I want to join you. I know I'm weak, but I'm willing to start from the beginning." She looked at Hitsuji earnestly while speaking.
"Please allow it!"
Yes.
Even though she had been given the chance to return to a normal life, she had no intention of doing so. Her appearance and body had recovered. But part of her soul would remain in the past forever. What she had experienced during this time had changed her completely.
She knew that her older brother was already a member of the Twelve Zodiacs, subordinate to 'Youji'.
She knew he must have made great sacrifices to find her. He had kept his promise, becoming a warrior who fights against the world in order to find her.
But...
"I can't always hide behind others."
She felt that she should step onto the battlefield too.
"If Alan ever needs my help, or if anyone else in this world needs help, I want to be there for them. When that time comes, I think I should be the one to go."
She looked at Hitsuji and spoke in a firm voice.
And so...
"Ah, there's no need to make it sound so formal." Hitsuji scratched his head. "Since you've put it that way, I'm not an unreasonable person. However, joining the organization requires an assessment; I can't just agree to it casually."
He casually raised his hand. Dreamlike clouds swirled and an object was tossed out.
"But my next mission happens to require an assistant. Put this on first."
Cori subconsciously caught the item, then froze.
"Lord Hitsuji, this is…?"
She looked at what she was holding.
It was a mask, but not a Sea Beast mask. Instead, it resembled a flowing, dreamlike veil, like a piece of ever-shifting gauze:
[Dream Creation · Fairy Veil]
"Your mission equipment. Complete the mission and you'll officially join the Twelve Zodiac," Hitsuji explained casually.
"But before that, let's get out of the sea first."
"Leave?" Cori became even more confused. "But didn't you say you were going to stay on Plague Island?"
Hearing this, Hitsuji smiled and gently patted her on the head.
"I said I'd stay on this island, I never said I'd stay in this sea. And who said this island is called 'Plague Island'?"
As he spoke, Cori witnessed something unbelievable. Hitsuji's entire body slowly sank into the ground beneath him.
Once his body had completely disappeared...
Rumble!
A transformation began to take place across the entire island.
Buzz!
Starting from where Hitsuji had merged, the changes spread outwards. The poisonous soil beneath their feet seemed to be wiped clean by an invisible brush and now radiated a gentle luster. The foul, toxic swamps that had gathered in the low-lying areas gradually transformed into clear, beautiful streams.
They flowed softly, forming crystal-clear brooks.
The 'Miasma Forest' at the center of Plague Island underwent an even more dramatic change.
The grey-purple poisonous mist that had filled the air and blocked out the sunlight began to churn and condense, then transformed into translucent veils that filtered the sunlight gently through.
The twisted, grotesque trees vanished in an instant, replaced by fantastical plants.
Their leaves shimmered with rainbow hues, and their trunks spread like canopies. With every breeze, they scattered specks of starlight.
The ground was no longer covered in rotten leaves and venomous insects but in layers of softly glowing blue moss.
The entire forest became like a dream.
And finally... At the very center of the forest, a massive mountain rose from the earth.
From its peak, a seven-colored stream of the Water of Life flowed down, forming a vast pool at the heart of the forest.
Yes!
In just a few moments... The island that once symbolised death had transformed into a fairy-tale paradise.
"…"
Cori stood there in a daze, watching this miraculous scene and still holding the veil.
And at that very moment...
Rumble!
She heard the roar of the ocean and saw the waves shifting. Then Cori realized what was happening.
"The island... is moving?"
She vaguely understood what Hitsuji had meant earlier. He had no intention of leaving the island but the island itself would leave this sea.
And just then...
"Cori."
The ground beneath her feet suddenly opened up.
"L-Lord Hitsuji!?"
Cori's eyes widened in shock.
At that moment, Hitsuji's face, wearing the Sheep-Headed Mask, had become part of the earth itself.
This was the final Devil Fruit he possessed:
[Island-Island Fruit LV4, allows the user to merge with an island and make it a part of themselves. The user can freely alter the island's appearance and form, perceive everything within it, and control the island's movement. In the assimilation state, damage to the island is transferred to the user's main body, whereas in the independent state, partial control over the island is still maintained.]
And so... At that moment, the entire island spoke as one. It was as if it was silently declaring something to the world:
"Remember... this island is not Plague Island. From today onward… it shall be 'Dream Island.'"
"And you..."
His voice carried a smile.
"...you are the guide of this island, Miss Fairy."
(End of Chapter)
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