At 6:30 in the morning, Yami woke from his dreams right on time.
But someone had woken even earlier: Carina.
By the time Yami opened his eyes, the "body pillow" in his arms was already gone.
After getting up and washing up, Yami took the Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit and stepped out of the room into the corridor on the second deck.
On deck, the three girls had already begun their morning training.
"Master, you're up!"
"Huh? Master, when did you get back?"
The three quickly spotted Yami.
Their reactions were different.
Carina greeted him warmly without a hint of shyness, as if she weren't the one who had snuck into Yami's room last night.
Nami looked a little surprised.
Robin alone wasn't surprised; dressed light, she was doing yoga-like movements to improve her flexibility.
If this weren't the green-toned other space but the colorful real world, the scene would have been a feast for the eyes.
"Ah… I got back around dawn."
In answer to Nami, Yami first shot Carina a meaningful look, then tossed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit in his hand and smiled.
"Master, is that Devil Fruit the Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit?"
The moment she saw it, Nami reacted, excitement lighting her face as she skipped down the steps to Yami's side.
"Mm, eat it."
Yami nodded and held the Rumble-Rumble Fruit out to her.
Carina and Robin also stopped training, watching Nami accept the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
Nami took the fruit, studied it, then beamed and sank her teeth into the flesh.
A heartbeat later, the pretty, cute face turned visibly purplish.
"Mmm…"
The Devil Fruit's unique flavor crashed over her taste buds, her stomach heaving uncontrollably as she reflexively moved to spit the chewed pulp out.
Yami said at once, "One bite is enough—whatever you do, don't spit it out."
"…Gulp!"
Heeding Yami, Nami forced down the pulp with minimal chewing.
"Hah… hah…"
After swallowing, Nami panted as if she'd just finished intense exercise.
"Nami, are Devil Fruits really that bad?"
Watching from below, Carina couldn't help asking, "A flavor that makes you pull a face like that?"
"Indescribable. I'm never taking a second bite."
Nami stared at the remaining fruit in her hand as if it were the scariest food in the world.
But she didn't dare throw it away; she looked to Yami and asked, "Master, are you sure one bite is enough?"
"Yeah. Whoever takes the first bite—the devil's power chooses that person. Anyone else eating what's left is just eating a nasty fruit."
"Now feel your body—see if a special kind of energy has appeared inside."
"Okay."
Nami went quiet, closed her eyes, and felt the changes in her body.
Within seconds she opened them; a blue-white gleam flashed in those lovely brown eyes.
Zzzzz…
The crackle of current suddenly sounded across the sloop.
Arcs of lightning, some large some small, some thick some thin, sprang up around Nami, circling her body.
"This is the power of the Devil Fruit?"
Nami lifted her fair, jade-like hand; with a thought, it turned entirely into blue-white electricity, ready to slip free of her body.
Newly stepped into the supernatural, Nami couldn't help marveling, "So strong—what an amazing power!"
"That's just the most basic of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit—there are far more incredible abilities."
Yami lied without blinking: "Someone from the sky island had eaten it. During our fight I used mind-reading to pick up his insights on developing it. I'll teach you later."
"Mhm, mhm…"
Nami nodded repeatedly, then casually tossed away the remaining pulp.
"Ufufufu… Master, will you tell me about your sky island adventure?"
Carina stepped up, smiling at Yami's side as she asked.
Yami smiled meaningfully and said, "Rather than hear it, how about we go play on the sky island?"
"Yes, yes!"
Nami and Robin's eyes also shone with anticipation.
"One at a time. I'll take Carina up first; wait here for me."
Without another word, Yami scooped Carina up in a princess carry, then told Nami, "You can try your Rumble-Rumble powers—but absolutely not on the ship."
"Got it, Master." Nami nodded obediently.
And with Moonwalk underfoot, Yami rocketed skyward with Carina in his arms.
Since Carina was still fragile, Yami didn't dare go twenty- or thirtyfold; he only boosted two or three times.
That speed wouldn't make Carina feel sick.
"Master, is my body comfy to hold?"
Arms twined around his neck, Carina flashed a wicked smile, her words a double entendre.
"Very. Soft and fragrant," Yami answered honestly with a nod.
"Ufufufu… Master's body feels so safe, too."
Resting on his shoulder, cheeks pink, Carina smiled.
Her fluttering breath and scent set Yami's heart stirring.
You can mistake a name, but not a nickname.
Carina really was a captivating little fox spirit.
If she weren't so young right now, Yami would absolutely have taught this little fox a lesson.
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