At this moment, Carl was sipping tea at Shanks' place. On the table before him sat a sky-blue Devil Fruit—the Phoenix Fruit.
Shanks was enthusiastically explaining the power of this Phoenix Fruit to Makino, who was listening with wide eyes. When Shanks finished, she quickly waved her hands and said,
"This is way too precious for me! You should take it back!"
Carl sighed helplessly, setting down his teacup.
"Why are you acting just like Kalifa? Always worrying about whether it's a waste or not. Shanks, you really ought to spend more time helping Makino understand how strong our family has become. It's just a Mythical Zoan, nothing more."
Shanks' mouth twitched slightly.
"Just a Mythical Zoan... Brother, even around here, a Mythical Zoan is considered a national treasure. I heard from Father that back in the Valley of Gods, this very fruit was used as a reward."
"Hm... now that you mention it, I actually have no idea how Whitebeard managed to get his hands on it. Anyway, Makino, just take it. You and Shanks—one dragon, one phoenix—really are a perfect match."
Shanks picked up the Phoenix Fruit from the table and shoved it into Makino's arms with a grin.
"Exactly! Brother gave it to you, so just accept it. Soon you'll be flying around every day with little Amara!"
Makino chuckled, covering her mouth.
"Well, that would save you a lot of work, huh? What, getting tired of babysitting already?"
Shanks immediately widened his eyes and raised a hand.
"Of course not! I love playing with my daughter more than anything!"
Seeing the doubt still on Makino's face, Shanks—knowing better than to argue with a woman—swiftly changed the subject to Carl.
"By the way, Brother, you've never really told me in detail about your experience at the Valley of Gods. Come on, tell me a bit."
Carl rolled his eyes.
"Not much to tell. Just that your dear brother here nearly died trying to get a Devil Fruit. If it weren't for Garling-san, I'd have been crushed to death by Charlotte Linlin."
Recalling those early days in the Valley of Gods, a faint smile tugged at Carl's lips. It was probably the most dangerous moment of his life—but thinking about it now, he almost felt nostalgic.
Shanks' expression, however, turned gloomy as he said,
"Man, what an adventure that must've been. I was probably still locked up in some little box back then... what a shame. If only I'd been older, I definitely would've joined you. Just thinking about it gets my blood pumping!"
Carl gave him a disdainful glance.
"As if I'd drag around a burden like you."
Shanks gave a sheepish laugh.
"Don't lie. You totally would've taken me. Think about it—just the two of us? With our skills, we could've secured a bunch of Devil Fruits and gotten out safely. Then we'd go and... hmm, join the Navy?"
Carl folded his arms and said dryly,
"With your rebellious nature, I seriously doubt you'd last in the Navy. You'd quit halfway and end up some kind of drifter on the high seas."
"Hey hey hey! What do you mean 'drifter on the high seas'? I'm not that bad!"
"Tch. That's the best-case scenario. If you started hanging around with Dragon, now that would be a real mess."
"No way I'd ever mix with someone like Dragon. That weird-ass Revolutionary Army of his—what have they even accomplished? Aside from stirring up trouble in a few no-name countries, they haven't done anything major. Yet somehow he gets called 'the most dangerous man in the world'? What a joke."
"Yeah... and Whitebeard and Charlotte Linlin—they might've been real powerhouses during the Valley of Gods incident, but after that? They started playing like it was some kids' game..."
"Exactly! I've always thought your 'playing' comment was spot-on..."
Makino sat quietly to the side, watching the two blood brothers from two of the world's strongest families take turns roasting everyone else. Eventually, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
...
Hearing her laugh, Carl and Shanks both stopped their banter. Carl cleared his throat, lifted his now-cold tea, and took a sip.
"Shanks, have Makino eat the fruit quickly. Mythical Zoans have a bit of a sinister streak. Best to eat them early."
Shanks nodded in agreement and turned to the still-giggling Makino.
"Makino, you heard him. Go on and eat it. Devil Fruits taste disgusting, so brace yourself and try not to throw up."
Makino blinked.
"But that day when Father ate his Devil Fruit, he seemed totally fine!"
At that, Carl and Shanks said in perfect unison,
"He was faking it!"
The two brothers exchanged a glance and chuckled knowingly.
Makino tilted her head at them, then looked down at the Phoenix Fruit in her hands. It really didn't look edible, but it was still technically a fruit. In her mind, no matter how awful it might taste, it couldn't be worse than spoiled produce, right?
With that thought, she held the Phoenix Fruit in both hands, closed her eyes, and took a small bite.
The moment the fruit touched her tongue, an indescribable wave of nausea exploded in her mouth—far worse than anything she'd felt during morning sickness.
Makino gagged reflexively. Quick as lightning, Shanks clamped a hand over her mouth and gently pushed her back. With a gulping sound, Makino finally managed to swallow the bite.
Her first instinct wasn't to test the fruit's power—it was to grab a teacup and gulp it down desperately to rinse her mouth.
When the taste finally faded, she looked at Shanks with teary eyes.
"How did Father manage to eat this with a straight face?"
Carl laughed and explained on Shanks' behalf.
"Pride, of course. That's something passed down through the generations. Alright, one bite's enough. Now try using your new ability."
Makino gently patted her chest and calmed her mind. Soon, she began sensing a strange energy flowing through various parts of her body.
The next second, sky-blue flames burst from her body. Yet, despite the fire, Shanks—sitting right beside her—felt no heat, only a warm and comforting sensation.
Makino stared in awe at her flaming form. Carl stood up with a smile.
"Take your time and get used to this power. I've got to head out today."
Shanks blinked.
"Where are you going?"
"To the moon."
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+110 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg