Sabaody Archipelago, Island 39.
In the hall of the three-story villa, Rim studied Sephiroth and ventured a question.
"When will you start treating me?"
"Now."
Sephiroth drew the butcher knife from his waist and opened a spatial storage. He retrieved a portable syringe, its glass chamber filled with a pale yellow liquid.
"What is this?"
"Life Strengthening Agent."
Without ceremony, he pressed the syringe to her arm and injected the fluid.
*Gurgle.*
A ravenous hunger twisted in Rim's stomach almost immediately, followed by an embarrassing gurgle. She flushed and pressed a hand over her abdomen.
"I'm starving."
"Eat later. There's one more step."
He scooped her into his arms. Two sharp fangs extended from his mouth.
"Wait! What are you—!?"
She exclaimed, struggling instinctively to break free.
"Biting you."
A moment later, he lowered his head and sank his fangs into the pale skin of her neck. The points pierced deep, breaching a vessel.
As he drew her blood out and replaced it with his own, a weightless, floating sensation washed through Rim. Her vision blurred. Her arms wound tight around his neck of their own accord, pulling him closer. A soft, pleasurable moan escaped her lips.
Under the dual influence of his blood and the agent, her body launched into a rapid metabolism. Damage to her internal organs knitted itself shut. Deep-seated bruises dissolved. Injuries accumulated over centuries were forcefully suppressed.
Twenty minutes later, Sephiroth withdrew his fangs and set her down. Her legs buckled, useless; only her grip on him kept her from crumpling to the floor.
"Is it... over?"
Rim's voice was hazy, tinged with disappointment and a lingering want.
"You're getting ahead of yourself. The treatment needs at least seven days to fully heal injuries this old. They're two centuries of accumulated damage. Even for me, it takes a massive infusion of life energy to manage it. Any other doctor would have handed you a death notice."
"You're actually a doctor?" Rim asked, surprised.
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow. "Do I not look like one?"
"..."
When she offered no answer, he didn't press. With his medical skill combined with his Devil Fruit abilities, he qualified as a world-class physician in this world. Most so-called incurable conditions were trivial to him.
He lifted her again, carried her to the hall sofa, and set her down gently. She didn't resist.
Not that she could. Her legs were still jelly.
Sephiroth returned to the kitchen and brought out a large plate of fried rice, setting it on the table before her. The aroma filled the air. Without hesitation, Rim snatched up the spoon and began to eat with single-minded intensity. She finished six full plates before finally stopping, satisfied, and let out a contented sigh.
It struck her then: he'd gone to make the fried rice beforehand. Had he predicted her reaction?
The thought made her sigh inwardly.
As things stood, he was the butcher knife, and she was the fish on the block.
Even if she wanted to resist, she had no ability to do so. For now, she could only take things one step at a time.
Sephiroth leaned back on the single-seater sofa, crossed his legs, and smiled.
"I plan to send people to Vafflard to research soul crystal and weather technology. And, if possible, I'd like to repair the Breaths of the Gods so it can function at full power again. That's why I want you to oversee the related work in Vafflard."
"You trust me that much?" Rim retorted instinctively. "Aren't you afraid I'll pull some trick behind your back?"
Sephiroth rose and walked over to her, his expression puzzled.
"But we already have an agreement. Are you planning to go back on your word?"
Rim's gaze flickered. The thought *had* crossed her mind.
She'd known Sephiroth for less than a day, and he'd taken the Breaths of the Gods by force. How could she possibly obey him completely?
"That won't do," Sephiroth said softly. "You're not being good."
With his left hand, he gently lifted her chin, leaning in until his face was close to her cheek.
*Damn it. That strange feeling is back. Do I actually like this bastard?*
Her heart churned with confusion.
Under her nervous, expectant gaze, Sephiroth slowly raised his right hand and cupped her fair cheek.
Then, carefully, he removed a single grain of rice from the corner of her mouth. He stepped back and settled onto the sofa again.
Rim said nothing.
*Damn it! What was I expecting just now?*
Her heart was a complete mess, tangled by his repeated teasing.
It took a long while for her to calm down. Finally, she asked the question that had been burning inside her.
"Why did you take the Breaths of the Gods?"
Sephiroth answered without hesitation.
"Why? To fight the World Government. To overthrow the Celestial Dragons. I intend to create a new order."
"So… you want to use it to wage war?" Rim ventured.
"I'm more inclined to use it for energy and territorial defense. As for war… that depends. I won't make promises about a distant future."
"You really plan to be an enemy of the World Government?"
A strange light flickered in Rim's eyes. A spark of joy, of excitement, kindled in her chest.
The World Government had attacked Vafflard. Her family, her friends—all killed.
To say she didn't hate the World Government, didn't loathe the World Nobles in Mary Geoise, was impossible.
If Sephiroth was truly willing to oppose them… with his strength and the Breaths of the Gods, overthrowing the Celestial Dragons might not be impossible.
Sephiroth's smile was a blade of certainty.
"Of course.
After all, they are blocking my path…"