High in the skies above the Sabaody Archipelago...
Morgans brandished a newspaper, his voice ringing with excitement. "BIG NEWS!!"
Below him, the gathered reporters, men and women alike, erupted in cheers.
Dominating the space behind Morgans was a massive photograph of Ryuuto's battle with Kizaru. In the picture, Ryuuto was wreathed in his Thunder God Form, a storm of Chidori Sharp Spears flooding the space before him. In the distance, Kizaru was but a diminutive figure. This was the shot Morgans had risked everything to capture. Ever since forging a strategic partnership with Ryuuto, Morgans had remained in the skies near Sabaody, processing news from around the world.
The descent of the Purple Apocalyptic Lightning had been a terrifying spectacle, and as the King of News, Morgans couldn't possibly miss such a phenomenal battle. Thus, this photograph was born.
"As expected of the man I chose! He's given me another BIG NEWS!" Morgans gazed at Ryuuto's image, his eyes gleaming. He had a premonition that as long as he followed Ryuuto, a never-ending stream of major scoops would be his.
"A picture this spectacular... I want the whole world to see it!" Morgans declared with a grand sweep of his arm, issuing orders to his subordinates.
"Yes, sir!!"
Meanwhile, Ryuuto found a spare piece of cloth to wrap Yukibashiri and began heading toward Grove 18. Its original scabbard was now a bit too small. Along the way, he contemplated the spoils of his recent battle.
First, his mastery over his Lightning Arts had reached the level of [Mastery]. He could now command the Purple Apocalyptic Lightning with far greater ease. More importantly, he could now turn any object he touched into liquid lightning. Beyond that, Ryuuto himself could transform his body into liquid lightning, rendering him immune to conventional physical attacks.
In other words, Ryuuto had essentially achieved a state similar to the elemental form of a Logia Devil Fruit user. This was a monumental leap forward. One could only imagine how much stronger his Thunder God Form would become.
Then there was the evolution of his sword, Yukibashiri, into Wyrmfang. The enhancement of his weapon would dramatically increase his overall combat strength.
"Fortune favors the bold, indeed," Ryuuto remarked with a sense of satisfaction.
It wasn't long before he arrived back at Grove 18.
"Captain! You're back!" Vivi was the first to run to him, unable to contain her emotions as she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"Whoa... Vivi!" Suddenly assaulted by two soft, round objects pressing into his chest, Ryuuto didn't know where to put his hands and simply let them hang awkwardly in the air.
"Captain Ryuuto!!" Foxy, Buggy, Jean Bart, Crocus, and the others all called out. Seeing Ryuuto's safe return, the hearts that had been caught in their throats finally settled.
Their voices seemed to jolt Vivi back to her senses. "Oh... everyone!" Her face flushed crimson as she pulled away from Ryuuto's warm embrace. Looking guiltily at the others, she mumbled in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "I was just so happy!"
"Hahahaha... I'm fine! A mere Marine Admiral is nothing! He was no match for me!" Ryuuto announced, his boisterous tone aimed at easing Vivi's embarrassment as he surveyed his crew. He spoke as if he hadn't been the one on the brink of death just moments ago.
"That's our captain!" Foxy was the first to shout, his expression the most ecstatic of all.
Crocus looked at Ryuuto with a gratified smile. His captain, at some point, had grown to a level he could no longer fully comprehend. Now, even a Marine Admiral could be handled with ease. The old doctor was filled with deep emotion.
Jean Bart's eyes were fixed intently on Ryuuto. This captain, whom he had only known for a short time, seemed almost absurdly powerful.
Buggy and his men puffed out their chests, their faces beaming with vicarious pride.
"Captain Ryuuto," a soft voice called out. It was Bonney, now back in the form of a 10-year-old girl. Standing quietly beside her was Kuma.
Hearing her voice, Ryuuto turned his head. The great father had appeared, just as he had expected, ever-present to protect his daughter.
"Bonney! And Kuma! I'm so glad you were able to reunite," Ryuuto said with a wide smile, his voice gentle. Kuma held Bonney's hand with his right, while his left arm cradled a book to his chest.
"Captain Ryuuto, Bonney told me everything. Thank you for your help," Kuma said softly, his gaze meeting Ryuuto's. "Bonney and I will forever remember your kindness." As he spoke, a warm smile graced his lips, and he looked down at his daughter.
Bonney returned his look with a radiant smile of her own. Nearby, Yuyu and Tots were wiping tears from their eyes, deeply moved by the scene.
"Don't thank me. Bonney is a member of the Soaring Dragon Pirates," Ryuuto said, looking up at Kuma with a serious expression. "Isn't it a captain's duty to help his own crew?" At that moment, a ray of sunlight fell across his face, obscuring his features but radiating an immense warmth.
"Captain, thank you," Bonney said, her expression earnest as she looked at him.
Ryuuto didn't reply. He simply walked over, placed a hand on her head, and ruffled her hair vigorously. "Hahahaha... I've been wanting to do that for a while!" he laughed, enjoying the sensation.
"You're terrible!" Bonney huffed, her cheeks puffing out in annoyance.
"Kuma, what are your plans now?" Ryuuto asked with concern.
"We intend to return to the Sorbet Kingdom," Kuma replied gently, his eyes on Bonney. His plan was to spend some time with her there before fulfilling his promise to Vegapunk and allowing the modifications to his body to proceed. After all, Bonney's illness hadn't been cured. The surgery had only suppressed the Sapphire Scale disease; a permanent cure still depended on the World Government's technology.
Ryuuto looked at Kuma, a thoughtful expression in his eyes, as if he could see right through the man's intentions. He was still planning to bear the entire burden himself. Ryuuto couldn't bear to let that happen.
"Bonney, I want to try something," Ryuuto said in a low, serious voice, looking at her. "I might be able to cure your illness." Spurred by the breakthrough in his Lightning Arts, a new theory had formed in his mind. He extended his right hand.
"Really?" Kuma's expression, for a fleeting moment, became tense with hope. But just as quickly, it returned to its usual placid state, as if remembering something. He had scoured the entire world and found no cure for Bonney; he held little hope that Ryuuto could succeed where everyone else had failed.
*Crackle...*
Purple lightning flickered and danced in Ryuuto's palm as he clenched his fist tighter and tighter.
*BOOM!!*
As the energy reached its absolute limit of compression, the crackling Purple Apocalyptic Lightning suddenly imploded, coalescing into a small, silent orb of violet liquid that rested quietly in the center of his hand.