"Found it? What fruit is it?" Ripley and Gölz crowded in, eyes fixed on Lilith.
It was their first time seeing a Devil Fruit. If the encyclopedia hadn't been too small for Giant Race hands, they'd have flipped it themselves.
Lilith hugged the book and hurried to Charlotte Linlin, pointing at a picture: "Got it! The one covered in strange patterns is a Paramecia-type glare-glare fruit! The user gains extreme range of vision and probably even X-ray sight and insight—perfect for scouting and sniping!"
She pointed to another fruit, this one sporting two tiny white wings. "And this is a Mythical Zoan Type—Horse-Horse Fruit, Pegasus Form! The encyclopedia says the user can transform into the legendary holy Pegasus, fly, and its feathers bring good fortune. It even has light-related or purification powers!"
"A Mythical Zoan? Dock must have serious potential for this fruit to choose him," someone muttered.
Charlotte Linlin stared at the Pegasus fruit in surprise. She'd thought it was just a regular Zoan; turns out it was Mythical. Kaido's old man really did have talent.
As a transmigrator, she knew the current meta of the Pirate King world inside out.
"Pegasus! It can fly?!"
Gloriosa's eyes sparkled like stars. Moments ago she'd fretted over being grounded, unable to fight at Charlotte Linlin's side; now a sky-soaring Mythical Zoan lay before her.
She stepped forward, scooped up the fruit, and declared, "This one's mine. Any objections?"
Gölz already had the Soul-Soul Fruit, and Ripley had no interest in turning into an animal. The other Kuja warriors and support staff either backed Gloriosa or felt too weak to waste such a precious resource. No one spoke against it.
Gloriosa turned to Charlotte Linlin, hugged her arm, and cooed, "Linlin~ can I have the Pegasus fruit? I swear I'll help you even more from now on!"
Charlotte Linlin wondered why Gloriosa suddenly burned with desire—she'd never wanted a Devil Fruit before—but she'd brought the fruits back to strengthen her crew, so refusal was pointless.
Besides, Mythical Fruits were rare and rumored to have wills of their own; better to have someone eat it quickly than risk losing it.
And a horse paired perfectly with Gloriosa, who excelled at kicks and was agile as could be.
So she nodded. "Sure."
"Thanks, Linlin!" Gloriosa squealed, leaping up to peck Charlotte Linlin on the cheek.
"However," Charlotte Linlin added, a teasing grin forming, "if you're going to eat it, you'd better finish the whole thing. Sailors say only by eating the entire Devil Fruit do you get its full power."
She couldn't vouch for the rumor, but better safe than sorry—and misery loves company after three involuntary bites of that vile thing.
"R-really? I've… never heard that," Gloriosa stammered.
Anyone who'd sailed the seas knew the horror stories about Devil Fruits tasting worse than excrement. Whether anyone had actually compared, every eater agreed the flavor was unforgettable in the worst way.
"Just because you haven't heard it doesn't mean it's not true," Charlotte Linlin said sweetly.
Gloriosa swallowed hard, staring at the fruit. Yet the memory of waiting helplessly on the ship—and the enemies ahead—hardened her resolve.
"To stand beside Linlin… I'll do it!"
She squeezed her eyes shut, shoved the whole fruit into her mouth, and gulped it down with barely a chew.
"Ugh…!"
An indescribable blend of rot, bitterness, and spice assaulted her senses; her pretty face twisted as she fought not to retch.
She snatched a cup of water and chugged.
But before the foulness faded—
Buzz!
Warm, mighty energy erupted from her soul. Soft, holy white light burst from Gloriosa.
"Mmm~"
She moaned as her body transformed: bones hummed, muscles reknit, a light, powerful sensation flooded every limb.
Whoosh!
In the stunned silence, pristine wings unfurled from her back, glowing faintly. Her orange hair turned to a flowing white mane.
When the light dimmed, a towering white pegasus—tall as Charlotte Linlin—stood on the deck, wings outstretched, radiating sanctity.
With a gentle stamp of her hoof, a melodious chime rang in everyone's ears.
The pegasus flapped once and hovered a foot above the planks.
"I… I can fly?"
Gloriosa gazed at her new form, joy glowing on her equine face.
"So? What can you do?" Charlotte Linlin asked. Mythical Zoans always had extras.
The pegasus landed, hooves chiming again.
"Besides flight and the usual Zoan strength, I can control light and… purify. It's more healing minds than bodies—cleansing people of special effects. No good on flesh wounds."
"Purification! Does that mean I can stop studying medicine?" Gölz cheered.
She was only a kid, and the recent brutal training had worn her thin. If Gloriosa could heal, one chore could be scratched off the list.
Gloriosa crushed that hope.
She closed her eyes, felt her power, then said, "Not healing bodies—healing hearts. I can purify mental effects, but actual injuries are beyond me."
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