After the farewell, the group set sail once more. Nami asked Hera, "Where to next?"
Hera thought for a moment and said, "Officially, we're all registered at Sabaody Archipelago. We haven't been there in a long time, and our two new members haven't been registered with the Marine yet. Next, let's head to Sabaody Archipelago."
Nami turned the ship's helm and set course for Sabaody Archipelago.
After witnessing Hera devour the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, Ain seemed lost in thought. Once on board, she pulled Hera aside.
Puzzled, Hera asked Ain, "What is it?" Ain's hand ignited with a pink flame. The City of Devouring Time instinctively drew closer, and a dark shadow danced upon Ain's hand.
Hera suppressed the fluctuations of the City of Devouring Time. Ain nodded, "Just as I suspected. Your Zafkiel can absorb my Rewind-Rewind Fruit as well, can't it?"
Hera nodded, "But it's not necessary. I can just absorb energy from a few more pirates. There's no need for this."
Ain relaxed her resistance, and the flame extended towards Hera.
Seeing this, Hera asked in surprise, "What are you doing?"
Ain said, "Absorb my devil fruit energy. If the City of Devouring Time can grow stronger, then absorbing my ability should make Zafkiel even more powerful."
Hera hesitated. Although Zafkiel yearned for the Rewind-Rewind Fruit, she didn't want to harm Ain for her own sake.
Ain sensed Hera's hesitation and continued, "I saw Absalom eat the Spring-Spring Fruit. He's a Spring-Man now and wasn't affected by the disappearance of the Clear-Clear Fruit. If it bothers you, just compensate me with a powerful fruit later. I'm sticking with you, after all, so of course I'll support you getting stronger."
Hearing this, Hera no longer hesitated. She released her control over the City of Devouring Time, and Ain offered no resistance.
As the City of Devouring Time gently absorbed it, Ain's ability gradually faded. Perhaps due to the lack of resistance, she felt no pain even as the absorption completed.
Hera felt the changes within her body. The Seventh Bullet on the dial lit up. Not only that, the Fourth Bullet's light flickered. The Fourth Bullet's ability resonated with the Rewind-Rewind Fruit. Hera sensed her bullets could now rewind a target's time for a longer duration, and her spirit dress had grown more powerful.
After losing the Rewind-Rewind Fruit, Ain felt somewhat weak. Hera quickly supported her, slowly helping her to her quarters.
Contemplating her plans, Hera asked Ain, "What kind of fruit do you want next? If you want something with high destructive power, it might take a while. For something more utility-focused, I have some intel on Golden Lion. How about the Float-Float Fruit? Or the Sube Sube no Mi is also an option—they say you won't gain weight after eating it."
"But Zoan-types might be tricky. I heard Vegapunk replicated a Blue Dragon Fruit, but I don't know if it was successful. Logia-types are also a bit troublesome. I do know where the Snow-Snow Fruit is, but it's said to be an inferior version of the Ice-Ice Fruit."
Ain watched the concerned Hera list recommendations, a faint smile appearing on her pale face. "Alright, alright, I get it. Don't worry, I won't settle for less. Just promise to give me priority on any good abilities, okay? Let me rest for a bit now."
Hera nodded and left. On her way, she suddenly felt she had forgotten something but couldn't recall it immediately. As she walked, she bumped into a skeleton.
"Yo ho ho ho! Might this lovely lady allow me a glimpse of her panties?" It was then that Hera remembered she had forgotten about this skeleton.
"How did you get on board?" Hera asked, surprised.
Brook said, "I couldn't bear to interrupt their farewell or your joy at gaining a new companion. I waited until you had settled matters before intending to ask about my concerns, but you boarded the ship directly, so I followed."
Hearing this, Hera slapped her forehead. "Right, my apologies for forgetting about you. Ask whatever you want to know. You can disembark at Sabaody Archipelago."
Brook nodded and asked his most pressing question: "I heard from that swordswoman that you saw Laboon. Its condition isn't good."
Hera nodded. "When I first arrived, its condition was indeed poor. But after my treatment, it improved. It misses you all dearly and wants to smash through the Red Line to find you."
"The Pirate King's ship doctor, Crocus, is there taking care of it. I suggest finding a ship at Sabaody Archipelago to return to Reverse Mountain."
Brook nodded and continued, "Then, what is my current situation? I remember I died once already."
Hera looked him over. "You must have eaten the Revive-Revive Fruit. It allows one resurrection after death. However, your flesh had already decayed, so you revived as a skeleton."
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