Another voice echoed through Daniel's Mirror Dimension.
Qin Xiao turned—and saw a bald figure with a calm, composed demeanor.
Dressed in a gray robe, not the yellow combat attire.
"The Ancient One."
"Ancient One!"
"Ancient One!"
Both Daniel and Qin Xiao bowed.
Setting aside her power—
the fact that she had protected Earth for centuries alone earned Qin Xiao's respect.
"Daniel, I will receive this guest personally. Go tend to your injuries."
The Ancient One repeated her instruction.
"Yes, Ancient One."
Daniel departed immediately.
Once he was gone, the Ancient One stepped closer to Qin Xiao.
Her gaze was filled with curiosity.
And as she approached—
Qin Xiao's expression turned strange.
Ding.
"Detected: compatible Devil Fruit host."
"Available matches: Age-Age Fruit, Return-Return Fruit, Wash-Wash Fruit…"
Qin Xiao fell into thought.
The Age-Age Fruit?
Was the system… taking her age into account?
And placing it first—did that mean it suited her best?
In fact, among the Supernovas, that fruit's mystery might rank first.
No one even knew Jewelry Bonney's true age.
Sometimes Qin Xiao wondered—
could the Age-Age Fruit actually grant a form of immortality?
It could freely alter age—
turn someone into an old person, frail and weak.
Or into a child, small and powerless.
That meant it fundamentally changed a person's state.
So if the user maintained a constant youthful state…
could they live indefinitely?
Giving the Age-Age Fruit to the Ancient One—
that was an interesting thought.
As for the Return-Return Fruit, which rewound time in 12-year cycles—
Qin Xiao couldn't immediately see how it would benefit her.
The Wash-Wash Fruit, however, seemed fitting.
The Ancient One treated everyone equally—
whether it was the arrogant Stephen Strange,
the paralyzed Pangborn,
or the one-handed Hamir.
If she had that fruit, she could cleanse the darkness within people.
Perhaps traitors like Kaecilius would be far fewer.
Qin Xiao began considering—
whether he could persuade her to eat one.
"An envoy of an Eastern devil?
And yet… I sense no trace of demonic energy from you.
Why give yourself such a title?"
The Ancient One spoke calmly.
Qin Xiao's expression changed.
"You… already know about me."
"'An Eastern devil seeks to encroach upon the Western devil's domain,
sending an envoy to walk among the world.'
When that rumor began spreading in New York, I took notice.
From within the Mirror Dimension, I personally watched you give Frank that brightly colored fruit.
And afterward, he truly gained abilities similar to a mutant.
I know you call them Devil Fruits.
I've also heard the rumors of Eastern devils invading the West.
But I have never sensed any demonic aura from you.
So I'm curious—
where does your power truly come from?
I had intended to meet you eventually.
I didn't expect you to come to me instead."
Her words sent a chill through Qin Xiao's heart.
She had been observing him—
from the Mirror Dimension.
She had even seen him give Frank the Swamp-Swamp Fruit.
Fortunately, he had been cautious.
Using the "devil envoy" narrative to mask himself.
Otherwise…
he might have had no secrets left before her.
"You've been watching me all this time?
Then why didn't you stop me?"
Qin Xiao asked.
Recently, he had been dealing with dangerous figures.
Frank—the Punisher, an anti-hero drenched in blood.
Kingpin—the ruler of New York's underworld.
By any standard, Qin Xiao wasn't associating with "good people."
So why had the Ancient One not intervened?
"Yes, I observe this world constantly.
And you… are merely one small variable among many.
As for why I didn't stop you—
I found no reason to."
Her tone was calm.
"This world follows its own natural course.
What you've done so far has not caused any crisis.
In fact, in some ways, it has benefited the world.
We, the Sorcerer Supreme lineage, protect this world from incursions by dark dimensions.
What you call 'Devil Fruit users' has not brought danger—
but rather, new possibilities.
So I considered that your power may come from a benevolent extradimensional entity.
Just as our white magic comes from the Vishanti.
Perhaps your existence… is meant to counter a future threat.
That is why I chose not to interfere."