"Is this Kaido's most prized devil fruit?"
Shin held three Devil Fruits—the Ancient Xunmenglong, the Ancient Sicilian Lion, and the Sparrow-tailed Mantis Shrimp fruit.
[A/N: Xunmenglong is a type of dinosaur.]
After examining them, Shin didn't hesitate to pick up the Sparrow-tailed Mantis Shrimp fruit and took a bite—he had already extracted the Yamata-no-Orochi fruit from his body, making it a perfect opportunity to test if this particular fruit was as powerful as Kaido claimed.
Almost immediately after eating it, Shin's eyes widened in surprise. "It really is strong!"
As an expert in body modification, he quickly recognized that his arms had transformed into a unique structure similar to a robust rubber band. With a single swing, his fist flew at an almost unreal speed.
"The speed is nearly ten times faster… Even an ordinary pirate would be capable of throwing a 'sonic punch' after consuming this devil fruit."
"Someone with even a little skill in taijutsu could unleash punches like 'Morning Peacock'! Are there really common animals in the world with extraordinary abilities? This is much more powerful than typical ancient species."
With the new devil fruits secured, Shin decided to keep his promise and released all the remaining members of the Beast Pirates, now devoid of value to him. What Kaido and his crew planned next was no longer his concern.
Some in Wano voiced concerns about this decision, but seeing the new devil fruits Shin provided to their side, they ultimately chose to remain silent.
The Beast Pirates had taken a severe hit, with their top fighters significantly weakened due to losing their devil fruits. Meanwhile, Shin had gifted Denjiro, Kawamatsu, and Ashura Doji each an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit, considerably boosting their forces. With the power balance firmly in their favor, the Beast Pirates seemed unlikely to dare trouble Wano again.
Seeing the Mammoth, Triceratops, and Saber-toothed Tiger fruits that Shin recovered from the Beast Pirates, Denjiro, Kawamatsu, and Ashura Doji wore expressions of both amazement and respect.
The terrifying potential to extract Devil Fruits was something everyone present acknowledged.
A Month Later.
"Wood Release—Deep Forest Emergence!"
"Water Release—Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
"Earth Release—Transformation!"
Under the combined powers of Water, Earth, and Wood Releases, the polluted land, poisoned by the factories of Kurozumi Orochi, was rejuvenated. Foul-smelling rivers ran clear again, contaminated soils were purified, and greenery began to flourish once more.
Except for the absence of some animals, the land was restored to its former glory.
"It's amazing… Thank you, Sorcerer-sama, thank you, Shogun!" The villagers, their clothes ragged and bodies thin, bowed gratefully to the handsome young man and the beautiful woman beside him.
[A/N: Residents of Wano refer to devil fruit users as Sorcerers.]
The young man and woman were Shin and Kozuki Hiyori. Though the tyrant Kurozumi Orochi had been defeated and the Beast Pirates driven out, the damage they had inflicted upon Wano remained.
Due to Orochi's oppressive rule, which drained the land dry, nearly half the population outside of the Flower Capital had perished. Only their formidable vitality had allowed so many to survive; a toll like this would have been catastrophic in other places.
Now, Wano was stuck in a vicious cycle—pollution required manpower to address, but a lack of clean resources limited their ability to feed or sustain that manpower. Kozuki Hiyori, Denjiro, and the other loyal retainers had prepared themselves for a long struggle, hoping that in twenty or thirty years, Wano could return to its former self.
When Shin, who had initially planned to leave, heard of their intentions, he decided to lend a hand. With little else to occupy him, he spent the past month using his ninjutsu to help cleanse Wano and replenish its food supplies, filling warehouses with enough provisions to last the population for a decade.
This area was the last one that needed attention. Once it was cleaned, Wano's restoration would be complete.
"Enough thanks. Focus on building a bright future," Kozuki Hiyori said gently to the villagers, her demeanor calm and kind. Though not a fighter, her years of trials had tempered her into a capable leader, undoubtedly more competent than the rash Momonosuke from the original story.
Later that Night
Shin, having finished his training, lay relaxing in a hot spring.
"The hot springs in Wano are especially nice… Although, it feels like there's a higher concentration of seastone elements here. Good thing my body is enhanced; otherwise, I'd be too weak to enjoy the soak."
He recalled how Ace and Yamato avoided hot springs, never once stepping foot in Wano's baths. He chuckled, realizing the irony—one wielded fire, the other ice, neither particularly fond of hot springs.
As Shin lay in the steaming water, his thoughts drifted until he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps. To his surprise, the door to the bath opened.
A beautiful girl with long green hair, wrapped in a towel, stepped in through the haze of steam.
"Uh…" Shin's mind went blank for a moment. "Hiyori… what are you doing here?"
"Brother Shin," Kozuki Hiyori replied softly, her face barely visible through the mist as it reddened with shyness. "I came to help you… with your bath."
"Uh… that…" Shin stammered, caught completely off guard. Looking at Hiyori, her face flushed, he felt a rush of emotions as if two voices argued within him.
Devil: 'This is your chance! Hiyori is the most beautiful woman in Wano.'
Angel: 'What are you thinking? Get a grip!'
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