Xiano's words momentarily stunned Jinbei, who then smiled in relief.
"I overthought things. With your magnanimity, you could even let go of Arlong's past—how could those people possibly weigh on your mind?
Even if the Charlotte Family were to return someday, standing against the Curtain Closer would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."
Xiano glanced at Jinbei.
This "Knight of the Sea" still held himself to too high a moral standard. In truth, Xiano hadn't expected Jinbei to personally visit and apologize for what Arlong had done all those years ago.
Arlong…
That guy had truly haunted his childhood nightmares.
He had once been so consumed by anxiety and dread that he couldn't eat or sleep. The sheer oppression he felt back then couldn't even compare to the first time he encountered Akainu in the first half of the Grand Line.
But it was precisely because of that experience that he had become who he was today.
Otherwise, he might still be stuck in the countryside of Cocoyashi Village, picking oranges without ever leaving the East Blue.
In any case, it was all in the past now.
"My injuries have healed," Jinbei said, bowing slightly with sincere solemnity. "Like Katakuri, I came today specifically to bid you farewell.
"Having received your forgiveness and the honor of joining the Curtain Closer to contribute my strength, this old man can finally rest easier. However, I cannot stay here for long—if Marine Headquarters were to investigate, it would be difficult to explain."
"Mm. Travel safely."
Xiano nodded, watching as Jinbei departed.
Indeed.
During their conversation a few days prior, Jinbei had voluntarily expressed his willingness to lend his strength and had officially joined the Curtain Closer as one of its highest-ranking officers.
As the strongest naval combatant among the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, Jinbei naturally had the qualifications.
However, precisely because of his status as a Warlord, after discussing it with Xiano, they decided not to publicly announce Jinbei's membership in the Curtain Closer.
Instead, he would continue to operate under his Warlord identity, serving as a hidden chess piece within the Marines.
If the day ever came when the Marines mobilized the Warlords to confront the Curtain Closer in full force, he could defect at the critical moment.
Of course.
It was fortunate that the person Jinbei had intercepted earlier was Green Bull, who hadn't yet officially assumed his position—an unknown figure with no record in Marine records.
Had it been one of the Three Admirals, Jinbei would most likely have been stripped of his Warlord title on the spot.
Once Jinbei's figure had vanished into the distance, Xiano turned his gaze toward the castle he was in, lifting his coffee cup in contemplation.
"Next, I should carefully consider how to make use of that portion of Totto Land's resources…"
———
The Curtain Closer's control over Totto Land had yielded an overwhelming amount of resources.
And the "portion" Xiano was currently prioritizing was the Devil Fruits gathered from Whole Cake Island—how best to distribute them.
Before this.
After Blackbeard had consumed the Fly Fruit, Xiano had only three Devil Fruits left in his possession:
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit, the Sand-Sand Fruit, and the White Tiger Fruit.
But this time.
From BIGMOM's castle treasury alone, they had collected a staggering six additional Devil Fruits.
Most of them were Paramecia-type and could be classified under the food series.
They were:
Butter Fruit;
Cotton Candy Fruit;
Honey Fruit;
Cigarette Fruit;
Pea Fruit.
The sixth one was a Zoan, the Elephant-Elephant Fruit.
This was considered a lower-tier version of Jack's Mammoth Fruit, and Xiano remembered it quite clearly.
Its previous owner had been the sword wielded by CP-9's chief, Spandam.
Last year, both the man and his sword had been shattered by him. He hadn't expected the fruit to reincarnate and end up in Totto Land.
"Nine Devil Fruits in total…" Xiano murmured. "How should they be distributed to maximize their use?"
What a headache.
Might as well let the executives under him decide for themselves.
As for the most precious Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he already had a vague idea of the best candidate in mind, so he'd keep it for now.
The remaining eight would be made available for everyone to choose from.
"Hmm?"
Xiano glanced down at the terrace below, where a white bear happened to be passing by. He chuckled and called out, "Hey, Bepo, could you do me a favor and call a few people over?"
...
An hour later.
The meeting room at the Garrison Corps headquarters was bustling, packed with people.
Almost all the executives who had joined the Curtain Closers after the Sabaody incident and didn't have Devil Fruit abilities had been summoned.
This also included some outstanding officers from the Garrison Corps and Infrastructure Corps.
After all, many of these Devil Fruits were more suited for production and construction within the territory rather than combat.
However, there was an exception among those who had come—
"So it's about distributing Devil Fruits… Then why was I dragged here?!"
Chopper stared at Bepo, his face full of question marks. "I'm already a Zoan user!"
"Eh?" Bepo was dumbfounded and turned to look at Chopper. "A Zoan user? But Chopper, aren't you from the Mink Tribe?"
"I'm a purebred reindeer, you idiot!"
Chopper flew into a rage. "And here I thought we were good friends! Who knew you were such a dumb bear that you didn't even realize I ate the Human-Human Fruit!"
"Sorry…"
Bepo lowered his head, looking guilty. "I—I didn't think that far. I just heard that among the Devil Fruits being distributed, there's a Cotton Candy Fruit, so I went to find you right away…"
Hearing this, Chopper's angry expression froze, and his eyes suddenly sparkled:
"Eh? Co… Cotton Candy Fruit?"
There was something that good?!
Was he in heaven?!
Bepo scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah, I heard that eating it lets you produce unlimited cotton candy. I thought since you love it so much…"
Sniff… I even yelled at him. I'm such a bad reindeer!
Chopper threw himself onto Bepo's fluffy body, burying his face deep into the white bear's fur as he burst into loud sobs:
"Waaah, I'm sorry, Bepo! I was wrong to blame you! You… you're really the best!"
Bepo was flustered by the sudden hug and clumsily patted Chopper's back, grinning foolishly. "I-It's fine…"
The fluffy duo was always this rowdy, and everyone watched the two little cuties with smiles, not bothering to interrupt.
But for another "rowdy duo," patience was clearly in shorter supply.
"Hmph, Mosshead, what are you doing here?"
Sanji lit a cigarette, casting a sidelong glance of disdain as he muttered, "Truly strong swordsmen would never stoop to eating Devil Fruits. A shameless guy like you obviously lacks that kind of resolve."
"Hah? Stop spouting nonsense! I came specifically to laugh at you!"
Zoro crossed his arms and sneered, "Just as expected, you showed up after all. What, did the guy with a 50 Berry bounty feel too embarrassed about his low reward and decided to compensate with a Devil Fruit?"
"What did you say?! Bringing up the bounty again! It's all because of your stupid ideas that I not only failed to defeat my opponent but also ended up with that ridiculous wanted poster photo! Wanna fight, you bastard?!"
"Suits me just fine! I'll slice you into sashimi!"
Ever since their bounties were updated, both had been nursing their wounded pride. Aside from doubling down on their training, their daily routine consisted of picking fights with each other. Now, they nearly slammed the table in unison, ready to brawl right there in the meeting room.
Suddenly—
Thunk! Thunk!
Two dull thuds echoed as bumps simultaneously swelled on Zoro and Sanji's heads.
Tashigi sheathed her sword scabbard, displeased. "If you want to fight, take it outside. Don't let your childish antics delay Lord Xiano's important matters."
"Ow…"
Clutching their heads with tears in their eyes, the two obediently sat back down, not daring to argue further.
A second later, something felt off. After exchanging glances, Zoro turned and bared his teeth at Tashigi, roaring, "Who the hell are you to boss us around?!"
Damn girl—for a moment, he hadn't realized it and mistook her for Kuina!
"Oh? Not convinced?" Tashigi snorted. "Once this matter is settled, I'd be happy to oblige you anytime."
Zoro gritted his teeth.
He wasn't entirely confident. When he first joined the Curtain Closers, he hadn't taken this girl seriously, assuming his swordsmanship was superior.
But during the battle in Totto Land, Tashigi had held her ground against Streusen for half an hour, displaying astonishing swordsmanship that left everyone awestruck.
She wasn't even that old—just who the hell taught her…?
"Enough. Settle down."
Xiano tapped the table, and the meeting room fell silent at once.
He scanned the room with a faint smile. "Let me remind you all—statements like 'true swordsmen would never eat Devil Fruits'... depend on the situation. Blindly following such notions isn't wise."
"Don't shackle yourselves with arbitrary limits. True strength isn't bound by form, nor does it care for outsiders' judgments. Devil Fruits, pure martial arts, swordsmanship, or Haki—they're all merely tools to reach the pinnacle."
He raised a hand, and Bepo hurriedly stood up, opening the boxes on the table one by one. Eight Devil Fruits of varying shapes were laid out in a row before everyone.
"Bepo, explain the abilities and traits of these fruits in detail."
Xiano instructed, "Everyone, choose one for yourselves. If none catch your eye, that's fine too—there will be other opportunities."
Don't shackle yourself with useless limits?
Bepo had already stepped forward to begin the explanations, while Tashigi narrowed her eyes slightly, remaining silent.
She looked down at her palms—calluses thick on her hands, the base of her thumbs, and her knuckles.
Xiano's words echoed in her mind.
Indeed… she had been far too fixated on the purity of the sword's path.
He even believed that only in this way could he live up to the path of a Master Swordsman, which he had been diligently training day and night after being inspired by Lord Xiano;
Only then could he stand openly beside Kuina, side by side behind Lord Xiano.
But alas, but...
This world is just so unfair. The role of effort is ultimately limited, unable to bridge the chasm-like gap of innate talent between people.
Despite having trained in swordsmanship since childhood;
Despite being taught for nearly a year by the former World's Greatest Swordsman, Mr. Kuhomi.
Yet his strength wasn't even close to Kuina's—he couldn't even glimpse her back, let alone maintain a significant lead over newcomers like Zoro and Sanji.
Someone as weak and unhelpful as him, who could barely assist Lord Xiano, was still fortunate enough to bear the title of a crew member of the Curtain Closer's headquarters.
Every time she walked through the territory, receiving envious glances from members of the Four Legions, she felt... unworthy.
Tashigi closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Lord Xiano was right.
Perhaps it was time to break free from shackles and let go of prejudice.
Tashigi abruptly opened her eyes.
Her gaze wandered among the eight Devil Fruits before finally settling on one with a sandy-yellow hue, shaped like a cactus.
"The Sand-Sand Fruit..."
She murmured softly, images of the current Three Admirals flashing through her mind.
Back then, she had firmly believed in the Navy's path of justice. Aside from Xiano, she had once idolized those three admirals.
All three possessed Logia-Type Abilities. Though they were no longer her idols, the power they wielded was undeniable...
Tashigi's resolve solidified. She reached out and picked up the Sand-Sand Fruit, its rough texture rubbing against her palm with an odd sensation.
"I choose this one," she declared, her voice clear and firm.
The meeting room fell silent for a moment.
Everyone, including Zoro and Sanji, looked at Tashigi in surprise.
"Hey! Are you really giving up on pure swordsmanship?" Zoro's expression darkened as he couldn't help but ask.
Tashigi chuckled lightly, not sparing him a glance. Instead, her bright eyes remained fixed on Xiano at the head of the table.
To stand as Lord Xiano's right hand and truly aid him—that is my greatest wish.
If this is the direction my swordsmanship takes, who can say it isn't pure?
Unaware of Tashigi's gaze, Xiano nodded slightly.
"A wise choice. The Sand-Sand Fruit is exceptional even among Logia-Type Abilities. While Logia powers may seem incompatible with swordsmanship at first glance, Kizaru is proof that with proper development, they can complement sword techniques perfectly. Take it."
"Yes, my lord."
Tashigi nodded solemnly, carefully storing the fruit away. She was already envisioning how to integrate the Sand-Sand abilities into her swordsmanship.
"Now then—" Xiano scanned the room. "Has everyone else made their decision?"
"I'd like the White Tiger Fruit, my lord."
Bepo hesitated for a moment before raising his furry paw.
As all eyes turned to him, Bepo scratched his head sheepishly and explained with his usual earnestness:
"My greatest strength lies in close-quarters combat, but I've always struggled with my limited physical strength. If I could gain the enhancement of a Zoan-type ability, I should be able to fully unleash the potential of my fighting techniques..."
Xiano nodded approvingly and smiled. "A very reasonable consideration. The White Tiger Fruit is indeed perfect for you. It's yours, Bepo."
A massive physical enhancement? And if he could combine it with Sulong Form...
After all, this was the bear who managed to rescue his own Captain from one of the Four Emperors. Xiano had always held high expectations for Bepo's potential.
"Yay! Thank you, sir!"
Bepo happily retrieved the White Tiger Fruit and carefully stored it away, just as Tashigi had done.
"Oh? There's even a Cigarette Fruit here."
Sanji exhaled a smoke ring and sighed:
"Unlimited production of all kinds of cigarettes? That's incredibly tempting. But alas, a true Knight must always be ready to dive into the sea to rescue ladies at any moment. I simply can't afford to become a landlubber..."
(End of chapter)