Leno frowned as he stared at Wapol lying on the ground. After a moment of thought, he pulled out a pair of Seastone handcuffs and locked them on.
This guy was a valuable piece. Keeping him might prove useful someday.
The reason he didn't just let him go was simple—if Wapol caused trouble while Leno wasn't around, it would be a pain to deal with later.
He turned to the stunned Dalton and asked, "Do you want to do something for your people?"
"I—I do…"
"Then you be the king. That way it'll be easier to help them. Besides, I'm taking Wapol with me."
He didn't give Dalton a chance to refuse. Leno hoisted Wapol up and left the castle with Nami and the others.
Back on the ship, Nami immediately pulled out the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia and began looking up the two fruits.
After a while, her surprised voice rang out.
"Everyone, one of these is the Mushroom-Mushroom Fruit, but the other one… isn't in the encyclopedia at all."
At her words, everyone gathered around. Leno hadn't paid much attention to the two fruits earlier.
He had assumed that most good fruits already had owners, so these likely weren't anything special. He figured he'd give them to the soldiers on Skypiea later.
But hearing that one wasn't recorded piqued his interest.
In Nami's hands sat a sky-blue, snowflake-shaped hexagonal fruit. It was exquisite in appearance.
Leno grew curious. He had never seen a Devil Fruit shaped like this before.
Still, since it wasn't recorded, he wasn't about to let anyone on his crew eat it. If it turned out to be trash, it'd be too late for regrets.
He glanced at Kaya and Olga—both still without a Devil Fruit—and said:
"The Fung-Fung Fruit is actually a good one. Does anyone want it?"
Though he said that, everyone understood only Kaya had the right to speak up.
Olga was definitely leaving the ship when they reached Skypiea, and Vivi still hadn't decided if she'd join them. Neither of them counted as adventurers yet.
So neither made a sound. Their eyes instead turned to Kaya.
Kaya looked around nervously, lips trembling, unable to speak.
Leno thought she was dissatisfied and comforted her gently:
"It's fine, Kaya. If you don't like this one, we can wait until you find something you really want."
"N-No, that's not it. I want the one that isn't recorded!"
Her flustered shout made everyone stare.
"Hey, Kaya, don't gamble like that. What if it's terrible?"
"Yeah, Kaya, this fruit is way too uncertain. Think it through!"
"Don't act on impulse…"
Voices rose in concern. No one wanted her to regret this for the rest of her life.
Leno looked at her, surprised, and asked seriously, "Kaya, are you sure?"
"I'm sure!"
Their interruption had only firmed her resolve. She stared at the mysterious fruit, anticipation shining in her eyes.
Nami, unwilling to let her friend make a mistake, asked again, "Why, Kaya? Why choose the uncertain one?"
"I-I don't know. I just feel like… I have to choose it."
Nami's worried gaze made Kaya turn away in embarrassment. She couldn't explain it—something inside her compelled her to eat that fruit.
Leno watched her determined expression, then glanced at the fruit and said thoughtfully, "Let her have it."
"You big idiot?! Even you—"
Nami stared at Leno in disbelief, as if he had betrayed her trust. Did Kaya really mean so little to him?
"Relax. Even if it's bad, there are ways to change things later."
Seeing her expression, Leno immediately reassured her.
Maybe his certainty worked, because Nami hesitated, then handed the fruit to Kaya.
Everyone crowded around to see what ability Kaya would gain.
After enduring the legendary 'delicious' taste of a Devil Fruit, Kaya closed her eyes and quietly began sensing her power.
No one dared breathe loudly for fear of disturbing her.
Suddenly, white light burst from Kaya's body, wrapping her entirely.
Moments later—
Woom—
A shockwave of pale energy swept outward, pushing everyone back a few steps. When the light faded, a shimmering white figure stood before them.
Seeing the familiar yet foreign silhouette, everyone froze.
A chorus of swallowed breaths echoed.
"S-So beautiful…"
"She's stunning…"
Nami, Yamato, and the others were utterly captivated.
Even Leno was shaken. 'Beautiful' wasn't enough. She didn't seem like someone from this world at all.
Kaya's short, pale-gold hair had become long, silver-white strands flowing to her waist. Even her eyelashes and brows shimmered silver.
Her eyes were icy blue, like galaxies of stars swirling within.
Her delicate ears had become pointed, peeking faintly through her hair.
Her clothing had transformed into a pure white dress like woven ice silk, glowing softly.
Snowflakes spiraled around her, making her seem like a spirit who had accidentally fallen from the heavens.
Her cool gaze carried an unearthly calm that sent shivers down their spines.
After a long while, Nami stepped closer cautiously.
"K-Kaya? Is that really you?"
"It's me."
Kaya turned her head slightly, her voice cool and crystalline—clear as falling pearls.
"Your change is insane! What's your ability?"
"Mm…" She seemed uncomfortable with her new form and took a moment before speaking again. "To control ice and snow… and also…"
Her body dissolved instantly, then reformed.
"To become ice and snow."
"Logia?!"
Nami gasped. She hadn't expected the unknown fruit to be a Logia.
But Kaya shook her head, her voice lighter now.
"Not a Logia. It's a Mythical Zoan—Snow Maiden of the Frozen Heavens."