The next day, Eli Winters and his crew spent the entire day exploring the Flower Kingdom to their hearts' content. They sampled every local delicacy they could find, wandered through famous gardens, and even toured several private estates belonging to nobles.
All of that was thanks to the jade token given to them by Chinjao. Every noble who saw the insignia immediately welcomed them in with deep respect, offering feasts, fine tea, and lavish hospitality.
When night fell, they checked into a high-end inn renowned for its hot springs. After days of traveling and fighting, a warm soak was exactly what they needed.
Steam drifted lazily through the air as laughter echoed down the hallways. Later that evening, Eli summoned everyone to his room. The group gathered around the low table, curiosity already lighting up their faces.
"Captain," Big Pan asked, rubbing his hands eagerly, "what's the meeting for? You found something good again?"
Filina's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "You did, didn't you? It's another treasure, right?"
The others leaned in, equally intrigued. They'd traveled with Eli long enough to know his pattern every now and then, he'd produce something extraordinary out of nowhere. None of them ever asked where he got those things; they were smart enough to know some mysteries were best left alone.
Eli grinned mysteriously. "Well, you're not wrong. I've got something good indeed."
Filina immediately tugged on his sleeve. "Don't keep us in suspense! Show us, Captain!"
He laughed, snapped his fingers, and with a faint shimmer, a white fruit appeared on the table. Its skin gleamed with swirling cloud-like patterns, and its shape resembled a snow pear.
"A Devil Fruit!" everyone exclaimed at once.
Big Pan leaned forward, eyes wide. "What kind of power does it have?"
"Why don't you guess?" Eli replied playfully.
Fiona, ever composed, crossed her arms. "Since you called it a good one, it's either a Logia or a Mythical Zoan. I'm guessing the former."
Eli chuckled. "Smart as always. You're right. It's a Logia-type the Cloud-Cloud Fruit. So, what do you all think? Any takers?"
Simon and Dorte exchanged glances and shook their heads. Being fishmen, they couldn't afford to lose their ability to swim. The sea was part of who they were.
Chiyo, having joined the crew not long ago, also declined. Even though she knew how valuable a Devil Fruit was, she wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility.
Big Pan, meanwhile, simply waited silently. He knew his captain. If this fruit suited him, Eli would've handed it over directly. Since it was up for discussion, that meant someone else was destined for it.
That left the sisters Fiona and Filina. Fiona had strong swordsmanship and clear ambitions. She wanted to master her blade through discipline and skill, not rely on supernatural powers. The fruit didn't tempt her.
Her gaze shifted to Filina, whose progress in training had always been slower. The younger woman was energetic and cheerful, but she lacked the same drive. Fiona knew immediately what Eli was thinking.
Eli turned to Filina. "This fruit suits you best. But remember, once you eat a Devil Fruit, the sea will reject you. You won't be able to swim, and you'll be vulnerable to Sea Prism Stone. Are you sure you want to do this?"
Filina hesitated. She looked at her crewmates each one powerful in their own right and then down at her hands. Her strength hadn't grown much lately. She didn't want to keep falling behind or become a burden to her captain.
She clenched her fists, determination burning in her eyes. "I'll eat it."
Without another word, she picked up the pear-shaped fruit and took a big bite.
Her pretty face twisted instantly in horror. "Ugh! This tastes… disgusting!"
The bitterness and stench hit her like a punch. It was like biting into something that hadn't seen a cleaning brush in years. She gagged, nearly spitting it out
"Don't spit it out!" Eli's calm but firm voice stopped her. "If you do, it'll lose its power."
She froze, face pale, then squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to swallow.
Eli quickly handed her a cup of tea. Filina grabbed it like a lifeline, rinsing her mouth and gulping the rest down. Finally, she slumped back into her chair with a sigh. "I survived."
Fiona raised an eyebrow. "It can't be that bad."
Filina gave her sister a wounded look. "Not bad? That was the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted. I swear, there's nothing in this world more revolting. Thankfully, the taste goes away fast." She turned to Eli suspiciously. "Captain, how did yours taste when you ate one?"
Eli smiled smoothly. "Didn't taste like much. I ate the whole thing at once."
Her eyes widened. "You what?!"
"Hey, yours was much bigger," he replied innocently. "No way you could've swallowed it whole."
Filina groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Ugh… thank goodness only one bite works, or I might've died from the taste alone."
Big Pan grinned. "C'mon, sis, show us what your new powers can do!"
Filina perked up. "Alright, watch closely!"
A soft white mist began to swirl beneath Big Pan's feet, forming into a fluffy white cloud. Slowly, it lifted him off the ground, carrying him around the room.
Big Pan laughed with childlike glee, bouncing and poking at the cloud beneath him. "It's so soft!"
The others gathered around, curious. When they touched it, the cloud felt surprisingly solid like a pillow made of living cotton.
Eli tilted his head. "So, it just makes clouds that can fly?"
Filina grinned mischievously. "Not just that." She snapped her fingers.
The white cloud instantly turned black. A crack of thunder followed, and a small lightning bolt zapped Big Pan's head, leaving his hair standing on end like a fluffy porcupine.
Everyone burst out laughing. Fiona tried to hold it in but failed, while Chiyo nearly fell over. Filina laughed the loudest, tears in her eyes.
Big Pan pouted. "That was mean, Filina!"
"Sorry! Sorry!" she said between giggles. "I'll make it up to you. Chiyo, make him something tasty later!"
Big Pan rolled his eyes but couldn't help chuckling himself.
When the laughter died down, Eli crossed his arms thoughtfully. "That lightning… how strong do you think your attacks can get?"
Filina thought for a moment. "I'm not sure yet. I'll have to test it."
"Good. Let's head outside and find out," Eli said.
They moved to an open field behind the inn.
"Go ahead," Eli told her calmly. "Hit me with your strongest attack."
Filina gathered her will, summoning a thick storm cloud above. A deep rumble filled the air, and then crack! a massive bolt of lightning struck down.
It hit Eli squarely, but he didn't even flinch. When the smoke cleared, he was completely unharmed.
He nodded thoughtfully. "That level could injure a Marine major, but your body still needs strengthening. The fruit's potential depends heavily on your physical endurance."
Filina stuck out her tongue playfully. "You're such a perfectionist, Captain."
Eli smiled faintly. "Perfection keeps us alive. Remember, to master Logia powers, you'll need a strong body. Once you can turn into pure cloud and fly freely through the sky, you'll be almost untouchable. Don't slack off."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," she muttered.
Eli ignored her sulking and asked, "Aside from making clouds and lightning, anything else?"
Filina nodded seriously. "I can sense weather changes now. I think if I develop it enough, I might even be able to control the climate."
Big Pan's eyes lit up. "So that means no more sea storms, right?!"
"Not yet," Filina admitted sheepishly. "But maybe someday."
Big Pan clenched his fists. "Then I'll make sure you train until you can!"
Filina groaned. "Wait, what? No, don't—"
But it was too late. Big Pan's grin said everything. For someone who'd suffered seasickness and storms all his life, this was personal motivation.
Everyone burst into laughter again.
Eli finally waved a hand. "Alright, it's decided. Big Pan and Fiona will supervise Filina's training. And Chiyo," he added, turning to the young cook, "you may not be a fighter, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't grow stronger. I want you training too."
Chiyo smiled brightly. "Understood, Captain."
Satisfied, Eli dismissed them. They chatted a while longer before heading back to their rooms for the night. Filina dragged Chiyo along to stay with her, still bubbling with energy and excitement about her new powers.
The next morning, Eli set out with Simon and Dorte to visit Chinjao. He wanted to discuss Haki training in detail after all, few people in the world understood it as deeply as the old master.
As for Filina, Fiona, and Chiyo they continued exploring the Flower Kingdom, with Big Pan serving as their loyal, if occasionally electrocuted, bodyguard. Of course, Filina made sure to buy him plenty of food as payment for his "hard work."
And so, their adventures in the Flower Kingdom continued peaceful for now, yet filled with the quiet promise of storms to come.
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