[Absorption complete.]
[Congratulations, Host. Second Transformation Unlocked: Shadow Wraith!]
The voice of the Fantasy Gene echoed in Yato's mind, cold, mechanical, and devoid of any emotion.
Yato stopped mid-bite, closing his eyes to feel any changes in his body.
But a few minutes passed, and… nothing happened.
No pain. No dizziness. No burst of energy. Nothing.
"What's going on?" he asked internally.
[Shadow Wraith is a special form. It can only be activated at night.]
[The host is currently under a forced transformation state. Duration: seven days. During this time, other forms are unavailable.]
"…You could've mentioned that earlier."
Yato opened his mouth but found himself sighing in resignation.
He couldn't use the Sea Dragon form for a full week. And Shadow Wraith only worked at night.
Meaning that, for the next seven days, during the daytime… he'd just be an ordinary human.
Fortunately, he was still safe on Amazon Lily. There was no immediate danger here.
"Looks like I'll have to ride out the transformation period on this island before setting off."
Now that he had entered the One Piece world, he naturally wanted to explore.
But safety came first.
As that thought settled, he slowly opened his eyes, only to find six sharp gazes locked on him.
The three sisters were watching his every move.
Yato, unfazed, resumed munching on the bitter, foul-tasting fruit.
It didn't take long before he finished the entire thing, leaving behind only the twisted rind.
"Tastes terrible…"
The three sisters exchanged glances in stunned silence.
"Sister… it looks like he really isn't a Devil Fruit user," Marigold murmured.
"He's totally fine."
"What are you feeling right now?" asked Sandersonia with a frown.
"Did you become a user or not?"
"Like I said, I'm a god. Devil Fruits don't affect me. I won't lose my ability to swim, and I certainly won't explode."
Yato smiled, then turned to Hancock.
"So? Do you believe me now, Empress?"
Hancock looked at him wearily and sighed. Her expression carried a hint of fatigue.
"I'm tired. Marigold, escort the 'Guardian Deity' out."
"Yes, Sister."
And just like that, Yato left the Empress's chambers under Marigold's escort.
Once they stepped outside, Sandersonia immediately asked,
"Sister, do you really think it's our Guardian Deity? We've confirmed he's not a Devil Fruit user."
Hancock waved dismissively and rubbed her temples.
She didn't believe in the legend of a Guardian Deity. But at this point, denying it would only complicate matters.
If a sea dragon was willing to protect Amazon Lily, that could only help their nation's security.
"Treat him well," she said quietly.
"Think of him as another… Bacura."
Bacura, a massive, vicious black panther used by Amazon Lily for executing criminals.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere,
Yato followed Marigold back to his assigned quarters.
As she walked ahead, she kept sneaking glances back at him.
"So you really are the Guardian Deity? I used to hear stories about you when I was little… always thought it was just a myth."
"Whether I am or not… depends on what you believe."
Yato smiled gently.
"If you believe it, then I am. That's what a 'god' is, isn't it?"
He wasn't trying to swindle anyone anymore. Just returning the favor.
After all, he had conned them out of a Devil Fruit.
After a pause, he added,
"I do have a name. You don't need to call me Guardian Deity all the time.
Just 'Yato' will do."
"Yato…" Marigold repeated thoughtfully.
"Weird name. Are all gods named like that? Alright. I'll let Sister know."
As they chatted, they arrived at the quarters.
"Lord Yato, if you need anything, just call for the maids."
With that, Marigold turned and left.
Mission accomplished.
Yato finally relaxed. He sat down at the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a slow sip.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
The One Piece world was vast. There was no way he'd stay on Amazon Lily forever.
But gathering mystic energy, i.e., Devil Fruits, was now his priority.
And clearly, Hancock wasn't going to hand him a second one.
"Before anything else… I need to figure out what this Shadow Wraith form actually does."
Time passed quickly, and night soon fell.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Yato, still seated in his room, immediately noticed something happening to his body.
It started with a wisp of black mist leaking from his chest. Then more from his limbs.
Soon, his entire form began to fade and shift.
Within seconds, his human body vanished, replaced by a shadowy figure, a formless wraith made of black smoke.
"So this is… Shadow Wraith?" Yato muttered in awe.
He could feel it.
His body had become incorporeal, intangible.
He floated with no weight, slipping through space like a whisper.
"Strange form… What abilities does it come with?"
He closed his eyes and opened his senses.
In the darkness, countless glowing lights appeared before him, like stars scattered through an infinite void.
Some were bright.
Some dim.
Some flickered on the edge of extinguishing.
Others shone like blazing suns.
Driven by curiosity, Yato drifted toward one of the brightest points.
The moment he neared it, a sudden pull seized him, and the world spun violently.
When the dizziness subsided, Yato opened his eyes.
He was no longer in his room.
Instead, he stood inside… an office.
Only one person sat within, working quietly.
And Yato wasn't just anywhere, he was nestled within the shadow of that man's body.
"Justice?"
He blinked, recognizing the white coat draped across the figure's shoulders.
"A Marine? Wait… did I just teleport inside a Marine officer's office?!"
Suddenly, the man frowned and looked behind him.
"Strange… I could've sworn something was watching me just now. Weird."
A square-jawed face. Stern expression.
"Sengoku the Buddha?! The Fleet Admiral?!" Yato's eyes widened.
"He can't see me? Is this… Marineford?!"
Before he could process it further, someone knocked on the office door.
A familiar face walked in.
"Sakazuki," Sengoku said, glancing up.
"How did the Warlord situation go?"
"There was a minor incident. A suspicious sea dragon showed up and caused trouble…"
Akainu's voice was low and gravelly.
But suddenly, his eyes flashed.
He looked behind Sengoku, straight at Yato.
"What the hell is that?!" [TL/N: LOL 😂]