"An ability? What kind of ability?"
Cain held Iron Thunder firmly in place while looking curiously at Bella.
"Actually, this squirrel can use ice too. Does that mean it's a Mythical Zoan?"
He was still wondering exactly what new ability Bella had acquired when Iron Thunder suddenly transformed back into a hammer. The weapon slipped free of his grasp and immediately launched itself toward his head.
This time, however, Cain didn't bother moving.
Bella, who was still wrapped around him in her ribbon form, had already created an enormous ice shield directly in front of his face.
BANG!
The hammer slammed into the shield, but the frozen barrier absorbed the impact without developing so much as a hairline crack.
"I think I've figured it out!" Bella announced excitedly. "My new ability seems to make ice that won't melt naturally. It stays frozen until I decide to release it!"
Unfortunately, she had barely finished speaking when Iron Thunder charged forward again.
CRASH!
The hammer smashed straight through the supposedly indestructible shield and continued hurtling toward Cain's face.
Cain reacted instantly, reaching out and grabbing the approaching handle. His fingers tightened, locking Iron Thunder firmly in his grip.
"Huh?!"
Bella stared at the destroyed shield in disbelief.
"But… how did that happen?"
She had only just proudly announced that her ice wouldn't melt, and Iron Thunder had immediately made a mockery of her claim.
The little cloud looked thoroughly discouraged.
"Don't worry, Bella. You only just acquired that ability from this little guy."
Cain gently reassured her while examining the hammer struggling in his hand.
"You both use ice, so it makes sense that Iron Thunder might be able to undo yours."
Then something about the situation struck him as strangely familiar.
Cain looked down at the weapon desperately trying to escape his grasp, and an old childhood memory resurfaced.
He remembered Garp grabbing him and his brothers one after another, swinging them around and beating the hell out of them.
A nostalgic smile appeared on his face.
"You know, this situation feels awfully familiar."
Cain raised his free hand.
"I've got plenty of experience dealing with something like this. Granted, most of that experience comes from being on the receiving end."
His smile widened.
"But there's one thing I've learned. Nobody can withstand a fist filled with love."
Besides, Iron Thunder had attacked them first. Cain therefore had absolutely no reason to feel guilty about hitting it.
He abruptly swung his left arm downward, slamming the hammer into the ground.
At the same moment, he concentrated his will into his right fist and delivered an utterly straightforward punch.
BOOOOOOM!
An enormous explosion shook the surrounding forest, sending snow and debris flying in every direction.
"Hey, you've got to be kidding me…"
Loki could clearly sense the tremendous power contained in that punch.
It was even more terrifying than the blows he himself had delivered to Iron Thunder years ago.
'Can the little guy actually survive that?'
As the smoke and dust gradually dispersed, Iron Thunder's condition finally became visible.
The hammer had transformed back into a squirrel.
Its eyes were spinning, and an enormous lump had appeared on its forehead.
It was still conscious, fortunately, but it had been completely reduced to a helpless toy in Cain's enormous hands.
And Cain was already petting it again.
"Chiu… chiu…"
Iron Thunder let out a couple of weak complaints while desperately attempting to bite Cain's finger.
Unfortunately, Cain's skin was so ridiculously tough that the squirrel only succeeded in hurting its own teeth.
That punch had certainly taught Iron Thunder to respect Cain's strength, but it hadn't destroyed the squirrel's determination to resist.
Under ordinary circumstances, such an overwhelming display of power might genuinely have convinced it to submit.
But Iron Thunder already had a master!
There was absolutely no way it would betray Loki.
Absolutely not!
Cain noticed the squirrel's stubborn resistance.
He didn't stop petting it.
Instead, he decided to employ every technique in his extensive repertoire of cat-petting skills.
He scratched beneath its chin, rubbed its belly, massaged around its ears, and gently stroked the fur along its back.
Iron Thunder had never experienced anything quite like it.
An entirely unfamiliar sensation spread throughout its body.
"Chiu! Chiu-chiu-chiu!"
The enormous squirrel struggled desperately for a while longer.
Eventually, however, its resistance weakened.
Its body gradually went limp.
Finally, Iron Thunder collapsed comfortably into Cain's palm and allowed him to pet it however he pleased.
Its determination had been utterly defeated.
Meanwhile, Iron Thunder's actual master remained securely bound beneath countless Seastone chains, forced to watch the entire humiliating spectacle unfold.
"NOOOOO!"
Loki's anguished voice echoed throughout the forest.
"MY IRON THUNDER!"
"GIVE ME BACK MY IRON THUNDER!"
He could only stare helplessly as Cain continued rubbing, squeezing, and thoroughly spoiling his precious weapon.
"WHY THE HELL DO I HAVE TO BE CHAINED UP HERE?!"
"DAMN YOU, RED-HAIR!"
Unfortunately, nobody paid him the slightest attention.
Even mentioning Shanks failed to attract Uta's interest.
She was far too busy leaning over Cain's collar and staring down at the pitiful squirrel in his hands.
"Cain, don't you think you're being a little mean to it?"
"Huh? Am I?"
Cain looked genuinely confused.
"It attacked us first, remember?"
The moment he said that, Iron Thunder suddenly turned its head toward Uta.
Its enormous, round eyes fixed themselves directly on her.
Cain immediately became suspicious.
Was the little bastard planning to attack Uta now?
Instead, Iron Thunder simply blinked those enormous eyes and released the softest, sweetest squeak imaginable.
"Chiu-chiu."
Cain stared.
"…Seriously? You're already playing the cute card?"
With a helpless sigh, he lifted Iron Thunder and waved it slightly in Loki's direction.
The situation was becoming rather embarrassing.
Loki was already imprisoned and unable to escape. He had been counting on Iron Thunder to teach Cain a lesson for repeatedly humiliating him.
Yet his own squirrel had apparently switched sides in the blink of an eye.
What kind of betrayal was this?!
"Ahem."
Loki eventually cleared his throat.
"Look, let's keep things separate."
His tone became considerably more restrained.
"I'll admit that what you did earlier seriously pissed me off. But you still helped free Iron Thunder, and I should thank you for that."
He paused.
"So if there's anything you want, just ask."
Then he added cautiously,
"…Would you believe me if I said that?"
Cain looked at him.
"What do you think?"
Loki immediately sensed something was wrong.
"WAIT!"
His voice rose sharply.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
He struggled against his chains.
"STOP! LEAVE MY SQUIRREL ALONE!"
"NOOOOO!"
His helpless cries reverberated throughout the forest.
…
Meanwhile, Shamrock remained concealed in the shadows, silently observing everything that had happened.
Even as a spectator, he had been able to recognize the terrifying power contained in Cain's seemingly ordinary punch.
That single attack alone was enough to classify the pink-haired brat as a potential threat in the eyes of the World Government.
And Shamrock was perfectly aware that Cain possessed plenty of other abilities he hadn't even demonstrated yet.
He mentally added another entry to his growing assessment of the boy.
Just then, an arrow-shaped construct silently approached him.
Gunko had returned.
The arrows rearranged themselves in midair, forming a written question.
Commander, why haven't you made your move yet?
Shamrock shook his head.
He took out a small notebook and pen, quickly writing his response.
There are still other people here. This mission may take considerably longer than expected.
Gunko looked toward Uta in the distance.
Her arrows rearranged themselves again.
Is it because of that woman? Looks like even our commander has a weakness.
Shamrock didn't deny it.
He simply continued watching Uta, whose face was currently bright with an entirely unguarded smile.
The corners of his normally cold expression unconsciously lifted.
He didn't even seem to notice that he was smiling.
Gunko observed him for another moment before deciding not to linger.
After briefly reporting the information she had gathered during her reconnaissance, she transformed into a dark silhouette and flew back toward the Sun World.
She intended to continue buying Shamrock as much time as possible.
…
"Wow! Hahaha! It's so soft!"
Uta had practically thrown herself onto Iron Thunder's fluffy belly.
She bounced happily against its fur, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Bella was having an equally wonderful time.
The little cloud hovered excitedly in front of Iron Thunder, opened her mouth, and enthusiastically gulped down the icy air it produced.
Cain, meanwhile, had returned to his normal size.
He was currently standing on Loki's enormous shoulder with his arms folded, watching the two girls play alongside the giant imprisoned beneath him.
"Looks like they're having a great time."
Cain smiled.
"Thanks, Loki."
"Hmph."
Loki gave an irritated snort.
Although the bandages concealed his eyes, Cain could practically feel the resentful glare directed toward the tiny figure standing on his shoulder.
"I offered you the chance to have me fight someone on your behalf, and this is what you asked for instead?"
Loki sounded genuinely baffled.
"You're one strange bastard."
"Well, I haven't encountered any enemies who are particularly troublesome so far."
Cain casually waved one hand.
"That offer of yours honestly isn't very appealing."
He glanced toward Uta and Bella, who were still happily playing with Iron Thunder.
"Compared with that, letting your squirrel play with them for a while seems like a perfectly reasonable request."
"Heh!"
Loki immediately bristled.
"That just means everyone you've fought so far has been too weak!"
"You haven't fought me yet!"
His excitement rose, causing the chains around his body to rattle.
"So what do you say? Want to fight me?!"
"There it is. Finally admitted what you've been after this whole time."
Cain shook his head.
"Nice try. I'm still not releasing you."
Then he turned and examined Loki's enormous face, most of which remained concealed beneath the bandages.
A slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Although…"
"I actually wouldn't mind fighting you."
Loki immediately perked up.
"Unfortunately, I can't let you out of here."
Cain's smile widened.
"But that doesn't mean we can't fight somewhere else."
"…Huh?"
Loki stared at him in confusion.
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Cain didn't explain.
He simply chuckled and waved toward Uta, who was still happily playing with Iron Thunder.
Naturally, the place he had in mind was—
Uta World.