"Let me do it!"
Shiryu suddenly spoke.
He bit on his cigar, staring fervently at the Devil Fruit, and seeing everyone turn to look, grinned and said:
"Ugly or not, it doesn't matter to me at all. After all, I am ugly myself. The main thing is this ability to distinguish between good and evil, which really appeals to me. I was worried before, what if I kill someone I shouldn't, how would I know who truly deserves to die?"
"Sir, can I have this fruit?"
Shano examined Shiryu, seeing a rare desire in his eyes.
As the former Prison Chief of Impel Down, Shiryu had high proficiency in swordsmanship and body techniques. In the current Combat Corps, it was no exaggeration to call him the top expert.
But to reach the level of a Vice Emperor, he lacked some physical strength, which this Zoan-type fruit could perfectly complement.
Moreover, in legends, the Nue is known for excelling in distinguishing good from evil and punishing the wicked, which might prevent Shiryu from going astray and becoming someone who kills unjustly.
This Mythical fruit is indeed quite suited for him from any angle.
"Alright."
Shano nodded in agreement and then softly added:
"Although I'm currently satisfied with your performance, Shiryu, don't forget our previous agreement in Impel Down."
"Don't worry, sir!"
Shiryu grinned.
Of course, he knew the importance of that promise; going against this man would cost him his life!
"Take it."
Getting the approval, Shiryu wasted no time in taking the fruit, and biting into it deeply, chewed quickly and took another bite.
In a few gulps, he swallowed down the entire Devil Fruit.
Then, under everyone's expectant gaze...
He didn't transform immediately, but his face suddenly changed, clutching his stomach, and dashed towards the ship's toilet.
"Hahaha, what's that!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
They were thinking this guy could remain expressionless while eating the whole thing and admired how tough he was, having walked out of a prison.
But in the end, he couldn't hold it!
Even Shano chuckled silently; Devil Fruits are known to taste awful, but this was the first time he'd seen someone have an upset stomach immediately after eating one.
Was this easy to get affected by his former superior?
Victor stifled his laughter and pointed to the second crystal box, which contained a pure white fruit:
"The second one, a Logia-type, the Cloud-Cloud Fruit!"
Logia-type?
Compared to the Mythical fruit, everyone's interest suddenly diminished quite a bit.
A Logia-type fruit is absolutely rare elsewhere in the sea but not for the cadres of the Endgame.
It's not rare for them at all...
Probably half of the world's Logia-type users are gathered under the Endgame's command, right?
"Anyone interested in this fruit?" Shano asked, looking around.
The cadres glanced at each other, and no one responded immediately.
After all, those qualified to stand here had either already become ability users, or were like Kuina, who looked down upon Devil Fruit abilities.
Moreover, the Cloud-Cloud Fruit sounded similar to Smoker's Smoke-Smoke Fruit, and its attack power didn't seem very powerful.
The ability to fly freely was mildly attractive.
"No one?"
Shano raised an eyebrow, about to ask again, when suddenly, a Tachi behind him began to vibrate violently!
"Hmm?"
The scabbard trembled wildly, and in front of everyone's astonished gaze, the blade itself broke free from the sheath and sliced toward the Cloud-Cloud Fruit.
Originally about to grab the hilt, Shano raised an eyebrow at this scene and chose to watch quietly.
Crack!
The blade emitted a bluish glow and enveloped the Cloud-Cloud Fruit as if swallowing it like a whale; the fruit shriveled rapidly, eventually turning into a wisp of mist, completely absorbed by the blade!
In an instant.
The entire hilt was adorned with white flowing cloud patterns, the edge exuding a faint white mist.
Holding it, Shano immediately felt a sense of closeness from the weapon.
No wonder; it's the old companion that had been with him since he was thirteen, did it awaken its consciousness?
No.
This extent is not enough to be called self-awareness; perhaps "spirituality" is a more fitting term.
Shano rubbed the cloud patterns on the hilt thoughtfully, suddenly interested, and casually swung the blade at the sky!
Swish!
A pure white air blade shot up, suddenly expanding in mid-air, transforming into a spreading cloud sea that covered the entire sky.
He swung it horizontally!
The cloud sea immediately turned into dark clouds, lightning flashing, pouring down rain.
Whoosh!
The downpour turned everyone on deck into soaked chickens, catching them off guard as they exclaimed.
Shano reacted first, quickly waving the blade at the sky, dispersing the dark clouds, allowing the sunset to cover the deck again.
So, it could control the weather?
Shano was delighted; in this case, the blade having eaten the fruit was not a loss; after all, the blade's power is his power!
Speaking of which.
This ability is quite similar to the Revolutionary Leader Monkey D. Dragon's.
It's unclear what fruit Dragon possesses; it doesn't seem to be Logia-type, most likely a Legendary Mythical like the Azure Dragon Fruit.
"Let's try Elementalization again."
With a thought, the Masamune Sword seemed to understand his intent, and the blade immediately transformed into wisps of white vapor.
In an instant, it turned into a cloud resembling cotton candy.
"Interesting."
Looking at it, Shano eagerly stepped onto the cloud.
Pa!
The cloud immediately expanded, stably bearing his weight. Shano tried to control the cloud to ascend, and it floated lightly, lifting him off the ground, hovering in the air.
With another thought, the cloud shot off like lightning!
In an instant, a strong wind hit his face, and everyone on the deck felt a blur before their eyes as Shano's silhouette transformed into a barely visible dot on the horizon.
The cloud moved without delay, as effortlessly as if it were an extension of his limb.
"Wow!"
"It can fly that fast carrying someone!"
The cadres below looked up and exclaimed in admiration at the sight.
"Its speed is frightening, much faster than my Moonwalk."
Zoro, with a bruised face, lamented, "Able to control the weather and also be a mount, I should have taken the initiative to ask Brother Shano for this fruit!"
"Idiot, don't make it sound like any sword can eat a fruit. Your sword is just as stupid as you; even if you force the fruit in, it won't work."
Sanji was applying a bandage and looked enviously at the sky, "Tch, I can't get on the Somersault Cloud. I'd love to try this..."
The Somersault Cloud he mentioned was the one Shano bought last time.
Shano couldn't use it, so he gave it to Bonney, who loved it and rode it all over the territory, never tiring of it.
The young cadres were envious and flocked to request a ride.
Bonney insisted that only the pure of heart could ride it; others didn't believe it, but in the end, only Chopper and Bebo succeeded.
Everyone else fell, with dirty faces.
It's just unreasonable!
Sanji felt indignant at the thought.
He had focused on culinary skills and training since childhood, living reclusively with a clear mind, so how could he be impure of heart!
A moment later.
Cloud-riding Shano, after enjoying himself, returned to the deck.
With a casual wave of his hand, the cloud transformed into streams of white vapor that gathered behind him, reverting into a Tachi.
Auto-parking?
Another upgraded function.
Shano grew more satisfied.
Now, the tachi in his hand was much more powerful and versatile compared to before, achieving a comprehensive evolution.
It was no longer just an accessory, no longer just a Kamusari launcher!
For others, the scene of a sword eating a fruit was too rare, more noteworthy, still under discussion and wonder.
As for Victor, he had pointed to the last crystal box:
"It seems the Cloud-Cloud Fruit has found its perfect owner. Now, onto the last one, the Paramecia-type·String-String Fruit!"