Aboard the Queen Mama Chanter.
Linlin opened the treasure chest, studying the Mochi-Mochi Fruit's illustration with a slight frown.
"The Mochi-Mochi Fruit... controlling mochi? What use is that?"
She had originally wanted a powerful Mythical Zoan or Logia Type Devil Fruit for Katakuri.
This fruit seemed... unimpressive.
But Katakuri's eyes lit up.
"Mom," he said respectfully, "may I have this fruit?"
Linlin was puzzled: "You want it? It doesn't seem strong."
Katakuri shook his head: "No, Mom. Look at the description—
It can create and manipulate mochi, transform into various shapes, and has extreme plasticity.
If developed properly... this could be a top-tier fruit that rivals even Logia Types."
Linlin thought for a moment, then nodded: "Mamamamama! Since you want it, it's yours! Develop it well, don't disappoint me!"
"Yes!" Katakuri solemnly accepted the fruit.
...
Fengtian Empire, Sky Palace.
The glazed tiles of the nine-story main palace refracted rainbow-colored light, while the white marble statue of "Raiver" in the fountain plaza appeared vividly lifelike.
The Sky Palace was now the most magnificent structure in the world.
Raiver's private chambers were located on the seventh floor of the main palace, named "Cloud Palace."
The palace doors were carved from a single piece of South Sea rosewood, emitting a low hum when pushed open.
The interior was carpeted with the Floating Cloud Carpet specialty from Skypiea, soft as cotton underfoot.
Floor-to-ceiling windows faced a massive hot spring pool, showcasing ultimate luxury.
As soon as Raiver stepped through the palace doors, two graceful figures immediately approached him.
Xingmian and Xingwan.
The elder sister Xingmian carried an elegant, cool demeanor with features like a painting.
The younger sister Xingwan was bright and lively, her eyes curving like crescent moons when she smiled.
"Your Majesty—"
Two delicate voices sounded almost simultaneously as the sisters rushed into Raiver's embrace from either side.
Xingmian pressed her face against his chest while Xingwan wrapped her arms around his waist, tilting her face up to act coquettishly.
Raiver smiled faintly, reaching out to ruffle both their heads.
"Good girls." His gentle tone contrasted sharply with the cold "God Slayer" known to the outside world: "I brought you gifts."
He raised his right hand, space fluctuations shimmering in his palm.
Two silver flashes later, two Devil Fruits emitting faint halos appeared in his hand.
The first fruit was snow-white overall, covered in snake-scale patterns.
The second fruit was emerald green like jade, similarly patterned with snake scales.
"Ah!" Xingwan's eyes sparkled as she leaned in for a closer look. "Devil Fruits!"
Xingmian also looked up, curiosity flashing in her cool eyes: "Your Majesty, these are..."
"Mythical Zoan·Snake-Snake Fruits." Raiver placed the two fruits in the sisters' hands respectively.
The white snake fruit rested in Xingmian's palm, the green snake fruit in Xingwan's.
"White Snake and Green Snake. After consumption, you'll not only gain powerful strength but also extended lifespan and eternal youth."
Eternal youth—these four words held fatal attraction for any woman.
Xingmian held the white snake fruit, her slender fingers trembling slightly.
She looked up at Raiver, her typically cool eyes now glistening with moisture:
"Your Majesty... such precious treasures..."
"No matter how precious, it is but a lifeless object," Raiver said softly. "Only by giving it to you would it not be wasted."
Xingwan could no longer restrain herself. She leaned close to the fruit, sniffed it, then looked up and asked, "Your Majesty, may we eat it now?"
Raiver nodded. "Go ahead. I will watch over you here."
Xingmian no longer hesitated either.
The sisters exchanged a glance, then simultaneously brought the fruit to their lips and took a gentle bite.
Devil Fruits were known throughout the seas for their unpleasant taste.
Yet neither sister so much as furrowed their brows, consuming the entire fruit in just a few bites.
The transformation began the very next second.
Xingmian's body was the first to shimmer with silver light.
Her jet-black hair turned silvery-white, her skin becoming more delicate and smooth, like fine mutton-fat jade.
The most miraculous change was to her lower body—her legs merged together, lengthened, and gradually transformed into a slender, elegant silver-white serpent's tail.
The serpent tail measured about three meters long, its scales fine and radiant, gleaming with a pearlescent luster under the palace lights.
The corners of her eyes tilted upward slightly, her cool demeanor now graced with an otherworldly sanctity.
Xingwan's transformation occurred almost simultaneously.
An emerald glow enveloped her, and her hair turned a vibrant green.
Her lower body also transformed into a serpent's tail, but it was jade-green and translucent, the scales so clear that faint patterns could be glimpsed beneath.
Her naturally lively temperament now gained an added touch of agility and allure in her serpentine form.
"Ah!" Xingwan looked down at her new body in astonishment, her small mouth falling open. "Sister, look! We... we've become like this!"
Xingmian was also examining herself.
She raised a hand, her fingertips emanating a faint chill.
With a gentle wave, the temperature in the hall dropped several degrees, and fine ice crystals condensed in the air.
Xingwan experimented with her own ability as well.
A green light glowed at her fingertips as she lightly touched a withering flower in a nearby pot.
Instantly, the flower revived, its petals unfurling, blooming even more vibrantly than before.
"This is... truly miraculous..." Xingwan murmured, her eyes wide.
The sisters looked at each other and smiled simultaneously.
"Sister, you've become even more beautiful."
"So have you, little sister."
Then they turned to Raiver, bowing gracefully—though in their serpent-tailed forms, it resembled more of an elegant forward bend.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Raiver gazed at the two stunning beauties in serpent form before him, a playful smile curling his lips.
"Verbal thanks are not enough."
Xingmian paused briefly, then blushed.
Xingwan, however, immediately understood and flashed a sly smile.
The sisters exchanged another glance, and then...
...
Three years later, Sea Circle Calendar 1490.
The Fengtian Empire's territory had expanded several times over these three years.
Forty-seven islands in the New World now flew the Black Dragon Flag, the Imperial Marines had tripled in size, and vassal states had increased from seven to fifteen.
The empire's center, Sky Palace, had been continuously expanding as well.
The main hall now stood twelve stories high, encompassing royal gardens, training grounds, libraries, treasure halls, and—Raiver's most frequented spot—the hot spring pool.
This hot spring pool covered nearly a thousand square meters.
Its floor was paved with warm jade imported from Fish-Man Island, and the water was drawn from natural hot springs deep beneath undersea volcanoes.
Rich in various minerals, the spring water offered tremendous benefits to the body.
The poolside was lush with exotic flowers and rare herbs, while luminous pearls embedded among artificial rockeries illuminated the entire area as bright as day.
At this moment, the hot spring pool was bustling with activity.
Over a dozen stunning maids frolicked in the water, chasing after two agile figures.
These were Xingmian and Xingwan—after three years, their mastery of Devil Fruit abilities had reached perfection.
Now transformed into serpent-human forms, their speed in the water was unmatched.
Xingmian's silvery-white serpent tail glided across the warm jade pool floor.
With a gentle flick of her tail, she shot forward like an arrow from a bow, covering over a dozen meters in an instant, as the maids behind her giggled and gave chase.
Xingwan, on the other hand, was more mischievous. She would dive to the bottom, then suddenly resurface, deliberately brushing past a maid's side and startling her into a shriek.