As one of the two main figures watched by the entire world,
after traveling for some time, Austin's once-turbulent emotions had calmed somewhat.
The elusive Oro Jackson had completely slipped past the patrol ships around Whole Cake Island. Unaware that they had been sent to receive them, it sailed straight to the outskirts of Cake Island.
The three members of Austin's crew walked silently across Whole Cake Island.
"It's as noisy as ever here."
Amid the scattered songs, laughter, and chatter, Austin casually plucked a little flower.
To his surprise, its pistil bore a pained expression, and it kept crying out that it hurt.
Mihawk and Crocodile, seeing such a scene for the first time, looked around with open curiosity.
The flowers, grass, and trees swayed in the wind, while even the ground and stones seemed especially fond of singing. Watching everything pass by was somewhat creepy.
A surge of immensely powerful black-red lightning swept through the area. Only then did all the soul-bearing objects finally fall silent, wilted and rolling their eyes.
"They can actually faint like people?"
Little Sand disdainfully kicked the little flower blocking her path aside.
"This is Big Mom's Devil Fruit ability."
As they walked onward and passed the Candy Bridge, Austin broke off a piece and chewed it. "She can grant souls to anything inanimate, taking and giving souls."
"If you wanted, Little Hawk, your Yoru might be able to come alive too."
"Big Mom's Napoleon is a saber that was given a soul."
"Something like that..."
Austin had said it casually, but Mihawk actually seemed tempted by the prospect.
In his view, it might be a way to take swordsmanship another step further—being connected heart and soul with his blade...
Little Sand was not particularly interested. It was not as if she could