Devil Fruit Awakening

"Captain Moria?"

Flying down the stairs, Perona stared at Moria with wide eyes. She rubbed them and blurted out, "Weren't you dead?"

Moria sat on the sofa, his expression darkening.

"I'm here to take you back."

"Take me back?" Perona looked puzzled. She glanced at Ye Chen and Vergo, then shot Mihawk a questioning look.

"Yes. The kingdom needs your ability."

Moria nodded, making himself at home. After all, Perona had once been his subordinate.

"The kingdom?" Perona shrank back and stole a cautious glance at Ye Chen. When he looked her way, she hurriedly averted her eyes.

"I like it here. I don't want to leave."

Perona pouted. Without realizing it, she had grown used to living here.

"Since your captain came for you himself, you should go. I don't keep freeloaders," Mihawk said with a straight face.

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you calling this princess a freeloader? Say that again. I dare you."

The moment Mihawk tried to send her away, Perona found her nerve. She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him.

"Am I wrong?"

Mihawk's expression did not change. He sounded utterly convinced.

"Fine, Mihawk." Perona puffed out her cheeks. "I'll leave, then. Hmph!"

"Let's go."

Ye Chen rose and flew out the door. He had expected Mihawk to stop them, but apparently he had worried for nothing.

Vergo finished his wine and stood. "Good wine," he said to Mihawk.

Before long, the Fire Bird had vanished, and silence settled over the castle again. Mihawk remained seated in the hall, staring toward the door. A long time passed before he came back to himself.

On the Fire Bird, Perona turned to Moria with curiosity. "Captain, what do you need my ability for? Are we going to fight someone?"

"No. We're saving