After the battle with Kaido ended, the surviving Beasts Pirates were captured and detained by the Knights of Sky Island, and the Devil Fruit users were fitted with Seastone Handcuffs.
When they saw their High God, they couldn't help stealing glances at him, even though Sephiroth had already returned to his normal appearance.
Even Brook, who had come to help escort the prisoners as one of their elite fighters, opened and closed his jawbone... as though he wanted to say something but didn't know how.
Sephiroth didn't pay much attention to their behavior. He assumed they were simply amazed that he had managed to drive Kaido back.
It wasn't until he reached the command center and met Lilith and the others that he learned the reason.
"Sephi, is that you in this photo?"
With a look that was hard to describe, Lilith produced a photo taken by a surveillance camera at the second defensive line when Sephiroth had "transformed."
What kind of question is that? Am I supposed to say, "I was still skinny back then"?
"...Uh..."
After taking the photo and seeing himself surrounded by white flame clouds, Sephiroth almost lost his composure.
How is this possible?
Sephiroth stared at the photo, lost in thought.
Honestly, he had felt unusually light and relaxed earlier. He had assumed it was just the normal awakening of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, but apparently something unexpected had happened.
"Hold on."
Sephiroth took out a sheet of paper, lit it with an electric spark, and held it in his hand.
No one understood what he was trying to do. They simply watched to see what he would do next.
"...Just as I thought..."
The burning paper abruptly went out.
To everyone else, this looked like little more than a magic trick, so they continued staring