Filial Piety to Bring the House Down

On the fourth floor of the Babylon Temple, outside the semi-open-air Landing Pad in the front half of the Inner Court, in the Baby-5 station waiting area, hands folded in front of the body.

Today she was wearing a black and white Maid outfit, the skirt reaching her knees, a neatly tied white apron, and long black hair draped over her shoulders. A small handcart with Silver Gray metal frame and a dark blue velvet mat was parked at her feet.

She tiptoed slightly and peered up at the sky. Deep within the clouds, a small black dot was rapidly growing larger.

"Lord Sephi! Welcome back!"

Regardless of whether they could hear her or not, Baby-5 waved her arms and shouted loudly while the small Shuttle was still some distance away.

The Maglev Shuttle landed silently on the Landing Pad, and the cabin door opened.

Sephiroth stepped out of the hatch, dressed casually in a white hoodie and black trousers.

Baby-5 quickly stepped forward.

"Lord Sephi ~!"

Sephiroth reached out and touched Baby-5's head. Her black hair was soft and smooth.

Baby-5 squinted its eyes, revealing a smile like a small animal, and tilted its head slightly to rub against Sephiroth's palm.

"Thank you for your hard work, Rina."

"It's not hard at all!"

Baby-5's voice is cheerful. She likes being ordered around by Sephiroth, she likes being praised by him, and she likes being needed by him even more.

Even something as simple as pushing a stroller, she didn't want to have Artificial Angel Maid do it for her.

Sephiroth snapped his Snap. Four metal crates flew out of the Shuttle's cargo hold and landed neatly on the velvet mat of the handcart.

Baby-5 looked down at the box, then looked up.

"Lord Sephi ~ Can Sugar start Normal Growth now~?"

Her tone was curious. As a former Donquixote Family executive, Baby-5 was also aware of the Side Effect of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit.

Sephiroth's expression shifted subtly for a moment. He recalled the passionate encounter of the previous night and coughed lightly.

"It's growing faster than expected. You can go check it out on the regular ship next month."

The middle and upper echelons of Babylon were aware of the situation on the moon, given the frequent exchanges of people and supplies and the large amount of manpower invested in its construction.

It was kept secret only from lower-level personnel unrelated to the lunar project and from Outsider. Moreover, Babylon had many 'Overseas Bases,' so no one thought anything was wrong.

Baby-5 blinked, then flashed a bright smile.

Okay!

Baby-5 pushed the stroller, its wheels making a soft rolling sound on the smooth Marble floor. She followed Sephiroth into the Temple.

Baby-5 wasn't known from the beginning either.

Once Monet fully accepted the status quo, Baby-5 gradually developed the habit of prioritizing Sephiroth's 'orders' above all else.

Sephiroth finally found an opportunity to tell Baby-5 that Monet and Sugar were on the moon.

And I gave Baby-5 a 'command' that she absolutely must not tell anyone else.

... on the other side.

The second floor of the Babylon Temple, the Regent Hall.

This is a spacious room with three walls inlaid with white Marble, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the Temple Square and the distant Clock Tower.

In the center was a large Redwood Conference Table, on which several documents, maps, and reports were spread out.

Isabella sat in the main seat, her red women's military uniform neat and tidy, her blonde hair styled in a bun. In front of her lay a report on Allied Kingdoms trade routes.

On the left is Conis, dressed in a Nun's habit, with a budget sheet spread out in front of her. On the right is Reiju, wearing a white women's suit, her medium-length pink hair naturally draped over her shoulders, with a Diplomatic Documents in front of her.

As things stand, Isabella is fully deserving of the title of Babylon 'Weightlifting Champion'.

Just as the three were discussing work in hushed tones, the Den Den Mushi on the corner of the table suddenly rang.

Isabella reached out, picked up the receiver, and pressed the answer button. The Den Den Mushi's eyes opened.

"Your Highness Bella, Lord Sephi has returned and needs Conis to come to his office."

Isabella's gaze flickered slightly upon hearing this. She already guessed what it was about, but didn't say anything directly. She simply looked at Conis.

"Hmm, Conis, we can put things here for now. Why don't you go over there?"

Conis nodded, closed the budget sheet, gave a slight bow to Isabella and Reiju, and then got up and walked out of the Regent Hall.

Conis walked down the corridor toward Sephiroth's office. Several landscape paintings hung on the walls on both sides of the corridor, and the carpet underfoot was soft and thick.

As I approached the office door, it opened from the inside. A black military boot stepped out.

Then, a Skypieans officer wearing White Berets and Blue Military Coat appeared. He looked rather unwell and covered his mouth with one hand.

Conis met him face to face and spoke with a hint of worry.

"Mr. McKinley, what's wrong?"

Conis and McKinley were already quite familiar with each other, after all, they were both from Angel Island.

McKinley forced a smile, pulling his hand away from his mouth. His Purple Uniform Shirt collar was pulled open, and he rested one hand on the knee of his Blue-and-White Camouflage Trousers.

"Princess Conis, don't worry. It's just that I ate a Devil Fruit... and I feel a little unwell."

After he finished speaking, he covered his mouth again and quickly left along the corridor.

He serves as the 'Chief Representative' of Angel Island in Sixty-Four Chambers, and is also the commander of the White Berets Unit '.

McKinley believed he had to endure this hardship.

... In fact, Sephiroth called McKinley over and gave him a 'Elephant-Elephant Fruit'.

After all, the Shandia representative 'Wyper' ate Devil Fruit, so we can't show favoritism.

Conis withdrew her gaze and continued forward. She reached the office door and knocked.

... Inside the office.

Sephiroth sat behind his desk, on which sat a metal box.

Baby-5 sat in the Secretary's Seat to the side, with documents, ornaments, a coffee machine, tea set, and other items in front of her.

Upon hearing the knock on the door, Baby-5's expression brightened as she looked at Sephiroth.

Sephiroth, facing Baby-5's gaze, quietly gave the 'command'.

"... Rina, go open the door."

Baby-5 loves being 'commanded,' so Sephiroth didn't use Magnetism to open the door.

Okay!

Baby-5 happily went to open the door.

"Senior Conis! Please have a seat."

Baby-5 led Conis to a chair in front of the desk, then deftly made a cup of tea and placed it in front of her.

"Thank you, Fifth Sister."

Conis picked up her teacup and took a small sip. She didn't want to waste Baby-5's efforts.

Sephiroth looked at Conis without beating around the bush.

"Conis, I need to explain the situation with the Hobby-Hobby Fruit to you."

He briefly explained the power mechanism of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, the Side Effect of fixed age, and the observations of the Current Fruit Extraction.

The Hobby-Hobby Fruit can turn anyone it touches into a doll or a toy. Once Devil Fruit User eats the fruit, their physical age is fixed at the moment they ate it.

"I don't need you to fight, nor do I intend to use this ability. I just need a reliable person to contain this fruit."

Sephiroth spoke very frankly.

Conis is an adult; the Side Effect of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit is that her age remains fixed, not that she 'becomes younger.' So it's fine.

Conis put down her teacup and began to think seriously.

Having spent the past few years with Sephiroth, she understood that this 'High God' was truly making a choice for her; it wasn't just polite talk.

Conis was also aware that among all the members of the Inner Court, she was one of the few who had almost no fighting ability.

As Skypieans, their physique is slightly stronger than that of ordinary humans, which is why they were able to 'win' against 'Nojiko,' who was at the bottom of the rankings.

Melise may look delicate and frail, but she is, after all, Half-Mink Tribe and has eaten Zoan Devil Fruit. In Headliner, she is no weaker than a naval Field Officer.

Although Uta's body is weak, his Devil Fruit Ability is very powerful.

Conis looked at Sephiroth.

"I am willing to eat this fruit."

Her voice was gentle, yet firm.

Although Sephiroth currently has no shortage of combat power, he hasn't made any demands in this regard.

"On the one hand, I can help Lord Sephi. On the other hand, in case of emergency, I will have the ability to protect myself and won't cause trouble for everyone."

Sephiroth nodded, picked up the metal box from the table, and opened it. Inside was A String grapes with strange colors and unusual patterns.

Conis took the fruit, took a deep breath, and took a bite.

ヾ(≧O≦)

His expression contorted with an "Ouch!" but he still swallowed it down.

Because the Little Angel's expression was so adorable, Sephiroth couldn't resist taking a few pictures, which drew a tearful, aggrieved look from Conis.

Just as Sephiroth was overwhelmed by cuteness and couldn't resist retaliating with a head pat,

In the Heaven's Gate Town, at the Kessoku Band House, in the third-floor Reception Room, a special visitor arrived.

Kalifa sat on the sofa, her blonde hair flowing down her shoulders, thin glasses perched on her nose. She wore a light blue women's blazer over a white turtleneck shirt.

Several cushions were placed on the light gray sofa, and a tea set and a plate of cookies were on the coffee table. The window was half open, and a breeze blew in from outside, carrying a hint of the aroma of baking from the street.

Across the coffee table sat an old colleague, 'Kaku'. He was wearing a dark jacket and dark gray work pants. When he drank his tea, his Long Nose protruded a distance above the teacup he held.

"The training facilities over there are operating well so far."

Kaku picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"The new batch of students will graduate next month."

Since becoming subordinates of 'Shining,' Kaku and the others have been semi-permanently stationed in the Gold City.

His primary job was to serve as an instructor, providing Agent training to intelligence personnel from Babylon and the Titans.

He occasionally goes out to gather intelligence himself. Compared to the past, he lives a much more comfortable life.

"I understand. I'll arrange the list."

Kalifa adjusted her glasses.

Kaku put down his teacup and looked at Kalifa.

"Is there some special task assigned to me for this in-person report?"

Kalifa shook her head, picked up a metal box from the low cabinet next to the sofa, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it in front of Kaku.

"This is a gift from Lord Shining."

Kaku raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. He opened the box, inside which was a Pink, cylindrical fruit with a surface covered in swirling cloud-like patterns, and a stem that resembled a green handle.

"What kind of fruit is this...?"

Kaku clearly has Devil Fruit, the problem is what kind of ability it is. That's too much of a gamble.

"Paramecia Light- Kilo-Kilo Fruit"

Kalifa pointed at the fruit with her finger.

"You can freely change your own weight, ranging from one kilogram to ten thousand kilograms. The weight will not have a negative impact on you."

She added another sentence.

"When it reaches a weight of one kilogram, it can float."

For these Agent who have mastered 'Geppo', a weight reduction of 1 kilogram results in a considerable increase in mobility.

Although the 'Kilo-Kilo Fruit' is considered a lower-level 'Ton-Ton Fruit', their abilities are similar, with the latter capable of '10,000 tons'.

However, the 'Ton-Ton Fruit' has Side Effect; the impact caused by the increased weight can damage the fruit itself.

The 'Kilo-Kilo Fruit' is even more Supernatural. Even 'Mikita', who has average physical abilities, can be immune to the '10-ton' reaction force.

Kaku looked at the fruit and stroked his chin, thinking that it was perfect for him.

His title is 'Mountain Wind', and he is already very skilled in 'Geppo' and 'Rankyaku'. With the change in his body weight, Kaku had a lot of ideas in mind.

He picked up the fruit and took a bite.

"--Forehead..."

His expression was no better than those who had eaten the fruit before him; his brows were furrowed, his cheeks twitched, and it took him several seconds to swallow.

"... Now, I really have to thank Shining."

Kaku sighed.

... in fact.

CP9 suffered a dismal defeat in the Water 7 incident, and therefore did not receive Devil Fruit as rewards.

After Sephiroth obtained the 'Kilo-Kilo Fruit', he had no other suitable candidates. After consideration, he felt that Kaku was the most suitable.

For someone as 'agile' as Kaku, it would be somewhat contrary to his natural talent to eat heavy Giraffe according to his original destiny.

As for whether Kaku will waste his Awakening Zoan potential— Lucci, who is stronger than him, is the Emperor's Right Hand, so he doesn't lack that kind of fighting power.

With the 'Kilo-Kilo Fruit', Kaku has joined the 'Flying Club'.

... after some time...

In a small study in the Inner Court of the Babylon Temple.

Galette, wearing a red sleeveless short dress, sat in a chair in front of her desk. Her pink, shoulder-length hair was curled and hung down her sides, and her amber eyes held a hint of anxiety.

Her fingers unconsciously turned the pages of her notebook; the teacup on the table had gone cold.

Until the door was pushed open Sephiroth walked in.

Galette breathed a sigh of relief and stood up.

"Lord Sephi, I apologize for inviting you so hastily. But I do have something important to say."

Sephiroth walked over to her and sat down in another chair.

"It's alright. But Galette, is there something you need to see me about?"

Galette hesitated for a moment. Her fingers tightened slightly on her knee, then loosened.

"Lord Sephi, I suspect that the 'Charlotte Family' is secretly cooperating with the 'Bondrewd'."

Upon hearing this, Sephiroth raised his eyebrows slightly.

Elbow Turned Outward, but their arm is still in your favor... then it's alright.

'--No... this is too filial.'

"During one of my trips back to the Totto Land, I overheard my mother and Perospero talking."

Galette lowered her voice.

She returned to Totto Land every few days and only just learned of this.

Because the 'Great Angel' and the 'Bondrewd' are enemies, her family has been keeping the matter of Road Island a secret from her.

However, Galette still accidentally triggered the 'Supreme Eavesdropping'.

"They mentioned the Sage's Stone and Road Island. While they didn't elaborate further, but..."

She looked up, her amber eyes fixed on Sephiroth.

"Lord Sephi, I don't want you to be in danger, but I also don't want your family to get hurt."

Her tone became serious, even earnest.

"So... if anything happens, I hope you can be lenient towards my brothers and sisters."

Sephiroth looked at her and answered softly.

"Thank you, Galette. Of course."

Galette's expression relaxed for a moment. Then Sephiroth leaned down and kissed her.

Galette pressed her hand on his shoulder, then relaxed it, placing it on his chest. Her lips were soft and warm, carrying a faint scent of tea. Sephiroth's hand slid from the back of her neck to her waist, pulling her closer.

Galette, with her aloof and mature Onee-san, seemed to melt into Sephiroth's arms, her beautiful, long, fair legs slightly curled up in front of the desk.

The light in the study was on quietly.