After leaving Chape and the others on Fudewi Sky Island, Xie Wen asked the other members of the Research Commission, as usual, whether any of them wanted the Sakura Dragon Fruit's powers.
And, unsurprisingly, even a Mythical Zoan was no different from any other Devil Fruit in the cats' eyes.
Shirahoshi was a little tempted, though, because Xie Wen had told her the story of the carp leaping over the Dragon Gate not long ago. But when she remembered that she would no longer be able to swim after eating a Devil Fruit, she ultimately chose to give it up.
After all, one of the things merfolk were best known for was their swimming speed. Being unable to swim would be terrible for Shirahoshi.
"If nobody wants it, why not let me research it, meow!"
(=ΦωΦ=)
Ai Haibara Meow, who still hadn't given up, held out her little paws to Xie Wen.
"Cut it out!" Xie Wen put away the Sakura Dragon Fruit, scooped the little kitten into his arms, and gave her a thorough rub. "Didn't you already get the relevant research materials? I'm saving this fruit to summon a new companion!"
"That's true, but having a finished product to compare against would significantly speed up my research, meow!"
Ai Haibara Meow countered with conviction.
Although Xie Wen knew her argument made perfect sense, he still refused her, enduring the little kitten's claws and teeth.
Had it been an ordinary Zoan, or even an Ancient Zoan, Xie Wen would have handed it over. But this was a Mythical Zoan, rarer even than a Logia, and the same kind as Kaido's at that. Using it for Ai Haibara Meow's research would be rather a waste.
In fact, if Xie Wen hadn't been planning to save it for a cat he