Jörmungandr nodded slowly, a trace of melancholy rising in her dark green slit pupils.
"Lord Kakarot is right. In this form, my physique has been weakened by at least fifty percent-even if I can command the darkness elements around me, my strength is nowhere near its peak."
Everyone around her nodded instinctively. They could clearly sense the power hidden within Jörmungandr. Though it still made their hearts tremble, it was noticeably weaker than before.
Just then, Emily tilted her head, tapped her chin with a fingertip, and smiled in puzzlement.
"Jörmungandr, the way you look now... why do you seem a little familiar? Have you left this island before?"
No sooner had she finished than a spark flashed in Iris's eyes. She clapped her hands sharply. "Emily, now that you mention it, I remember a legend!
"Wasn't there a story about a 'witch' circulating in the West Blue 150 years ago? They said she killed Celestial Dragons single-handedly, then suddenly disappeared... So it wasn't made up. It really happened!"
Her words were like a pebble dropped into a still lake, instantly setting everyone abuzz.
Their relaxed expressions vanished, their eyes filling with shock and curiosity as they all turned toward Jörmungandr, as though hoping to find the link between legend and reality in her.
Meeting their gazes, Jörmungandr gave a smile so faint it was barely visible. Her voice was hoarse with the passage of time.
"Everyone, it's a long story.
"About two hundred years ago, I accidentally ate that Devil Fruit on this island."
She paused, her gaze drifting toward the churning sea of clouds in the distance, as though she could see the past through time and space.
"Twenty years later, a group of shipwreck survivors washed ashore. I saved them.
"They were free-spirited, optimistic, and kind.
"They