Kakarot slowly walked over to the Ant King and sat down with complete ease. The gentle, pure goodwill he radiated made the Ant King lower its guard.
The Ant King's enormous body shifted slightly, as though sensing Kakarot's presence.
Kakarot looked at the Ant King with a steady gaze and said sincerely:
"Ant King, you showed unparalleled strength in this battle. It was an honor to fight you.
But I know you aren't satisfied with where you are now. You must want to grow stronger, don't you?"
The Ant King's ruby-red eyes fixed on Kakarot. A low hiss escaped its serrated mouth, carrying a hint of confusion and inquiry.
Kakarot nodded slightly and continued, "You truly are the undisputed king of this island. Your dominance and fighting strength inspire awe in every creature here.
However, the world beyond this island is vast and boundless, with countless powerful fighters. Though I have some strength, I'm just a drop in the ocean in that vast world."
As the Ant King listened to Kakarot, its body leaned forward slightly, as though concentrating on catching every word.
Using Observation Haki, Kakarot vividly conveyed to the Ant King how powerful the fighters outside were and where they themselves stood among them.
The Ant King's eyes flashed with excited red light, and the blood in its body seemed to boil.
A fierce desire welled up inside it to leave this island, fight more powerful opponents, and prove its strength.
The Ant King could not help hissing, its voice filled with urgency and anticipation, as though asking Kakarot how to become stronger.
Kakarot smiled reassuringly. "There's no need to rush. Haste makes waste.
Once your followers return with their prey, we'll eat our fill and recover from our injuries.
After we've regained our energy, I'll teach you some ways to keep growing stronger tomorrow."
Understanding what Kakarot meant, the Ant King gradually settled down and began focusing on recovering from its injuries.
Before long, the ant colony returned in a vast procession, working together to carry several dinosaurs and mammoths over twenty meters long.
The arrival of this prey instantly livened up the surroundings.
While Kakarot was talking to the Ant King, Lilith, Lina, and the others had already brought those who had stayed aboard the ship to the volcano.
Yingyue had made a special detour to find the Golden Blade Mantis. Just as she had expected, it was still near where it had been that morning.
The Golden Blade Mantis felt a great fondness for these powerful, unfamiliar creatures, especially those it had fought, and its eyes held a hint of closeness.
Seeing the injured Kakarot and Ant King, Yueli bandaged them up, even though they were recovering quickly.
The sisters Fanny and Fenty deftly set up a grill, prepared the prey, and began roasting it.
The aroma of roast meat gradually spread, making everyone's mouths water. The Ant King, its colony, and the Golden Blade Mantis were also drawn by the enticing scent and gathered around.
Everyone sat around the campfire, feasting amid laughter and cheerful conversation.
The Ant King and Golden Blade Mantis also ate with relish, the delicious roast meat making them temporarily forget the exhaustion of battle.
That night, everyone lay in the clearing Kakarot and the Ant King had flattened.
Stars twinkled in the sky like jewels set in black velvet.
All around them was silence, broken only by everyone's faint breathing.
In that tranquil atmosphere, the day's exhaustion gradually faded, and everyone slowly drifted to sleep, looking forward to tomorrow.
Early the next morning, sunlight spilled across the clearing illuminated by the volcano's lava.
Kakarot and the others packed their belongings and headed toward the ship moored by the shore, bringing the Ant King and Golden Blade Mantis along.
Along the way, the Ant King's enormous body moved slowly, while the Golden Blade Mantis followed nimbly beside it, occasionally swinging its sharp blade arms.
When they reached the ship, Kakarot turned around, looked sincerely at the Ant King and Golden Blade Mantis, and said loudly:
"Ant King, Golden Blade Mantis, you're already among the strongest on this island, but the world outside is vast and boundless, with more challenges and opportunities.
I hope you'll join us and set out on an adventure together. Along the way, you'll definitely become even stronger!"
The Ant King's ruby-red eyes flickered slightly. It seemed to have anticipated Kakarot's invitation and already made its plans.
Without much hesitation, its enormous body leaned forward slightly, and it gave a low hiss, as though responding to Kakarot's invitation.
The Golden Blade Mantis seemed somewhat hesitant. Its triangular head turned slightly, as though it were considering something.
It was full of curiosity about the outside world, but also felt a little reluctant to leave the island where it had lived for so long.
In the end, however, its fondness for Kakarot and the others, along with its longing for the unknown world, overcame that hesitation. It gently nodded its triangular head, agreeing to join.
Seeing that both the Ant King and Golden Blade Mantis had agreed, Kakarot and the others broke into delighted smiles.
Yingyue even jumped with excitement. She hurried over to the Golden Blade Mantis and hugged it without hesitation, saying over and over:
"This is great! We're going to be companions from now on!"
The Golden Blade Mantis was somewhat at a loss at Yingyue's sudden gesture, but it did not resist. Instead, it gently waved a blade arm, seemingly responding to her enthusiasm.
Kakarot then turned and entered the captain's cabin. Before long, he emerged holding a strangely shaped fruit.
The fruit's surface was covered in spiral patterns, and it gave off a mysterious aura.
"Brother, are you going to give that fruit to the Ant King? Can animals eat Devil Fruits too?" Lilith asked curiously, her eyes full of confusion.
Kakarot nodded and patiently explained, "This is the Human-Human Fruit. It has a miraculous power that can turn animals into humans.
Even an ordinary animal can gain human intelligence by eating it, let alone creatures that are already highly intelligent, like the Ant King and Golden Blade Mantis.
After eating this fruit, the Ant King's strength will definitely improve enormously."
Having said that, Kakarot looked at the Golden Blade Mantis and said, "Golden Blade Mantis, I feel this fruit suits the Ant King better.
But don't worry. We'll definitely find a Human-Human Fruit that suits you in the future. Until then, we'll help you improve your strength too."
The Golden Blade Mantis seemed to understand Kakarot's words. It gently shook its head, indicating that it did not mind.
"Ant King, this fruit is the way to become stronger that I told you about yesterday.
However, once you eat it, you won't be able to go into the sea anymore, because Devil Fruit Users are hated by the sea.
But I imagine that, with your strength and ambitions, you won't mind that." With that, Kakarot tossed the fruit to the Ant King.
The Ant King extended a huge claw and caught the fruit securely. Without the slightest hesitation, it swallowed the fruit in one gulp.
Instantly, golden-red light radiated from the Ant King's body, enveloping its entire form.
The Ant King's body began to change. It grew steadily taller, and its shape gradually became humanoid.
The bandages on its body tore apart and fell to the ground.
An immense pressure radiated from its body, making even the surrounding air tremble.
Feeling that powerful presence, Kakarot and the others all backed away several meters, excitement appearing on their faces.
"We're about to have one of the strongest fighters on the seas. In a few years, we can start our plan!" The corners of Kakarot's mouth lifted, his heart surging.
A few minutes later, the light gradually faded, and a completely new Ant King appeared before everyone.
He stood a full five meters tall, with long golden hair flowing in the wind and red eyes that conveyed a powerful presence.
Crimson armor covered his chest, groin, elbows, and knees. Intricate patterns adorned the armor, giving off a mysterious glow.
His muscles were sharply defined and filled with boundless strength. He looked both imposing and oppressive.
"This... this is way too powerful!" Lilith could not help exclaiming, her eyes wide and her face full of excitement.
Lina nodded too, her eyes brimming with joy. "Yes. After eating this fruit, the Ant King's strength has already reached the level of that CP0 Deputy Chief from before.
With him around, our adventures will go more smoothly from now on."
Looking at the Ant King before him, Kakarot smiled in satisfaction. "Welcome, our new companion. From now on, we're companions who fight side by side!"
Before you continue