OP: The Flame Pillar Of Justice

There were three Marines gathered in Training Ground No. 4.

First was Lieutenant Commander Prinprin, recently promoted for his contributions in the capture of the 20-million-beri pirate Arlong and his rapidly growing combat skills.

Second was Lieutenant Tashigi—whose skills were undeniably officer-level, yet she had repeatedly missed her promotion exams due to things like oversleeping or stomachaches.

And finally, Private Third Class Vivi, now two weeks into her enlistment in the Navy.

Standing before them was Vice Admiral Rengoku.

"Hmm! A fine sight indeed! All three of you are so talented—it gives me hope for the future of the Navy!"

"It's all thanks to your guidance, Vice Admiral!" Lieutenant Commander Prinprin was the first to respond.

"Haha! Your own efforts mustn't be overlooked either! And so, as a reward for your dedication, I've prepared some special gifts for you!"

Behind Rengoku were three gift boxes.

"These are presents I've personally selected for each of you! Go on, open them!"

"Thank you very much!"

The three of them stepped forward and opened their respective boxes.

"Ooh... This is...!"

In Prinprin's hands was none other than Kashuu, a renowned sword seized during the Whiskey Peak operation.

"That sword is Kashuu, one of the Fifty Skillful Grade swords! While you typically wield a single-handed cutlass, adapting to this longer blade may take time—but I believe it's a worthy upgrade."

"Thank you, sir! I've handled long swords before—I promise to master this one as soon as possible!"

Although the Fifty Skillful Grade swords were considered the lowest tier among named swords, they were still highly prized. On average, their value reached into the millions of beri.

Tashigi's gift was also a named sword.

"A pitch-black lacquered hilt, with an unbroken wave-like hamon pattern—this... this is...!"

"That's Yubashiri, also one of the Fifty Skillful Grade swords. I've heard it used to be the treasured heirloom of a sword shop in Loguetown."

Rengoku looked fondly at the fine, black-bladed sword now in Tashigi's hands.

"The treasured heirloom of a Loguetown sword shop? D-Don't tell me... Did Captain Smoker—?"

"No need to worry. I purchased it personally with my own funds."

"H-How much did it cost you?"

"If I recall correctly, about 20 million beri."

"Twenty million? But Yubashiri's typical market value is around five million..."

To think that a sword from the Fifty Skillful Grade class could be bought for more than double the price of a Great Grade sword, which usually went for around ten million...

"Lieutenant Tashigi, your skills are improving by the day. I thought such a reward was fitting! Honestly, if I could get my hands on one, I'd give you one of the Supreme Grade swords instead!"

"Thank you so much, Vice Admiral!"

Tashigi saluted, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

Then Tashigi returned the sword to Rengoku.

"However, I already have Shigure. While I truly appreciate the gift, I believe this sword should be wielded by a master swordsman like yourself."

"In that case, how about passing Shigure on to Vivi?"

"Huh?"

"To… me?"

Both Tashigi and Vivi were visibly surprised.

Rengoku nodded, continuing.

"Tashigi, you love named swords, but you also tend to be overly attached to them. Now that you have Yubashiri, why not focus on turning it into a Permanent Black Blade, something to rival even the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords?"

"A… Permanent Black Blade…"

To a swordswoman like Tashigi, that was an awe-inspiring goal.

"Do you think it's too difficult?"

"No, sir! I'll definitely turn it into a Permanent Black Blade!"

Tashigi clutched Yubashiri tightly, her resolve clear.

"I'm looking forward to it!"

Lastly, Vivi's gift was something so unbelievable, it made her eyes widen in shock.

"This is… a Devil Fruit?"

In her hands was a long banana-shaped fruit, dark blue with spiraling patterns covering the skin—an unmistakable Devil Fruit, one of the treasures of the sea.

"Indeed! That's a Devil Fruit we confiscated during the operation against the Krieg Pirates in East Blue. I had it identified—it's the Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Peacock. Its estimated value? About 400 million beri."

"C-Can you really give something this valuable to me…?"

Vivi looked at the fruit, hesitating slightly.

"I've already cleared it with HQ. Given your unique circumstances, I believe this is the best course of action."

Rengoku placed both hands on Vivi's shoulders and looked her in the eye.

"You need to gain power—quickly—so you can have a voice in the Navy. Only then will you be able to truly speak for your homeland."

His impassioned gaze stirred Vivi's emotions.

"Thank you… I'll never forget this kindness!"

Tears welled up in Vivi's eyes.

"Now, eat the fruit. I want to see Private Vivi transform into a radiant peacock!"

"Yes, sir!"

Without hesitation, Vivi peeled the banana-like fruit. Despite the dark blue outer skin, the inside was a soft apricot-colored flesh.

"Hoo—"

She took a breath, steeling her nerves. Then, with trembling lips, she took a bite and began to chew carefully.

"They say Devil Fruits taste absolutely awful, so if you savor it like—"

Rengoku tried to warn her as he saw her nibbling like a dainty princess, but it was already too late.

"Blegh!"

All semblance of royal composure vanished as Vivi gagged instantly.

"Don't spit it out!"

Rengoku rushed in, grabbing the trembling, retching Vivi before she could.

"Swallow it! That's what will make you stronger!"

"I-I really don't think I can…"

It was clear just how revolting the taste was.

But once you take a bite, you have to finish it.

Some say even one bite is enough to gain the power—but in all documented cases, Devil Fruit users have consumed the entire fruit.

Who knows? Maybe a partial bite weakens the ability.

"You must finish it! Force it down if you must—this is for your own good!"

Following Rengoku's urging, Vivi changed tactics entirely.

Forget being a princess. Forget dignity.

She shoved the entire Devil Fruit deep down her throat.

"Ugh! Mmmph!"

Just letting it touch her tongue was enough for Vivi to feel how vile it tasted.

"If you can't chew it, just swallow it whole!"

Just as the taste nearly made her black out, Rengoku's voice echoed faintly in her mind.

Gulp!

With sheer willpower, Vivi forced the entire mass of the Devil Fruit pulp down her throat.

"Bleurgh!!"

She dropped to her knees on the spot, gagging violently.

"Are you alright?"

Beside her, Tashigi quickly pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the drool from Vivi's lips caused by the dry heaving.

"Th-thank you…"

Thanks to Tashigi's help, Vivi finally steadied herself and managed to stand up again.

"Well done! Now then, can you try using your new ability?"

"Y-Yes…"

Vivi focused, trying to visualize the form of a peacock.

Fwshhh!

"Oh…!"

"My, how dazzling!"

From where her hips and waist met, brilliant peacock feathers unfurled in a grand display.

Though they weren't the typical vibrant green associated with peacocks, the snowy-white plumage was just as breathtaking—if not more so.

"Wow…"

Even Vivi couldn't help but gasp as she turned and saw the beautiful fan of white feathers blossoming from her hips.

"Um… If I may speak, with all due respect…"

It was Prinprin who hesitantly spoke up, a grave look on his face.

"What is it? Speak your mind!"

"Well… Isn't it the case that only male peacocks have such extravagant tail feathers? Since Private Third Class Vivi is a woman… wouldn't that technically make her a peahen, and, uh… wouldn't that mean she shouldn't have those feathers?"

…

"W-WHAT did you just say!?"

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