In the sea of Tengetsu Ares's consciousness, a dazzling bolt of lightning suddenly split through the chaos, illuminating everything within his inner world.
A flash of insight brilliant and fleeting.
Ares seized it at once.
"Lightning…"
The word escaped his lips. He sat frozen, almost entranced, yet the light in his pupils grew sharper, brighter so much so that Kaido found himself averting his gaze.
Puzzled, Kaido asked, "Ares-ani, what's going on?"
Ares snapped back to reality, his whole body trembling with excitent as he gripped Kaido by the shoulders. "Kaido, my little brother you really are my lucky star!"
"Don't you rember? Every ti I transform with my Devil Fruit power, thunderclouds gather around , filled with currents strong enough to kill."
"If I can master lightning itself, my strength will soar to another level."
A wide, exhilarated grin spread across his pale face. "More than that, if I use electricity to stimulate the body, it should train my muscles and nerves, building resistance from the inside out."
"That way, not only you too could harden your body with lightning."
"Isn't that incredible news?!"
Kaido's eyes widened. Then he burst out laughing. "Rorororo! If it makes stronger, I don't care if I'm struck by lightning a hundred tis!"
"I want to grow stronger too. I want to keep up with you, Ares-ani, and one day be known across the seas as a great pirate!"
Ares could tell he was speaking from the heart.
Leaning forward, he asked, "You've been living among the Minks for a while now. Have you made any close connections? If even the children here can wield electricity, then surely many warriors can."
His heart burned with curiosity. He had to know how the Minks controlled that mysterious power.
Kaido thought for a mont, then said, "The kingdom has its own guard an elite corps who protect the country. So of them must be masters of it. Why not ask Doctor Mitsuyō tomorrow? He's well-respected here."
"Good idea." Ares nodded, forcing down the rush of excitent in his chest. "Tomorrow, we'll ask Mitsuyō. He should know plenty."
That night, Ares could hardly sleep, his mind buzzing with anticipation.
The next morning, after breakfast, Kaido left for work, while Ares stayed behind, waiting for Doctor Mitsuyō.
But the morning dragged on, and Mitsuyō never ca.
Sitting on the grass outside the wooden lodge, Ares frowned. "Strange. By now, he'd usually be here already. Why hasn't he co today?"
A trace of unease crept into his chest. Could sothing have happened to him?
The thought only grew heavier the longer he sat there.
Finally, he rose to his feet. "I'll leave a note here and go look for him. Hopefully, I'm just overthinking it."
After leaving a ssage behind, he set out toward the city.
Everything seed normal on the way, though his massive fra naturally drew stares once he entered the town. The Minks rarely saw outsiders.
Ares stared back, fascinated. Zebras, rhinos, leopards, tigers, buffalo, foxes, cats, dogs… it was a walking nagerie of humanoid beasts.
But he didn't forget why he'd co. "Excuse does anyone know where Doctor Mitsuyō is?"
Most shook their heads. Finally, an armored guard spoke up. "Doctor Mitsuyō went to the palace early this morning. I believe he was called to help deliver royal births."
Deliveries?
Relief washed over Ares. "So that's it." No wonder Mitsuyō hadn't co to see him.
"Could you point toward the palace?" he asked.
Once given the directions, he made his way there, but was stopped at the gates by guards. With no choice, he waited outside.
Ti passed. Then the palace erupted with joyful noise.
Ares watched as a procession erged. At its head was a tiger-striped king wearing a crown, flanked by his retinue.
Beside him walked two won, each cradling a swaddled infant whose cries echoed through the courtyard.
Among the crowd, Ares imdiately spotted the scholarly figure of Doctor Mitsuyō. He raised a hand and called out, "Doctor Mitsuyō!"
His booming voice carried like thunder. At nearly four ters tall, towering like a half-grown giant, even his casual shout was louder than most war cries.
The two newborns wailed even louder in response.
"Ares!" Mitsuyō hurried over with a laugh, craning his neck to et Ares's gaze. "Keep your voice down! Those are the queen's newborn babies you'll frighten them!"
Then, smiling warmly, he added, "What brings you here?"
Lowering his voice, Ares explained, "You didn't co today. I worried sothing happened, so I ca to check. I also have so questions for you."
Understanding, Mitsuyō chuckled. "So that's why. Seems I didn't save you for nothing after all."
"Today is a special day for the Mokomo Dukedom. Both of the king's wives gave birth on the very sa day! The whole country celebrates. Whatever you need, it can wait."
Ares turned his gaze toward the king.
He heard the tiger monarch proclaim to his guards, "Today I gained two sons. One shall be nad Inuarashi. The other, Nekomamushi."
"Let the nation rejoice with in this happiness!"
Thanks to his height, Ares easily glimpsed the infants wrapped in cloth one resembling a tiny pup, the other a chubby little kitten.
Their fur was still damp, their faces wrinkled, yet both already carried the proud traits of their people.
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