After Zephyr finished speaking, everyone shifted to stand behind Kuma. Taking a slow breath, Kuma extended both palms forward. The transparent paw-shaped pads lifted gently from his hands, drifting toward an open area in the training field.
Kuma briefly glanced back at Lloyd. Lloyd gave a calm, almost indifferent nod. Kuma relaxed slightly.
All eyes moved to the floating paw-shaped imprint. Kuma lowered his voice.
"Paw Paw Shock."
A split second later, the explosion roared.
The transparent paw expanded, bursting in a violent flash of white light. A crushing shockwave erupted outward, sweeping across more than half the entire training field.
Dust shot into the air. Wind tore across the ground.
And when everything settled, the previously grassy area had been stripped bare. No weeds remained, only a massive expanse of clean, empty earth.
The cadets behind Kuma stared in stunned silence. Even Zephyr, normally difficult to impress, crossed his arms with visible astonishment in his eyes.
Paramecia Devil Fruits varied widely in quality. But the Paw Paw Fruit, personally selected by the Celestial Dragons, clearly wasn't an ordinary fruit. Still, even Zephyr hadn't expected this level of destructive force. With raw power alone, it could rival the strongest Paramecia abilities known.
He studied Kuma's sturdy frame and nodded inwardly. This boy was a treasure.
Behind the crowd, Kizaru's mouth fell open into an exaggerated O.
"So frightening. How can a Paramecia be this dramatic?"
Sakazuki kept a serious expression, but his gaze automatically shifted toward Lloyd. He remembered how Kuma respectfully referred to Lloyd as "Dage," meaning big brother. Now that Kuma had demonstrated such frightening strength, the question nagged at him.
If Kuma was this powerful, then what about Lloyd?
Among the female cadets, some who had earlier squealed about how "cute" Kuma's ability looked were still frozen, unable to reconcile cute with catastrophic. Only Ginny cheered loudly.
"Kuma chan is incredible!"
Zephyr finally snapped out of his surprise. He reached up and patted Kuma's waist approvingly.
"Excellent. You've already developed your ability to this degree. With more training, your future prospects are immense."
Kuma scratched the back of his head shyly, bowing first to Zephyr before returning to the ranks under a sea of awed stares.
Once he stepped back, Ginny immediately bounced forward to take her place for the next demonstration. Her slim figure and bright features instantly drew the eyes of the male cadets.
Even Zephyr's stern face softened at the sight of her energy. He handed her a Navy-issued flintlock pistol.
"Ginny, I've reviewed your file. It states that you excel in marksmanship. Demonstrate your skill."
But Ginny didn't reach for the pistol he offered. Zephyr blinked in confusion as she spun around, reaching into the vest on her chest and pulling out a gleaming golden pistol.
Facing him again, she smiled brightly.
"Sorry, Zephyr Sensei, this gun is my preference. Lloyd gave it to me."
The sunlight caught the polished gold, making her pistol shine like a trophy. Zephyr glanced awkwardly at the dull, standard-issue pistol in his hand and coughed twice before replying seriously,
"That weapon is very conspicuous. On a battlefield, it makes you too easy to track."
Ginny flicked her gaze toward Lloyd and waved her hand dismissively.
"Zephyr Sensei is right, but I believe Lloyd will protect me."
The moment the words left her mouth, the male cadets erupted in noise. Groans, sighs, jealous murmurs, the sound of hearts cracking. Lloyd remained expressionless, spreading his hands slightly as if resigned.
In their eyes, he looked like he was showing off.
Zephyr pinched the bridge of his nose but said nothing. He only gestured for her to begin.
Ginny's cheeks burned red. Her heart thumped. She didn't know why the words had slipped out earlier. It almost sounded like a confession. But Ginny wasn't the type to regret her honesty. If she said it, she meant it.
She drew a breath and steadied her focus. Raising her pistol, she fired several shots in rapid succession toward the distant targets.
Zephyr, with his keen eyesight, didn't need binoculars to see the results. Every bullet struck the bullseye. Perfect tens across the board.
When the results were announced, another round of applause washed across the field. Zephyr nodded in approval.
Ginny lifted her chin proudly, her eyes flicking toward Lloyd again. Seeing him clapping calmly, she puffed her chest with satisfaction and returned to the line.
Lloyd observed her performance with quiet calculation. He was the one who suggested she follow the path of marksmanship. In the world of pirates, guns lacked the same presence as swords, but elite marksmen like Beckman and Yasopp were exceptions.
Most women lacked the raw physical strength to dominate as swordmasters or martial artists, except anomalous monsters like Big Mom. For them, weapons or Devil Fruits were essential.
A long-range path suited Ginny perfectly.
Lloyd was pleased. He had already begun considering what Devil Fruit would best complement her developing style.
While he sorted through possibilities in his mind, Kizaru bumped him lightly with his shoulder.
"It's your turn, Lloyd. Now I can finally find out what your ability is."
Lloyd blinked once. Everyone had already turned their attention to him. Without hurry, he stepped out from the ranks and walked toward Zephyr Sensei.
Zephyr gave him a nod. Lloyd offered a faint smile and spoke clearly.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Darkseid Lloyd. I am fifteen years old and the user of the Logia Dark Dark Fruit."
A silence fell.
He hadn't even demonstrated anything yet, but the mere name Dark Dark Fruit chilled the air. The cadets instinctively stiffened. Their memories of Kizaru and Sakazuki were too vivid, and Lloyd's indifferent composure made him seem even more dangerous.
Borsalino squinted and muttered,
"No wonder something felt off when I first met him. Darkness itself? The opposite of light?"
Lloyd watched the frozen crowd for several seconds. They still hadn't reacted. Turning to Zephyr, he asked calmly,
"Sensei, do you still require a demonstration?"
Zephyr didn't respond immediately. His gaze drifted toward Kizaru.
Kizaru felt a chill roll down his spine. He hunched his shoulders and muttered,
"Why's the old man looking at me like that? That can't mean anything good."
Then Zephyr's voice boomed across the field.
"Borsalino. You are light, Lloyd is darkness. Come forward and assist him in demonstrating the power of the Dark Dark Fruit!"
---
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