It took a week for Rebecca to fully open up to the girls, and since then she had been part of their adventures throughout Skypiea.
At Nami and Vivi's request, Sin ordered the people of the Sky Country to build an Amusement Park, and all the Skypieans and Birkans were busy with the project now. And they were quite excited, especially after they got their hands on the technology from the Vearth.
Sin, however, did not play around much. He spent his nights with Hiyori, and days training her, Pascia, Nojiko, Raki, Conis, Grount, and even the Sky Guardians.
Eight weeks later, a fortnight into the last month of the year, Pascia, after a gruelling training session, finally managed to tap into Observation Haki.
Tears poured out of her eyes when Sin placed his hand on her head and congratulated her, and nothing in life mattered more to her than hearing him say that he was proud of her.
Nojiko, who had managed to tap into Observation Haki a month ago, was very happy for her friend, and she hugged Pascia and danced together with her.
"Wait."
Sin stopped them when they were about to rush off to give the good news to the girls.
He disappeared, and reappeared a minute later, holding two Devil Fruits in his hands.
Nojiko's eyes intently stared at the green fruit, and she instinctively stepped forward to take it.
Seeing her take her Fruit, Sin handed Pascia the golden and white apple, and the two of them quickly bit into their Devil Fruits.
He grinned at the unsightly expressions and was amused when both of them forced themselves to finish the fruit of their hard work, no matter how tasteless it was.
Pascia was stunned when her body suddenly started turning into paper, but when she turned to look at Nojiko, she froze.
The girl had suddenly gained half a foot in height, and she now looked fifteen to sixteen years old. What was interesting was that her eyes had turned green, deep green, and they glowed a little.
Her sudden transformation, followed by her beauty that made her heart skip a beat, made her feel a little envious.
And it was then that she also noticed how good Nojiko smelt right now. It was almost like she was a garden of the most flagrant flowers in existence.
When the girl raised her hand, her skin started turning green. And her hair became longer and green. There was a wooden antler-like crown, with small vines of leaves decorating it, and also a wreath of leaves and flowers around her head.
Her ears had become elongated, and pointy, but beautiful, and small green and white vines covered all of her body. Soon, she grew a gown for her that was enchantingly beautiful.
When Nojiko raised her head, vines spread out, and soon colourful flowers sprouted from them, and instantly, the entire Shrine had become a lot more fragrant.
When Hiyori and Rebecca rushed out, they both gasped in shock at the beautiful sight.
"What Devil Fruit is that?" The Queen of Skypiea approached them and asked, and Sin furrowed his brows.
"Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Dryad."
Hiyori frowned when he saw the concern on his face.
"Is there something wrong?" She anxiously asked.
Sin stayed silent and observed the smile on Nojiko's face, who was fascinatedly testing her powers.
"Nojiko." He called out her name with authority, and she froze and instantly returned to her human form.
She swayed on her feet a little, not because of tiredness, but because of dizziness, but she soon became very excited and rushed forward to hug him.
"Thank you!"
Sin sighed and smiled as he hugged her back, and when they separated, he pulled her chin up and looked right into her beautiful green eyes.
"The Will of the Dryad is too potent, so, you must stay very strong. Do not let it take control over you. You need to work in harmony, stand equal, understood?"
"I..."
"You are no longer a human, and if it overpowers you, you will no longer be yourself. Nojiko will be gone and replaced by someone else."
In his heart, he was also worried about Nami and Hiyori now. There was a lot more to these Mythical Zoans than what met the eyes.
Pascia, who was feeling envious of Nojiko, suddenly paled in fear, and it was the same for everyone else.
"Mythical Zoans don't usually have access to these abilities before their awakenings, just like Yamato, Nami, and Hiyori don't have access to all their powers yet. However, in your case, since the Will is too strong, you are very close to awakening. If you are not careful and let the Will take over, the Devil Fruit will awaken at any time. This Fruit probably carries the Will of its last User within it."
Nojiko was terrified at his words, and seeing her tremble, he smiled.
"Relax. It can never take over unless you allow it or are not careful. You can use the powers, which you must if you don't want to ruin yourself, but just always be alert and headstrong. Understood?"
She nodded her head, relaxing a little.
"Dryads are not evil spirits, so you won't turn into something evil. That I am sure of." He ruffled her hair, and his words cleared away the last of her worries.
Sin turned to look at Pascia, who smiled at her.
"You don't want to fly?" He playfully asked, and she confusedly tilted her head. "Silly, create wings with paper."
At his words, her eyes widened, and she quickly imagined creating angel-like wings on her back. She achieved it, and a bright smile bloomed on her face when she flapped them and managed to fly up.
"Since you are made of paper now, your body is very light, and flying will be easy for you.
"You are awesome, Pascia!" Nojiko cheered, but then suddenly froze and glared at her Captain.
"What?"
"Captain."
"Yes?"
"Where did you find Pasa Pasa no Mi?" She was clearly upset, recalling how sad everyone was because they could not find this precious Fruit on the Nanatsu Islands.
"I always had it." He grinned, and as much as she wanted to step forward and throw hands at him, she just pouted and looked away.
Her friend was already going out to see the girls, and she too ran out of the Shrine to show Nami, Vivi, Raki, and Conis her new powers.
"Come back, Young Lady!" Hiyori strictly called out to her, and Nojiko froze in her tracks. "Go inside and dress appropriately."
At her reminder, the girl looked down and blushed her.
Her clothes no longer fit her as she seemed to have grown bigger, and she embarrassedly rushed inside the Shrine to find suitable clothes.
Sin laughed at her antics and laughed even more when he glanced at Rebecca and found her sulking.
Hiyori quickly picked up the little girl in her arms and kissed her cheek.
"Why are you so sad?" She tickled her belly and asked, eliciting giggles from her.
"I am not sad." She shook her head, trying to hide it.
"We will find you something very interesting too."
"Promise?" She brightened up when she heard his words, and he leaned in and nudged his nose against hers.
"Yes."
The way she giggled made them both laugh and then Sin accepted her in his arms as Hiyori went inside to help Nojiko find something appropriate to wear.
"Hey, I am coming!" Rebecca chased after Nojiko when she saw the older girl rushing out, and the latter picked her up as he ran outside the Shrine to head down the Giant Jack.
"Wow... she's excited." He chuckled and then sighed when he saw Hiyori coming out, holding a Katana, a Meito, called Yamaoroshi.
It was her new training sword.
Sin did not say a word and just smiled as he followed her out.
As soon as they appeared in the courtyard, one of the Birkan Maids rushed forward and presented him with a wooden sword, which he usually used in battles against his wife.
Nojiko and Pascia were not the only ones who had managed to tap into Observation and Armament Haki.
Hiyori too has tapped into both, and the secret behind it was her Devil Fruit, which granted her with immense strength and super senses. In these regards, Zoans were quite beneficial to the Users if they intended to learn Haki, and Mythical Zoans were even more special.
She was no longer charging forward as she used to before but was staying calm and composed.
Sin coated his wooded sword in standard Armament Haki, and raised it to block the sudden slash she swung at him.
As always, the maids watched their queen battling, and they even cheered for her, being a little playful with their God, whom they found very easygoing on normal days.
The two kept fighting until sunset and only stopped when Grount and the girls returned to the God's Shrine.
Hiyori excused herself to go and take a bath, followed by the maids, and the little ones soon surrounded the Blackstar.
"Sin! We want to see Water 7!" Nami, being their voice, jumped in his arms and expressed their wish. "It's not fair that Grount has been there and we have not." She pouted.
"How about we head to Arabasta and then to Winterheim?" He smiled. "We will then sail to Water 7 with the crew at the start of the new year. I will also introduce you to Gad, our new crewmate, and his three triplet lovers, who are half fish-maids."
"Gad?"
"Triplets?!"
"Ahaha.. yes. And did I tell you that we have the first ship of our Fleet now?"
"LETS GO!!!" Nami and Vivi excitedly shouted, and he laughed at their antics.