"Pyu Qiu..."
The little Yukimi Botamon was so dazed from being rua'd that its fluffy fur exploded like flowers.
After regaining its senses, it endearingly snuggled against Shano's cheek, seemingly enjoying it, wanting another round.
But then, the little creature suddenly perked up its ears alertly, then with a sound of "Qiu," it rolled into Shano's arms, clutching tightly onto his lapel.
"Brother! What's that thing in your hand!"
Nami's excited shriek suddenly came from the cabin, and in the next second, the orange-haired girl rushed onto the deck, eyes sparkling with heart shapes:
"Let me hug it! Quick, quick, quick, let me hug it!"
Shano hadn't even had time to react, and she was already eagerly reaching out to grab it.
"Qiu!"
The Yukimi Botamon in his arms trembled in fright, but having nowhere to hide, it turned its head and "puffed," trying hard to spray a burst of snowy chill—
Crack-crack-crack, the claw reaching out from Nami was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture.
"It fell from the sky, somehow treating me as its owner."
Shano picked up the little Glutinous Rice Dumpling, smiling to reassure it, "Don't worry, no need to be nervous, she's my sister, one of us."
From the sky?
Nami believed it fully and exclaimed in amazement:
"The Grand Line is really magical...Brother, you're so lucky, darn it, I should've stayed on deck earlier, then maybe I'd be the one it deemed as its owner!"
As for the frozen arm...she, of course, didn't mind, shook her arm—whoosh! Flames ignited on her arm, instantly melting the frost into water droplets.
This time, it was Yukimi Botamon's turn to widen its eyes.
It glanced left and right at Nami's arm, not understanding where the flames came from.
Shano found it amusing, rubbing the little rice dumpling; it felt so good...Hmm, how about calling it Nuomi from now on?
This name should suit its earlier forms; changing it after it evolves into Angewomon would not be too late.
As for the ice skill "Diamond Stars" that Yukimi Botamon sprayed just now?
Shano was not particularly concerned.
Unlike Ah Yin, as a Digimon, its attributes and skills constantly change and evolve during evolution.
There's no need to focus on the initial skills; what he looks forward to now is for this little creature to evolve to its ultimate form.
Then, Angewomon, majestic as the gods, will hover in the sky, pulling a bow with one hand and shooting a Holy Arrow with the other...
Tsk, that divine poise is truly mesmerizing.
—Hmm, the sniper on the ship has been decided to be you, Yukimi Botamon!
Pa!
Shano slapped the sniper.
The little creature, oblivious to the great task bestowed upon it at such a young age, was curiously gazing at Nami, hesitated for a while, and still let herself be hugged by her.
"Ooh, so soft!"
Nami grinned from ear to ear, continuously teasing the Yukimi Botamon.
"Hey, Nami, weren't you supposed to bring food to Nojiko? How did you come back so fast?" Shano asked curiously.
Nami, without even raising her head, continued to indulge in playing with the dumpling, "Send food? She came out herself! Look—" She gestured towards the cabin with her lips, "Isn't she here now?"
Shano turned his head to look, indeed.
Nojiko hummed a lively tune, steadily carrying a plate of breakfast, walking lightly.
Her hair tips were still wet with sweat, but her face radiant with uncontrollable joy, her eyes even turned into crescent moons upon seeing Shano.
"Brother!"
"Mastered Haki?" Seeing her so jubilant, Shano knew without guessing.
"Yeah, Enfolding and Hardening, both mastered proficiently, see!"
Nojiko happily raised her fists, Buzz! Dark luster instantly stained and covered her entire arm, looking like it was cast in ink.
"The intensity is quite impressive."
Shano squeezed it, feeling it was hard as iron, somewhat surprised, raised his brows without hesitation to praise, "I think it won't be long before the title 'Black Arm' will have a new owner."
"Haha, still far from it."
Nojiko modestly said, but her mouth almost grinned to her ears, she let out a long breath, as if a burden was lifted, shoulders relaxed:
"But...at least I won't be holding everyone back now!"
A month ago at Log Town, battling four Headquarter Rear Admirals, she was the one clearly at a disadvantage, making it bother her for a while.
If it were her now instead, the one who would fall behind should be that Headquarter Rear Admiral!
"Eh?"
Just about to sit down to eat breakfast, she noticed the Yukimi Botamon, instantly drawn.
And by this time, the others also gradually arrived at the deck with their breakfast, all curiously gathering around.
Yukimi Botamon understood, realizing these were the owner's companions, not afraid of strangers, playing happily together.
However, there was one thing that made everyone marvel.
The little creature only let girls touch it; Zeff and Smoker tried to extend fingers only to be snubbed with a hum, leaving the two of them quite embarrassed.
Except for the owner, it seemed reluctant to interact with any males.
"Seems like a girl indeed."
Nami found it amusing, pinching Yukimi Botamon's cheek, laughing, "I just wonder what it will grow into, wouldn't it just become a super, super big Nuomi like Ah Yin's proportional enlargement?"
"Roar!"
Ah Yin basking in the sun immediately growled unhappily, flicked its majestic mane.
What a joke!
It was obviously a round, chubby dumpling when small; now it's a valiant Silver Wolf King, how could it be just a simple proportional enlargement?