Ragnir, the large squirrel with an iron hammer on its head, was lying on its back in the middle of the rubble, its eyes spinning in circles, the hammer on its head tilted to one side, its belly covered in dust and gravel.
"Chirp..."
It let out a weak cry, its voice carrying a sense of confusion.
Makoto, along with Airi and Marina who had returned to their normal forms, walked over to the large squirrel.
Airi's black dragon form had already been dispelled. Her face was somewhat pale, beads of sweat still on her forehead, but her eyes were filled with excitement.
Marina followed behind her sister, her eyes fixed on the large squirrel, her gaze screaming 'So cute, I want to pet it'.
Makoto squatted down and reached out to pat Ragnir's chubby cheek.
"Hey, wake up."
Ragnir's cheek was patted with a 'smack, smack' sound, its furry cheeks jiggling.
"Squeak—"
Ragnir finally came to, its eyes snapping open.
Seeing Makoto's face so close, it was startled and jumped back, putting several meters between them.
Then, it saw Airi standing behind Makoto.
The little blonde girl who had eaten the Devil Fruit it had guarded for ten thousand years.
Ragnir's expression instantly became pitiful, tears welling up in its eyes again.
"Chirp, chirp, chirp!"
It cried out while pointing its claw at Airi, then at the wound on its own chest, its expression exactly like a child who had had its candy stolen.
The Devil Fruit it had guarded for ten thousand years...
Was eaten by such a weak little girl.
Ten thousand years!
The more Ragnir thought about it, the more wronged it felt. Tears swirled in its eyes, its nose twitched, and even the iron hammer on its head trembled slightly.
Seeing Ragnir looking at her with such a pitiful expression, Airi felt a bit embarrassed.
Airi lowered her head, fidgeted her fingers, and softly said, "I'm sorry..."
She also knew that she didn't really deserve to eat such a powerful Devil Fruit... it was all because of her man.
"Don't be so upset, little squirrel."
Makoto smiled and comforted it.
"You've been cooped up in this place for quite a while. Why not come with us and see the outside world?"
Makoto reached out his hand to Ragnir.
"There will be many more interesting things in the future. Come along."
Makoto extended an invitation to Ragnir.
This large squirrel had been able to guard the Nidhöggr Fruit for ten thousand years without being eaten by the giants of Elbaf, so it's definitely an Emperor-level figure.
Although Makoto didn't particularly value having subordinates, having such a large plush toy around would be pleasing to the eye.
It could be used as a pet, a weapon, or a cushion.
Ragnir hung its head low and was silent for a long time.
It looked at the empty stone platform.
Then at Makoto's outstretched hand.
"Chirp..."
Finally, Ragnir nodded.
Regardless, the Nidhöggr Fruit had already been eaten. There was no point in staying here anymore, so it might as well go out and see the world.
"Makoto-kun!"
"Makoto!"
Just then, Saeko, Megumi, and the other female players also arrived, just in time to see Makoto inviting the large squirrel to join them, and its agreement.
"Wow! Such a big squirrel!!"
Chika's eyes sparkled.
"So fluffy and cute!"
Yotsuba couldn't help but reach out to touch it.
Ragnir shrank back slightly, eyeing this group of women warily.
Marina stepped forward, stood on her tiptoes, and tried to get as close to eye level with Ragnir as possible.
"Hello there, little squirrel. My name is Aizono Marina. Nice to meet you."
She reached out her hand, trying her best to touch Ragnir's head.
Ragnir stared at her for a few seconds, then lowered its head slightly and leaned into her touch.
"Squeak."
The Rocks Pirates stood in the distance, watching this scene, swallowing hard.
'Damn.'
'Nishikawa Makoto was already strong enough, and now two more top-level combatants had joined his team… That Aizono Airi in her black dragon form, and Ragnir Ragnir, the guardian of the Devil Fruit for ten thousand years.'
'It felt like there was no one in this world who could stop him anymore.'
The corner of Kaido's mouth twitched.
He had wanted a Mythical Zoan, and yet a little blonde girl had gotten the Dragon-Dragon Fruit.
The female players gathered around Airi. Some congratulated her on obtaining such a powerful Devil Fruit, while others couldn't hide their envy.
After all, they also felt that Airi didn't really deserve to get such a strong ability... it was all because Makoto spoiled her.
Ida also stepped forward at this moment, preparing to offer formal congratulations to Makoto.
"Nishikawa-sama, congratulations."
Her voice was calm, but her eyes trembled slightly.
Watching the murderer of her husband gain such immense power was naturally hard to bear.
But the problem was, she knew very well… if she hadn't agreed to Makoto's demand, Elbaf might have been destroyed today.
Choosing the lesser of two evils.
Under these circumstances, Ida had no choice but to hand over the Nidhöggr Fruit to Makoto.
"You're too kind, Queen."
Makoto smiled and waved his hand.
"Elbaf will still be your Elbaf from now on. I won't do anything to it."
Ida silently nodded.
Just then—
"I will avenge Rocks!"
A young but loud voice exploded from the crowd.
Everyone turned to look.
A giant teenager, enormous in size but clearly still a child, rushed out from the crowd.
His eyes were bandaged, and his hair was a rare pink color.
The giant child charged at Makoto, raising his huge fist, ready to throw a punch.
Loki.
The eater of the Nidhöggr Fruit in the original work.
Makoto smiled at the sight and threw a punch back.
Their fists collided.
The size difference was like that between a meteor and a pebble.
However—
"Oww!!!"
The moment their fists met, Loki let out a cry of pain.
A 'crack' sound came from his arm, and he fell to the ground, clutching his arm and crying out in pain.
"Loki!"
Ida exclaimed, quickly stepping forward to comfort her stepson.
"What are you doing here?"
Loki gritted his teeth against the pain, tears swirling in his eyes, but his tone remained stubborn.
"He killed Nika! I'm going to take him down!!"
Makoto was speechless.
He then remembered that Loki was also a believer in the Nika legend.
"Quick, take Loki away!"
Ida quickly had other giants take her stepson away.
Two giant warriors stepped forward and hoisted Loki up, one on each side.
"Let me go! I'm going to kill him! I'm going to avenge Nika!"
Loki struggled, but the pain in his arm made him unable to muster any strength.
Before leaving, he looked back at Makoto.
Ida turned around and kept bowing to Makoto in apology.
"Nishikawa-sama, I'm so sorry. The child is ignorant. Please don't take it to heart."
Makoto smiled and waved his hand.
"Don't worry. I don't make a habit of killing children."
Makoto glanced in the direction Loki was being dragged.
"Tell him, if he wants to take revenge on me, he should train more when he grows up and come back then."
Ida remained silent.
To be honest, she now wanted the giants to give up on the idea of seeking revenge against Makoto.
The gap in strength was just too great.
And if what that dog named Pochita said earlier was true, that Makoto hadn't intended to kill Harald, but her husband had charged at him anyway, then it really wasn't Makoto's fault.