"Tsuru's granddaughter died at our port?"
"Yes. It seems she wanted to come and join us but was killed by someone." Gion replied.
Caelan jumped down from Shirahoshi and frowned slightly. "Tsuru isn't just your comrade, she's also someone important who came here seeking asylum. Her granddaughter dying in our territory is definitely a serious matter."
He vaguely recalled that Tsuru had a granddaughter named Kujaku. She was beautiful and had the powers of the Whip-Whip Fruit. She looked like an S-type, but was actually an M.
It was because of her distinct identity and characteristics that Caelan remembered her at all.
Back when the Battle of Marineford ended, Tsuru had asked him to look after her.
In the end, he ignored that request and only brought Tsuru over to his side.
Now that he thought about it, Kujaku's death could be considered to have a tiny connection to him.
Caelan looked at Gion and asked, "So, any leads?"
"The killer was clean. No traces left behind," Gion shook her head. "Actually, her body was found alongside Akainu's daughter."
"Hibari died too?"
Caelan was even more surprised.
He remembered her as well. A pretty girl, love-obsessed.
Still, her death didn't concern Caelan personally. He was just surprised.
"So just say it. What do you want me to do?"
Caelan asked plainly.
"Tsuru wants to find the one who did it," Gion said, a little embarrassed. "But personally, I hope you can revive Kujaku. She's all Tsuru has left."
"Of course, it's up to you."
From an emotional standpoint, she hoped Caelan would agree.
But emotionally and practically, she now stood on Caelan's side. Whatever decision he made, she'd support it.
"Resurrection is possible. But the resurrected Heroic Spirit will be bound to me. It depends on whether Tsuru is willing or not," Caelan said calmly.
Tsuru was an important member of their side and had a close relationship with Gion, so he was willing to help.
But Heroic Spirits were inherently tied to him. Whether Kujaku should become one depended on Tsuru's own choice.
What if she didn't want her granddaughter to become someone else's puppet? What if she preferred her to rest in peace?
After all, even Heroic Spirits like Kaido, Whitebeard, and Bullet were begging for death every day.
"As long as she comes back to life, I don't think Tsuru will care about the rest."
Gion immediately nodded.
She knew how important Kujaku was to Tsuru. She also knew that becoming a Heroic Spirit was actually a blessing.
She herself had become one, gaining eternal youth and unlimited energy. There was nothing to lose.
"Alright. Let's go take a look."
"Nami, Shirahoshi, wait for me to come back."
Caelan called to the girls on the beach, then left the resort with Gion.
…
Soon, Gion brought Caelan to the tent where the bodies were kept.
Hibari and Kujaku lay quietly on the beds.
Tsuru was holding Kujaku's hand, quietly sobbing with sorrow on her face.
Seeing Gion and Caelan arrive, she quickly stood up, her eyes red.
"Commander Caelan, I'm sorry to trouble you. Please help me find the one who killed my granddaughter. I'll be grateful forever and will dedicate myself to the Neo Navy until the end of my life!"
Seeing how overwhelmed she was, nearly losing control of herself, Caelan couldn't help but sigh.
It was clear how much Kujaku meant to her. She had completely lost the calm she once carried as the Navy's most experienced staff officer.
"Don't worry. I'll help you find the murderer," Caelan said gently.
"Thank you, Commander Caelan!"
Tsuru could hardly contain her emotions.
As long as the killer could be found, she was willing to give up everything.
"Calm down. We'll definitely find the culprit," Caelan said seriously. "But before that, let me ask you—do you want Kujaku to be resurrected?"
"I can revive her, but once she comes back, she will be bound to me."
Tsuru was stunned. For a moment, she thought she'd misheard.
Resurrection? Could such a thing truly exist?
She had heard of people faking their deaths, but not actual resurrection.
But these words came from Caelan himself.
Given what he had done with the God Slayer Spear, resurrecting someone might not be that far-fetched.
"If you can really bring her back, I'll pay any price!" Tsuru said with a trembling voice. "Forget her being bound to you—bind me too, if you have to!"
She didn't know what price resurrection required, but it had to be something serious, something with conditions.
Even if her granddaughter had to be tied to Caelan forever, she was willing—as long as she could live again.
As long as Caelan was willing to help, she would give anything.
"We'll talk later. Let me revive Kujaku first."
Caelan didn't give an opinion on her words.
He had actually thought about turning people like Tsuru, Sengoku, and Aokiji into Heroic Spirits one day.
Whether it was after their deaths or after some time had passed, it would be their choice.
After all, they were valuable people. He still wanted to build a Valhalla-like place, like in Type-Moon, to help stabilize his control of the world.
Caelan walked up to Kujaku's body and gently pressed his hand on her.
A surge of infinite magical power poured into the corpse, first connecting to her soul, forcibly pulling it back.
Then, he reshaped both the body and soul into a Heroic Spirit form using magic.
Kujaku's body dissolved into light particles and vanished. A new spiritual body began to materialize.
Tsuru stood aside, fists clenched nervously, watching with bated breath, afraid anything might go wrong.
Then Caelan turned to look at Hibari.
She was cute enough, and her identity as Akainu's daughter was pretty special. He might as well bring her back too.
And so, the same miracle was performed on Hibari.
Moments later, the bodies of both girls were reformed, and their eyes slowly opened in a daze.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)