Even before his compatibility reached this level, Aoyama Ryuyun had already imagined countless ways to utilize the Float-Float Fruit.
Thinking of this, he opened his eyes and slowly raised a hand toward the yard.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The ground trembled, splitting into jagged fissures.
Under Aoyama Ryuyun's control, streams of rock surged from the cracks like living serpents, swirling through the small yard.
"Indeed… just as I imagined!"
A confident smile appeared on his face. He had succeeded.
Based on this, every concept he had envisioned before could now be brought to life.
"Earth Scroll — Soaring Dragon!"
At his command, the chaotic rock streams began to take form, condensing into the shape of several small stone dragons.
"Earth Scroll — Flying Bird!"
The dragons shifted again, merging and reshaping into a great bird of stone that hovered in the air.
This was Aoyama Ryuyun's unique interpretation of the Float-Float Fruit's power.
The Float-Float Fruit (Fuwa Fuwa no Mi) grants its user the ability to remove the gravity of any non-living object they touch, allowing them to freely control its movement afterward.
In the world of pirates, most people only knew Golden Lion Shiki for using this ability to make islands and ships float. Beyond flight, his reputation rested mainly on his masterful twin-sword techniques as a great swordsman.
To be honest, Aoyama Ryuyun found Shiki's use of the Float-Float Fruit… unimpressive.
The strength of a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit lies entirely in the imagination of its user.
And in Aoyama Ryuyun's opinion, Shiki had barely scratched the surface of what the fruit could truly do.
Touching something to nullify its gravity — what does that imply? It means that as long as one stands on solid ground, one can manipulate everything connected to it.
If used to its absolute limit, the Float-Float Fruit could allow its wielder to command a stone colossus towering beyond even the Susanoo level.
As long as he remains in contact with the ground, he can manipulate the earth itself.
Which means — on land, Aoyama Ryuyun is unbeatable.
Invincible on land.
As for making islands fly? Only an idiot would waste the fruit's potential that way.
Of course, his current mastery of the Float-Float Fruit was still rudimentary — far from invincibility.
Moreover, setting the Devil Fruit aside, Golden Lion Shiki's swordsmanship and mastery of all three types of Haki were things Aoyama Ryuyun deeply admired and aspired to reach one day.
"It's a long and arduous path," he muttered with a sigh.
His compatibility was only fifty percent. He still had far to go.
"Liu Yun-gege! I heard you're back!"
A clear, lively voice called from outside the yard.
Aoyama Ryuyun, regaining focus, waved his hand. Instantly, the yard returned to its original calm — the floating stones dropping harmlessly to the ground.
A small, pretty face peeked through the doorway. Spotting him, she stepped inside with bright, eager eyes.
"Liu Yun-gege, why didn't you tell me you were back? If Father hadn't said so, I wouldn't have even known!"
Her tone carried a faint pout of resentment.
The newcomer was a seven or eight-year-old girl with delicate features and striking crimson eyes.
"You should be calling me uncle," Aoyama Ryuyun said flatly, slipping on the jacket beside him.
"What uncle? I don't want to!" she protested immediately.
"Your father and I are of the same generation."
Aoyama Ryuyun had met this little girl before — Kurenai Yuhi, the daughter of Konoha's Genjutsu specialist, Shinku Yuhi.
During the previous Shinobi World War, Aoyama Ryuyun had once saved Shinku Yuhi during a mission. It was through that encounter that he met Kurenai.
Ever since then, the little girl had taken to following him around whenever she could.
"Hmph! I'm still not calling you uncle!" she huffed.
Call him uncle? Impossible.
He was handsome and strong — calling him "Anata" sounded far better!
"Besides, you're not even that much older than me!" she teased.
"Since when has age mattered in the ninja world?" he replied calmly.
In this world, where strength determined status, age was meaningless.
Even in Konoha, many older shinobi addressed Aoyama Ryuyun as Lord Ryuyun — or even Lord Golden Lion. Not out of courtesy, but respect for his strength.
"Nya nya nya! I'm still not calling you that!"
Kurenai stuck out her tongue playfully, then cheerfully carried a wrapped package toward him.
"You haven't eaten yet, right? I made this for you!"
She opened the package, revealing a beautifully prepared meal.
Somehow, Kurenai Yuhi had already memorized Aoyama Ryuyun's daily training habits. After every session, she would bring him food she'd prepared herself.
"I finally understand why, even though I saved that man Shinku Yuhi's life, he always glares at me whenever we meet," Aoyama Ryuyun said wryly.
This thoughtful little girl had betrayed him in her father's eyes.
It was no wonder Shinku Yuhi didn't like him.
"Did Father say something to you?" Kurenai asked, suddenly worried.
"Don't worry, Liu Yun-gege," she said, puffing up with determination. "I'll talk to Father when I get home! I won't let him give you trouble!"
Aoyama Ryuyun rubbed his temple. This little cotton jacket really had betrayed him entirely.
"No need," he said, raising a finger and pointing past her. "He's already here."
"Huh?"
Kurenai turned around — and froze.
Standing at the gate was Shinku Yuhi, his expression dark and unreadable.
Judging by his face, he had heard every word his daughter just said.
Of course, his glare was focused entirely on Aoyama Ryuyun.
After all, it was this man who had stolen his precious little girl's affection.
He should have known better than to let them meet back then.
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters