Sengoku stood up, a newfound resolve burning in his eyes. "If we do not go, evil forces will undoubtedly seize the fruit. The risk is immense, but the cost of inaction is higher."
Dragon folded his arms, his voice steady. "We will go. Our students have paved their way here through tireless practice. No one will stop a person from venturing into the unknown of this world."
"Hahaha! That's the spirit! Great courage!" Garp roared.
Fujitora adjusted his grip on his cane. "Indeed. Our swords were meant to slice through adversity and carry a pure heart. Not even this can shake a true swordsman's resolve."
All Might grinned with his signature wide smile. "Hahah! The youngsters will feel the same way. They live for this!"
"I have taught them everything I can," Zephyr added with certainty. "They are the future of this world."
While the others spoke of bravery, Shakky remained quiet until the youthful Gloriosa mentioned their specific mission. Nemuri (Midnight) tilted her head curiously. "Mission? What mission?"
Shakky exhaled a cloud of smoke. "A mission for our future Empress, perhaps?"
The subject immediately piqued everyone's interest, momentarily pushing the dark omens of the scroll aside. "Your future Empress?" Sengoku repeated.
"Oh, you mean Boa Hancock," Tsuru clarified.
Ryukyu leaned forward. "Awakened? Do you mean her Haki or her Devil Fruit power?"
"Her Devil Fruit," Shakky replied easily.
Nemuri frowned, thinking back. "If I remember correctly, Hancock's mother willingly passed that power to her. Can it truly be awakened so soon?"
Shakky nodded. "Like the Green Star Quirk or a Blue Star Devil Fruit, it can still be awakened when the fruit truly chooses its owner."
"How does one know?" Aizawa asked, his tone bored but attentive. "How do they know if the 'devil' inside has accepted them?"
"I don't fully understand it myself," Shakky admitted, "but it's about the feeling—the connection between the soul and the fruit's will."
"That is truly something," Ryukyu mused.
Dragon chimed in, "If she's reaching awakening already, your future Empress will be a powerhouse."
"Bwahaha!" Garp laughed, slapping his knee. "Of course! Ace and Sabo are also close to awakening their powers!"
"Ace and Sabo?" Zephyr asked with curiosity. "The twins from the Adventurer Academy?"
Dragon nodded. Gion (Momousagi) looked surprised. "A pair of twins with a one-hundred-percent connection to their Devil Fruits? That is a rare phenomenon."
"Of course it is!" Garp bragged. "Even Luffy's fruit is the Sun itself!"
The room went deathly silent. Every head turned toward Garp, eyes wide with shock. The Sun? They all remembered Olivia's words: Twin Worlds, Chosen Suns.
Garp continued, laughing triumphantly. "My grandson's fruit was passed down through generations, but no one—except the founder and our ancestors—could ever hold it. But my grandson did! Hahaha!"
Dragon let out a long, heavy sigh. "Good grief, old man... that was supposed to be a family secret."
Garp suddenly realized what he'd done. He slammed his hand over his own mouth, eyes bulging. "I didn't say anything! You didn't hear anything!" he muffled through his fingers, shaking his head in frantic denial.
"This old man..." Dragon muttered. "Regardless, it's out now. If the 'Sun' Olivia spoke of refers to that fruit's origin, the stakes are higher than we imagined."
All Might looked thoughtful, his mind drifting to his own successor. Sun? Don't tell me...
"Don't read too much into it yet," Sengoku interrupted, trying to regain control. "We aren't sure what the prophecy meant. Tsuru is right; choose the students with the greatest potential. Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji will accompany the expedition."
Sengoku sat back down, looking utterly exhausted. "The Culinary Academy has prepared dinner in the hall. Gather your students; we will eat together."
As everyone stood up to leave, their minds racing with thoughts of the "Chosen Suns" and their own pupils, Sengoku let out a tired groan. He looked at Akainu. "Akainu... I'm quitting this fleet Admiral job I'm too old for this. You take my place."
Akainu didn't even blink. "Nope. Not happening. I'm not wasting my life on paperwork. I'd rather spend time with my family than play with pens all day."
Sengoku turned to the other two. Aokiji was already halfway out the door. "Alalala... way too much work for me," he drawled.
"Don't even look at me," Borsalino added with a lazy wave.
Tsuru stood up gracefully. "I'm going to see my little sister now."
"Hahaha! Sengoku, you still got any of those crackers left?" Garp asked, reaching for a bowl.
"Shut up, Garp!" Sengoku exploded, his face turning red. "You quit being Principal of your academy, yet you keep hanging around here for free food! Get out!"
Zephyr shook his head, heading for the door. "Come on, I'm hungry. All this stress is making my blood pressure rise."
The tension of the meeting is finally breaking..
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To be continued