Chương 159: Salome Wakes Up And Eats Phantom Beast Species Again

In Nine Snake City, Arias had just woken up when he heard Hancock's excited voice:

"Arias! Salome is awake!"

As soon as he got out of bed, Hancock rushed in with Salome beside her.

"Master Arias," Salome greeted.

The transformation Salome had undergone was smooth. Despite not eating for days, thanks to the Immortal Thief Liuku, she didn't feel hungry. Now free from her demon form, Salome appeared more delicate than ever. Out of nostalgia for her former self, she still bore a pair of curved horns on her head. However, her aura was serene, devoid of any malevolence.

After fully embracing her new form, Salome bore an even stronger resemblance to Hancock. To an outsider, they would surely appear as sisters. Her fair, pink skin glowed as if kissed by the sunset, and a soft blush adorned her pretty face.

Although Salome could previously take on a human form through the Renren Fruit, she had still been a snake at heart, with little affection for humans. But now, as a full human, Arias's presence felt like an intoxicating allure, constantly captivating her. Her aesthetics had shifted from the serpentine to the human.

Blushing and short of breath, she struggled to maintain her composure in front of her sister, lowering her head to avoid Arias's gaze.

"How do you feel?" Arias asked, surprised to see a fully transformed demon for the first time.

Salome replied in a soft voice, "I feel wonderful. It's as if a fog has lifted from my soul. Everything seems clearer now, and the feeling is completely different."

Hancock noticed the change in Salome too—her shy demeanor, her coy posture—and understood immediately.

"Salome, do you like Arias too?" she teased. Although she had once suggested that Arias accept Salome, back then Salome was still essentially a water snake. Arias had said there was no need to force anything, so the matter was dropped. But now, it was clear that this former snake had completely fallen for Arias's charm.

"Sister, I... I don't dare to admit it," Salome stammered, her face turning even redder, her crystal-clear ears flushing with color.

"Not daring to admit it means you do like him, doesn't it?" Hancock quipped, turning to Arias. "Husband, perhaps you should..."

Before she could finish, the door quietly closed as if sensing the mood.

It was noon by the time they emerged from the bedroom.

"Now that you've fully shed your demon body, the Devil Fruit should be completely integrated into you, right?" Arias asked. "In theory, you should be able to eat a second Devil Fruit."

Salome had used the Renren Fruit to transform, while the Immortal Thief Liuku expelled impurities, and the True Fire of Samadhi refined her soul, leaving her body entirely human, not a water snake. The Renren Fruit's maiden form had fully merged with her when she shed her demon body.

"I have several Devil Fruits right now. Which one would you like?" Arias offered, listing the Devil Fruits he possessed. Most were Zoan types, including one Mythical Zoan and two Ancient Zoans. Additionally, there were two Paramecia and one Logia: the Golden Fruit, the Wrath Fruit, and the Snow-Snow Fruit.

Each of these fruits had powerful abilities. No matter which one Salome chose, her strength would significantly increase.

After a moment of thought, Salome selected the Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan model: Jormungandr.

"Now that I'm no longer a python, my sister won't be able to sit on me anymore," Salome explained. "I still want to be close to my sister like before!"

Her reasoning was simple, yet sincere.

Arias respected her choice and handed her the fruit. As soon as she took a bite, its power surged through her body. Salome's appearance changed, transforming into a giant python comparable in size to a dragon.

In mythology, Jormungandr is a sea serpent with immense power, capable of encircling the earth and possessing venom potent enough to kill gods. Salome's new form bore a striking resemblance to this legend. Her once green scales were now snow-white, with the same pair of horns atop her head that had marked her earlier serpentine form, making her look more like a dragon than a snake.

Her venom, now fused with the abilities of the Immortal Thief Liuku, could dissolve anything—organic or inorganic. She could also control her size, shrinking down to twice her original water snake form, still large enough to serve as Hancock's throne—and even accommodate Arias.

After reverting to her human form, Salome became a delicate and lovely maid once more, standing obediently behind Arias and Hancock.

"You should join Sonia and the others later to practice your combat skills," Arias advised.

Salome softly agreed to Arias's words.

Having shed her demon body, Arias had taught her many secret techniques, and now, with her Devil Fruit ability, she was comparable to a Marine Vice Admiral in terms of raw power, perhaps even reaching a Commodore's level. However, she lacked battle experience and needed practice to fully harness her abilities.

On the last day of the Sea Circle Calendar 1511, the Yamato fleet, returning from the New World, and the Sonia fleet, having vanquished pirates in the Paradise section, all gathered back on the island as per Arias's request for a reunion to celebrate the new year.

The island was filled with joy, adorned with festive decorations. Arias sent flowers and flying insects to patrol the borders of Nine Snakes, ensuring everyone could relax and enjoy the festivities. Not only the female warriors but also Rayleigh, Shakky from Sabaody, and Zoro and Nami, who were training with Rayleigh, were invited to join the celebrations.

Everyone drank wine together. Despite being only a little over ten years old, young Zoro was already showing signs of becoming a heavy drinker. He clutched a large jug of wine, eagerly drinking until he passed out after just a few sips.

"Wow, is this Sister Salome?" Nami and the others asked, crowding around her in amazement.

"Why is Sister Salome so different now?"

Salome chatted with them in her soft voice, while Chopper looked up at the towering Salome, thinking, "Will I be able to grow this big in the future?"

"Haha! Let me tell you, the sea is so much fun!" Yamato exclaimed, clinking glasses with a group of female warriors as she recounted the adventures she had led the fleet on in the New World.

After having a couple of drinks, Hiyori glanced quietly at Arias. For reasons she couldn't fully explain, as she grew older, she found her heart inexplicably racing whenever she looked at him.