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As Bete stood up, the atmosphere around them suddenly grew tense.

Finn looked anxiously at August and Bete. They were all family, so why did it have to come to such an awkward confrontation?

"I'm sorry~"

Just as everyone held their breath, Bete bowed deeply to August and offered an apology.

This moment left everyone stunned, especially Tiona, who had always been Bete's rival.

Had this arrogant wolf actually set aside his pride to apologize to August? This was so out of character for him.

Even August had not anticipated that Bete would apologize.

"I accept your apology."

As August's voice rang out, the serious tension in the room evaporated instantly.

Finn let out a sigh of relief; this was what family was supposed to be like.

"Hahaha~ Bete, I can't believe you actually had a day to apologize. I'll remember this forever."

"Shut up, Amazon. Go die."

"Ouch, someone's angry?"

"I'm going to take you down~"

"Come at me! I'm scared of you."

"Ah~"

Watching Bete get riled up again by Tiona, everyone erupted in laughter.

It was clear to all that Tiona was trying to lighten the mood; her antics had managed to put everyone at ease.

However, the strength that August had displayed was something they would never forget. It was simply overwhelming.

Quietly, August took Ais and slipped away, and no one said a word.

"August, you seem different."

"Well, I've been through some things."

"That must have been tough."

Ais embraced August, wanting to share her warmth with him.

August's expression grew somewhat peculiar; despite having traveled through two worlds, he hadn't really encountered any trouble.

Especially in Interspecies Reviewers, where he had indulged himself for nearly a year. Even considering the time spent on serious matters, it didn't amount to a full month.

As for High School DxD, he had been on a roll, breezing through everything with ease.

Although he had been gone for more than a year, August hadn't experienced much 'hardship'; in fact, he found it rather enjoyable.

But he couldn't share any of this with Ais.

"Ais, I have a gift for you."

"Hmm? What kind of gift?"

"Just close your eyes first."

"Okay~"

Ais obediently shut her eyes, her curiosity piqued about what August would give her.

'Hmm~'

The next moment, she felt her lips being sealed. As she opened her eyes, she found herself locking gazes with August.

Instantly, Ais was immersed in the 'gift' that August had bestowed upon her.

August began to awaken the latent power within Ais. He had confirmed during his time in High School DxD that all his dependents inherited the seed of the three-color Haki.

Among all of August's abilities, only the three-color Haki constituted a power system; the others were merely skills or talents.

Thus, every one of August's dependents would gain dark power along with the three-color Haki.

Suddenly, Ais realized a powerful force was rising within her. Unlike her magical power, this force felt akin to her inherent strength.

Observation Haki! Armament Haki!

Both forms of Haki awakened in an instant, and Ais understood everything clearly.

"August, what is this power?"

After August released her, Ais's first instinct was to inquire about the two powers coursing through her.

"This is Haki. It's a force everyone possesses by birth, but in this world, it needs a seed to awaken."

"So, were you giving me the seed just now?"

"Exactly~"

"What about the others~?"

"They can't have it, Ais. You should understand that."

"Alright~"

Ais felt a twinge of disappointment, but it quickly faded as she embraced her newfound strength.

In truth, even without August, she would eventually awaken it over time.

'Swish~'

The black Armament Haki coiled around Ais's arms, and she felt the enhancement in both power and defense.

Meanwhile, Observation Haki expanded her senses, allowing her to perceive everything around her.

But this wasn't the true gift from August. With a wave of his hand, the door to the Gate of Babylon opened, revealing a katana slowly emerging from within.

The blade, known as Enma, was adorned with floral engravings on its sheath and had a three-petal tsuba. It was a renowned sword crafted by the famous smith Shimotsuki Kozaburo of Wano Country.

In the One Piece world, it was one of the swords wielded by Kozuki Oden, the weapon he had used throughout his life. Along with his other famous sword, Ame-no-Habakiri, these blades had caused the X-shaped scars on Kaido's abdomen.

August had drawn this sword long ago, alongside Whitebeard's naginata.

This sword actively absorbed the Haki of its wielder. If held by an ordinary person, they would be drained of their Haki and perish, but in the right hands, it became an exceptionally powerful weapon.

This very blade had been tamed—or rather, mastered—by August.

The reason he was gifting it to Ais was that it could amplify her Haki.

"What is this?"

Ais gazed at the sword in astonishment, an inexplicable urge to grasp it coursing through her.

"This sword is called Enma, a legendary blade of the twenty-one Great Grade swords, recognized as one of the finest swords in the world."

"It's so powerful."

As Ais took hold of the sword, she felt her newly awakened Haki being drawn into it.

However, it only absorbed a portion, and then Enma emitted a clear ringing sound, as if celebrating its newfound master.

August was unaware that within the Gate of Babylon, Enma had been tightly suppressed by countless treasures.

Now that it had finally escaped, it was understandably jubilant.

Although legendary swords possess a spirit, this 'spirit' was vague; it didn't even have a consciousness, making it easy to bond with a new master.

August felt a twinge of regret. He should have given away the Hyourinmaru and Kyouka Suigetsu; merely gifting Enma felt somewhat insignificant compared to the other offerings.

This resolved August's determination to keep any exceptional swords he might draw in the future for Ais.

As for Murasame, August didn't plan to give it to her just yet. Although he had no use for it, he still coveted the cursed blade due to its poison against dragons in High School DxD.

It would be fine to wait until he obtained that before gifting it to Ais, especially since the cursed blade held little meaning in August's hands.

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