Return to Water 7

Asdrerd, Number 6 and Xott went back.

Upon reaching Heterna Island, Asdrerd quickly explained about Xott.

This type of conclusion surprised Mysha and Franky. They both thought the same thing, 'Xott was attacking unscrupulous Asdrerd... What exactly happened?'

Asdrerd, Mysha, Franky, and Greppo were on the beach talking, while Xott was in the water next to them.

Greppo was used to living on this island and eating only herbs and fruits since there were no more animals on the island, but he was sad to lose Xott. Although he had made fun of him many times, he had grown fond of him. Without Xott, it no longer made sense to live on the island of Heterna.

The crew decided to take Greppo with them and leave him at Water 7

---

On the ship, on the way back, Xott shared his thoughts with Franky and Mysha. It was the only way to talk to his new companions. Unlike Asdrerd, the two of them could not converse with him.

Franky was a person with easy tears. Once he saw Xott's memories, he couldn't help crying.

"It must have been tough for you..." Mysha looked down at the sea.

Xott had to follow them by sea; he had to remain hidden from the sight of others.

Once he talked enough, Asdrerd reminded Mysha and Franky to build a bow with the collected wood.

Then he turned to Franky.

"Franky, do you remember what I said to you before leaving?"

As the two men walked away, Mysha stayed with Xott.

The girl was thinking that she could not continue like this. The sea creature was now their companion. She had to find some way to be able to talk to Xott.

"Xott, I promise that I will build something to understand your language, it shouldn't be too difficult."

Mysha knew several languages perfectly, and she was sure that it would not take too long to learn to understand the language of Xott, certainly, she would never learn to speak it but that was not her goal.

Once understood, she would build an object to make the rest of his future companions understand Xott's thoughts.

---

Franky and Asdrerd were now alone.

(Author Note: Number 6 is always present but never named, except when his presence is fundamental).

"You won't have to break these rules. Otherwise, I will tell everyone who you are and what you own." Asdrerd tried to blackmail Franky, just to get some extra guarantees.

"There is no need to blackmail this way. As long as promises are feasible, I swear I will not break them," said Franky.

"I am forced to blackmail you, the future depends on it. Do you know my power?" He asked after hearing the cyborg's answer.

"Can you see the future?" Franky understood what Asdrerd could do, but asked for certainty.

"Exact! I cannot see the complete future, but only a part. That is why I need these promises. I hope you understand..." He didn't even know what he was saying since such power didn't exist.

"I don't understand the logic behind this factor... but it's okay, tell me!"

"First, I don't want you to get into my crew." Raising his index finger, Asdrerd made the number one with his hand.

"Okay, I wasn't going to," Franky replied.

"You won't have to leave Water 7 without my permission." Now he had raised another finger, forming a two.

"For now I have no intention of it. However, I'm not going to spend my life on this island. Franky wanted to make it clear that eventually, he would go away from Water 7.

"No need to worry, I need you on Water 7 for a few years, after which you can go wherever you want. You just have to call me before making such decisions."

Asdrerd wanted to make sure that their meeting did not change history too much. He couldn't allow Franky to leave before he met Luffy.

"OK then." The cyborg nodded after hearing Asdrerd's request.

"Don't change your behavior because of our meeting. Go back to being the classic Franky and do what you wanted to do, don't change plans."

Asdrerd was frightened by the change in the story and was trying hard to get Franky's character back on track.

"? I don't understand what you mean…" Franky was confused by this request.

"You don't have to change your plans. Act as you've never known us..."

Asdrerd paused for a second to reflect on his last sentence.

"… Of course!" Asdrerd had an idea.

He could ask Xott to devour the memories from their meeting onwards.

"Franky, I want one last promise, the most important."

"Oh?"

"Collaborate with Mysha and finish the bow as quickly as possible!"

"Don't worry it will be the first thing I do. I cannot wait to use Heterno wood."

"Nice! Build it now. With the knowledge of Mysha, it should not be too difficult."

---

Mysha and Franky were speaking for the bow.

Asdrerd had learned from Xott that he couldn't just get rid of that part of the memories.

Xott could modify and pass on to other's memories or emotions he had already devoured. As he did with Mysha or Greppo.

If he inspected someone's memories, the latter would not have lost the memories, he would only have shared them.

He could not devour only a part of emotions or memories. He had explained to Asdrerd that he had to devour either all or nothing. Xott could not change the memories of others at will.

Asdrerd understood the concept behind Xott's power and was slightly disappointed. He wanted to use the monster's powers to keep his identity as a Color Criminal secret.

If someone had seen it, he could have erased those memories, if he made some mistakes in the dialogues, he could practically start all over again and things like that.

Sure, Xott's powers would always come in handy, but now he had far fewer uses.

Asdrerd did not speak to Franky again, because what he wanted to make them promise had already asked.

As the hours passed, the group arrived at Water 7.

The construction of the bow was still in progress, it was a difficult wood to work with.

They got off the ship and the four separated.

Mysha and Asdrerd had to head from Iceburg, while Franky had to finish cutting Heterno wood for the construction of the bow.

---

While the two were heading to headquarters, Asdrerd received a call.

After the accident last time, he had learned to be more cautious. He checked the snail well and answered without naming.

"I'm Asdrerd!"

They were the five elders; they had called because they had forgotten to ask for something.

"Tell me!"

They asked if Spered's rumors were true.

"Yes, I am!"

Surprised by the quick response, they asked if Asdrerd was still in Water 7.

"Yes!"

They told him to wait at the port; they would send someone to pick him up to take him to Marijoa. They required the services of the painter Spered.

"There are no problems for me."

Then they asked him to help CP9 with their mission.

"I'm already a member of CP EX1, it won't be easy."

They told him that they would give him the post of chief of the CP9 so that he could move it at his leisure.

"... Don't you think you're exaggerating?"

"..."

"I can accept, but only as a temporary position. In a few years, the ship will be ready and I will have to go look for the Color Criminal. He is my goal."

The five accepted Asdrerd's terms.

"Okay ... That is the last favor. As a member of the Shichibukai, I am not obliged to follow your orders. I decided to help you because I would like a long-lasting collaboration."

After ending the call, Asdrerd snorted.

"Uff! I am the Color Criminal, Spered the painter, I am part of the Shichibukai, and I am practically the co-head of the CP EX1 and now also the chief of the CP9..."

"Mysha! As you may have heard, I have to go to Marijoa. Go to Iceburg and start building the ship, and then meet Franky in the evening for the bow. I will be back in a few months." He warned Mysha before turning to the port.

Although he was not happy with the situation, he couldn't even complain too much. Now he could have drawn Marijoa without difficulty.

Obviously, Asdrerd would never have expected his name to come out during Lucci's battle against Luffy, but that's another story.

**

Next Chapter: CP9