Chapter 23: Devil Emotions!

As the sun rose, golden radiance intertwined with blue electric light, casting a shimmering glow over the distant coastline of Angel Island.

Asa's figure flickered as he landed on Angel Beach, the very place he had visited a year ago.

"It's been more than a year. Back then, I was still cautious, afraid of provoking God's Guards and failing to escape successfully. Who would've thought that just a year later, I'd have the power to wipe them out with ease? How unpredictable things are!"

Gazing at Angel Beach, which remained unchanged from his last visit, Asa felt a sense of detachment, as if he were merely observing the passage of time.

"Huh? Why are there so many patrols? Could it be that my actions have instilled a sense of crisis in them, prompting them to tighten security?"

In the distance, groups of patrolling soldiers moved in precise formations—some in squads of five, others in larger units of ten—holding spears as they scanned the area, as if searching for something.

"Could this really be because of me?" Asa stroked his chin in amusement before shrugging. "Forget it. I'll just crush them."

Those who are supremely confident in their strength have no need for schemes and trickery. Likewise, they don't concern themselves with the strategies of others.

Just like the Golden Lion, who, upon hearing that Roger had been captured by the Navy, lost his mind in a fit of rage and stormed Marineford alone—without a single subordinate. Was he foolish? Asa didn't believe so. The strongest figures in the world weren't tactless idiots. Even in his madness, Golden Lion had the confidence to take on the Navy single-handedly.

Strength breeds confidence.

Asa was no longer the weakling he had been a year ago—back when he had to flee from a mere black bear Zoan user named Blaibel, who wanted to follow Kaido.

Now, with the power of the Thunder Fruit, he could advance, retreat, or defend at will. At worst, he could simply fly into the sky and rain down lightning from above. Who could stop him?

Moving as if he'd been reborn, Asa covered several feet with each step, heading toward the soldiers.

At that moment, the patrolling troops spotted him. Without hesitation, they rushed over, weapons at the ready. Within moments, twenty soldiers had surrounded him.

"Who is this man? What is he doing here?" The leader of the patrol team stepped forward and called out.

"Captain, something's not right! This man has no wings—he must be from the Blue Sea! But the route to Angel Island has been closed for over a year… How did he get in?" A young soldier, sharper than the rest, spoke in a serious tone.

"Huh? Is that so?" The captain's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Asa. Then, he raised his voice. "Blue Sea dweller! Answer me—who are you? How did you come to Angel Island? And is the murder from a year ago connected to you? Speak quickly!"

A synchronized swish echoed as twenty spears gleamed in the sunlight. The moment Asa admitted involvement, they were ready to capture him.

"I don't have time for this nonsense," Asa said impatiently, waving a hand dismissively. "You lot serve that so-called 'god,' right? Tell Gan Fall to come out and accept his fate."

He didn't even dare to call himself a god. A mere Sky Islander claiming divinity? Ridiculous.

The proud Asa could not tolerate such arrogance.

After consuming the Thunder Fruit, his personality had shifted—becoming more domineering. Lightning symbolized divine judgment, the power to rule over all beings.

Devil Fruits truly had the power to alter one's disposition. Sakazuki, who wielded the Lava Fruit, was ruthless. Kuzan, the Frozen Fruit user, was lethargic and carefree. And Luffy, with his Rubber Fruit, was perpetually carefree and impulsive.

The evidence was undeniable.

"What?!"

Hearing Asa's blasphemous words against the god of Sky Island, the patrol captain's face contorted with fury. "Disrespecting the great god?! This is lawlessness! Seize him at once and bring him before Lord God!"

With a single command, the twenty soldiers moved as one, their spears forming a tight formation as they prepared to strike.

"As if weaklings like you have the right to challenge me?" Asa scoffed, his body crackling with electricity.

"Zzzzzzt!"

"Go to hell—50 million volts, Massive Discharge!"

A blinding surge of blue lightning exploded from his body, engulfing the soldiers in an instant. Within two seconds, the crackling energy dissipated, revealing more than twenty Sky Islanders—charred black and lifeless, their bodies frozen in final moments of agony.

Asa sneered at their corpses, feeling a fleeting sense of satisfaction.

But then—his expression shifted dramatically.

"No… That wasn't right." His brow furrowed deeply. "I let my emotions control me just now. Even if they had provoked me, I should've left at least one alive as a guide. It doesn't make sense for me to kill them all."

A solemn realization dawned on him.

"Is this the Thunder Fruit's influence? They say a devil resides within each Devil Fruit… While granting power, it also robs one of the ability to swim, binding them in eternal fear of the sea. Could it also be affecting my personality?"

"The stronger the fruit, the greater the psychological shift?" Asa's gaze darkened. "Tch. Don't be ridiculous. There's no way I'd allow my emotions to control me—becoming a slave to my own power."

"I wield my power. My power does not wield me."

His will was strong. He had the clarity to recognize the problem and the resolve to correct it.

Emotions were a product of the human mind—something Asa had long since learned to control.

During his time on Jaya Island, he had suppressed his urge to kill Uncle Sam for five long years.

Besides, he saw no flaw in being arrogant. As long as he remained true to himself, he could embrace his pride, his ferocity, his ruthlessness. He had no need to restrain himself.

"Huh? Someone survived?"

Activating his Kenbunshoku Haki, Asa sensed a faint heartbeat nearby. His gaze landed on the patrol captain—still breathing, though paralyzed with shock. His eyes were unfocused, staring blankly in terror.

"You're still alive? Lucky bastard." Asa smirked.

The patrol captain trembled violently. "M-monster… You're a monster…!"

Never before had he seen a human control lightning itself. It was a miracle he hadn't lost control of his bodily functions in sheer terror.

"You can still talk? Good." Asa knelt down, slapping the captain's face lightly. "Since you're alive, lead me to the Island of Gods—Upper Yard. If you do well, I might just let you live."

The captain was too petrified to respond, barely able to stand. Fear had shattered his faith in Sky Island's god. At this moment, only the lightning-clad figure before him seemed truly divine.

"One last time—lead the way, or I'll reduce Angel Island to ashes," Asa warned, his patience thinning. His true goal lay ahead—the throne of Thor, and the chance to sail the world unchallenged.

"Y-yes! I'll lead the way! Just don't destroy Angel Island!" The captain stumbled to his feet, scrambling forward with desperation.

At that moment, he abandoned all thoughts of Gan Fall. A single realization had taken root in his mind.

"This man… he is the true god."

"Good." Asa nodded in satisfaction and followed closely behind.

(End Of Chapter)

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