Chapter 33: Devil Fruit Illustration!

A barrage of bullets formed a storm of metal, spraying wildly toward Asa.

"No! You're actually using metal bullets against me?" Asa shook his head, not even bothering to raise his hands.

Theoretically, no metal bullet should be capable of harming him—let alone reaching him—unless someone like Garp used overwhelming brute force to break through his protection.

"Electromagnetism—Stance!"

An invisible electromagnetic field wrapped around Asa's body, forming an impenetrable shield.

The bullets froze mid-air, unable to move within two meters of him. They seemed suspended in time, trapped in an invisible force.

From a distance, it looked as if a massive metal sphere had formed around him, encapsulating the entire area.

"Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!"

The sound of empty shells clinking against the ground filled the air like a crisp, rhythmic melody.

Not only was Gordy stunned, but so were Vallon, his subordinates, and every pirate, bounty hunter, and onlooker who had yet to flee the bar.

"What kind of ability is this?" Gordy asked, his face twisted in terror.

Though he had some knowledge of Devil Fruits, this was the West Blue—Devil Fruit users were rare. And those who did appear were almost always top-tier, lawless warriors.

"Hiss…" Aurora took a sharp breath, her heart burning with excitement.

"So powerful… If he's willing to help me, then my revenge—!"

"The strongest Logia… the Thunder Fruit." Asa's calm, steady voice echoed from behind the floating bullets. He had no intention of hiding his ability—sooner or later, it would be revealed anyway.

Act cautiously? Lay low? Bide his time in secrecy?

Sorry, that was never his style.

If he had power, why should he hold back?

"Is this all you've got? If this is the extent of your strength, then I'm afraid it's time for you to die."

He returned Gordy's words right back at him, his voice cutting through the eerie silence of the bar.

Gordy's face paled. Without hesitation, he leaped off the high platform and dashed toward the exit. If he couldn't handle this himself, he'd have to call for Boss Bege.

"Boom!"

The suspended bullets, as if suddenly struck by an immense force, shot back toward Gordy like a swarm of serpents.

Blood splattered.

His body was torn apart by his own bullets—shredded beyond recognition.

With a sickening thud, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

In mere moments, Asa had eliminated one of Capone Bege's top men. The bar fell into complete silence. You could hear a pin drop.

It took a long time before hushed whispers finally broke the tension.

"Unbelievable… someone this young with strength like that?"

"A Logia user… and of all things, the Thunder Fruit?"

The pirates and bounty hunters buried their envy and resentment deep inside. Some cursed Asa's incredible luck, unaware of the life-threatening gamble he had taken to obtain this ability.

But regardless of their jealousy, one thing was certain—

This young man was destined to shake the West Blue.

A rising star had just emerged.

"I helped you kill someone. Now, it's time for you to show some sincerity and hand over the Fortress Fruit." Asa smirked, cutting through Aurora's stunned silence.

Aurora hesitated only for a moment before nodding. She took a deep breath, then turned and walked toward the exit.

The remaining gangsters, including Vallon, were paralyzed with fear. As soon as they saw Asa and Aurora approaching, they scrambled to clear a path.

Rumors Spread Like Wildfire

News of a Thunder Fruit user appearing on Elbaf Island spread rapidly throughout the West Blue.

Speculation ran wild.

Some claimed he had simply stumbled upon the fruit by sheer luck.

Others believed he was a powerful figure returning from the Grand Line.

The most exaggerated rumors even suggested that Asa was a monster rivaling the Navy's top brass and the strongest figures of the New World.

Asa, however, couldn't care less about these trivial matters.

His current focus was on the Fortress Fruit—whether it was real or just a bluff.

Based on his analysis, Aurora's claim seemed credible.

At this point, Capone Bege had yet to eat the fruit. Everyone believed Aurora had it.

And if they were so certain, it meant they had seen it with their own eyes.

The likelihood of it being fake was slim.

Aurora walked quickly, and Asa followed close behind.

The two traveled along the coastline for nearly ten miles, moving in complete silence.

Finally, she stopped near a rocky outcrop by the sea. After pacing around it twice, she found a specific spot and pressed against the stone.

"Boom!"

The ground trembled as a concealed entrance slowly revealed itself—a dark, cavernous passage leading underground.

"A secret chamber in a place like this? Clever." Asa remarked casually.

"Wait here," Aurora ordered, stepping into the cave without waiting for his reply.

A few moments later, she emerged.

In her right hand, she held a gray, durian-shaped fruit with linear markings resembling castle walls.

In her left hand, she carried a thick, old book.

"This is the Fortress Fruit. I'm certain of it." Aurora's voice was steady, her expression unwavering.

Asa's eyes locked onto the fruit in her hands, unable to hide his desire.

Only weaklings conceal their ambitions. Asa had no such reservations.

He wanted this fruit, and he made no effort to hide it.

Aurora, unfazed by his intensity, handed over the book and flipped to a specific page.

There, on the worn parchment, was a detailed illustration of the Fortress Fruit—identical to the one she held.

Below the image, neatly inscribed text read:

"Fortress Fruit Ability: The user can store anything within their body—including themselves—like a castle. Any object that enters the user's body will shrink in size and return to its original form once removed."

"During combat, the user can unleash stored weapons, fire cannonballs from within, or summon an entire pirate crew at full size. This allows for an overwhelming barrage of firepower or the ability to deploy an army in an instant."

The description was precise, even outlining the general development potential of the fruit.

"This is a Devil Fruit Illustrated Book." Aurora explained, her tone cold. "It was left behind by a Celestial Dragon who once passed through my father's territory. That's how I know for certain—this is the real Fortress Fruit. Now, are you satisfied?"

Asa's eyes lit up.

Without hesitation, he snatched the book, gripping it like a priceless treasure.

The Devil Fruit Illustrated Book.

To Asa, it was one of the most valuable texts in existence.

Its worth surpassed ancient history, Pluton's blueprints, even Ark Maxim's schematics.

Why?

Because it documented every Devil Fruit discovered so far,

offered insight into their abilities,

and provided guidance on their potential development.

A generational treasure, filled with knowledge passed down by those who came before.

Even if not every theory in the book was correct,

It was still a beacon of wisdom in a world where others fumbled in the dark.

And now, it was his.

(End Of Chapter)

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