Chapter 47: Clues to the Door-Door Fruit 

A pirate ship drifted aimlessly across the sea, while Asa, bored out of his mind, continued exercising his body. At the same time, he spread his Haki, scanning the waters for any ships he might encounter.

The lack of a proper helmsman was becoming a real irritation. The Thor, still under construction on the Sky Island, had yet to be completed. Once it was finished, there would be no need for a helmsman at all.

"You made me wait for hours, but finally, you're here." Asa wiped his body dry, threw on his cloak, and turned his gaze toward the approaching vessel.

"Captain, there's a ship ahead!"

Under the bright sun, a little-known pirate crew sailed across the ocean, on the prowl for potential targets. The navigator, perched atop the observation tower, peered through a telescope and spotted a ship heading their way.

Since Asa had found the Disco Barum Pirates' flag too hideous, he had replaced it after his battle with Kizaru, though he hadn't yet placed his own mark. As a result, anyone who saw the ship would have no idea whose it was.

A ship means loot, and loot means survival. Where else do you think pirates get their money from?

"Captain, there's an unmarked ship straight ahead. It could be a black-market smuggler's vessel. Should we move in closer?" The navigator called down from the observation deck after taking a closer look.

"A ship, you say?"

A rowdy banquet was in full swing on the deck. The pirates, already deep in their cups, lit up with excitement at the news. They slammed their drinks down and leaped to their feet.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Their bearded captain yanked the sword from his belt and waved it high. "Men, set sail! Let's grab treasure and women!"

With that order, the helmsman swiftly altered their course, steering straight toward Asa's ship.

"OH!!"

The pirates cheered in unison.

"So, they've finally spotted me? Took them long enough." Asa lounged lazily on the deck, letting the wind wash over him while keeping a close eye on their movements with his Haki.

A few minutes later, the pirate ship pulled alongside his, and the crew swarmed onto the deck as if they'd already won the battle.

"You really made me wait, you stupid thieves." Asa slowly stood up.

"Captain, there's someone here!" One of the pirates spotted Asa and shouted for their leader.

"Huh?"

The bearded captain wasn't just some random nobody. Hearing his crew's call, he immediately leaped from his own ship onto Asa's deck.

At first glance, he saw a young man eyeing them impatiently, his expression practically screaming, I've been waiting for you all this time.

"Kid, are you the only one on this ship?" the bearded captain asked. In his mind, this must have been a merchant vessel that had already been raided, and Asa was just some lucky survivor.

Though Asa's name was feared across the West Blue—renowned as the Controller of Thunder and Lightning, strong enough to level cities and raze nations—very few had actually seen his face.

Aside from Aurora's group and the World Government, only the highest-ranking figures in the West Blue had access to his wanted poster.

"Well, let me ask you something. Does your crew have a navigator?" Asa asked calmly.

"Hah?"

The bearded captain was taken aback. This isn't right… shouldn't he be begging for his life and offering his treasure instead?

"If you have a navigator, you get to live. If not, I'm afraid I'll have to feed you to the fish."

Asa's voice remained casual, but electricity crackled in his hand. A shimmering spear of lightning slowly took shape, sizzling ominously.

"You... are you the Controller of Thunder and Lightning, Hippoly D. Asa? The man who destroyed an entire island?"

The bearded captain's face drained of color as he watched the lightning dance in Asa's palm. The realization struck him like a hammer—he was standing before the most untouchable existence in the West Blue.

"Y-Yes! My crew has a navigator!" He nodded furiously, terrified that he'd be skewered if he hesitated for even a moment.

Asa was currently ranked as the single most dangerous man in the West Blue, surpassing even the mighty Kingdom of Flowers in power and reputation.

"Good. I like people who know their place," Asa said, satisfied. "Hand over the navigator, and you can leave."

"Y-Yes! Right away!"

The bearded captain bolted back to his ship faster than he ever had in his life, practically dragging the bewildered navigator down from the observation deck.

The rest of the pirate crew stood frozen in shock, unable to believe their captain had surrendered so easily.

Meanwhile, Asa yawned, gestured for the navigator to take the wheel, and sprawled out on a deck chair to sleep.

"Lord Asa..."

The bearded captain still hadn't left. He hesitated before shooing his crew back onto the ship, as if making a life-altering decision.

"Huh? You're still here? Don't tell me you actually want a swim." Asa cracked open one eye and gave him an impatient glance.

"Lord Asa, I have a request! Please, I need your help!"

Steeling himself, the bearded man dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead against the deck.

"I... I have some information. I heard that Lord Asa destroyed the underworld gang in exchange for a Devil Fruit. I—I have a lead on a Devil Fruit!"

"Oh?"

Asa's interest was piqued. He sat up slightly. "A Devil Fruit? What does it look like?"

"I saw it clearly! It's green, with a polyhedral shape!" The bearded captain spoke quickly, hoping to prove his usefulness before Asa lost patience.

"A green, polyhedral fruit?"

Asa's pupils contracted. In an instant, he sprang up from his recliner.

"Are you certain? If you're lying to me... you do understand what that means, don't you?"

He had studied the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, which was still tucked safely in his belongings, right next to the Fortress Fruit. With his memory, recalling thousands of fruit designs was an easy task.

Among the Paramecia-type fruits, there were several Asa greatly coveted. The Ope Ope no Mi, the Lucky-Lucky Fruit, and, most importantly, the Door-Door Fruit.

Strictly speaking, this green, eight-sided fruit symbolized movement in all directions—it was the very space-warping power Asa desired most. The Door-Door Fruit.

With this ability, one could open doors on any surface, even in thin air, leading into a mysterious green dimension. Entering and exiting was akin to teleportation.

This fruit originally belonged to Blueno, a member of CP9, the World Government's intelligence agency. But right now, Blueno was only four or five years old—far from joining CP9.

Asa had no idea if the fruit was in the hands of the World Government or if Blueno would find it himself in the future. But now... it was within his reach?

"Well, well... Very good. Whether your intel is true or not, you've already done enough."

Asa grinned, barely able to contain his excitement.

"I wouldn't dare lie to Lord Asa!" The bearded man took a deep breath, his expression filled with hatred. "I was once the heir to the Kingdom of Veras in the West Blue—Pros. That fruit is locked away in the royal treasury!"

(End Of Chapter)

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