Chapter 93: Dr. Vegapunk

For two months, Asa never stopped training under the suppression of Sea-Prism Stone.

From being completely immobile at first, to barely managing a few push-ups, he had now progressed to doing over twenty.

However, the powers of the Thunder Fruit still couldn't be activated. It appeared impossible to use Devil Fruit abilities under the suppression of Sea-Prism Stone.

Bundy Walder remained frozen in the ice, unresponsive no matter how many times Asa called out to him.

"Asa, stop dreaming. You might gain some short-term mobility under Sea-Prism Stone, but using a Devil Fruit is impossible!" a bald old pirate said lazily.

After two months, everyone in Infinite Hell had come to know Asa by name. He often asked them about various applications of Haki, and in exchange, shared stories about the outside world.

For this, he was frequently ridiculed. "You're already trapped in Infinite Hell and still asking about things like Haki? What's the point?"

The bald man himself was also a Devil Fruit user. Like Asa, he had once dreamed of overcoming the suppression and regaining his powers. But after decades of effort, all he managed was some basic mobility. Recovering his fruit abilities? Pure fantasy.

"You'll never know unless you try," Asa replied firmly. His stubbornness was part of who he was. Just because they couldn't do it didn't mean he couldn't.

"Hahaha! I've been trying for decades. If it were possible, I'd have escaped from this place long ago!" the bald old man laughed. Watching Asa's constant failures had become his only source of entertainment.

**"Ignore him. Let the kid daydream."

"Hahahaha! This naïve brat actually thinks a Devil Fruit user can beat Sea-Prism Stone!"

"It's the essence of the sea. Even the strongest Fruit users can barely function in water. Just being able to move under Sea-Prism Stone is a miracle already!"

"Only after smashing your head open will you learn to back down!"**

The daily barrage of ridicule resumed. These pirates, long resigned to their fates, had little to do other than mock others in the same pit.

Asa simply chuckled. After two months, he knew their personalities well enough to take their insults in stride.

Their point wasn't wrong—some lessons only come through pain. But what if... just what if he was the one to break the limits?

Unless he died, Asa wouldn't stop trying.

What was more terrifying than death?

People often say things like "a fate worse than death," but those people had never truly stood face to face with it.

Through all of history, there was only one true end: death.

"Hah…" Letting out a long breath, Asa collapsed to the ground, anxiety creeping into his heart.

More than two months had passed. There was still no sign of breaking through the Sea-Prism Stone's suppression. Of course he was worried.

He finally understood why the Golden Lion had been forced to break his own legs to escape from Impel Down.

**"Hahaha, he's finally out of steam!"

"Give it up, Asa! Even a mighty man like me is helpless under Sea-Prism Stone!"

"Oh yeah? If you're so mighty, how did you get captured?" Asa grinned and fired back.

The bald old man's expression soured instantly, and he cursed.

"I had a one-on-one fight arranged with my lifelong rival in the New World. After days of fighting, the Navy ambushed us and took advantage of our exhaustion. Always relying on cheap sneak attacks…"

Another pirate chimed in.

"I heard about a Supreme Grade sword on Askar Island—said to be the most beautiful of the Twelve Supreme Blades, the Seven-Star Sword. But it turned out to be cursed. The moment I grabbed it, I blacked out. Next thing I knew, I woke up here… in this hellhole."

His laughter was filled with bitterness. If he'd been captured in battle, that was one thing. But to be thrown into Impel Down without knowing what hit him?

"The Seven-Star Sword from Askar Island… One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades? A magic sword?" Asa's interest was piqued.

If he ever escaped Impel Down, he had to see this legendary blade for himself.

He wasn't sure if Yoru, the black blade, had already been obtained by Hawkeye, and although the First Generation Kitetsu was confirmed to exist, whether it was the one wielded by the Five Elders remained a mystery.

Very few Supreme Grade swords had surfaced, and now there was news of another—the Seven-Star Sword.

Even if Asa didn't use swords, it would be an extraordinary item for his collection.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap!

Footsteps echoed down the staircase.

Asa's ears perked up instantly. Four people. Heavy steps.

"Food delivery? Wrong time. And none of them are carrying food trays. New prisoners?"

The pirates burst into laughter, the sounds of their chains clanking in the background.

Bang!!

A gunshot rang out. The laughing pirate was shot dead on the spot, his head exploding like a crushed watermelon.

Infinite Hell fell silent.

Moments passed.

**"Trying to intimidate us with a white coat? You think you can kill me too?"

"You World Government lackeys—this isn't a place where you can throw your weight around!"

BOOM!

A wave of Conqueror's Haki exploded from a nearby cell, shaking the entire floor. The immense pressure nearly staggered the four intruders.

"Silence!!"

A tall figure shouted, dressed in a black suit, with horn-like weapons on his head and decorative devil wings on his back. Purple venom dripped from his mouth as his eyes blazed with fury.

This was Deputy Warden Magellan.

"Leave it, Deputy Director Magellan," said a calm, intelligent voice.

Asa turned toward the speaker.

A tall, lean man in a pristine lab coat stood at the front. His eyes sparkled with intellect, and his composed demeanor exuded authority. It felt like nothing in the world could rattle him.

Behind him stood two familiar figures.

One was Sed Nass, the CP0 squad leader Asa had encountered in the City of Wine—personal bodyguard of Dr. Vegapunk.

The other... was none other than Monkey D. Dragon—the son of Vice Admiral Garp, the future leader of the Revolutionary Army, and father of Luffy.

Back then, Dragon had yet to bear the tattoos he would wear in the future. Nor did he show any signs of rebelling against the World Government or Navy.

So, the tall man in the lab coat...

"Hello, Hippolyte D. Asa. My name is Vegapunk..."

(End Of Chapter)

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