Chapter 94: Intention??

The tall, thin man maintained a calm expression. No matter how noisy the surrounding pirates grew, he never glanced sideways.

Step by step, he walked to Asa's cell. Sed Nass moved ahead and opened the iron door for him.

"Hello, Hippolyte D. Asa... this is our first time meeting. I'm Vegapunk." The scientist stepped inside and introduced himself lightly.

"Oh?"

Asa's interest was instantly piqued. He had long wanted to meet the scientist known for being five hundred years ahead of his time. He never expected their first meeting to happen under such grim circumstances.

He had been preparing the Fortress Fruit for a long time, planning to discover how to feed a Devil Fruit to a dead animal—transforming it into storage equipment.

"I've heard your name," Asa said, "So... you came all the way from the Naval Science Division to Impel Down just to see me? What's your plan?"

He didn't believe his strength alone could interest someone like Vegapunk. People like him were usually obsessed with research, not individuals.

"I came to meet the man who managed to harness electromagnetic force through the Thunder Fruit," Vegapunk replied calmly.

"Now that you've seen me, what's the problem?" Asa, despite lying exhausted on the ground, showed no trace of inferiority.

"The Goro Goro no Mi is one of the most powerful Devil Fruits. I've always theorized it could manipulate electromagnetic force. If I had it... many of my scientific barriers would vanish."

"What a shame... you refused the kindness of the World Government," Vegapunk added, sounding genuinely regretful.

"It is a shame," Asa nodded, a cold smile on his lips. "So, what now? You want me to join and serve the World Government like a dog? Keep dreaming..."

Before Vegapunk could answer, CP0 team leader Sed Nass flew into a rage.

"Hippolyte D. Asa, you're a prisoner now! A criminal in Impel Down! Do you not understand your place?!"

BAM!!

A foot suddenly stomped onto Asa's face, grinding it into the floor.

Surprisingly, it wasn't Sed Nass, nor even Dragon—it was Vegapunk himself.

Even his personal bodyguards were stunned. Vegapunk had always been reserved and indifferent, interested only in his research. This sudden act of violence shocked them.

Asa, drained and unable to resist, could only stare coldly, teeth clenched, as the scientist stepped on his face.

And then... he felt something cold brush against his lips.

A chill instantly calmed the rage burning inside him.

"Captain Sed Nass, there's no need to waste your anger on prisoners like this. Let's go." Vegapunk dusted off his white coat and left the cell first.

"Hmph! When you refused the World Government's invitation, did you think you'd end up like this?" Sed Nass sneered, following after him alongside Monkey D. Dragon.

Deputy Warden Magellan, clutching his stomach, walked ahead without saying a word, clearly in urgent need of the restroom.

"Dr. Vegapunk… did you really just…"

As they climbed the stairs, Sed Nass asked hesitantly. He couldn't understand why Vegapunk had humiliated a prisoner like that—it was completely out of character.

"Nothing much," Vegapunk replied with a light smile. "I just wanted to shut him up. After all, the Devil Fruit I've been waiting for my whole life... was eaten by someone else."

"Oh? I see..." Sed Nass thought for a moment but, unable to find anything strange, buried his doubts.

Dragon, meanwhile, remained silent—his eyes glinting with thought.

"Hahaha, Asa! Got humiliated and didn't even dare to speak! Where's all that pride now?"

"Bet the brat pissed himself in fear! What a coward!"

The somber mood that lingered after the earlier execution had completely evaporated. The pirates, bored and bitter, vented their fear and frustration on Asa through jeers and mockery.

But Asa ignored them.

He lay in the darkness of his cell, eyes tinged with disbelief.

He was certain—he had never interacted with Vegapunk before. Never even met the man. Only heard his name in passing.

And yet…

Asa slowly lifted his hand to his mouth.

He pulled out a small metal saw.

When Vegapunk's foot had ground into his face, Asa nearly lost control of his rage—but then, he felt the cool touch of metal at his lips. It instantly sobered him.

Vegapunk hadn't stomped him out of spite.

He had planted this saw on him—deliberately and discreetly.

Asa immediately understood. He clenched his jaw and bit down to hide it without attracting attention.

"What's his game?"

Asa felt no joy. Only calm, deep thought. Why would Vegapunk risk slipping him a tool like this?

No one gives something for nothing—unless they're planning something big.

What could Vegapunk gain from this? What did he want?

"Could it be… he's not truly aligned with the World Government?"

Asa furrowed his brow, combing through memories of anime lore from his past life.

Vegapunk had once collaborated with Vinsmoke Judge, researching bloodline factors and gigantification.

He had also discovered the "Blueprint of Life", which made the World Government view him as a threat and attempt to arrest him—disbanding his original team.

A man like that—brilliant and free-thinking—how could he be content living under surveillance?

In the future, the Revolutionary Army would even send Bartholomew Kuma to become a Shichibukai, and allow Vegapunk to experiment on him, creating the early Pacifista prototypes.

You expect Asa to believe that happened with no connection?

No way.

Dragon, now a Navy Vice Admiral and Vegapunk's bodyguard—was that really just a coincidence?

Asa speculated that Kuma might be the link between the Revolutionary Army and Vegapunk—the one passing messages.

With Vegapunk constantly monitored, the only safe way to approach him... was through science.

"Dragon hasn't turned against the Navy yet, so if Vegapunk wants freedom, he must make moves elsewhere. Is that why he came to me... to start something?"

Asa clutched the saw tightly in his palm.

It was the only theory that made sense—otherwise, there was no explanation for Vegapunk's visit or his secret help.

"You helped me once... If fate allows, I'll return the favor. One day, I'll help you break free."

Asa whispered silently, slipping the saw back into his mouth.

He lay in silence, waiting for the darkness of night to fall.

Only in the cover of night...

Can sins be hidden.

(End Of Chapter)

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