Chapter 116: Whimsical!

"Hahahaha!"

Asa laughed loudly. Vegapunk would never guess how he obtained this information.

"Judging from your reaction... it seems you've already developed this technology."

"The method to imbue objects with Zoan-type Devil Fruits was cracked long ago," Vegapunk said as he walked over to a workbench. "You show up not long after I cracked the method for Paramecia-type fruits."

He pulled out a thick stack of documents, selected one, and handed it to Asa.

"Memorize this—then burn it. I reported to the World Government that the success rate for embedding Paramecia-type fruits into weapons was only one percent. In reality... if the material can handle it, the success rate is 100%."

Vegapunk had always kept a layer of deception in his research reports to the World Government.

Asa took the paper and scanned it quickly. His memory was excellent—it took only moments to absorb the contents.

Imbuing Devil Fruit powers into objects was actually simple. It required "pressure." When the "Devil" in the fruit has nowhere to escape, it will automatically bind itself to the nearest thing—not just another fruit, but even inanimate matter.

The more Asa read, the more horrified he became. This technology... was sheer madness.

He had once thought Blackbeard's method of stealing Devil Fruits relied solely on the terrifying gravity of the Dark-Dark Fruit. That fruit was the nemesis of all Devil Fruit users—it could pull them in from a distance. Since it could attract the users, Asa had assumed it could also attract the "devils" within the fruits.

But Vegapunk had developed an entirely different approach. Rather than relying on gravity, it used external "pressure" to force the "demon" to flee into an object.

To generate that pressure, one needed materials containing Pyrobloin particles—combined with the radiation of the sea, it would trap the "devil" inside.

What a genius. Vegapunk's understanding of Devil Fruits surpassed anyone else's by a staggering margin.

"This…"

Asa stared at the data, feeling like he was standing atop a mountain, peering down at an incomprehensible genius.

It was terrifying to consider. Vegapunk's scientific prowess was so immense, it made comparisons seem pointless.

M. Caesar Courant, a scientist still working at the Naval Science Division, dreamed of surpassing Vegapunk someday. That could only be described as delusional.

"One last question," Asa said suddenly. "Have you obtained research data from ancient civilizations?"

No one could excel in so many fields—Devil Fruits, bioengineering, mechanical weapons—without some external help. It was hard not to be suspicious.

If you're one step ahead, you're a genius. Ten steps, you're a madman. But five hundred years ahead?

That's no longer a person—it's a god.

Vegapunk gave a knowing smile but didn't answer directly. "It's time for you to go. If you linger too long… it'll raise suspicion."

"Fair enough," Asa nodded.

Since Vegapunk wasn't offering more, Asa let it drop. His goal had been accomplished. It was time to return to the Chambord Islands and reunite with Jessica.

Moreover, the item he had dreamed of—a storage device made from Pure Gold and Fortified Fortress Fruit—was nearly complete. Just thinking about it made him excited.

"We'll meet again! When I'm strong enough to break into Marineford, or… when chaos erupts there, that's when I'll return to rescue you," Asa said, turning to leave.

If everything went according to plan, he would be able to rescue Vegapunk in just over two years—possibly even sooner.

Because in the year 1498 of the Sea Calendar, Roger would surrender to the World Government. And if history played out as expected, Golden Lion would make a scene at Marineford for the sake of his old comrade.

That chaos would provide the perfect cover. Asa could "escort" the Golden Lion to the next world—and rescue Vegapunk in the process.

...

Putting his mask back on and straightening the white robe, Asa swaggered out of the Scientific Research Division. Nearly everyone he passed saluted him.

Once outside and alone, he transformed into lightning and shot into the blue sky.

The operation had gone off without a hitch. Asa had expected at least a few fights, but everything had gone so smoothly—it felt like he'd simply picked up a dropped item.

Flying through the sky toward the Chambord Islands, Asa's mood soared. His speed increased without him realizing it.

"I'll be in the New World soon. I can't keep dressing like this," Asa muttered. He removed his CP0 mask and tossed it away.

He was still wearing the black-and-white striped prison uniform from Impel Down beneath the CP0 robe. The outfit was ridiculous. He missed the clean look of his white shirt and blue cloak.

"Let's grab some money, head to the Chambord Islands, and get a proper outfit," he decided, accelerating again.

Suddenly, as he flew forward, he spotted a pirate ship heading in the same direction. Its figurehead was a massive carved cat.

"This… is just bad luck for you."

Asa burst out laughing. He had robbed plenty of ships on his way from the West Blue to the Chambord Islands. Looked like he was about to resume his old job.

Whoosh!

A brilliant light radiated from his body as he plunged down like a falling meteor.

"What the hell?!"

"Something's falling!!"

Everyone on the pirate ship widened their eyes.

Meteors weren't unusual, but the minerals in certain meteorites were incredibly valuable. The pirates' eyes sparkled with greed.

"Helmsman, turn the rudder—don't let it hit us, meow!" the captain shouted. His final "meow" made the command sound absurdly comical.

He had a crescent-shaped beard, two large horns, a mane-like mass of wild hair, slit-pupil cat eyes, and two missing teeth.

"The King of Evil"—Abarro Pizarro!

The experienced helmsman immediately turned the ship away from the meteor's path.

But the "meteor" suddenly veered mid-air—chasing them down.

"Everyone, relax! I only want to borrow your ship and your treasure. Once we reach the Chambord Islands, I'll be on my way. No need to hide," Asa said as the lightning faded and he landed lightly on the deck.

(End Of Chapter)

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