Chapter 126: Questions

People can respect strength and revere the world around them—but they must never cower in fear. Awe and fear are not the same.

"You're trash…" Asa muttered, standing tall, gazing coldly at Caterina Devon, blood trailing from the corner of her mouth. His eyes brimmed with undisguised contempt.

In his mind, the moment someone fears a stronger opponent, they lose the ability to ever surpass them.

Awe is born from facing something powerful, sacred, or beyond comprehension. It is the reverence one feels before greatness—be it nature, power, or ideals. This emotion is the foundation of growth and ambition.

But fear is fear.

If you can't conquer it, you will spend your life running from the thing you fear most.

Take Shanks and Buggy, for example. Both once challenged Whitebeard and witnessed his overwhelming might. Buggy was so terrified, he couldn't even face Whitebeard again. But Shanks? He eventually drank with Whitebeard as an equal, while his crew stood respectfully aside.

Or Crocodile—after failing to challenge Whitebeard, he didn't try again. Instead, he placed his hopes in uncovering ancient weapons.

With a sneer, Asa turned his gaze to Vice Admiral Kuzan, who was now stepping through the crowd.

"Vice Admiral Kuzan, I'm going to say something you might not like. If you and Saul are the only ones sent to arrest me, don't bother. You'll just be wasting your time."

"A la la... capturing you would cost us too much. The Navy isn't prepared for that," Aokiji replied, adjusting his blindfold with a lazy tone.

"That so? What a disappointment…" Asa sighed. He had hoped for one final, exhilarating battle before setting off for the New World. That would've made the perfect farewell.

His eyes flicked toward the giggling Saul, and he frowned.

"If there's nothing else, don't block my view. Your size is an eyesore."

"Don't get cocky, Asa! If you won't deal with her, the Navy will take Caterina Devon to Impel Down ourselves!" Aokiji said plainly.

"Tch…" Asa chuckled. "I forgot—the Navy does love letting pirates do their dirty work. In that case... do as you please."

Ignoring everyone, Asa opened the Fortified Bracelet in full view of the street and began moving his supplies into it.

"Huh? What's this?" Aokiji's narrowed eyes locked onto the sudden appearance of the spatial gate.

"Didn't he eat the Thunder Fruit? How can he use a superhuman ability like this?" he muttered, baffled.

Only the highest levels of the World Government knew that Vegapunk had cracked the secret to transferring Devil Fruit abilities to objects. Even the Navy hadn't been informed yet.

The truth was, the World Government didn't want Devil Fruit-powered weapons mass-produced. To them, the power of a Devil Fruit was more valuable in human hands—especially with the loyalty they could foster. Weapons, without consciousness, were not trustworthy.

Aokiji and Saul exchanged glances, both sensing the gravity of what they had just witnessed. They would need to report this immediately to Fleet Admiral Kong.

…

In front of the restaurant, Asa finished moving all the supplies into the Fortified Bracelet. He clapped his hands and looked satisfied.

The idea of fusing the Castle-Castle Fruit into a storage bracelet was genius. Whether it was used or unused supplies—everything could be stored. On the vast, unpredictable sea, there was no better survival tool.

"Aokiji? You're still here? Don't think I won't kill you," Asa said coldly, side-eyeing the admiral.

By now, Aokiji, Saul, and the marines had already apprehended Caterina Devon and her crew.

Seeing this, Asa grew bored.

"Before I go, I just have one question. Will you answer it?"

Aokiji was as lazy and unmotivated as ever, but he wasn't stupid. He had analyzed Asa's personality—proud, arrogant, and blunt. A man like Asa didn't hide his plans or secrets. Even if you knew them, he still believed you couldn't stop him.

"A question? Hahahaha… Even if I knew the answer, why should I tell you?" Asa scoffed, chin held high.

Aokiji hadn't yet become the Navy Headquarters' top combat force. In Asa's eyes, he wasn't worthy of being treated as an equal.

"A la la, don't say that!" Aokiji said casually, unaffected by Asa's arrogance. "That space gate you created—it's a Paramecia power, right? Are you really a Thunder Fruit user?"

Asa narrowed his eyes, analyzing the lazy admiral before him. "Before I answer that... you answer me something first."

"Hah… You really like making deals, huh, Asa?"

"If one day, the Navy's sense of justice starts to confuse you… what will you do?" Asa asked calmly, his gaze piercing as if trying to look into Aokiji's soul.

"Hmm…" Aokiji scratched his head awkwardly. "That'd be tough. If the Navy's justice ever becomes something I can't agree with… I guess I'll find my own version of justice. Just like Vice Admiral Garp did."

"I see." Asa nodded. He already knew that Garp was Aokiji's role model and had greatly influenced his beliefs.

"Alright. Ask your question. I'm heading to the New World soon."

"How are you able to use that Paramecia ability?" Aokiji asked without hesitation.

"Hahahahaha!! That's such a boring question." Asa laughed heartily. "The World Government has the technology to transfer Devil Fruit abilities into objects. You think I wouldn't have it too?"

He grinned, then turned his back and walked away, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

He had just dropped a bombshell—one that would shake the foundations of the World Government.

…

"Transferring Devil Fruit powers into objects?" Aokiji and Saul locked eyes, both feeling the weight of what they had learned.

If the World Government truly had this kind of technology… why didn't even Vice Admirals know about it?

And if Asa had access to it, could that mean he had inside help?

The more they considered it, the more alarming the implications became.

(End Of Chapter)

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