The purpose of Vice Admiral Ghost Spider's encounter with Asa wasn't simple. In truth, he had come to scout Asa's course.
There were simply too many sea routes departing from the City of Spring's Queen. Vice admirals had guarded those paths for days, but without knowing Asa's exact direction, much time would be wasted in fruitless waiting.
Now that Asa's route was confirmed, the Navy could rapidly organize and deploy its forces for an ambush.
"Stay where you are. The warship will arrive shortly." Kong's voice was low and grim as he hung up the transponder snail.
Ghost Spider was a Vice Admiral of Navy Headquarters, and his combat strength ranked among the top of all vice admirals. He couldn't be abandoned easily. As long as he still drew breath, the World Government would find a way to save him.
After all, there were all kinds of Devil Fruits, and many could save lives—far beyond just the Surgery Fruit or Healing-type Fruits.
Even Paramecia Fruits like the Paw-Paw Fruit, Asa's Thunder Fruit, or Doflamingo's String-String Fruit, though not inherently healing, could be developed to treat injuries or suppress pain. The effect may not match dedicated healing fruits, but their utility was real.
"You've all heard it!" Kong folded his arms and addressed the top brass in the office with a heavy tone. "As long as 'Thunder God' Asa passes through the Devil's Triangle, his next stop will be the Chambord Islands."
In the office sat Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Zephyr, Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Tsuru, the lazy Aokiji, and a reluctant Kizaru, who had been forced to attend.
"Pfft hahahahaha!" Garp snorted and picked his nose, laughing as if this whole situation was nothing serious. If anyone embodied carefree, it was him.
"So, young Asa's heading to the Chambord Islands. What if we fail to intercept him?"
"There will be no failure," Kong said sternly. "This mission must succeed."
The Five Elders had already applied pressure multiple times. If they failed again, Kong's position as Marshal would be in jeopardy.
"I've contacted the World Government. They're sending an Army General for support. With his strength, once Asa walks into the trap, it won't matter how fast he is or how strong his attacks are—he won't escape!"
Kong had full confidence in the Army General's ability. The moment Asa stepped onto the Chambord Archipelago, it would be the end of the line.
Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp would serve as the main offense to suppress Asa. Aokiji would use his ice to stabilize the area and prevent damage to the islands. Tsuru, with her Wash-Wash Fruit, would cleanse Asa of evil intent. The Army General would anchor the ambush, blocking all escape.
The plan was more airtight than the last time—with almost no chance of failure. If Asa escaped this lineup, then the Navy might as well disband.
"If we're so confident about capturing him, why did you even call me here?" Kizaru asked, clearly annoyed. His entire demeanor screamed laziness.
Truthfully, Kizaru didn't even want to face Asa. Asa's abilities made direct confrontation pointless—if you couldn't touch or hit him, why even bother? He was just there to make up the numbers last time.
"You've already developed a mindset of avoidance," Zephyr said, adjusting his sunglasses. "That's exactly why you must face him this time—to overcome your fear."
"You're afraid," Kizaru muttered. He wanted to argue, but stopped short. He didn't care enough to push back. That was just his nature—avoid trouble if you can. Why make things harder than they need to be?
"Yes, yes, Teacher Zephyr," he said halfheartedly, his eyes drifting toward the window.
In the office, the planning continued.
"What about Chef Olson's daughter?"
"I heard from the lower ranks that she was taken aboard Asa's ship by force. If we find her, let Olson try persuading her personally."
The sea breeze blew gently, lifting Asa's long hair and cloak. The ship sailed swiftly. Jessica's soft fragrance was carried on the wind, lingering in Asa's nose.
He took a deep breath and leaned lazily on the ship's railing, head tilted upward, gazing blankly at the sky, lost in thought.
These past few days, as they neared the Chambord Islands, Asa had felt a growing sense of unease. Ever since his clash with Ghost Spider, the feeling had intensified—as if his very soul was warning him not to go.
But Asa had no intention of turning back. The more dangerous it was, the more exhilarating. That was one of his core reasons for going to sea.
Danger made his cells and soul tremble with anticipation—and Asa lived for that thrill.
Perhaps one day, he'd die chasing that thrill… but he'd never regret it.
Jessica, smiling softly, spread her arms and embraced the ocean wind. Asa had told her nothing about his plans, keeping her carefree and content as a beautiful chef.
But just because he didn't say anything, didn't mean Jessica couldn't see through him. She was observant—she had known since the day they set sail.
She had simply waited until now to say something.
"Asa, if you're worried about something… you can talk to us." Her voice was soft but sincere.
"Huh?" Asa rubbed his eyebrows with a smile. "Worried? Not at all. I'm just excited. What's coming next is bound to be thrilling..."
"Ever since I ate the Thunder Fruit, my ability to survive is unmatched—not just in this world, but in any. But recently… I've been feeling a strange fear. And fear always means—something interesting is about to happen!"
"Interesting and thrilling?" Jessica smiled again, pushing her doubts aside. Asa had supported her dreams—she would support his.
"Jessica, on this sea, only a handful of people can threaten my life. Whitebeard, Roger, Golden Lion, Red-Haired Shanks, Garp… not counting the hidden powers of the World Government or the reclusive monsters, the list is short."
"But when it comes to escaping—no one can catch me. Not Whitebeard, not Garp. The only real threat is someone with the ability to interfere with time or space… or a power that can directly restrain speed itself."
That was Asa's confidence.
The Thunder Fruit wasn't unbeatable, but counters to it were rare.
"In the next year or two, the world is going to go crazy. It'll be absolutely magnificent. That's why the New World is my final stage. I won't fall before reaching it—and I refuse to be forgotten."
His eyes gleamed with warmth.
"To sail the seas and challenge the strongest—that's what it means to be a man. If there's no ambition in your heart, no fire in your soul, how can you keep moving forward?"
The new age Roger set in motion would bring countless fools and dreamers—but it would also shine like no other.
By burying the relics of the past, new legends would rise.
"I once lived on Gaya Island, uncertain of the future," Asa continued. "Back then, I questioned the meaning of life, why I even existed… But when I saw the lawless pirates, the raw freedom, the strength… I found my answer."
"If we don't take part in this new era, if we leave behind nothing—no unforgettable mark—then what's the point? We might as well die now..."
Perhaps he was about to face the greatest battle of his life.
But in that moment, Asa laid himself bare—sharing everything with Jessica.
(End Of Chapter)
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