"Yes, according to my calculations, that kind of isolation stance can even negate the effects of seawater and Seastone! It could potentially function even in a vacuum!"
Vegapunk remained composed and articulate, calmly discussing the matter while subtly shirking responsibility.
"So... Asa's escape had nothing to do with me—it was entirely due to his own abilities."
"This Devil Fruit is truly one of the strongest—it's powerful enough to inspire envy."
Behind him, his bodyguard Syd Nass hesitated as if he wanted to speak. But after some thought, he chose to stay silent, ultimately hiding Vegapunk's outrageous behavior in Eternal Hell.
"So you're saying he overcame the natural weakness to the sea inherent in all Devil Fruit users and escaped from prison right after seeing you, just to frame you?"
The elder with white curly hair, a fluffy beard, black suit, flat hat, and a scar on the left side of his face narrowed his eyes as he leaned on his cane.
"Otherwise, how could a scientist like me help a prisoner escape while being watched by two bodyguards?" Vegapunk replied.
The Five Elders fell silent. For now, the prison break crisis had passed without escalating into a larger disaster.
...
Asa wasn't flying at top speed. To conserve energy, he moved slowly across the sky.
A news bird wearing a little cap and carrying a satchel lazily flapped through the air.
"Stop!!"
Asa's voice startled the relaxed news bird. It flailed its wings in panic, shed feathers mid-air, and stopped abruptly, looking pitiful.
"You were recording the jailbreak with a Den Den Mushi, weren't you?" Asa asked with a calm smile.
These news birds raised by Big News Morgans were scattered across the world. Whether big or small, almost no event escaped their notice. In terms of intelligence-gathering, even the World Government struggled to compete.
That's why Morgans worked with both sides. He made deals with pirates and accepted bribes from the World Government, occasionally helping suppress news when asked.
This careful balancing act allowed Morgans to thrive in the New World.
"Give Morgans a message for me! Spread the news of my successful escape. With his intelligence network, he should know who I am and what I'm capable of! If not… I'll personally head to the New World and pluck every single one of his feathers!"
Asa's tone turned icy, clearly a threat.
This wasn't about gaining attention. He wanted Jessica to see the news and be reassured.
No matter how powerful Morgans was, no matter how many capable agents he employed—if Asa wanted to ambush him, Morgans wouldn't be able to prevent it.
You can guard against a thief for a day, maybe even a hundred. But you can't do it forever. Morgans had no choice but to comply.
"Quack quack quack!!"
The bird nodded frantically, flapping its wings in acknowledgment.
"Scram!"
Asa waved his hand.
The news bird flew off like it had just been pardoned from a death sentence. Its flight speed tripled—it only regretted not training harder.
...
Flying slowly through the Calm Belt, Asa soon spotted an island covered in thick vegetation and teeming with wild beasts—but with no signs of human habitation.
He descended, planning to rest for a couple of days to flush the lingering toxins from his body and recover fully before setting his sights on his next mission: infiltrating the Naval Science Division.
Whether Jessica had managed to protect the Fortress Fruit was uncertain, but that didn't matter. He could meet with Vegapunk and obtain the tech directly.
Asa had long coveted the technology that allowed objects to consume Devil Fruits. The last time he'd seen Vegapunk in Eternal Hell, there hadn't been an opportunity to ask—he'd been too well-guarded by the World Government.
That was why Asa now planned to infiltrate the Science Division and steal it for himself.
But a place like that would be crawling with danger. He had to be in top form before making a move.
...
Night fell.
On the quiet island in the Calm Belt, Asa hunted down a few beasts, built a bonfire, and started cooking.
At the same time, the news bird—now under pressure—used some special means to contact Big News Morgans from across the Red Line in the New World.
Morgans, a savvy operator who had carved out a place of respect in both the criminal underworld and the political elite, immediately grasped the potential danger Asa posed.
Without hesitation, a news bulletin was released across the seas:
"Chaos Erupts in the Deep-Sea Prison: Pelton's Riot Leads to One Lucky Escape—'Thunder God' Asa!"
Morgans' brilliance lay in the way he worded it. He didn't blame the uprising on Asa, sparing the World Government and the Navy some face. Instead, he credited Asa's escape to luck.
He managed not to offend either side—truly sitting atop the world like a fisherman at peace.
...
Sabaody Archipelago – Jessica's Dream Cabin Restaurant
Tears welled up in Jessica's eyes as she read the article.
She had been preparing to leave, about to eat the Door-Door Fruit and go rescue Asa. Now, finally, some good news.
"Asa escaped… I couldn't help him last time when he was surrounded. If he faces stronger enemies in the future, I can't stay weak!"
Determination flashed across her delicate face.
After some hesitation, she made a huge decision: she would leave Asa temporarily and return to Navy Headquarters to ask her father to plead on her behalf.
She would enlist as a recruit under Zephyr, train hard, and grow stronger.
She stored the two Devil Fruits and a letter in a secure warehouse operated by the long-standing Gibson family—renowned masters in the storage trade on the Sabaody Archipelago.
Then, she entrusted the key to the warehouse to a loyal attendant at Jessica's Dream Cabin.
...
Back on the island, Asa—having eaten and drunk his fill—felt his stamina recovering. The toxins in his body were slowly being expelled through his pores.
Thanks to his incredible regeneration, he would be back to full strength in no time.
After bathing, he climbed a large tree near the shore, settled into a thick branch, and closed his eyes to rest.
Time ticked on. The moon hung high, casting its silvery light across the sea.
"Clatter... crash... crash!!"
Waves began pounding the beach. The ocean stirred violently. In the distance, a massive whirlpool was forming.
Asa jolted awake.
This is the Calm Belt. How are waves this large rolling in with no wind?
Then the realization struck him—
"Sea King... A super-giant Sea King!!"
And just as the thought entered his mind—
"CRASH!!"
Under the moonlight, deep beneath the surface, an enormous shadow loomed—so massive its edges were impossible to see.
This fish-like Sea King was several times larger than the island beneath Asa's feet.
And at the head of this monstrous creature… was a lantern brighter than the moon, glowing with dazzling golden light.
"That's... a gigantic lantern fish... and that golden light...!"
Asa's gaze locked on the shining beacon atop the Sea King's head.
(End Of Chapter)
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