Chapter 124 - Chapter 124: Aftermath

Dressrosa, the former seat of the Donquixote family, was now under new governance.

"Ah la la, it seems that King Riku has indeed appeared and made a wise choice. Dressrosa is now a franchise country of our Entei Pirates Grand Fleet, just as the captain predicted," Kuzan remarked, retracting his Observation Haki with a satisfied smile.

Though he and Fujitora lacked the enhanced perception granted by the Thunder Fruit ability, they could still sense the collective emotional shifts of the Dressrosa citizens from afar.

"I have always admired Mr. Ace's wisdom and ideas," Fujitora added, his own Observation Haki confirming the emotional waves rippling through the populace.

Upon their arrival in Dressrosa, the contrast between the surface joy and the underlying despair struck Kuzan deeply. The country, presented as a joyful, toy-filled paradise, hid a dark underbelly of suffering and oppression under Doflamingo's rule. Fujitora's more refined Haki had briefly glimpsed this future hell even before they stepped foot in the kingdom.

Now, the emotional landscape of Dressrosa had shifted. Despite the worries and uncertainties of becoming part of the Entei Pirates' territory, a more powerful sentiment prevailed: relief and joy at escaping their hellish past and reuniting with loved ones. Fujitora felt confident that, given time, Ace's leadership would dispel any remaining anxieties.

Mr. Ace's approach to governance had impressed Fujitora since their time on the uninhabited island near Amazon Lily. His philosophy stood in stark contrast to the so-called absolute justice of the World Government. Ace embodied a form of absolute righteousness that inspired loyalty and devotion. For Fujitora, the decision to support Ace was not just about justice; it was about ensuring a brighter future.

Kuzan and Fujitora, having embraced Ace's vision, found themselves aligned with his goals without any inner conflict. In a world shaped by eight centuries of World Government rule, where Celestial Dragons were supreme and the royalty of member countries held absolute power, Ace's vision was revolutionary. His belief in loving and uplifting the people set him apart as a saint-like figure in their eyes.

Even for seasoned warriors like Kuzan and Fujitora, who had been molded by the values of an unjust world, Ace's vision offered a new path. They were determined to help Ace achieve his destiny of becoming the king of the world, not for power's sake, but to bring true justice and prosperity to all.

This was their shared vision: to see Ace ascend as the ruler who would change the world, leading it with a heart that cared deeply for its people. The future they envisioned was one where Ace's supreme personal status was not an end but a means to uplift humanity, making their allegiance to him both a mission and a promise.

Thus, Dressrosa's transition marked the beginning of a new era under the Entei Pirates' banner, symbolizing hope and a steadfast resolve to reshape the world alongside their captain, Portgas D. Ace.

"The country that joins the Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet, King Riku..." Kuzan's words echoed through the air.

Violet, known as Viola among the Donquixote family, felt her heart skip a beat. Her father, King Riku, had actually reappeared. The shock of hearing Kuzan and Fujitora's statements made her pupils dilate in disbelief. These were not just any men; they were titans of the sea, and the even greater man behind them, Entei! Portgas D. Ace, seemed to have foreseen everything. It was as if he had orchestrated the events in Dressrosa from afar.

The notion that Ace anticipated her father's return, knew every detail of Dressrosa's plight, and predicted every move sent shivers down her spine. It was no wonder that during the Entei Incident, even the Marine Marshal, the famously resourceful Buddha Sengoku, was outwitted by Ace. His wisdom and strategic foresight seemed almost divine.

Sweat formed on Violet's forehead as she bit her red lips. Her mind raced with unease. Ace must have known her true identity as Princess of Dressrosa. That would explain why Kuzan and Fujitora had methodically eliminated all other Donquixote family members, leaving her untouched. Her identity was no secret to the Flame Emperor.

Gazing at Kuzan and Fujitora, Violet felt a surge of anxiety. The urge to use her Glare-Glare Fruit powers to peer into their thoughts was strong, but she knew better. The prerequisite for her Devil Fruit abilities to work was that her opponent's Haki had to be weaker than hers. Against these titans, even Doflamingo was swiftly defeated. Her powers would be laughable.

"Well, don't be nervous, Violet," Kuzan said, taking off his sunglasses and offering a kind smile.

"Aokiji—no, Kuzan-sama..." Violet began, the unease still present but somewhat diminished by Kuzan's demeanor. She had almost called him by his former Admiral title but quickly corrected herself, acknowledging his new allegiance to the Entei Pirates.

"Well, just call me Kuzan. If you're not used to it, Mr. Kuzan will do," Kuzan replied, scratching his cheek. He understood her fear, shaped by years of Doflamingo's tyrannical rule, and knew his approachable attitude was necessary to ease her.

"Then just call me Mr. Fujitora," Fujitora added with a gentle smile.

"Mr. Kuzan, Mr. Fujitora," Violet said respectfully, finally allowing herself to relax a little. The kind expressions and reassuring words from these two sea titans brought her a measure of relief amidst the whirlwind of recent events.

"Well, Violet, would you like to join our Entei Pirate Fleet? We need your ability very much." Kuzan nodded and smiled, looking at Violet.

The power of the Glare-Glare Fruit might not seem exceptional on its own. It granted clairvoyance and the ability to read minds, but against a stronger Haki user, it was ineffective. Moreover, it added no combat prowess to the user. However, within a powerful pirate group like the Entei Pirates, its value soared.

Among the Entei Pirates, Nami, an awakened Thunder-Thunder Fruit user, could amplify Observation Haki with her radio waves, covering an entire country. Yet, Observation Haki had its limits. It could detect breaths, emotions, and movements but couldn't provide a clear image. Fujitora, for instance, could briefly "see" the future with his Ultimate-level Observation Haki but couldn't discern appearances or forms.

During the Entei Incident, Ace's crew used Nami's enhanced Observation Haki to destroy Marine reconnaissance ships, mistakenly hitting a few pirate ships. Nami's Haki couldn't accurately distinguish between Marine and pirate ships based solely on aura, as emotional feedback could be misleading. Thus, every perceived ship had to be confirmed individually.

With the Glare-Glare Fruit, Nami's Observation Haki could pinpoint auras while Violet's ability would provide a clear vision of the distant scene, a crucial advantage for the Entei Pirates' operations. Additionally, Violet's mind-reading ability could extract intelligence from defeated enemies unable to defend with Haki, proving invaluable for future missions.

Being the princess of Dressrosa, Violet's life was spared, not to kill her for her fruit power but to recruit her into the Entei Pirates' Devil Fruit Legion. This was also a gesture of goodwill, turning Dressrosa into a loyal affiliate. Violet's role as a "hostage" of sorts, akin to ancient kingdom protons, would help manage the growing number of franchise countries under Ace's command.

Ace's ambitions extended beyond Dressrosa to the entire world. He was neither a benevolent ruler nor a hypocrite. His power and authority demanded obedience, and those who complied would benefit from his protection and governance. However, dissent would be met with the full force of the Four Emperors, obliterating any opposition from the world map.

"I do," Violet said, biting her red lips and nodding. Although the princess, who had endured so much under Doflamingo's rule, couldn't fully grasp Ace's intentions, she wasn't foolish. Dressrosa had chosen to join the Entei Pirate Fleet, and refusing a direct invitation was not an option. Moreover, contributing to Ace's legendary cause could only benefit her homeland.

"Welcome aboard, Violet," Kuzan said warmly. "Your abilities will be a significant asset to our fleet."

Fujitora added, "Together, we'll ensure Dressrosa flourishes under the Entei Pirates' protection."

Violet felt a mix of relief and determination. Her new role would help secure a better future for Dressrosa, aligning it with the formidable power of Portgas D. Ace and his Grand Fleet.

"Very good, from now on you will be a member of our Entei Pirate Fleet, Team Six," Kuzan nodded approvingly.

"Team Six?" Violet's curiosity was piqued.

Among the notable events involving the Entei Pirates, the most renowned was the Entei Incident. The Second Division, led by 'Dark Ranger' Fujitora, had shocked the world with the emergence of such a formidable powerhouse. At that time, Kuzan had not yet joined the Entei Pirate Fleet and become the captain of the First Division. However, it was inferred that the captain of the First Division must be someone equally formidable.

After the Entei Incident, the former Pirate King's right hand, 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh, had openly announced himself as the captain of the Zero Division, adding to the world's astonishment. The Zero, First, and Second Divisions of the Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet were renowned globally, with their captains being significant figures in the maritime world. But the Sixth Division?

"The Sixth Division is the Devil Fruit Legion created by the Captain. The current captain of the Sixth Division is former Naval Headquarters Vice Admiral and Admiral candidate Gion. Of course, the current Gion possesses the legendary Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: White Tiger, a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit. Her future strength will definitely be on par with the two of us," Kuzan explained patiently, feeling good about completing the first captain's order given by Ace.

The news that Gion had become the captain of the Sixth Division was conveyed by Ace through a phone call. Kuzan had also learned about Ace's arrangements for Zephyr, realizing Ace's true intentions and feeling deeply moved. Ace regarded him not merely as a tool for combat but as a valued member of his team. The thought of a scholar dying for his confidant resonated in Kuzan's heart, and he felt immense gratitude for his decision to join the Entei Pirate Fleet.

"Gion?! Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: White Tiger?!" Violet was stunned. The Admiral candidate who was abducted during the Entei Incident had, according to Marine reports, completely joined the Entei Pirate Fleet and become the captain of the Sixth Division, gaining the formidable abilities of the Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: White Tiger.

As the Princess of Dressrosa, Violet had heard of such a powerful Devil Fruit, akin to the Mythical Zoan-type Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, eaten by Kaido of the Four Emperors. It was evident who had bestowed this Devil Fruit upon Gion—Ace, the one who could hunt and use multiple Devil Fruit abilities, the strongest Devil Fruit user in history.

With another powerful figure like Gion joining ranks with Kuzan and Fujitora, Violet felt a mix of fear and awe. Calculating the known strength within the Entei Pirate Fleet, it was clear the Marines stood no chance against them. The Entei Pirate Fleet indeed possessed the power to challenge the World Government.

What a terrifying legendary man, Violet thought, biting her red lips. She began to feel a growing curiosity about the Flame Emperor, wondering what kind of person he was to command such loyalty from so many powerful figures. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and intrigue.

Kuzan's gaze shifted to the ice sculptures he had frozen. The collection of Devil Fruits was complete, ready to further empower their formidable fleet.

"Go ahead, Fujitora, and collect their Devil Fruit abilities," Kuzan instructed, standing in front of the frozen forms of the Donquixote family cadres.

The ability to hunt and extract Devil Fruit powers was beyond Kuzan's capabilities. Naturally, Fujitora lacked this power as well. In this vast sea, only one individual possessed such a formidable ability: their captain, the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace. Before their arrival, Ace had entrusted Fujitora with a crucial tool for this task.

"Understood," Fujitora nodded, ready to proceed.

"I'll start as well," Kuzan said, his eyes flashing with a fierce, icy determination.

With a loud crack, half of Kuzan's body transformed into ice, radiating an intense, chilling aura. He exhaled a concentrated breath of freezing air, which surged over the frozen bodies of the Donquixote family cadres once more.

The power of the Hie Hie no Mi, the Ice-Ice Fruit, wasn't as overtly destructive as that of the Mera Mera no Mi, the Flame-Flame Fruit. The ultimate potential of the Ice-Ice Fruit was limited to the natural coldness of icebergs. As such, even if an enemy was completely frozen, it took some time to fully extinguish the life of a powerful adversary. The direct destructive capabilities of ice paled in comparison to the offensive might of Logia-type Devil Fruits like the Magu Magu no Mi (Magma-Magma Fruit), the Mera Mera no Mi, or the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder-Thunder Fruit).

However, Kuzan had a method to expedite the demise of a frozen opponent. By concentrating even more intense freezing energy directly on the enemy's heart, he could induce cardiac arrest, ensuring their death. This was a necessary step for extracting their Devil Fruit powers.

To successfully hunt and obtain a Devil Fruit ability, the user must be deceased. Only then could the devil factor within the fruit be fully extracted. Even when Ace had taken Moria's Kage Kage no Mi (Shadow-Shadow Fruit), he had first induced a state of 'death' in Moria's body. After securing the Shadow Fruit ability, Ace had then used the powers of the Yomi Yomi no Mi (Revive-Revive Fruit) to restore Moria's vitality.

As Kuzan concentrated the freezing energy to an ultimate degree, ensuring the deaths of the frozen cadres, Fujitora prepared to use the tool Ace had provided. They were on the verge of expanding the Entei Pirates' power even further, with new Devil Fruit abilities to bolster their ranks.

With the influx of freezing air, the hearts of the Donquixote family cadres, who had been entirely frozen by the Ice-Ice Fruit's power, stopped beating. Doflamingo was no exception. Under the ultimate low temperature, every cell in their bodies lost vitality. Even if their consciousness hadn't entirely faded, resistance was impossible—they could only succumb to despair and death.

"Okay, let's do it," Kuzan said to Fujitora, confirming through his Observation Haki that the auras of Doflamingo and the other Donquixote family members had vanished.

Violet stood to the side, swallowing hard, her eyes filled with a mix of fear, curiosity, and disbelief. She was about to witness the legendary process of Devil Fruit hunting. The Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace, was known for his unparalleled mastery over Devil Fruit powers, a prowess that elevated the Entei Pirates to terrifying heights. Thunder Fruit, Sand-Sand Fruit, Gate Fruit—these formidable abilities were all part of their arsenal.

Fujitora smiled and waved his hand, causing a pile of apples to appear on the ground. "The hunting has begun," he said, as he carefully opened the talisman bag Ace had given him.

"Buzz!"

Several rays of white light leapt out of the talisman bag, entering the bodies of Doflamingo and the other Donquixote family members.

"Buzz! Bang!"

With a soft sound, the white light enveloped their bodies, each ball of light eventually being "bounced" out.

"The complete devil factor of Devil Fruit," Kuzan remarked, watching in awe.

"With Mr. Ace's realm of understanding and the ability of the Paw-Paw Fruit, it's truly terrifying," Fujitora said, letting out a breath of relief.

The light balls contained parts of the demonic factors of the Paw-Paw Fruit. Under the influence of the reduced field of understanding within the talisman bag, these factors exerted power beyond the fruit's inherent limits, "bouncing" the demonic factors out of the bodies of the deceased users. Only once the users were fully deceased could these demonic factors be ejected completely.

Ace's use of the Paw-Paw Fruit's power was unique. Rather than wrapping the fruit in a field of understanding to capture the demonic factors, he had designed a method where Fujitora and Kuzan could complete the Devil Fruit hunt using a predetermined program within the talisman bag. This bag contained a small realm of understanding, a power only Ace could truly harness.

Lucky charms for his female crew members and a charm bag for Fujitora—these were infused with the realm of understanding but set to specific programs by Ace. The charms for the women acted only on them, while the talisman bag could only activate the extraction of the devil factors. This method allowed Fujitora and Kuzan to perform their mission without Ace's direct involvement.

The effectiveness of this method had been personally confirmed by Ace's extraordinary comprehension, allowing him to command his subordinates from his base camp while they hunted for new Devil Fruit abilities. Ace's strategic use of the Paw-Paw Fruit's BUG-level powers was a testament to his genius, enabling him to expand his crew's capabilities without lowering himself to perform these tasks personally.

"Whoosh!"

Seeing the complete devil factors of the Devil Fruits, Fujitora and Kuzan wasted no time. They threw the apples on the ground toward the light balls suspended in the atmosphere.

"Om! Guru! Guru!"

As soon as the apples came into contact with the demonic factors, they began to change. Under Violet's stunned gaze, new Devil Fruits materialized one by one.

"String-String Fruit, Childlike Fruit, these two must-get Devil Fruits are in hand," Kuzan said, taking two of the newly formed Devil Fruits and smiling.

The power of the String-String Fruit was undeniable. It allowed its user to create razor-sharp silk threads capable of formidable attacks. When combined with Haki, these threads could achieve devastating power. The Parasite String could control weaker individuals, and upon awakening, the String-String Fruit could form an endless sea of lines to ensnare enemies. Its ultimate ability, the Birdcage, had the potential to annihilate a country. While it might not match the destructive force of the Shock Fruit, the String-String Fruit was still a top-tier Paramecia fruit. Awakening its full potential would elevate a user to an imperial deputy-level combatant, making it ideal for training key members of the 6th Division and the Devil Fruit Corps.

The Childlike Fruit, on the other hand, had abilities that were almost BUG-like in their impact. It could turn anyone it touched into a toy, erasing all memories and traces of them from the world. Such a power was invaluable, and it was no surprise that Ace wanted to acquire it. Both the String-String Fruit and the Childlike Fruit were abilities Ace prized highly.

As for the other fruits, while not as exceptional, they still held significant value. "Sticky Fruit, Water-Water Fruit, Art-Art Fruit, Fly-Fly Fruit, Rock-Rock Fruit, Explode-Explode Fruit, Transform-Transform Fruit, Ton-Ton Fruit... the Donquixote family had quite a collection of Devil Fruit abilities," Kuzan observed. "However, aside from the String-String Fruit, most of these are rather ordinary in terms of combat power."

Devil Fruit abilities varied greatly in strength. Some fruits, even when fully developed to the point of awakening, did not match the raw power of top-tier Devil Fruits. For example, Nami's Thunder-Thunder Fruit, Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit (Phantom Beast Species: Azure Dragon), Laki's Bird-Bird Fruit (Phantom Beast Species: Suzaku), and Gion's Cat-Cat Fruit (Phantom Beast Species: White Tiger) could grant users combat power on par with Marine Admirals upon awakening. With strong Haki and mastery of martial arts or swordsmanship, these users could achieve the highest levels of combat prowess.

In contrast, even an awakened String-String Fruit user with strong Haki would likely only reach the level of an Yonko Commander. The majority of the Donquixote family's Devil Fruit abilities provided only average increases in combat power, at best elevating users to the level of a Naval Headquarters Vice Admiral.

Yet, for the Entei Pirates Grand Fleet, standing at the pinnacle of the sea and being the strongest pirate group in history, these "ordinary" Devil Fruits were still valuable. Devil Fruits remained the secret treasures of the sea, and even at the same level of Haki and martial arts, those who consumed Devil Fruits generally had an advantage over those who did not. Despite the inherent disadvantages, the benefits of Devil Fruits far outweighed them.

"This is the power of Devil Fruits!" Kuzan declared, recognizing their unparalleled potential.

"It's a pity that those two Logia Devil Fruit users, the Snow-Snow Fruit and the Gas-Gas Fruit, aren't in Dressrosa," Fujitora said with some regret.

Although the Snow-Snow Fruit is a lower-tier version of Kuzan's Frozen Fruit, and the Gas-Gas Fruit doesn't offer significant combat enhancements, they are still Logia fruits. The lower limit of Logia fruits is the highest among all Devil Fruits. With the enhancements provided by Ace's understanding field, these Logia abilities could potentially elevate their users to the level of Yonko Commanders upon awakening. Achieving higher levels of combat power would depend on the Haki of the ability users, as the Snow-Snow Fruit and Gas-Gas Fruit have lower upper limits.

The addition of two Logia ability users would greatly increase the combat power of the Sixth Division. Fujitora, focused on making Ace the king of the world, deeply regretted missing out on these Logia Devil Fruits.

"There will be many opportunities to hunt Devil Fruit abilities in the future," Kuzan reassured. "We've completed our mission by acquiring the String-String Fruit and Childlike Fruit."

"Yes, the next step is to destroy the 'SMILE' factory and eliminate the remaining forces of the Donquixote family," Fujitora said with a smile. Although all the cadres of the Donquixote family had been wiped out, some of their minions still lingered in Dressrosa. Now that Dressrosa had joined the Entei Pirates, Fujitora and Kuzan needed to handle the aftermath efficiently.

"Let's contact the captain first," Kuzan said, taking out a phone bug.

"Bulu Bulu!"

"Click!"

The phone bug was answered.

"Kuzan, Fujitora, is the mission accomplished?" a chuckle came from the phone bug.

"Mission accomplished, Captain. String-String Fruit and Childlike Fruit have been obtained, and the Devil Fruits of the Donquixote family leaders have been hunted. Dressrosa has confirmed its alliance with the Entei Pirates. Now, we're going to clear out the remaining Donquixote family members and the SMILE factory," Kuzan reported with a smile.

"Flame Emperor!!!" Hearing the chuckle, Violet's pupils shrank. The man who stood above the Four Emperors, the super overlord of the sea—Flame Emperor Portgas D. Ace! Kuzan and Fujitora, two of the sea's most formidable figures, followed this man. He was the real superpower in this world.

"Very good, very efficient. Is that person next to you Violet?" Ace's chuckle made Violet's delicate body tremble.

Violet's delicate body trembled when she heard the gentle voice coming from the phone. Although she had accepted the invitation and joined the sixth division of the Entei Pirate Fleet, facing this legendary super figure—a man who stands above the Four Emperors, a man who can decide the survival or destruction of a country with just one sentence—brought unavoidable anxiety and fear to her heart.

Her apprehension was entirely understandable. Facing a man superior to the Four Emperors, who had ruled the seas like emperors for so many years, naturally invoked fear and respect. The emperors of the sea commanded absolute force and power, and disrespecting them inevitably led to disaster. Individuals who offended an emperor would be mercilessly killed, and offending forces would be wiped off the map. Countless bloody facts underscored the emperors' majesty on the seas.

And now, she was facing the man above those four emperors—the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace. A man with enough power to evaporate the entire world!

"Yes, yes, Flame Emperor..." Violet stammered, looking at the phone bug Kuzan handed her, feeling her heart pounding violently. She tried to suppress her fear and trembling, but cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Unsure of how to address him, she hesitated. She had joined the Entei Pirate Fleet but was not part of the main group, only the sixth division. Calling him "Captain" felt presumptuous.

Suddenly, inspiration struck her. "I, I am Violet, Admiral," she bit her red lips and said. As a member of the sixth division, it seemed most appropriate to call Ace "Admiral."

"Admiral? Hahaha, interesting," Ace laughed heartily upon hearing her address. Though Marine referred to him as the Admiral of the Entei Pirate Fleet, Ace never cared much about titles. The girls in his crew simply called him by his name. Fujitora habitually called him "Mr. Ace," and Kuzan called him "Captain." This was the first time Ace heard the title "Admiral."

Ace understood Violet's anxiety and fear but saw no reason to correct her or insist she use a different title. With his current status, power, and Conqueror's Haki, Ace saw no need to be overly familiar with a new recruit, even one as attractive and regal as Violet. Her value lay in her potential as a political pawn for Dressrosa and her ability to assist Nami.

People who feared and admired him were more controllable. Of course, if Violet proved her worth in the coming days, Ace wouldn't mind paying her more attention.

"Well, that's not a bad name. Just call me that," Ace chuckled through the phone bug, easing Violet's anxiety.

"Yes, Admiral," Violet responded respectfully, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Just follow Kuzan and Fujitora for now," Ace chuckled through the phone bug. "Fujitora, by the way, teach her how to use the Staring Fruit ability to cooperate with Observation Haki."

"Yes sir," Fujitora nodded in acknowledgment.

"Captain, according to your orders, among the cadres of the Donquixote family, only Baby-5 remains frozen but alive. The rest are confirmed dead, and all Devil Fruit abilities have been acquired," Kuzan reported.

"Good," Ace chuckled again. "Baby-5's Weapon Fruit ability is well-suited for warfare. Let's unfreeze her."

Baby-5 was distinct among the Donquixote family for her loyalty and the utility of her Weapon Fruit ability, making her a valuable addition to the sixth division of the Entei Pirate Fleet. Despite the potential of her Devil Fruit, its limitations meant it was not worth seizing forcibly from her. Ace preferred integrating her into their ranks rather than eliminating her.

"Alright," Kuzan nodded, directing his attention to Fujitora.

While Kuzan possessed mastery over the Frozen Fruit ability, using it to thaw out someone completely frozen was unnatural and impossible. The more he delved into Logia Devil Fruits, the more he marveled at Ace's unprecedented power. Devil Fruits, by their very nature, defied the natural order, earning disdain from the sea itself—rendering their users powerless in its depths.

Logia Devil Fruits bestowed control over natural elements but also bound their users to those elements' limitations. The upper bounds of a Logia Devil Fruit were restricted by the natural limits of the element it represented—constraints Ace had shattered. Despite the World Government's attempts, Logia Devil Fruits alone couldn't be reproduced through scientific means, unlike Zoan and Paramecia Devil Fruits.

Before Kuzan's departure from the Marines, Vegapunk's pursuit of Ace's blood for research highlighted the scientist's desire to unlock the true secrets of Devil Fruits. Sengoku's emphatic refusal reflected the absurdity of such a request—attempting to extract blood from someone capable of generating flames hotter than 10,000 degrees Celsius, surpassing even the Earth's core temperature.

Reflecting on Vegapunk's ambitious research, Kuzan felt apprehensive. While not directly involved in Marine's scientific endeavors, he understood the potential dangers posed by Vegapunk's experiments.

Aware of Vegapunk's significance, Kuzan contemplated proposing to Ace the strategic capture of the scientist post-Kaido's defeat. Such collaboration could revolutionize Vegapunk's capabilities with Ace's understanding field, potentially leapfrogging global technological advancements by centuries. However, capturing Vegapunk would likely provoke a large-scale conflict with the world Government, an outcome Kuzan aimed to avoid while prioritizing Ace's ongoing missions against the Four Emperors.

Thus, Kuzan withheld immediate disclosure to Ace, focusing instead on executing Ace's directives diligently. Every decision and initiative Ace set forth must be executed with precision, ensuring full implementation of Ace's strategic vision.

Fujitora opened the talisman bag, releasing a radiant light that swiftly dissolved the ice encasing Baby-5.

"Purify!"

The Suzaku Fire of the talisman nullified the effects of the Frozen Fruit, restoring Baby-5 to her former self. Blinking back to consciousness, she surveyed her surroundings, her eyes falling upon the frozen figures of Doflamingo and the others, eliciting a mix of emotions.

"Baby-5, right?"

A voice interrupted her thoughts, drawing her attention to the phone bug.

"You... you are..."

Baby-5's eyes widened as she recognized the voice, a voice that had resonated worldwide during the Entei incident.

"Portgas. D. Ace."

The revelation sent a shiver down her spine. The Flame Emperor himself was speaking to her, offering her a place in his Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet, Division 6.

"Join my Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet, Division 6. I need you," Ace calmly stated.

The notion of being needed by the world's strongest man overwhelmed Baby-5. It was a validation she couldn't resist.

"I-I accept it! I-I want to be, no, needed by you!" Baby-5 exclaimed eagerly, her decision made without hesitation.

Ace chuckled softly at her response, understanding her character and correcting her misconception that she was merely fulfilling his needs. To Ace, every member of his fleet held intrinsic value beyond utility.

"Very well, just follow Kuzan and Fujitora for now," Ace instructed.

Dressrosa stands as the second island in the New World after passing Fish-Man Island. With that in mind, there's no necessity for Kuzan and Fujitora to undertake an additional journey to Punk Hazard.

Using the Gate Fruit for teleportation isn't needed either. Such a feat would demand an immense amount of physical exertion, and we still intend to visit Fish-Man Island.

The paramount task at hand is ensuring the record pointer is recorded so Nami can fulfill her wish of creating a comprehensive world map.

Regarding Punk Hazard, we won't dwell on whether Caesar and the others are still present. Those few individuals alone aren't worth Ace's attention, nor is it worth dispatching Kuzan and Fujitora.

As for the Gas Fruit and Snow-Snow Fruit, they hold little importance to Ace at present, not warranting excessive expenditure of energy.

Furthermore, following Doflamingo's downfall, Caesar is likely to seek asylum under Kaido's wing, given his reputation for hunting Devil Fruits.

While Ace may not place much significance on the Gas Fruit and Snow-Snow Fruit, Caesar perceives them as potent Logia abilities, which could make him a threat in his limited perspective.

When the time comes, these matters will be neatly resolved in Wano.

"Clear," Kuzan and Fujitora affirmed, still reeling from Ace's directive.

The Entei Pirate Fleet is now gearing up for their venture into the New World.