York's pupils snapped shut as a surge of panic ran through her. Her instinct screamed at her to draw her pistol.
Before she could react, a golden light exploded across her vision.
Kizaru's right foot, wrapped in scintillating particles of light, smashed into York's face.
"Light-speed kick."
Her body flew backward like a cannonball, hurtling straight toward the priceless machinery behind her.
Kizaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
If any critical equipment was damaged, the Navy's Deep Sea Salvage project might be delayed… and his bonus along with it.
With a flicker, his photonized form appeared along York's flight path, delivering a perfectly timed side kick.
York's trajectory was violently redirected, sending her hurtling toward the empty ceiling above.
Kick after kick followed second, third, fourth her body a puppet pulled by invisible threads, buffeted in midair by the relentless onslaught of light.
Up, down, left, right.
Every strike was precise, perfectly resetting her fall.
Her consciousness blurred, dissolving in the golden rain of light.
"Traitor, neh~"
"So scary, neh~"
Finally, Kizaru slowly withdrew his leg.
He reached out and caught York as she fell, unconscious, cradling her gently.
A crisp "clink" rang out.
The tiny data storage device slipped from her pocket, bouncing across the polished metal floor.
"…."
"Borsalino!"
"What's going on?!"
The lab doors burst open.
Vegapunk's main body, along with the five other embodiments representing Integrity, Malice, Thought, Wisdom, and Fury, hurried in.
All froze as they saw York in Kizaru's hands.
"What… is happening?"
"Oh~ Vegapunk, you're here."
Kizaru casually tossed York to the floor.
"No big deal, just helping tidy up the trash in your lab."
"I've been observing her for a couple of days. This one's thoughts aren't exactly pure."
"But since she's your own creation, how you handle her is your decision."
His words dragged, carrying a subtle warning.
"Just don't let this interfere with our Deep Sea Salvage project."
"…."
Vegapunk's expression hardened instantly.
He hurried forward, picked up the fallen storage device, and inserted it into the console.
On the screen, the complete submarine blueprint he had meticulously designed now appeared, fully intact.
Vegapunk's body trembled.
Pure desire, unrestrained by reason, could become terrifying.
It devoured everything, betrayed everything, seeking only to fulfill its endless cravings.
This had been his mistake.
"I understand…"
Vegapunk's voice was hoarse as he spoke.
He looked down at the unconscious York, a glimmer of resolve in his eyes.
"This mistake… I will correct myself."
"Let desire… return to where it belongs."
He stepped forward, pressing his hand firmly against York's head.
Streams of data were forcibly extracted from her body, flowing directly into Vegapunk's own mind.
For a brief moment, his eyes shimmered with the same dangerous desire, but reason and wisdom quickly suppressed it.
From this day forward, he would temporarily control the dangerous "Desire" persona.
Deathly silence reigned over the sea.
No wind, no waves. The water was smooth like a giant dust-covered mirror, reflecting the sky.
A massive fleet moved silently, cutting through the water at a steady pace.
Seastone embedded in the hulls perfectly masked their presence.
But no disguise could conceal them from all Sea Kings.
Deep beneath the ocean, tens of thousands of meters down, a colossal eye slowly opened.
This ancient and intelligent Sea King merely glanced at the fleet before closing its eye again.
To provoke such a force was no different than leaping onto a human chopping board.
"…."
On the flagship, in the captain's quarters, Hawk lounged casually on the sofa.
Around him were Hibari and Peacock, and then Zoro, Sanji, Robin, and Nami, all seated comfortably.
"Everyone, I predict a massive war will soon engulf the world."
Hawk's deep voice broke the room's quiet.
Every face in the room turned serious instantly.
"Therefore, this journey to Impel Down is not only about cleansing criminals. It's a training exercise."
"Your strength will increase exponentially."
"However…"
"The Devil Fruits are also part of that power."
"Peacock, Robin, you each already have your abilities. The goal now is to further develop your fruits and integrate them fully into your combat instincts."
Then…
Hawk surveyed Hibari, Zoro, Sanji, and Nami, before pulling a finely crafted wooden box from beside him.
A soft click. The lid opened.
Instantly, all eyes were drawn to it.
Inside lay a fruit.
A golden sphere patterned with teal, lightning-shaped spirals, faint arcs of electricity dancing across its surface.
"This… is a Rumble-Rumble Fruit, a Logia-type."
Hawk's voice carried again.
"Consume it, and your body will become lightning itself, rendering most physical and energy attacks, excluding Haki, ineffective."
"…."
"This is an extraordinarily powerful and versatile fruit."
"Who wishes to take it?"
Hawk reclined back into his seat, silence following.
"…."
The captain's quarters fell silent.
Soon, all eyes naturally shifted toward Zoro and Sanji.
As Hawk's top-tier subordinates, they were the most suitable candidates for this ultimate fruit of power.
They exchanged a glance.
Then, in unison, they turned to Hawk, confusion and curiosity in their eyes.
"Big brother…"
"You're not eating it?"
A small note: A reader left a short review with a pun, questioning the fruit arrangement. The author responded internally, reflecting that no matter which fruit Hawk ate, some readers would never be satisfied.
Hawk would not consume a Devil Fruit.
Hawk would rely on his body, his martial arts, and all three types of Haki becoming the pinnacle of five-dimensional power.
If anyone provoked him, they would face Armament Haki covering every strike. One punch could obliterate them.