Using his Space Ability within the courtyard, Ash clearly overheard the conversation between the two old men in the cell. After learning about Scopper Gaban's whereabouts over the past twenty years and the reason for his sudden appearance in Wano Country, he capped his wine gourd and prepared to return to the bow of the ship.
Kirk suddenly appeared beside him. "Doesn't your Devil Fruit make you immune to seawater and Sea Prism Stone? Then what is going on with those two old men?"
Since Ash could use his Space Ability to observe and listen in, Kirk could do the same.
Ash felt a bit helpless at his companion's curiosity but still explained, "Rayleigh ate a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that weakens him when he comes into contact with Sea Prism Stone. Gaban ate a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that weakens him when restrained by chains. That is all."
After speaking, Ash disappeared instantly.
Kirk scratched his chin, repeated the Devil Fruit descriptions twice, then shook his head in disbelief.
"What kind of ridiculous Devil Fruits are those?"
Ash reappeared at the bow of the Dawn ship. The women were gathered around the dining table, listening to Yamato enthusiastically wave Oden's journal while talking.
Saff and Robin smiled quietly, while Nami, Nojiko and Carina looked completely fed up. Lanchi remained as unnoticed as ever.
"You must be Heavenly Emperor Ash!"
Yamato was startled for a moment when Ash appeared, then immediately became excited. She rushed forward and reached out to grab his arm.
Ash knew Yamato was not malicious, just reckless. Even so, he had no intention of letting her touch him. He genuinely felt that stupidity might spread through contact.
Out of instinct, he kicked forward, then quickly held back most of his strength.
Even so, what remained was far beyond what Yamato could handle.
Bang!
Yamato's eyes rolled back as she coughed up blood. Her body was sent flying backward, limbs sprawled in an awkward shape.
Saff and the others stared at Ash with strange expressions.
Ash scratched his chin awkwardly. "That was a reflex. After all, stupidity might be contagious."
The women rolled their eyes.
Ash stepped forward, grabbed the rope around Yamato's waist, and dragged her unconscious body back.
Saff tilted her head. "What are you planning to do with her? She said Kaido kept her locked up for over ten years. She has never left Wano Country, and those shackles on her are explosive restraints."
She paused before continuing, "Setting aside the Oden nonsense, she is still Kaido's daughter."
Ash had once made it clear that pirates deserved no mercy unless they had never taken a life.
Yamato technically qualified as a pirate by affiliation, yet she had never sailed nor killed anyone. That placed her in a gray area.
Saff understood the dilemma. Once Kaido was defeated, Yamato would inevitably be released into the world.
Would she truly let go of her father's death?
Given her personality, maybe she would. Or maybe one day, something would change her mind.
Saff did not want Ash to kill an innocent person, but she also did not want to leave behind someone who could become a future threat.
Because Yamato had potential.
Over the past week, she had revealed everything about herself without restraint, her strength, her Devil Fruit, her battles, even her connections.
Everyone present understood what it meant to possess a Mythical Zoan.
Yamato had eaten the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model Okuchi no Makami. On top of that, she inherited Kaido's Oni physique and possessed all three types of Haki.
Even so, Saff knew that neither Yamato nor Kaido stood any chance against Ash.
Still, leaving behind a possible future enemy was never wise.
Ash, however, had no such concerns.
For him, killing was never a fixed rule. It was something that depended entirely on his will.
He had never intended to be a righteous person. From the moment he gained his power, he knew he would one day stand at the peak of this world.
His decisions were not bound by morality, only by his own judgment.
As for Yamato, aside from her height, nothing about her impressed him.
Ash said nothing. He raised his hand, and a Devil Fruit appeared out of thin air.
This time, he did not hesitate.
He forced her mouth open, shoved the fruit inside, made her chew twice, and swallowed it.
At that moment, a purplish-blue energy flowed out of Yamato's body. Before it could disperse, it was absorbed and drawn into Ash.
He understood immediately. That energy belonged to her Mythical Zoan ability.
Saff finally spoke. "Ash, what did you just do?"
"She has never killed anyone. She is just foolish, so I will not kill her."
He continued, "The Devil Fruit I gave her is a Paramecia-type that makes the user frail and weak. I also added a weakness to Sea Prism Stone. With her physique, if she does not train, she will only be slightly stronger than an average person in the future."
Ash glanced at Yamato. "She will live as a fragile, tall girl. That suits her better."
Saff pressed her hand to her forehead. "What kind of ridiculous Devil Fruit is that?"
The others immediately began complaining as well, but Ash ignored them.
At that moment, the system, which had been silent for a long time, finally responded.
A voice echoed in his mind.
Ding. Detected that the host has absorbed 20 Devil Fruits.
Mission System has been activated.
Ash's expression shifted slightly.
"What the hell?"
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