[Chat Group For The Death] Chapter 156 - 160

Chapter 156: Uchiha Madara, You Are Too Murderous!

Howard Stark agreed with Lucas’s assessment.

The ability to construct an underwater fortress with multiple distinct ecosystems was a technological feat beyond what even the Earth of the Marvel world possessed. The fact that the World Government had the vision—and resources—to build such a fantastical prison was nothing short of astonishing.

Fisher Tiger (breaking his usual silence): "This prison was built under the direction of the World Government, and the World Government is controlled by the Celestial Dragons. I seriously suspect that this place exists solely to satisfy their twisted tastes. After all, their perversions are well known across the world."

Golden Lion Shiki (laughing): "Shihahaha! You’re probably right! The Celestial Dragons do love their sick entertainment, and a prison like this, filled with suffering, fits their style perfectly. If they enjoy watching prisoners rot away in agony, I wouldn’t be surprised at all."

Uchiha Madara: "There’s a strong presence ahead. Looks like this underwater prison has some capable fighters."

[Outside World – Impel Down]

A menacing figure stood before the six invading shinobi. Purple venom dripped from his body, corroding the stone floor beneath him. The air grew thick with a pungent, suffocating stench.

Magellan, the formidable warden of Impel Down, glared at them with cold fury.

"You dare to break into Impel Down? Do you think you can do whatever you please? Arrogant scum of the sea!"

With a roar, Magellan gathered his poisonous aura. The purple venom twisted into three massive serpentine dragons that surged toward the intruders.

"Poison Dragon!"

Susanoo! ×2
Wood Style – Wood Wall!
Water Style – Water Barrier! ×2

Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Shisui summoned their colossal Susanoo avatars, their glowing figures standing tall in the prison’s dim light.

Hozuki and Senju Tobirama quickly formed hand seals, raising twin Water Barriers to intercept the attack.

Senju Hashirama erected a sturdy wooden wall in front of them.

As for Namikaze Minato… he simply stepped behind the others, watching the action unfold like a careful observer.

Magellan’s eyes narrowed as his Poison Dragons crashed against the combined defenses, completely nullified.

"Huh? What kind of abilities are these? Strange powers… so this is the strength you rely on to invade Impel Down?"

Minato crouched near a pool of spilled venom, dipping a finger into the toxic substance. In mere seconds, the skin on his fingertip corroded away—only to regenerate instantly, leaving him unharmed.

[Chat Group]

Fire Fist Ace: "Magellan’s strength comes entirely from his Devil Fruit. His poison abilities are terrifying for most people, but… everyone here is already dead. The poison won’t affect them at all."

Lucas: "Exactly. Edo Tensei bodies don’t have functioning organs, so poison is meaningless. Without his Devil Fruit's deadliest effect, Magellan is nothing but a toothless tiger."

Fire Fist Ace: "Group Leader, let me fight him!"

Pirate King Roger (curious): "What, did he wrong you or something? You seem to really want payback."

Fire Fist Ace (hesitating): "Well…"

Lucas (grinning): "Ah, let me explain! Before his execution, Ace was imprisoned here in Impel Down. He actually tried to escape but was effortlessly beaten down by Magellan before he could even get out!"

Fire Fist Ace (defensive): "That was because I was in Seastone handcuffs! I couldn’t use my powers!"

Lucas: "Don’t underestimate Magellan. Even without his poisonous abilities, he’s still strong. A toothless tiger is still a tiger. One swipe, and you—nothing more than a calf—would be down for the count."

Fire Fist Ace: "…"

Almost as if to prove Lucas’s point, the battle outside intensified.

Even without his venom’s lethal effects, Magellan was proving to be a formidable opponent. His sheer size and endurance allowed him to withstand attacks from even four Uchiha Madara-level shinobi.

It was clear—Magellan could hold out for at least a minute against their combined assault.

Fire Fist Ace (muttering): "Damn… his size really gives him an advantage. He’s too durable."

Lucas: "And that’s why I said you wouldn’t be able to beat him. Have you forgotten the fear he instilled in you?"

Pirate King Roger (laughing): "Group Leader! Tell me, how badly did Ace get beaten? I want to hear this story!"

Whitebeard (sighing): "Roger… are you really Ace’s father?"

Pirate King Roger: "A man must accept his failures! Blood and tears are just part of a warrior’s growth!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Shihahaha! Well said! Whitebeard, you just spoil your son too much. If you weren’t so soft, your crew wouldn’t have been such pushovers!"

Lucas: "Ace’s escape attempt? Oh, it was legendary. He grabbed a guard’s steel trident as a weapon… and Magellan snatched it from him with two fingers—carefully at that."

Howard Stark: "Wait… he took it away with two fingers? And carefully?"

Sebastian Shaw: "Judging by their size difference, I can already picture it. What’s up with this world? The body proportions here are insane."

[Outside World – Impel Down]

Uchiha Madara’s Sharingan gleamed. "Should we kill this Magellan?"

Lucas: "No. Use Kotoamatsukami on him. He was the top authority in Impel Down, and still remains its most powerful enforcer. He probably has valuable intel that we need."

Uchiha Shisui: "I’m in Edo Tensei form, so my Kotoamatsukami is weaker. Plus, Magellan is stronger than me—my ability won’t control him permanently."

Lucas: "That’s fine. I don’t need him permanently brainwashed. Just have him spill some information."

Uchiha Shisui: "Understood."

Shisui, still within his towering Susanoo, activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. The overwhelming power of Kotoamatsukami surged into Magellan’s mind.

Magellan, once a relentless warrior, suddenly hesitated. The furious gleam in his eyes faded, replaced by an eerie calm.

The fight was over.

Uchiha Madara clicked his tongue in disappointment. "Tch. How boring."

Senju Hashirama shot Uchiha Madara an unimpressed look. "Madara, your killing intent is too heavy."

Uchiha Madara shook his head. "No, that's just one part of it. Fighting in this reincarnated body… it doesn’t excite me. My blood doesn’t boil like it does in a real battle. It always feels a little… dull."

Meanwhile, Uchiha Shisui continued interrogating Magellan about the whereabouts of Golden Lion Shiki’s body.

Magellan frowned. "Not long after Golden Lion died, World Government agents retrieved his corpse. Where they took it, I don’t know."

[Chat Group]

Golden Lion Shiki (furious): "Bastards! They experimented on my corpse, didn’t they?! Damned World Government!"

Back in the real world, Magellan continued his warning.

"Your intrusion triggered an alert. The World Government and Marine Headquarters have already received the distress signal. If you don’t leave soon, you will be intercepted."

Uchiha Madara let out a low chuckle. "The World Government and Marine Headquarters? Now I’m even more interested."

Magellan’s expression hardened. "Then I will fight you."

Uchiha Shisui turned to Lucas. "Do we have Magellan stay here and continue acting as a warden, or should he leave with us?"

Lucas considered it. "Have Magellan put up a fight, but make it look like you’ve forced him into submission."

Uchiha Shisui nodded. "Understood. Magellan, cooperate with me."

With a glance, Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan activated, and Magellan’s eyes flickered with the Kotoamatsukami illusion.

Shisui leaped onto Magellan’s shoulder, and in an instant, a turquoise Susanoo enveloped the prison warden’s massive frame.

Uchiha Madara (raising an eyebrow): "This body… it’s close to a pseudo-Tailed Beast form."

Standing atop Magellan’s shoulder, Shisui was now at the same height as the warden’s head.

Uchiha Madara sighed. "The height of people in this world is ridiculous."

[Marine Headquarters]

"Damn it!"

A furious fist slammed against the desk.

Fleet Admiral Akainu seethed with rage, his gloved hand glowing red-hot as magma bubbled over his old battle scar.

"How many times has this damn pirates messed with Impel Down?! Do they think they can do whatever they want?!"

Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Marine’s chief strategist, remained calm. "Magellan is the only high-level combatant left in Impel Down. He should be able to stall the invaders for a while, but we should still send reinforcements."

Akainu clenched his teeth. "I’ll go myself."

Since taking over as Fleet Admiral, Akainu had been stuck behind a desk more often than he liked. This was the perfect chance to take the battlefield once more.

Vice Admiral Tsuru asked, "Do you need another Admiral to accompany you?"

Akainu shook his head. "No need for all three Admirals. Have Momousagi and Tokikake join me. That’s more than enough."

With one Admiral-level fighter (himself) and two Vice Admirals at near-Admiral strength, plus Magellan in Impel Down, Akainu was confident they could suppress any intruders.

[Impel Down]

After confirming that the bodies of Golden Lion and Roger weren’t in Impel Down, Lucas lost interest in going any deeper.

After a brief discussion with Uchiha Madara and the others, they unanimously decided to take the fight to the Marines instead.

Leaving Impel Down behind, the group followed the circular ocean current created by the Three Gates of Justice, heading straight toward Marineford.

As they walked effortlessly across the water, Senju Tobirama suddenly chuckled. "The people in this world don’t have the ability to walk on water, do they? This kind of battlefield isn’t exactly fair to them."

Hozuki Gengetsu smirked. "Isn’t that perfect? The sea suppresses them, but for us, it’s a home-field advantage."

Senju Tobirama snorted. "It almost feels like bullying."

Namikaze Minato, standing to the side, spoke up weakly. "To be fair… if we didn’t have this advantage, we might not be able to defeat the Marine Admirals."

As an assassin-type fighter, Minato had a keen sense of power dynamics. Even when facing Magellan earlier, he had felt how difficult it would be to fight these physically overwhelming pirate world powerhouses.

Lucas smirked. "Minato, don’t be so down on yourself. Your attack style isn’t effective against them, but you do have your sealing techniques."

Uchiha Madara grinned. "So basically… Minato can’t actually beat them?"

Lucas shrugged. "It’s just a fact. Minato’s fast, but his attack power is lacking. His strongest move is the Rasengan… and you know how strong that is."

Uchiha Madara snorted. "Yeah, about as strong as a basic swing from my Susanoo."

Namikaze Minato: "…"

Lucas: "That’s why Minato struggled so much against the Nine-Tails. He couldn’t stop its attacks. His speed and agility are top-tier, sure, but all he could do was dodge. If you can’t deal damage, it doesn’t matter how fast you move."

Uchiha Madara: "It’s not just Minato. Hozuki Gengetsu, Senju Tobirama, and the others all have the same problem."

Hozuki Gengetsu scowled. "Not everyone is an overpowered freak like you, Madara. You and your RInnegan or Sage of Six Paths reincarnation nonsense. Normal shinobi actually have limits, you know."

Chapter 157: Praising the Enemy’s Strength…

Three massive Marine warships sailed out from the Gates of Justice at Marine Headquarters, following the spiraling currents between the gates as they headed toward Impel Down.

Standing at the forefront of the lead warship, Akainu crossed his arms, his Justice cloak billowing violently in the sea breeze.

“Damn pirates! How dare they cause trouble for me at such a crucial moment!”

His eyes burned red, magma seemingly churning within them, a clear reflection of his simmering rage.

The SSG project, developed by the Marine Science Division, had already passed its combat tests and was deemed a complete replacement for the Seven Warlords of the Sea. With its production now in full swing, Akainu had been looking forward to personally wiping out the Warlords and putting an end to the era of piracy. Yet, before he could even relish the moment, pirates had dared to break into Impel Down, a direct humiliation to both the World Government and Marines.

For Akainu, it felt like being interrupted mid-strike, right before delivering the finishing blow. His fury boiled over, his hands twitching with the urge to obliterate everything in his path.

“Unknown pirates… I hope you have the courage to stand your ground.”

He clenched his fists and muttered to himself, secretly hoping that this foolhardy pirates wouldn’t be like the Blackbeard Pirates.

During the Summit War, he had personally pursued Blackbeard, only for the latter to flee the moment he laid eyes on him. Akainu had no idea whether it was because of the overwhelming power he had displayed during the war, but the memory of Blackbeard’s cowardice still disgusted him.

“Admiral Akainu, we’ve spotted a group ahead, to the front left of our position,” a Marine officer reported loudly, running up to him. “Judging by their appearance, they seem to be the ones who invaded Impel Down.”

“What?!”

Akainu’s eyes narrowed, turning sharply in the indicated direction. He immediately spotted Uchiha Madara and the others walking on the sea’s surface, making their way toward Marine Headquarters.

“Is that Magellan, the Deputy Warden of Impel Down?”

His gaze locked onto the largest figure among them—Magellan, wrapped in a green energy construct, his expression dull and lifeless.

“He’s been restrained? So these scum really are the ones responsible,” Akainu muttered, his face darkening.

Without hesitation, his hands transformed into glowing crimson magma, raising them toward the distant figures.

Meteor Volcano!

Massive fists of molten rock shot out like cannon fire, a fiery barrage raining down indiscriminately upon Uchiha Madara and his group.

At sea, where Devil Fruit users were naturally at a disadvantage, Akainu—an experienced Marine Admiral—was well aware that engaging in close combat was a poor choice. Instead, he relied on overwhelming ranged firepower.

After all, at sea, strong ships and powerful artillery determined victory. This was why most pirates, even the formidable ones, avoided direct naval confrontations with the Marines—the firepower disparity was simply too great.

However, Akainu himself was an exception. As a Logia user with an exceptionally destructive ability, he didn’t need cannons. He was the firepower.

“Magma?” Senju Hashirama exclaimed as he looked up at the fiery onslaught. “This level of firepower… It’s almost on par with the Four-Tails!”

“Boring.”

Uchiha Madara snorted indifferently. A surge of blue energy erupted from him, forming a fully armored Susanoo in an instant.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The colossal Susanoo stood its ground, shielding the group from the Meteor Volcano’s fiery fists. While the armor suffered some damage, the endless chakra coursing through Madara’s body allowed it to recover almost instantly.

“Marine…”

Madara’s lips curled into a smirk.

“Feel the power of the Uchiha!”

With that, Susanoo unsheathed its massive energy blade and swung it down toward the Marine warships.

Just as the energy sword was about to strike, a sharp, high-pitched battle cry echoed across the battlefield.

"Hah!"

A flash of pink energy streaked through the air as Momousagi, clad in her Marine uniform, leaped from one of the warships. Her famed blade, Konpira, slashed forward, unleashing a crescent-shaped sword aura to intercept the attack.

Peng!

The two vastly different weapons—a giant ethereal sword and a relatively small katana—collided. Yet, despite their size disparity, Momousagi’s sword aura held its ground, stopping Susanoo’s attack head-on.

[Chat Group]

Sebastian Shaw: “This feels… strange. How can something that small block such a massive attack?”

Whitebeard: “Gurararara~ It’s nothing surprising! Happens all the time in this world! There’s no shortage of tiny warriors taking down giants.”

Lucas: “Exactly! Marines even have a special Giant Unit, but those towering brutes still get smacked down by ‘little’ pirate captains all the time.”

Senju Tobirama: “The primary role of those giants is to clear out fodder and dominate the battlefield numbers-wise. They’re like the Tailed Beasts in our world—useful for large-scale destruction but not necessarily effective against true powerhouses.”

Gengetsu Hōzuki: “Second Hokage, shall we combine our Water Style? This battlefield is practically our home turf.”

Senju Tobirama: “An excellent idea! The group leader keeps claiming that we can’t take on a Marine Admiral. It’s time we prove him wrong! With the right battlefield conditions, Marine Admirals are no match for us!”

[Water Style—Great Water Explosion!]

Senju Tobirama and Gengetsu Hōzuki joined forces, channeling their chakra into the sea beneath them. The ocean churned violently, and soon, a massive tsunami surged into the sky, crashing toward the three Marine warships.

“They can control the sea?!”

“Shit!”

Panic spread among the Marines on board. Without someone like Aokiji, who could freeze the waves, they were powerless against a tsunami of this magnitude.

“Damn it!”

Akainu’s face twisted with fury as magma surged from his right arm, forming an enormous magma fist.

With a powerful leap, he swung his molten fist forward, attempting to disperse the incoming tsunami.

Tobirama and Gengetsu sneered. Their chakra-infused water techniques instantly regenerated the split waves, crashing toward Akainu and the warships with even greater force.

Boom!

The Marine swordsmen on board unleashed devastating sword auras, slashing at the tsunami in a desperate attempt to weaken it.

“There are too many on the other side. Big Brother, lend a hand.”

Tobirama frowned as he observed the Marines’ combined efforts to counter their attack.

“No problem!”

Hashirama grinned and immediately joined the assault. He couldn't just let his younger brother be outnumbered like this.

Water Style—Great Water Explosion!

The already monstrous tsunami, fueled by Hashirama’s chakra, exploded with newfound power. The Marines’ attacks were instantly overwhelmed as the towering waves crashed mercilessly onto the three warships.

BOOOOM!

All three Marine warships capsized. Aside from the top-ranking Marines, the rest of the crew was thrown into the raging sea, desperately struggling to stay afloat.

However, Akainu, Momousagi, and Chaton—thanks to their immense strength—managed to shatter the waves above them, using Moonwalk (Geppo) from the Rokushiki to suspend themselves mid-air.

[Chat Group]

Uchiha Shisui: “Why is the First Hokage’s Water Style so strong? Isn’t Tobirama the one famous for it?”

Senju Hashiram]: “Well, my specialty is Wood Style, but since it’s a combination of Water and Earth, I naturally have strong control over both. Aside from Wood Style, my best elements are Water and Earth.”

Uchiha Madara: “Don’t be fooled by his modesty. All of Hashirama’s jutsu are ridiculously strong. The only reason his other techniques aren’t famous is because his Wood Style overshadows everything else.”

Sebastian Shaw: “You know, Uchiha Madara, you seem to really enjoy praising Senju Hashirama. Why is that?”

Howard Stark: “You’re new here, so you wouldn’t know. Their history is… complicated.”

Lucas: “To put it simply, these two fought each other for their entire lives while also being obsessed with each other. Classic love-hate relationship.”

Sebastian Shaw: “Ah, I see. So if they ‘loved and fought’ each other all their lives… that means Hashirama won, right?”

Senju Hashirama: “Wait, how did you know that?”

Sebastian Shaw: “Just a guess. In my experience, the one who loses always ends up praising the winner.”

Senju Hashirama: “Huh? Why?”

Howard Stark: “Oh, I got this one! If you lose to someone weak, it's embarrassing. But if you lose to someone so powerful they seem invincible, it's actually… kinda respectable.”

Tohsaka Tokiomi: “Praising the enemy’s strength is often the best way to cover up one’s own incompetence.”

Uchiha Madara: “…”

Tohsaka Tokiomi: “…Ah, my apologies. That wasn’t directed at you, Lord Madara. I was speaking in general terms.”

Uchiha Shisui: “There are still three strong ones left. What’s the plan?”

Senju Tobirama: “They’re hovering too high. Our Water Style can’t reach them at this range.”

Lucas: “Exactly! Madara, Shisui, and Hashirama—you three handle the last ones!”

Senju Hashirama: “Got it!”

Wood Style—Wood Dragon Technique!

A massive wooden dragon erupted from Hashirama’s body, rapidly expanding as he leapt onto its head, his golden eyes locking onto Akainu.

“Here I come!”

The wooden dragon lunged toward Akainu, ready to strike.

“Damn you, Hashirama! That’s my opponent!”

Madara’s voice was filled with displeasure. They all knew that Akainu was the strongest of the three, and everyone wanted to be the one to take him on.

“Hahahaha!”

Hashirama laughed heartily. “Madara, why don’t you deal with the female Marine who's challenging you in swordsmanship?”

His words carried no room for negotiation.

“Tch.”

Madara scoffed, but his irritation was evident. “Fine. Then I’ll take on her.”

Shisui, watching from the side, sighed dramatically. “Well, that just leaves me with the smallest and wimpiest one.”

His eyes turned to Chaton, the least imposing among the three remaining Marines.

Activating Susanoo, Shisui charged forward, dragging Magellan along with him.

“Poison Dragon!”

Despite his blank expression, Magellan’s Devil Fruit ability was still active. Purple venom seeped from his body, forming three massive toxic dragons that slithered around him.

“Oi, oi, oi! Are you kidding me? Magellan!”

Chaton’s exaggerated voice cut through the battlefield. “Bro, are you actually under their control? That’s just terrible! Your poison is way too much trouble for everyone!”

Akainu, meanwhile, clenched his fists in fury.

“Damn pirates… Die!”

With a roar, his magma-infused fists ignited, swinging forward to meet the incoming wooden dragon.

On the other side, Momousagi’s eyes sharpened as she zeroed in on Madara, her grip tightening around Konpira .

“Damn pirate…”

A cold light flashed in her gaze.

“You dare underestimate me?!”

Chapter 158: A Kind Character is Needed!

The three were defeated without suspense.

After all, they were terrestrial creatures—expecting them to maintain peak combat effectiveness in an aerial and naval battle was unrealistic. While using Moonwalk to stay airborne and simultaneously fighting against a group of powerhouses on par with them, their endurance only lasted about half an hour.

“Damn it!”

“If this were on land, I wouldn’t lose to any of you!”

Akainu glared at Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, lava seeping from his body in rage. However, the Eight Trigram Seal on him restricted his strength, reducing his power to barely one percent of his full capability.

Meanwhile, the Chaton had finally succumbed to Magellan’s poison and lay unconscious.

Momousagi had been overwhelmed by the Complete Body Susanoo and collapsed weakly to the side. Unfortunately for her, her enemies were undead—they had no sympathy to spare.

[Chat Group]

Whitebeard: "Group Leader, what do you plan to do with Akainu? If possible, give me a chance to fight him."

Fire Fist Ace: "Me too! The last time I fought him, I was stuck in Impel Down, exhausted and barely able to use my abilities properly. I need a rematch!"

Golden Lion Shiki (mockingly): "Kid, don’t talk big. Even at full strength, you wouldn’t be his match. And if I recall correctly, he was already on the verge of death when he fought you, wasn’t he?"

Fire Fist Ace (gritting his teeth): "When did I ever say I could beat him? I just wasn’t satisfied with how our fight ended. Even if I lose, I want to go all out!"

Whitebeard (laughing): "Gurarara! If you’re that eager, I can give you the chance!"

Fire Fist Ace (quickly waving his hands): "No, no, Dad, you should do it! If you hadn’t been injured back then, you would’ve smashed Akainu into the ground!"

Pirate King Roger (weakly): "I wanna fight him too!"

Lucas: "No problem!"

Lucas emerged from the shadows and knocked Akainu unconscious with a swift strike. He planned to take him back to the Ninja World, where Whitebeard and the others could have their long-awaited battle.

Uchiha Madara eyed Momousagi and Chaton with a smirk. "Group Leader, what about these two? They’re high-ranking Marines—why not take this opportunity to kill them?"

Lucas thought for a moment before responding, "Like Magellan, we’ll keep them captive for now. Ensure they’re under control and can’t escape. If needed, I might let them go later."

Sebastian Shaw (puzzled): "Why let them go? They’re your enemies!"

Whitebeard: "If the World Government and Marines collapse too quickly, the world will fall into chaos."

Sebastian Shaw (grinning): "And what’s wrong with that? Chaos breeds opportunity!"

Senju Hashirama: "The Group Leader doesn’t need such an opportunity. He already has the power to overthrow the World Government. The only reason he hasn’t is because he lacks a proper system to replace it."

Sebastian Shaw (eagerly): "Then just build one! If that’s too much trouble, recruit people who will pledge loyalty to you!"

Senju Tobirama: "It’s not that simple. If you randomly recruit people, they’ll only use you as a stepping stone for their own ambitions. In the end, your name will be tarnished, and you’ll suffer losses while they reap the benefits."

Gengetsu Hōzuki: "Exactly. The Group Leader is focusing on cultivating loyal and trustworthy subordinates."

Howard Stark (chuckling): "Shaw, the Group Leader isn’t like you. He may not be a saint, but he’s definitely not a villain either. He’s got a kind heart—he wouldn’t resort to the kind of ruthless tactics you’re suggesting."

Lucas glanced at the chat and smiled. Howard Stark’s assessment of him wasn’t entirely wrong—but it wasn’t entirely right either.

Yes, Lucas was kind, but more importantly, the nature of the chat group forced him to maintain a benevolent image. If he revealed a ruthless persona, earning skills and trust from the members would become significantly harder.

A good reputation was essential.

Ninja World

To provide Whitebeard and Akainu with a proper battlefield, Lucas traveled to a remote section of the ocean, far from the Ninja Continent. With a wave of his hand, he used Wood Style to construct a solid island, then summoned Whitebeard and Fire Fist Ace.

Whitebeard tightened his grip on the golden naginata Lucas had crafted for him. A savage grin spread across his face as he turned his gaze to Akainu, who lay unconscious nearby. "Where is he?"

Raising his hand, Lucas used Medical Ninjutsu to heal Akainu’s injuries while also breaking the seal suppressing his power.

Akainu stirred and slowly opened his eyes.

“Where… is this place?”

His gaze swept across the battlefield before landing on two familiar figures—Whitebeard and Fire Fist Ace.

A sneer curled on his lips. "So… I’ve finally arrived in the afterlife?"

Cracking his knuckles, he stood up and glared at them. "What? You want to settle the score?"

Whitebeard sneered in response, stepping forward without hesitation.

His movements were swift—he leaped into the air, his naginata cloaked in Armament Haki and Tremor-Tremor Fruit energy, slashing down toward Akainu.

Last time, due to his lingering injuries, he had suffered a humiliating defeat at Akainu’s hands.

Now?

Now, he was in his prime. And he was going to make Akainu pay.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Lava surged, and the ground trembled violently as Whitebeard and Akainu clashed on the wooden island. Their battle quickly escalated into an all-out war, shaking the very foundations of the battlefield.

[Chat Group]

Senju Hashirama (regretfully): "So this is Akainu's true strength… What a pity. I didn't get to witness his full power earlier."

Uchiha Madara (curious): "Group Leader, can you arrange a fight with Akainu at his peak for me?"

Lucas: "No problem. Anyone who wants to fight him, I'll make it happen."

Senju Tobirama: "Group Leader, what are you planning to do?"

Lucas (grinning): "Kill Akainu and reincarnate him, of course. He'll be my personal training dummy. If anyone gets bored, they can spar with him for entertainment."

Fisher Tiger (sighing): "You're going to kill him? What a shame. I’m not exactly fond of Marines, but I do recognize that Akainu and his faction are some of the few genuinely determined to eliminate pirates. Compared to those Marines who waver in their beliefs, he's at least consistent."

Golden Lion Shiki (mocking): "Fisher Tiger, weren’t you killed by the Marines? Didn’t expect you to be defending them."

Fisher Tiger: "To me, the Marines were just a tool—it's the Celestial Dragons and the World Government that pull the strings. Akainu's death is nothing more than the loss of an effective tool, which I do find a bit unfortunate."

Lucas: "Akainu’s firm dedication to eradicating pirates is admirable, sure. But unless he’s reincarnated, I can’t trust him to follow my commands."

Howard Stark: "Why’s that?"

Lucas: "Because Akainu would sacrifice his own comrades without hesitation if it meant achieving his goal. That kind of mentality makes him unreliable."

Pirate King Roger: "Ah, a typical Marine hawk. People like that are dangerous within a team. If not handled properly, they'll ignite internal conflicts."

Lucas: "Exactly. He wouldn’t just cause internal strife—he’d outright refuse orders if they didn’t align with his beliefs. That’s why reincarnating him is the best approach. Once he's under my control, I won’t have to worry about him acting out."

Some people admired Akainu’s resolve—mostly those who didn’t have to deal with him directly. But for those who worked with him?

Civilians feared he would annihilate them alongside the pirates.
Comrades feared he would sacrifice them for his ideals.
Superiors feared he would disobey orders in pursuit of his own justice.

Sure, he might wipe out pirates and reduce crime, but his presence was a ticking time bomb that made everyone uneasy.

More importantly, Lucas had his own priorities—his chat group members were his greatest assets. Naturally, he had to side with them.

Killing Akainu and reincarnating him was the most logical decision, whether from a strategic, emotional, or practical standpoint.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The battle between Whitebeard and Akainu continued.

The Wood Style of a Ten Tails Jinchūriki was far superior to that of Senju Hashirama. The sheer amount of wood created was enough to build a fortress that could last a thousand years.

As Whitebeard and Akainu clashed, the wooden island quaked under the impact of their blows. Had it been an ordinary island, it would have long since been reduced to rubble. But this Wood Style creation remained resilient, absorbing both the searing magma and the devastating tremors.

After half an hour, Akainu was starting to falter.

[Chat Group]

Howard Stark (frowning): "Something seems off. Weren’t they supposed to be evenly matched? Why is Akainu losing so decisively?"

Senju Tobirama: "It’s not a problem with Akainu—it’s a problem with Whitebeard. If this were a normal fight, they could go at it for days. But Whitebeard isn’t just fighting. He’s killing."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Exactly. Just because Akainu fought Aokiji for ten days doesn’t mean he has infinite stamina. Recovery plays a role too. During his fight with Aokiji, his body was healing as he fought. But now? Now, he's burning through his energy without a chance to recover."

Howard Stark: "Ah, I get it. It’s like how an average worker can push through several hours of light work but would only last a few minutes in an intense, high-stress job."

Pirate King Roger: "And don’t forget—Whitebeard’s reincarnated body gives him unlimited stamina. He can afford to trade blow for blow without hesitation."

Sebastian Shaw: "Then doesn’t that make Whitebeard completely unstoppable?"

Whitebeard: "Gurarara! Even without this advantage, I wouldn’t lose. This fight is my way of venting my frustrations. After I reincarnate Akainu, I’ll have a proper duel with him. That’ll be the real fight."

Outside World

Whitebeard roared as he launched a devastating punch, infused with Armament Haki and Tremor-Tremor Fruit power. The impact shattered the air, ripping through Akainu’s body.

Akainu was sent flying, his consciousness fading as he crashed into the ground.

He didn’t even have time to activate his Logia body to mitigate the damage.

He was out cold.

Lucas stepped forward, his Rinnegan glowing as he activated his ability.

"Rinnegan—World Overwrite!"

He extracted Akainu’s soul, sifting through his memories for valuable information.

A name immediately stood out.

"Vegapunk."

Lucas’s eyes gleamed with interest. So that’s where I’ll find what I need…

Not intending to waste Akainu’s soul, Lucas took out a white seed and infused it with Chakra, causing it to sprout into a White Zetsu. Using White Zetsu as a sacrifice, he reincarnated Akainu.

Akainu’s eyes remained closed, but Lucas immediately noticed something strange.

A faint, unknown energy swirled within Akainu’s new body, seemingly trying to break free but unable to do so.

Lucas narrowed his eyes. "What is this…?"

Activating his Rinnegan, he carefully observed the phenomenon.

Then, realization dawned.

"The Magma-Magma Fruit?"

Lucas smirked. In the world of One Piece, a Devil Fruit ability would dissipate upon the user’s death, reforming somewhere else in the world.

But here?

In the Naruto world, the laws were different. The Magma-Magma Fruit wasn’t dispersing properly.

A bold idea formed in his mind.

"Let’s see if this works."

Using his Rinnegan, he attempted to extract the Magma-Magma Fruit ability from Akainu’s body.

It worked.

Holding the extracted essence, he infused it into a regular fruit. Within moments, the fruit transformed, taking on the characteristic swirls of a Devil Fruit.

[Chat Group]

Whitebeard (stunned): "Did you just… steal a Devil Fruit’s power? Like Teach?"

Lucas: "No, this is Rinnegan’s ability."

Senju Hashirama (confused): "But Rinnegan and Devil Fruits are completely different systems. Should that even be possible?"

Lucas: "Two possibilities—either it’s the effect of cross-world interaction, or it’s due to my system skills. I’ll need to experiment further to confirm which one."

Chapter 159: I Didn’t See You!

Lucas returned to the world of One Piece and found two pirates with Devil Fruit abilities to conduct an experiment.

However, after killing them, he was surprised to find that their Devil Fruit abilities did not manifest. There was no way to extract their abilities or transfer them. But when Lucas took them to the Ninja World and killed them there, he could suddenly see their Devil Fruit powers. Not only that, but he could extract them, transfer them to others, or even recreate them into new Devil Fruits.

In the Chat Group

Everyone was intrigued by this phenomenon and began speculating about the reason behind it.

Lucas: "No need to guess—I think I already know the answer."

Whitebeard: "The effects of a different world?"

Lucas: "Exactly. Devil Fruits function based on the fundamental laws of the One Piece world. They act as converters, allowing users to transform their physical and mental energy into unique abilities."

Howard Stark immediately grasped Lucas's point and continued the explanation.

Howard Stark: "So when a Devil Fruit user dies, this 'converter'—which is tied to the world's rules—returns to those rules and eventually reappears somewhere else."

Lucas: "That’s right! But when we move them to a different world, the converter has nowhere to return. It gets trapped in the corpse of the former user. As a Ten Tails Jinchūriki, my connection to the natural energy of the Ninja World allows me to perceive and manipulate these trapped powers."

Sebastian Shaw: "This is an incredible discovery! Devil Fruits grant abilities similar to mutants, but without the genetic instability that plagues us. With this method, you could mass-produce ability users."

Whitebeard: "Blackbeard attempted something similar, but the results were unimpressive. This approach works for strengthening low- and mid-tier subordinates, but it’s nearly impossible to create true powerhouses this way. Strength isn’t just about eating a top-tier Devil Fruit—it requires talent."

Lucas: "Exactly! Besides, there are only a few hundred Devil Fruits in existence. Using them to cultivate subordinates has its limits. If we want large-scale enhancement, the answer lies in science. Time to capture Vegapunk!"

Senju Tobirama: "Do you know where Vegapunk is?"

Lucas: "Of course. Akainu was Fleet Admiral of the Marines—there’s no way he wouldn’t know the location of the Marine Science Division’s main research base. We have to act before the World Government catches wind of this."

Whitebeard: "Can you wake Akainu’s consciousness? I still have a score to settle with him. You do your mission, and we’ll settle our battle."

Lucas: "Now that you mention it, I just had an interesting idea. Let’s bring Magellan and Akainu along for the operation to capture Vegapunk!"

In the Ninja World

Following Lucas’s command, Akainu’s imprisoned will was restored. His eyes snapped open, filled with shock and confusion. His instincts immediately screamed that something was off.

"What the hell is going on?" Akainu asked, his voice laced with wariness.

"No time to explain—let’s move!" Lucas grinned, grabbing Akainu and instantly teleporting back to the One Piece world.

From there, he activated the Float-Float Fruit’s ability, bringing Akainu, Magellan, and a squad of the undead straight to Vegapunk’s secret research facility.

This was an island unmarked on any maps or Log Poses. The World Government had constructed a hidden Marine base here, housing the Marine Science Division’s main research center.

"Go!"

"Capture Vegapunk, and you’ll make history today!"

With a smirk, Lucas waved his hand, signaling the start of the attack.

The six elite ninja warriors, along with Magellan and Akainu—now functioning as puppets—charged toward the Marine Science Division, slaughtering their way through the base’s defenses.

Inside the Research Base

Kizaru sat leisurely in a chair, his legs crossed as he read a newspaper. A cup of steaming tea rested beside him.

"Captain, you’re too relaxed!"

The voice belonged to Sentomaru, the burly man in a red clothes, who served as Kizaru’s subordinate and the primary guardian of Vegapunk.

"Sentomaru…" Kizaru drawled, not even looking up.

"Life is about balance. Stress shortens your lifespan, you know." He picked up his tea and took a slow sip, smiling.

Sentomaru frowned. "Yeah, but all I see is you slacking off!"

BOOM!

A violent tremor shook the research base. Kizaru’s face, usually nonchalant, turned serious in an instant.

Very few people knew about this location. The only ones who would dare attack were either ignorant pirates or powerful figures who knew exactly what they were doing.

Kizaru’s lazy demeanor vanished. He stood up, his expression cold as he walked toward the exit.

He had a duty as the overseer of the Marine Science Division. If someone was bold enough to assault this base, he wasn’t going to let them off easily.

"Akainu?"

The moment Kizaru stepped out of the research facility, his expression changed drastically. His usual carefree demeanor vanished as he stared in disbelief.

"Kizaru?"

Akainu was momentarily stunned before a rare look of relief crossed his face. "I didn’t expect you to be here. This is great!"

Kizaru, however, shook his head. "Just a coincidence. But what about you? Why are you here? And more importantly..." His sharp gaze swept over the group behind Akainu—six ninjas and Magellan. "That’s Magellan, the former Deputy Warden of Impel Down... but I don’t recognize the others."

Akainu opened his mouth as if to explain, but something prevented him from speaking crucial details. His face twisted in frustration before he finally growled, "I’m under control. Stop me!"

The moment he finished speaking, searing hot magma erupted from his body as he lunged at Kizaru, aiming to take him down.

"Nani?"

Seeing Akainu charging at him with killing intent, Kizaru cursed inwardly. His body instantly transformed into golden light, allowing him to evade the attack.

At Marine Headquarters, the three Admirals of Logia-type Devil Fruits each had their own strengths. Akainu had the most overwhelming frontal combat power, essentially a tank and warrior. Kizaru, on the other hand, was the fastest, excelling in both speed and long-range attacks, making him the equivalent of an assassin and a sharpshooter. Aokiji, with his Ice-Ice Fruit, specialized in battlefield control, more akin to a support and mage role.

Now, Kizaru found himself facing an Akainu who wasn’t holding back.

"This is troublesome..."

Akainu narrowed his eyes. "You might be fast enough to dodge me, but do you really think you can take on all of us?"

Kizaru glanced at the figures standing behind Akainu. His gaze briefly met Uchiha Madara’s, who was watching him indifferently. Without a single word, Madara unleashed an illusion.

"Tsk!"

Kizaru’s eyes widened as the illusion tried to take hold of his mind. But his immense willpower surged, shattering the illusion through sheer mental strength.

Those with strong mental resilience could break free of illusions using their own psychic power—just as Haruno Sakura had done in the past. Unfortunately, she had never fully pursued the path of a Genjutsu user.

"Interesting."

Madara grinned as pale blue energy exploded around him. In an instant, a colossal Susanoo took shape.

"Wood Style—Wood Dragon Jutsu!"

Hashirama also joined the fight, summoning a massive wooden dragon that tore through the ground, surging toward Kizaru.

"This is bad..."

Kizaru sighed, realizing that retreat was his only option.

As for Vegapunk and the researchers inside the base... well, they were out of luck.

"No choice. Even if I stay and fight, there’s no way to win this battle."

His body shimmered into golden light as he shot into the sky at high speed, leaving the battlefield behind.

Lucas, still in his transparent state, watched Kizaru retreat but made no move to stop him.

"Let him go."

He calmly prevented the others from pursuing and instead ordered them to extract Vegapunk.

Mariejois – The World Government Headquarters

At Pangaea Castle, deep within the Room of Authority, the Five Elders were in the middle of a meeting.

"According to reports from Impel Down, Magellan was taken after being controlled by the enemy."

One of the Elders adjusted his glasses, continuing coldly.

"The surviving Marine soldiers that survive confirm that Magellan has been reduced to a puppet, forced to fight Chaton."

"A shame," another Elder muttered. "Magellan had his flaws, but he was invaluable within Impel Down. Losing him is equivalent to losing an Admiral-level force. Who should replace him?"

"We can’t afford to pull anyone from the current Marine ranks," another Elder responded. "We already had to conduct a World Recruitment just to stabilize the Admiral system. Now, with Akainu, Chaton, and Momousagi all missing, we can’t afford any more losses."

"Think about it—Marine Headquarters had a Fleet Admiral and two Vice Admirals leading an assault strong enough to challenge the Four Emperors, yet they were completely overpowered and captured?"

"According to surviving reports, they suffered a tactical defeat. The enemy possesses both superior naval and aerial capabilities. We underestimated them."

Another Elder tapped his fingers on the table. "Let’s discuss Impel Down first. There are too many dangerous criminals inside. We can’t allow it to be left unguarded. I propose we send Garp and Sengoku there."

The room fell silent for a moment.

"Garp and Sengoku?"

One Elder smirked. "They can no longer fight for the Marines, and they have no other value remaining. It’s better to use their last strengths to guard Impel Down."

"Sengoku, maybe... but old Garp..."

"Garp won’t betray the Marines, no matter what," another Elder stated firmly. "He may have his own way of doing things, but he’ll never side with criminals."

"That’s true. If we can’t trust him with this, we can’t trust anyone. Very well—let Garp and Sengoku take charge of Impel Down."

With the decision made, the meeting shifted back to Akainu’s disappearance.

Although the loss of Fleet Admiral Akainu, Vice Admiral Chaton, and Vice Admiral Momousagi was concerning, the Five Elders refused to panic. They had ruled the world for decades—fear and indecisiveness were not in their nature.

They would deal with the situation rationally, focusing on what could still be controlled.

Just then, an urgent knock interrupted their discussion.

"Report!"

A government agent entered hurriedly, bowing deeply.

"Five Elders, we have urgent news from Admiral Kizaru!"

The room instantly turned tense.

"Speak."

"Fleet Admiral Akainu has been confirmed to be under enemy control. He is currently leading an assault on the research base housing Dr. Vegapunk."

Chapter 160: That’s Right, We Made a Lot of Money This Time!

Nani?!

The research base housing Vegapunk was under attack?

No, they weren’t just attacking—it was a direct assault to capture Vegapunk!

The Five Elders’ faces darkened immediately. Without hesitation, they ordered the full deployment of all three remaining Marine Admirals. Additionally, they sent an Admiral-level powerhouse from the government’s Cipher Pols to reinforce the base and ensure Vegapunk’s safety.

The Five Elders understood all too well just how valuable Dr. Vegapunk was. A man whose intellect surpassed humanity by 500 years was no trivial asset. In their eyes, given enough time, Vegapunk could very well create robots strong enough to rival Marine Admirals.

For the World Government, Vegapunk’s existence was far more crucial than even an Admiral. If an Admiral was lost, they could always recruit another—there were plenty of Admiral-level powerhouses scattered across the world.

But there was only one Vegapunk.

And there would never be a second.

"Did you hear that just now? Akainu seems to be under enemy control!"

"First Magellan, now Akainu. What exactly are they planning?"

"What if the other marine we just sent also end up controlled?"

"No use worrying. If they truly have the ability to control powerhouses indefinitely, then our concerns won’t matter. After all, we can’t have every Admiral gathered in one place at all times."

"True. No point in hesitating now."

"Still… losing Akainu, Momousagi, and Chaton is a heavy blow to the World Government’s fighting force."

"Don’t be so pessimistic. Their control might not be permanent. Akainu and the others could find an opportunity to break free and return."

"That’s a fair point!"

"Vegapunk still has plenty of SSG / Seraphim forces stored in the base. He should be able to hold out for a while. Let’s hope we’re not too late."

"Speaking of which, couldn’t that slick bastard Kizaru have stayed behind and fought with SSG?"

"Hah! You think that old salted fish would ever put himself in a dangerous position? He wouldn’t risk his life for either the Marines or the World Government."

"Damn Marine Admirals! Every single one of them is a problem case. The fact that we ended up with these as our Admirals is infuriating!"

"It’s inevitable. Anyone who stands at the pinnacle of combat power is bound to have some kind of personality."

"Honestly, though? I think Kizaru leaving was for the best. The enemy controlling Akainu probably won’t dare act too recklessly in front of Vegapunk. They might hesitate, which could buy us some time."

"True. But if Kizaru had been controlled instead…"

"That would’ve been a disaster. It was too risky for him to stay. Now, all we can do is have our forces intercept them before it’s too late!"

Inside the Research Base

Meanwhile, Akainu and his group had successfully breached the research facility. Anyone who dared resist was swiftly crushed.

Soon, they reached Vegapunk’s personal laboratory.

An elderly man with a kind smile awaited them inside.

"Are you here to kill me? Or take me away?" Vegapunk asked, his tone filled with curiosity rather than fear.

Lucas emerged from his transparent state, looking directly at Vegapunk.

"We’re taking you with us," Lucas replied calmly. "And of course, we won’t be leaving empty-handed."

"We’re also taking SSG, along with the corpses of Roger and Golden Lion Shiki."

Vegapunk’s eyes narrowed as he examined Lucas closely.

"Ah… I know you."

"The so-called ‘Strongest Man in the New World’—The new emperor Lucas. Is this your doing?"

Vegapunk nodded, then shifted his gaze to Akainu, who stood silently behind Lucas.

"Yes," Lucas admitted with a smirk. "But you’ll soon find out that I have much more than you can imagine."

Vegapunk chuckled.

"I believe you. And I must say, I’m quite interested in you, Lucas."

"If you let me continue my research without interference, I’d be happy to work for you."

His words were spoken lightly, but there was a genuine glint of curiosity in his eyes.

Vegapunk had long been fascinated by Lucas’s unique combination of Devil Fruit abilities and the extraordinary powers he possessed.

Now, seeing Lucas in person, his curiosity had only deepened.

After a brief conversation, Vegapunk didn’t hesitate to switch sides. He immediately began guiding Lucas through his scientific research and revealing everything he had developed.

"This is the SSG project I’ve spent years perfecting. These forces were designed to replace the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

Lucas raised an eyebrow as he took in the information.

Vegapunk smiled.

"Given your... relationship with the World Government, I’d advise you to take everything you can and destroy the rest before leaving."

Lucas grinned.

"Don’t worry. I can take everything."

He reached into his coat, pulling out a test tube filled with a light green liquid. Inside, a single Sharingan floated in suspension.

Then, in a fluid motion, he swapped his eyes, revealing his Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Kamui!"

In an instant, a massive suction force erupted from his eyes, swallowing everything in the lab—research data, equipment, materials, even the SSG prototypes—into the dimensional space of Kamui.

Vegapunk’s eyes widened in fascination.

"What… was that?"

Lucas smirked.

"Sharingan."

"Once you’re in my domain, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to study it."

Vegapunk chuckled.

"Heh. Is that so? Well, now I’m looking forward to it even more."

With that, everything inside the research facility had been secured.

Vegapunk adjusted his glasses, glancing at Lucas.

"We need to move quickly. This place is too close to Marine Headquarters and Mariejois."

"If not for that, the World Government never would’ve chosen this location as my research base. They still see me as too valuable to keep anywhere else."

Lucas laughed.

"Relax. I’ll get you out of here right now."

Lucas placed his hand on Vegapunk’s shoulder.

With a flash, the Flying Thunder God Technique activated, instantly teleporting them to Lucas’s secret research base, where Judge, Caesar Clown, and Orochimaru were all conducting their experiments.

Of course, Lucas’s clones and Senju Tobirama’s clone were also present.

"Lord Lucas—Vegapunk?!"

The moment Caesar Clown saw Lucas, he hurried forward to greet him. But when his eyes landed on Vegapunk, his expression twisted in shock and disbelief.

"Caesar? Long time no see."

Vegapunk barely spared him a glance, offering only a slight nod as a greeting.

To Caesar, Vegapunk was a lifelong rival, a symbol of everything he resented.

But to Vegapunk, Caesar was nothing more than a second-rate scientist consumed by jealousy.

Vegapunk's gaze soon shifted to another familiar face.

"Judge… I didn’t expect to see you here."

His expression softened as he looked at Vinsmoke Judge, someone he had once worked alongside in their youth.

"It’s been a long time."

Judge met Vegapunk’s eyes with a complicated expression. He never imagined they would reunite as colleagues under these circumstances.

Then, as he glanced at Lucas, a wave of unease swept through him.

Lucas had not only taken Vegapunk but had even stolen the very heart of the World Government right from under their noses.

It was terrifying.

Yet at the same time, Judge felt strangely relieved.

After all… his daughter, Reiju, had an unclear relationship with Lucas.

Thinking about that, Judge’s mood lightened slightly. He even felt a little proud.

"Vegapunk? Greetings. I am Orochimaru."

For Orochimaru, this was their first meeting. He took the initiative to introduce himself with a sly smile.

"I am Senju Tobirama."

Tobirama’s Shadow Clone, who was overseeing the research facility, also introduced himself.

Lucas chuckled.

"You’re all scientists. Consider this a new partnership."

Then, with a smile, he turned to leave.

"If you need anything, just let my clone know."

In a flash, Lucas disappeared again with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Vegapunk’s eyes narrowed as he watched Lucas’s clone remain behind.

"Two Lucases?"

Then his gaze shifted to Tobirama’s clone.

"And you, Tobirama—I just saw you at the World Government’s research base."

His scientific mind was already racing with questions.

Orochimaru let out a chuckle.

"Let me explain."

However, he deliberately avoided mentioning the existence of an entirely different world and instead framed it as if Lucas and Tobirama came from an isolated, undiscovered country.

Vegapunk, having seen many mysterious abilities before, didn’t suspect anything too far-fetched.

Instead, he categorized Chakra as a unique training method, much like the techniques seen in Wano Country, where samurai could unleash powerful attacks that mimicked Devil Fruit abilities.

In the Chat Group

Senju Tobirama: "I didn’t expect capturing Vegapunk to be this easy. It was almost too easy! Group Leader, what’s the plan now?"

Lucas: "The World Government’s reinforcements will arrive soon. Let’s fight them head-on! You’ve already showcased your overwhelming power—retreating now would be a waste."

Uchiha Madara: "And after we defeat them?"

Lucas: "In my opinion, this is the perfect time to debut as a pirate crew. I even have the perfect name—‘The Living Dead.’ What do you think?"

Namikaze Minato: "...The name fits, but it sounds… unsettling. Also, don’t I need to return to the Ninja World to oversee things?"

Lucas: "No worries! The main members of the Living Dead Pirates will be Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara—they have no plans to return to the Shinobi world. The rest of you can leave whenever you want."

Whitebeard: "What about Akainu?"

Lucas: "Wherever he’s needed."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Group Leader, hurry up and reincarnate me! Damn those World Government bastards for using my corpse in their experiments! I’ll make them pay!"

Howard Stark: "So… the SSG project the World Government developed to replace the Seven Warlords of the Sea… it’s based on cloned versions of top-tier fighters like Golden Lion Shiki?"

Senju Tobirama: "It’s a weakened clone. If they hadn’t weakened his cells, they wouldn’t have been able to replicate a complete human."

Sebastian Shaw: "I didn’t expect Vegapunk to succeed where even we failed."

Senju Tobirama: "Correction! Who says we failed? We simply never had the time. If we were given as much research time as Vegapunk, we could’ve solved the same problem."

Howard Stark: "That’s true. We already understand the process and cloning methods—we just lacked the advanced equipment needed to make it work."

Lucas: "Exactly. No matter how powerful an individual is, they can’t just force cells to regenerate into a full human body. The only thing capable of doing that is scientific technology. Specialized equipment applies controlled pressure to cells, forcing them to grow into a functional body."

Sebastian Shaw: "That’s right. But with Vegapunk in our hands now—along with all his research data, raw materials, and stolen World Government equipment—we’ve saved ourselves decades of work in one go!"

Lucas: "Damn right! We made a huge profit this time!"