[~1100 Words]
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Caesar, who was still struggling weakly beside him, stared in horror as Monet's attacks vanished—swallowed whole by a door that opened into nothingness.
"Oh my~" James chuckled softly. "Your Snow–Snow Devil Fruit is really quite impressive. Such a gentle, heart-cooling chill… perhaps you could help dispel the heat from my body and mind during the summer."
He brushed a few lingering snowflakes from his shoulder, his praise entirely sincere.
"You're beautiful, too," he continued casually. "Why not follow me? If you do, I might even grant Doflamingo a quick, merciful death when I catch him in Dressrosa."
At the moment, Monet wore a green-and-white striped top and simple blue capris. The casual clothing did nothing to hide her voluptuous figure, one that could easily rival Nami's.
If I ever get the chance, James thought idly, I'll definitely make them 'duel' in front of me—just to see who the true wicked queen really is.
Monet froze.
Her expression flickered—first softening into shy delight, then snapping back into fierce defiance.
"You want me to betray my young master?" she snapped. "Don't be ridiculous!"
James blinked, momentarily speechless. Her expressions changed so quickly it was almost impressive.
She wasn't lying, though—compliments really did make her happy. The shy reaction had been genuine.
He shook his head, smiling helplessly.
"Ah~ Disobedient, are we? That really does give me a headache~"
"Hmph!"
A sharp glint flashed through Monet's eyes as her body transformed, swelling into a giant snow bird, radiant white light cascading from her wings. The sight was beautiful—almost mesmerizing.
In the next instant, she shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, razor-sharp snow talons aimed straight for James's throat.
"Alright~ I'm done playing," James sighed lightly. "We'll have plenty of time to play properly later~"
The moment she closed the distance, his hand—coated in Armament Haki—shot out.
He seized Monet by the neck and slammed her into the ground.
Bang!
The impact echoed through the room. Monet suffered only minor injuries—not because she was especially durable, but because James had deliberately held back.
After all, she was someone he intended to take as a God Consort. What if he struck her too hard and she couldn't bear him children later?
They weren't family yet—so this shouldn't count as domestic violence… right?
"Aaaarrrgggghhhhhh...hmmm~"
Electricity coursed through Monet's body, causing it to convulse uncontrollably. Her consciousness faded, soft, breathy sounds slipping from her lips—so faint that only James could hear them.
She was completely powerless.
James bent down and lifted her effortlessly into a princess carry.
By now, Caesar had already passed out, his body unable to endure the pain any longer.
James glanced around lazily. The remaining researchers were kneeling on the floor, trembling, terrified that a single whim might see them slaughtered.
Clang… clang… clang…
Heavy footsteps approached as the Divine team arrived one after another.
"Roar roar roar roar~ Lord God!" Satori called out, his long tongue hanging awkwardly as he practiced controlling his Puff-Puff Devil Fruit.
James nodded.
"Take everything," he ordered. "Leave no corner unchecked. Especially that slime, the artificial Devil Fruit, and all the SAD hidden in the facility."
Punk Hazard's primary purpose was the production of SAD, the raw material for artificial Devil Fruits. The fruits themselves were rarer—most processing occurred later in Wano and Dressrosa.
"Yes, God-sama~" Satori replied cheerfully.
James flicked his dragon tail.
Caesar's limp body flew through the air and was caught neatly by Satori. At the same time, White Lightning pierced Caesar's chest, instantly plundering the Gas–Gas Devil Fruit and storing it within James's collection.
(Gas refers to harmful underground gases such as methane. Methane alone doesn't poison—it suffocates.)
The Gas Devil Fruit was actually quite useful.
Its user could become gas itself, employing techniques such as poisoning, explosions, oxygen deprivation… and, of course, dangerous interactions with fire.
With a flash of lightning, James left the laboratory, Monet still in his arms.
Only one command remained behind.
"Bring him back to Skypiea. Lock him in Human Prison."
Human Prison was the third tier of confinement within the Divine Kingdom—above it lay Hell Prison and Heaven Prison.
"Understood!"
Caesar had too many schemes. He would never serve loyally.
James had already decided: once he obtained Charlotte Pudding, he would use the Memory Fruit to erase Caesar's memories—leaving only his scientific knowledge behind.
A perfect research tool.
Divine Kingdom — Imperial Palace
James appeared in the inner hall in a flash of light, Monet still unconscious in his arms.
The angel maids immediately approached.
"Your Majesty, do you require assistance?"
James nodded, handing Monet over gently.
"Search her thoroughly. Remove all external belongings and change her into appropriate attire."
"Should the clothes be for a God Consort, God Attendant, or God Concubine?" one maid asked softly. "Conservative… or revealing?"
"God Consort," James replied. "As for the rest—use the usual."
The usual, of course, meant outfits that made it easy for him to appreciate their beauty.
"Yes!"
"Wait," James added. "She's an ability user. Bring the special Sea-Stone ankle bracelets with bells."
"Yes!"
The bracelets were small but effective—enough to suppress Devil Fruit abilities without preventing movement. Every step produced a clear, pleasant chime, adding a unique charm when the God Consorts walked… or moved.
The angel maids began their work, carefully checking Monet for hidden devices and removing her belongings.
Such as the soft, lemon-scented undergarments…
Cough.
Absolutely do not misunderstand—James had not sampled such delicacies.
He certainly couldn't know that the tea Nami brewed carried an orange fragrance with warm mist, much like Nojiko's… or that Robin's tea tasted faintly of honey.
Ahem.
Back to the main point—
As the maids worked, James pondered the potential of his Azure Dragon power.
Seiryu… immense… snowflakes… white…
Wait.
If he could transform into an enormous Seiryu, then—
Could he also enlarge his human form?
If that were truly possible…
Then why would he still covet San Juan Wolf's Huge-Huge Fruit at all?
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