There was no suspense about what happened next.
Alex immediately used the 150,000 Origin Points to strengthen himself. His overall power rose yet again—noticeably.
That went without saying.
"It's time to head back."
After sensing the changes within himself, Alex made his decision.
The harvesting in the One Piece world was complete. The Devil Fruit he had promised Kamala was secured.
There was no reason to remain.
"Pleasure working with you, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Alex stood and offered his farewell.
Sengoku gave a bitter smile.
"Working together?" He wouldn't call it that.
Still, seeing Alex truly destroy—no, absorb—the Devil Fruits instead of using them for some hidden agenda brought Sengoku a measure of relief.
If one thought about it carefully, Alex's logic wasn't entirely unreasonable.
Most Devil Fruits across the seas had now vanished.
In the coming years, new powerful ability users would be rare.
The strongest pirate users were already dead.
Meanwhile, the Marines still had their three Admirals.
In fact, their deterrence had never been stronger.
"Alex… would you consider joining the Marines?"
Sengoku suddenly asked, extending an olive branch.
"If you're willing, I can appoint you directly as an Admiral."
He added quickly, afraid Alex might refuse outright.
The other Admirals would certainly have no objections.
Compared to Alex, they were hopelessly outclassed.
Sharing rank with him would be no insult—only reassurance.
"Sorry. I have absolutely no interest in the Marines."
Alex waved a hand casually.
"Farewell."
With that, he stepped onto his invisible surfboard and shot straight through the wall of Marine Headquarters.
Moments later, above an empty stretch of sea, he summoned the Infinity Gauntlet.
Crack—
A portal opened.
Without hesitation, he stepped through.
---
The scenery shifted.
In an instant, Alex returned to the familiar Marvel world.
But after a brief thought, he didn't head back to Krakoa.
Instead, he activated his super-hearing.
He found Kamala.
He would deliver the Phoenix Fruit first.
"Found you."
In less than a second, he flew across New York and landed outside an unremarkable residential building.
"Alex!"
"Oh my God, it's Alex!"
"He's here!"
The neighborhood exploded into chaos.
No one expected someone of his stature to appear in such an ordinary place.
Yet none dared approach him.
His presence alone was overwhelming.
Alex ignored the crowd and knocked.
The door opened.
"Al—Alex!"
Kamala's family stared as if they'd seen a ghost.
They had almost believed he'd forgotten.
That he'd never return.
But here he was.
"Please, come in!"
"Kamala! Hurry! He's here!"
Thundering footsteps.
Kamala rushed downstairs like a whirlwind, practically glowing with anticipation.
"You finally came! Do you know how long I've been waiting?"
"I almost thought—no, not that I didn't trust you!"
"It's just… it's been so long!"
She babbled breathlessly.
Alex let her finish before smiling.
"I keep my promises."
"I'm here to fulfill it."
"Really?!"
She nearly jumped.
"What power are you giving me?!"
Alex flipped his hand.
The Phoenix Fruit appeared.
"What is that?"
"It looks… weird."
Her entire family leaned in, curious.
"It's called a Devil Fruit."
"Eat it, and you gain a superpower."
Their eyes widened.
"You eat it?"
"It's… huge."
They immediately began discussing splitting it.
Alex chuckled.
"Only the first bite works. After one person gains the ability, the rest is useless."
Disappointment rippled through the room.
Then Alex explained the fruit's power:
Mythical Zoan.
Phoenix.
Regeneration bordering on immortality.
Transformation into a blazing phoenix.
Healing flames.
Kamala's jaw dropped.
"That's… that's insanely cool!"
Fire wings.
Immortality.
Flight.
It was everything she dreamed of—and more.
And in that moment, as she stared at the strange swirling fruit in Alex's hand—
Her life was about to change forever.
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