Devil Fruit originate from human desires. When a person's wish becomes too strong, a new Devil Fruit appears. For example, if someone intensely desires to control lightning, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit is born.
If someone wishes to transform into the mythical Azure Dragon, the Mythical Zoan-type Azure Dragon Devil Fruit is born.
However, this power defies the laws of nature and is abhorred by the Mother of the Sea, who then bestows a curse upon it.
This is why all Devil Fruit users fear seawater.
Sea Stone, being the crystallization of the sea and sharing its composition, is also feared by Devil Fruit users.
Karl gripped the Sea Stone handcuffs, astonished.
He felt no restriction whatsoever; the power of Ice Yi within him showed no signs of suppression.
There were two possibilities: first, the Sea Stone was fake.
Second, he was simply not afraid of Sea Stone.
As for the first, it was unlikely. Queen would never give him fake Sea Stone. Thus, only the second possibility remained: he was not afraid of Sea Stone.
As if suddenly remembering something, Karl bolted towards the sea.
"Yamato, I have something to do! I'll be right back!"
"If Sea Stone has no effect on me, then what about seawater...?"
Thinking this, Karl's speed increased even further.
Karl sprinted to the seaside, gazing at the vast, azure ocean. A gentle sea breeze occasionally blew by, carrying a hint of salty freshness.
With an excited heart and trembling hands, Karl slowly walked towards the water.
One step.
Two steps.
He drew closer and closer to the sea.
The seawater was already past his ankles, and Karl felt no discomfort.
The seawater passed his knees, still no feeling whatsoever.
Gradually, Karl grew bolder and plunged into the sea to swim.
It proved that he was completely unaffected by seawater and Sea Stone.
After the initial excitement, Karl also considered the implications of his immunity to seawater and Sea Stone.
Firstly, it was best that this secret be known by as few people as possible, especially those from the Marine and the World Government.
This was because Karl would inevitably clash with these two major powers during his future voyages.
It would be fine if he didn't encounter those idiotic Celestial Dragons from the World Government, but if they provoked him, given Karl's temper, he would definitely kill them.
If this unique characteristic of not fearing seawater were discovered before he had grown strong enough, he would have no peaceful days ahead.
If he couldn't win, he could at least run away.
If he couldn't win, he could just dive into the water, give a middle finger, and say, 'Come get me!'
'Dare to come down!'
If someone who hadn't eaten a Devil Fruit actually came down, he'd just dive to the bottom of the sea. He didn't believe a human body could be faster than a dragon underwater.
Once he was powerful, it wouldn't matter. Anyone who came would just be delivering food and experience.
Karl composed himself, preparing to return to train with Yamato, but the upturned corners of his mouth still betrayed him.
Moreover, after such long and arduous training and beatings, he was finally seeing some achievement.
Karl felt a power within him, almost ready to burst forth, a power not from a Devil Fruit, but from the very essence of his own body.
In high spirits, Karl returned to his and Yamato's training ground.
Yamato was currently lying on the ground, resting, her body covered in sweat from training.
It had to be said that Yamato's physical conditioning was indeed formidable. What other child her age could endure such high-intensity training?
"Karl, you're back."
Yamato panted heavily, her forehead covered in glistening beads of sweat, and a few strands of white hair on her forehead were matted with sweat.
"Yes, I'm back!"
...Two nights later.
Kuri Daimyo Palace.
Ashura Doji, currently the strongest, slowly awoke. He felt as if he had slept for an extraordinarily long time, perhaps several days and nights.
He stretched, slowly got up, and rubbed his stomach, feeling a bit hungry.
When he looked out the window, he couldn't help but be stunned, because it was night. This made him frown, sensing that things were not as simple as they seemed.
"Oh no! Lady Toki and the young master!"
Ashura Doji suddenly realized that a great deal of time must have passed. If he himself had fallen victim, then others surely wouldn't be an exception!
Ashura Doji quickly got up. Without even bothering to put on his clothes, he grabbed his katana and headed for Kozuki Hiyori and Momonosuke's room.
During this time, he also activated his Observation Haki. As he expected, his other companions were still asleep.
Ashura Doji arrived at Lady Toki's room, disregarding all etiquette and status, and pushed the door open directly.
What he saw was a horrifying scene: there was no one in the room. Lady Toki, the young master, and the young lady were all gone, leaving behind only a thin futon.
After the horror came rage! Someone dared to kidnap Lady Toki, the young master, and the young lady right under their noses. This was more than just disrespect.
This was practically dragging the Kozuki family's dignity through the mud and stomping on it. It was also a slap in the face to them, the retainers of Kozuki Oden.
The enraged Ashura Doji's aura suddenly erupted, filled with boundless killing intent.
This aura startled the other retainers, who were still sound asleep, awake.
A moment later, Kin'emon, wearing his pajamas, rushed over first.
"Ashura Doji, what happened!"
Kin'emon didn't know why Ashura Doji was so furious, especially at the entrance to Lady Toki's room.
Ashura Doji didn't speak, but Kin'emon saw the scene inside the room. Like Ashura Doji, he was first horrified, then enraged.
"Where are Lady Toki, the young master, and the young lady?!"
Kin'emon couldn't imagine that so soon after Lady Toki's return, someone would dare to abduct them. It was as if they didn't put Kozuki Oden in their eyes at all.
At this moment, the other Nine Red Scabbards also arrived, except for Kiku.
"What's going on, Kin'emon!"
Denjiro voiced their confusion. As a prominent figure among the Nine Red Scabbards, Kin'emon's strength might not equal Ashura Doji's, but they all willingly followed his arrangements.
"Lady Toki, the young master, and the young lady are missing!"
Kin'emon, his face grim, told his companions this cruel truth.
"What!!" x6
Everyone was greatly shocked, never expecting that someone would dare to openly abduct Lady Toki and the young master from the Daimyo Palace.
"Lady Toki and the young master are missing?!"
"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on?"
"Ah!! What in the world happened!"
Everyone chattered, with Nekomamushi and Inuarashi being the most distraught. They had witnessed Kozuki Toki marrying Oden, and the births of Momonosuke and Hiyori.
They had only been in Wano Country for a few days, and now they were told that Lady Toki, the young master, and the young lady were all missing!
When they disembarked, Oden had specifically instructed them to take good care of Lady Toki.
"Enough! What time is it for you to be arguing! The most important thing now is to find Lady Toki and the others!"
Ashura Doji's furious roar cut them off.
"Hmm? Where's Kiku? Why hasn't he arrived yet!"
Finally, Kin'emon noticed something was amiss. It seemed one person was missing.
"Eh? Where's Kiku?"
"I just passed his room, and I didn't see him."
Hearing this, everyone's hearts sank, and a most unwelcome suspicion arose.
"Let's go! Let's check!"
Ultimately, Kin'emon, the nominal leader of the Nine Red Scabbards, gave the order.
With heavy hearts, they pushed open Kiku's room, finding that everything was there except for Kiku himself. Even his katana was present.
Seeing this, Kin'emon couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed it wasn't what they had imagined.
"Kiku was also abducted!"
Although Kiku dressed as a cute girl, he was fundamentally a man. If even Kiku was abducted, then Lady Toki...
They dared not imagine. If such a thing truly happened, they would be irredeemably at fault, even with a thousand deaths!