All in all, as long as they were users of Creation-type Devil Fruits, Abyss was practically desperate for their talents.
On the wanted poster for "Divine Brush" Shinboku,a girl with long white hair tied into a high ponytail, sharp eyes, and a heroic demeanor was depicted.
Abyss glanced at it and immediately felt a surge of appreciation for her talent.
Enta and Anka both shook their heads as they looked at the wanted poster.
"We know her, but we're not close."
"Among this year's Supernovas, she and the Snow Demon are the only two women. They're both quite mysterious," Enta said casually.
He didn't think he had much in common with women.
"The Brush-Brush Fruit… sounds unimpressive, yet she has a bounty of ninety million Berries. The government must have overestimated her," Anka muttered, a hint of disbelief in his tone.
He admired direct power more — and he was a little unconvinced that the Divine Brush's bounty could surpass his own.
He had to find an opportunity to fight her!
"What do you know!" Abyss waved his hand dismissively. "If that ability is used properly, it's worth ten of you!"
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that the Brush-Brush Fruit was a perfect match for his Stomach World.
What couldn't he create if he could draw it?
No — he absolutely had to get this woman!
Abyss immediately shoved the wanted poster into Enta's hands.
"I'm giving you a mission," he said firmly."Find her and extend an olive branch on my behalf. Offer her whatever she wants!As long as she's willing to come, her status will be second only to mine!"
The two brothers exchanged glances.
Helping their newly recognized grandfather poach someone?That was… certainly a novel task.
Abyss thought for a moment, then added:
"Also, for these ten years, don't just focus on fighting across the high seas.""Cultivate trusted subordinates. Establish your own forces wherever possible.""The Eternal Kingdom needs eyes, ears, and limbs out there!""In the future — transporting supplies, relaying messages, executing special missions — all of it will require manpower!"
The two grandsons nodded in agreement.They understood — it was the foundation for building a powerful, lasting empire.
Abyss gave a few more instructions, but the brothers seemed distracted, their eyes darting about.
"Uh… Grandpa, Godfather, if there's nothing else… should we get going?" Enta scratched his head."The fleet's still waiting over there."
Abyss frowned slightly. These two boys — in such a hurry to leave?
"Cough, cough… They don't have a great relationship with their father…" Abel nudged Abyss's leg, whispering a quiet reminder.
The brothers offered awkward smiles.
This father-son relationship certainly had a pirate flair to it.
"Go on, scram." Abyss waved them off. "Just remember what I told you."
The two brothers, as if pardoned, bolted out immediately — running faster than rabbits.
Only Abyss and Abel remained in the room.
Abel scrutinized Abyss from head to toe, as if studying a rare treasure.
His aged, clouded eyes were filled with complex emotions — shock, envy, nostalgia, and a deep, inexpressible melancholy.
Youth was truly wonderful.Time was a butcher's knife, and it had carved him to pieces — yet his old friend beside him seemed forgotten by time, still vibrant and youthful, just as he had been more than sixty years ago.
The contrast was cruel.
"Alas…"
A thousand words condensed into a single sigh.
Abyss felt uneasy under his gaze and quickly changed the subject.
"Old friend, since we've reunited, let's talk about the future."
Abel composed himself and said seriously,
"You speak."
Sixty-five years ago, he had been the same — never underestimating Abyss for his smaller stature, always admiring his wisdom and listening with genuine respect.
"First—" Abyss began, eyes gleaming with light."Gather scientists!""Gather top-tier, brilliant, and utterly mad scientists!""We must thoroughly unravel the mysteries of Lord Lantern's body!"
His tone grew sharper with every word.
"Research its biological structure, its connection with pure gold, and even ways to artificially stimulate its evolution!""Biological modification, lineage factor research, gigantification experiments — all of it must be done!""Our ultimate goal is to transform Lord Lantern into a true ultimate lifeform!"
Abel's breath hitched sharply.
This ambition… it was far too grand.
He was indeed Abyss — the legendary navigator whose strategies had once shocked the seas, whose brilliance had shaped countless victories.And now, he had returned.
"Second—" Abyss continued, his words carrying shocking resolve."From now on, using a century as the cycle, collect as many powerful Devil Fruits as possible — even monopolize them!"
He listed them one by one, voice brimming with excitement.
"For example, the Gold-Gold Fruit, capable of freely manipulating gold.""The Stomach World contains vast amounts of pure gold — with this ability, one could become a god within it. I must acquire it.""The Munch-Munch Fruit, invaluable for scientific research.""To study corrosion-resistant metal materials, this Devil Fruit is indispensable.""And the Door-Door Fruit, the Mirror-Mirror Fruit… these rule-based powers — we must collect them all!"
Abyss spoke feverishly, passion igniting his words.
Abel's vision blurred, his old eyes moistening with tears.
The figure from his memories overlapped perfectly with the man before him — brilliant, driven, unstoppable.
He couldn't help but feel his aged blood burn once more.
"Abyss… you're still as full of ideas as before!" Abel exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion."I'll listen to you!""You once helped me dominate the seas — now, it's time for this useless old man to assist you!""Leave the scientists to me!""Over the years, I've met countless eccentric geniuses. I don't know if they're still alive, but I'll contact them all!"
Without hesitation, Abel pulled out a Den Den Mushi and began making calls on the spot.
Abyss felt pure satisfaction welling up within him.
With a local snake—no, an old overlord—helping him, things would proceed much more smoothly.
Watching the busy Abel, Abyss finally felt at peace.Reunited with an old friend, he had been sleeping exceptionally well these past few days.
Five days later.
Under a twilight sky, a dazzling blue flame streaked across the heavens like a meteor, landing outside their cabin.
The flames dispersed, revealing a tall, stern-faced man — one who bore a three-point resemblance to Abyss — his features tinged with melancholy and wildness.
"Father."
He brushed off the azure sparks clinging to his coat, first glancing at the aged Abel, then fixing his gaze on Abyss — the father who now appeared far younger than himself.
The man was the user of the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Phoenix Form.
The overlord of the previous era.
Arjifa Tas.
"My son," Abyss said softly, a smile tugging at his lips."You've finally come."