Sea Calendar 1516, April 17th.
After circling the East Blue for three months, the Dawn ship finally returned near Reverse Mountain. Nami had successfully completed all the sea charts of the East Blue, marking a major milestone for the crew.
Four days later, the ship crossed the Calm Belt and arrived at Twin Capes.
Waiting by the lighthouse were Crocus and Laboon, already aware that Ash would arrive today.
Even for someone like Crocus, who had sailed for years aboard the Oro Jackson with Gol D. Roger, the sight before him was astonishing. The massive island-like warship, once Thriller Bark, now under Ash's control, far exceeded anything he had ever seen.
There was little need for conversation. The moment Crocus and Laboon saw Brook's iconic afro and heard his peculiar manner of speech, they immediately recognized him.
The skeleton standing before them was truly Brook, the companion they had waited over forty years to see again.
After nearly half a century apart, their reunion overflowed with laughter and tears.
It was a moving scene, though it held little relevance for Ash and his crew.
If nothing unexpected occurred, Brook would remain here. He was not suited to join the crew, and this place was where he belonged.
After watching the emotional reunion for some time, Ash found his attention drifting. He idly wondered where Brook's tears even came from, since a skeleton should not have tear ducts.
Perhaps he hid some kind of mechanism inside his skull.
Finding the scene no longer engaging, Ash turned his focus back to his original plan, guarding the gateway.
The Dawn ship's current crew was well-balanced, and none were suitable to remain behind. Fortunately, that was no longer a problem.
He could simply create someone for the role.
Over the past six months, his Energy Value had reached its limit, unlocking the auxiliary functions of the Devil Fruit editor.
Without hesitation, Ash opened the long-unused interface.
Three options appeared before him:
Paramecia-type Fruit Editing Page
Logia-type Fruit Editing Page
Zoan-type Fruit Editing Page
"Select Paramecia-type."
The interface expanded, and Ash began designing.
Paramecia-type Fruit Editing Page
Designing a Devil Fruit costs 100 Energy Value, condition met
Name: Space Gate Fruit, condition met
Background: Allows the user to open energy gates to any previously visited location, condition met
Ability: The user condenses spatial energy to create portals in empty space. These portals can lead to any location the user has visited. Multiple portals can exist simultaneously, and they can be fixed onto physical doors for long-term stability, condition met
The Space Gate Fruit.
Its inspiration clearly came from Blueno's Door-Door Fruit, though its potential far exceeded the original. Its limitations were minor compared to the immense strategic advantage it offered.
Ignoring the heartfelt reunion between Crocus, Laboon, and Brook, Ash led his group to the nearby wooden house they had built earlier.
Tsuki quickly moved to assist the Kirk siblings in preparing a bonfire and dinner.
Meanwhile, Ash opened the auxiliary function page.
It contained only two slots, one for a Devil Fruit and one for an object.
This feature allowed inanimate objects to consume Devil Fruits.
Without hesitation, Ash placed the Space Gate Fruit into one slot and the Shusui into the other.
In the next instant, Shusui appeared in his hand.
At a glance, it seemed unchanged, though its scabbard now shimmered faintly with a cyan glow.
Ash did not dwell on it. To him, it was merely a tool.
Thinking of Cathay Village in Skypiea, he swung the blade lightly.
A spatial gate opened before him.
The sudden phenomenon drew curious looks from those preparing the bonfire.
Ash turned with a faint smile.
"Prepare more food. We'll have extra guests tonight."
He dragged the gate onto a nearby wooden door, fixing it in place, then stepped through.
On the other side was Cathay Village in Skypiea.
Sali, Pini, and the others were momentarily stunned by his sudden appearance. Despite maintaining their Observation Haki at all times, none of them sensed his approach.
He had simply appeared.
"Bro Ash... did you teleport?" Sali asked, uncertain.
Given his mastery of Observation Haki, which could nearly cover all of Skypiea, such long-distance movement should not have been possible unless Ash used an advanced technique.
Ash explained the Space Gate Fruit briefly, then fixed the portal onto a nearby golden door.
Just like that, a permanent connection between Twin Capes and Cathay Village was established.
Upon hearing of Ash's return, the elders gathered quickly, expressing their concern and relief. Shan was slightly disappointed not to see Youki among them.
Ash simply smiled and led everyone through the portal to Twin Capes.
Another round of reunions followed.
Taking advantage of the moment, Ash created a second portal, linking directly to the Dawn ship and placing it beside the first.
The night turned lively with celebration, food, and laughter.
Later, the elders returned to Cathay Village through the portal, leaving the younger generation behind to discuss future plans.
As expected, Ash spoke while the others listened.
The importance of the Voice of All Things, an advanced application of Observation Haki capable of understanding hearts, was undeniable.
None among them had awakened it naturally, though Sali and Tsuki could simulate it through their Devil Fruit abilities.
Twin Capes required someone capable of maintaining awareness, especially for their long-term gatekeeping plan.
The Dawn ship also needed such ability for future voyages.
After careful consideration, Ash decided that Sali, along with the Daly Three Brothers, would remain at Twin Capes.
Tsuki would continue sailing with the crew.
With the portals in place, distance was no longer an issue.
Next came crew adjustments.
Brook and Perona would disembark.
Neither was surprised.
Ash had never formally invited them to join his crew, so this outcome was expected.
Brook was content to stay with Laboon, while Perona showed clear reluctance to part with Saff.
Ash found this puzzling but did not entertain it.
His decision stood.
The updated crew lineup became:
Captain Ash
Cooks, the Kirk siblings
Navigator, Nami
Fruit Farmer, Nojiko
Sailors, Youki and Tsuki
And finally, one idle member remained.
Carina.
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