As his vision cleared, Aomori saw Robin and the others once again. Their expressions and movements were frozen exactly as they were before, as if everything had been a dream.
However, the Physique attribute on his system panel had jumped from 58 to 66, proving that what he had just experienced was real: he had struck a deal with Imu.
In exchange for leaving the One Piece world in seven days, Aomori had obtained two Devil Fruits and a massive physical enhancement. Those 8 points in Physique alone were worth more than the mission rewards, and combined with two rare Devil Fruits, it was a profitable trade.
Aomori clenched his fist, feeling a primordial power surging within. He was confident he could now defeat Kaido in a pure test of physical strength.
As for the fruits, he had immediately chosen the Hobby-Hobby Fruit for his first pick. For the second, he had hesitated between powerhouses like the Op-Op Fruit or the Barrier-Barrier Fruit, but ultimately chose the Luck-Luck Fruit. His reasoning was simple: it had higher potential and suited his team better.
He planned to give the Luck-Luck Fruit to Absol to enhance its ability to read fate, while the Hobby-Hobby Fruit would go to Ditto; a shapeshifter who could turn enemies into toys would be a silent, terrifying assassin.
Imu had noted that the fruits needed preparation and would be delivered in seven days.
"President, is something wrong?" Robin asked, noticing Aomori's daze.
"It's nothing," Aomori replied, snapping back to reality. "Let's go find the Poneglyph."
"Understood."
…
With only seven days left, Aomori couldn't exactly conquer the world, but he didn't intend to waste time either. He paid visits to both the Big Mom Pirates and the Red-Haired Pirates, essentially giving the Emperors a "tune-up," shearing them for a massive amount of Points in the process.
Afterward, he returned to the Kingdom of Alabasta to regroup with Mewtwo and the others while waiting for Imu. He told Aokiji and the rest that he was there to unearth Pluton. Thanks to Robin, they knew its location was indeed within Alabasta.
At noon on the seventh day, Aomori waited in his manor. Except for Rayquaza, who was tucked away in his system inventory, all his Pokémon were by his side.
However, Vivi arrived before Imu did.
"Aomori, good afternoon!"
"Good afternoon, Vivi." Aomori invited her in. "What brings you here so suddenly?"
"What do you mean 'suddenly'? Can't I just come to see you?"
"Of course you can."
"Well, now that you're finally free, how about a walk through Alubarna? A traveling circus arrived today, and it's very lively!" Vivi's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Aomori thought for a moment but ultimately declined. "I'm sorry, Vivi. I have something important to handle shortly. How about next time? I promise I'll go with you then."
"Fine." Vivi pouted with disappointment but sighed and nodded. "Don't you forget your promise."
"I won't."
As he saw her off, Aomori sighed to himself. I really shouldn't have started so many sub-plots with the ladies.
When he turned back, he sensed a presence. On the chair where Vivi had just sat, a new figure had appeared.
"Old Imu, I've missed you." Aomori held out his palm. "Where are my items?"
Imu remained silent and tossed two strangely shaped fruits into Aomori's hand.
"Hm, this is the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, so this must be the Luck-Luck Fruit." Aomori inspected them, then frowned. "Why do they seem a bit small?"
"The two fruits you chose are currently held by others. Therefore, I crafted these myself. There is only a slight difference from the originals."
Aomori felt a bit cheated but swallowed his protest, blaming himself for not being specific earlier. He tossed them in his hand. "I hope it's truly just a 'slight' difference."
"I guarantee the primary effects are unchanged," Imu stated. "My promise is fulfilled. Now, fulfill yours."
"Don't be in such a hurry. Let me verify them first."
Aomori called over Ditto and Absol. Mewtwo suddenly sent a telepathic message: "If you take one back, I can replicate it." Mewtwo had made significant progress in researching Devil Fruits lately.
"No need, I've already packed others." Aomori had anticipated this, taking a standard Zoan fruit and upgrading it to +9 Enhancement so it could be brought back to the One Punch Man world. He even considered integrating Monster Cells into Devil Fruits later to make "monsterification" controllable.
Mewtwo nodded.
"Here, try these." Aomori handed the fruits to his Pokémon.
Trusting Aomori implicitly, Absol ate the Luck-Luck Fruit immediately. Ditto, however, hesitated. "Aomori, if I eat this, does it mean I can't go into the ocean?"
"Yes."
"Then can I skip it?" Ditto asked. "I'd feel insecure if I couldn't go in the water. Being able to fight in the sea, on land, and in the air is my biggest advantage."
"You have a point." Aomori had focused so much on the fruit's power that he had overlooked Ditto's inherent versatility. But he couldn't let the fruit go to waste. He looked at Mewtwo and Darkrai, both of whom shook their heads. Legendary Pokémon had their pride and didn't want external powers meddling with their biology.
Left with no choice, Aomori turned to Imu. "Can I return this? Swap it for something else?"
Imu simply stared at the sky, ignoring him.
"This guy..." Aomori was stuck.
Unexpectedly, Mewtwo provided a solution. "Objects can 'eat' Devil Fruits. I can do it."
How did I forget that? One of Crocodile's subordinates had a weapon that ate a fruit! Aomori immediately began considering which item to use. His mind first went to Ryuko, which was still broken, but he dismissed it. A sword is meant to be avoided; he needed something that looked harmless.
He pulled out a key-chain-like item: the 13 Totem Pole. It had been useful early on but had become a "chicken rib," useless but a pity to throw away, as he grew stronger. With its staff and totem forms, combined with the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, it could be a devastating trump card.
"Alright, you're the one." Aomori handed the fruit and the 13 Totem Pole to Mewtwo. "I'm counting on you."
Mewtwo nodded and teleported away. A few minutes later, Mewtwo reappeared holding a small girl about four or five years old. She wore a silver cloak, had silver-white hair, and her face was adorned with mysterious markings. She looked adorable, sucking her thumb while staring at Aomori with wide, curious eyes.
"This? Is this the 13 Totem Pole that ate the fruit?" Aomori asked in shock.
"Yes." Mewtwo unceremoniously handed the girl over.
Aomori used telekinesis to hover her in mid-air. The Hobby-Hobby Fruit was no joke; he didn't want to be turned into a toy right now. He pulled her closer and said gently, "Hello, I'm Aomori. Do you remember me?"
"Ao... mori..." The girl repeated his name and then pouted, falling silent.
Doesn't seem like she recognizes me. I'll have to spend more time with her to build a bond. Aomori saw a look of confusion in her eyes. He successfully stored her into his system inventory.
The description for the 13 Totem Pole had changed:
[Name: 13 Totem Pole · Hobby-Hobby Fruit (Purple)]
[Description: From MÄR. A Guardian-type ARM with Staff and Totem forms. After consuming the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, it gained a human form. It can turn anyone it touches into a toy. Toys retain their consciousness and memories, but their existence is erased from the memories of others.]
[Remark: Lolis are the best!]
"Not bad. I wonder if it works on gods." Erasing a god's existence from the minds of believers would be a lethal blow.
Having wrapped up his business, Aomori turned to Absol. "What about you? How do you feel after eating the Luck-Luck Fruit?"
"It's... strange. Hard to explain," Absol muttered.
"We'll test it slowly back home." Aomori recalled all his Pokémon into the system and looked at Imu. "Thanks for waiting. I'm leaving now. But before I go..."
Aomori erupted with energy, cracking the floor beneath him as he lunged at Imu. His right fist swung out, crackling with lightning. "I'm going to punch you once!"
Imu's eyes didn't even flicker. Aomori's fist passed right through his body, and the lightning blast reduced a corner of the manor to rubble.
"Do not waste your effort. In your current state, you cannot touch me," Imu said calmly.
A phantom? The Void? Aomori withdrew his fist and smiled. "Is that so? Then how can I hit you?"
"Come back when you have the ability to see through the world."
"The ability to see through the world..." Aomori memorized the phrase. "I don't like owing people. Since I threw a punch at you, you should get one at me."
Imu's eyes flickered with a rare moment of surprise. "Are you certain?"
"Yeah. Don't worry, I won't tell on you."
"In that case." Imu pointed his palm toward the sky. "I will not bully you. I will let you witness the power of Uranus."
"The Ancient Weapon Uranus?" Aomori looked up at the blue sky but saw nothing.
"Wait for it. It is coming."
Beyond the atmosphere, a giant iron construct over fifty meters in diameter orbited the planet. It deployed a pair of steel wings that shimmered under the sun's rays. Energy gathered at its base, forming a massive sphere of light.
BOOM!
A few seconds later, a powerful beam of energy erupted, hurtling toward Earth. The brilliance of it made the sun seem dim. Aomori saw the point of light appearing in the sky, and a feeling of absolute dread washed over him.
"You've got to be kidding me..."
Without time to think, Aomori took flight, soaring into the clouds. "Lightning, Light, and Dark energy, give me everything!" Layers of energy covered his body like a suit of Susanoo armor. "Soul, stack on as well!"
He wrapped his telekinetic force around the armor and let out a roar: "Ittou Shura, Open!"
His life force surged to its limit, serving as the final barrier. This was Aomori's ultimate state. Finally, the beam of light descended, swallowing him whole before obliterating the manor below.
Upon contact, his soul and energy armor shattered. Soon, only a thin layer remained on his skin. The crushing weight was suffocating.
"Don't look down on me!" Aomori channeled his final ounce of strength into a heavy punch against the pillar of light. The beam seemed to pause for a single second before continuing its path into the ground.
When the dust settled, Imu reappeared. He looked around and huffed. "Sly brat."
Confirming Aomori was no longer in this world, Imu waved his hand. The landscape began to shift rapidly; the destruction caused by Uranus vanished instantly.
"Let everything return to its proper course."
…
Rainbase, Alabasta.
Crocodile stared blankly at the documents on his desk. "Boss, is something wrong?" Robin asked with a smile.
"I have a feeling I'm not supposed to be here."
"How strange. I feel the same way."
"Hmph, boring. Contact the others. Project 'Utopia' is about to begin."
…
Twin Cape.
Vivi looked at her reflection in the water, feeling that something was out of place. "He would definitely make a snide comment if he saw this."
She paused. "Wait... who is 'he'? I feel like I've forgotten something very important." But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember.
…
Somewhere at sea.
Aokiji stopped his bicycle and stared at the sky in silence.
…
Loguetown.
Luffy stood atop Roger's execution platform, feeling a bit dazed. "Weird, it feels like I had a really long dream. Hahaha, whatever!" He shook his head and shouted to the crowd below: "I'm the man who's going to be King of the Pirates!"