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Snow and Lightning
Caesar, struggling violently with eyes wide open, clearly saw all of Monet's attacks being swallowed by a doorway that appeared in the void!
"Oh~ Your Yuki Yuki no Mi is truly remarkable~ This heart-soothing coolness could perhaps help dispel the summer heat from my body and mind."
Hikaru's hand gently brushed the snowflakes that settled on his shoulders. He praised generously, "You're quite beautiful. Why not join me? I might even consider giving Doflamingo a quick death when I catch him in Dressrosa!"
Monet was wearing a green and white striped top with blue shorts. Though casually dressed, her curvaceous figure rivaled Nami's.
If given the opportunity, he would certainly arrange a "duel" between them to determine who truly reigned supreme!
Monet appeared stunned. First, she briefly displayed a happy, shy smile. Then her expression hardened as she said sternly, "You want me to betray the young master? Foolish thinking!"
Hikaru was puzzled by her shifting expressions. She was evidently a woman who couldn't handle compliments well.
Monet wasn't deceiving him. When someone complimented her appearance, she would become genuinely happy and even display shy reactions.
He shook his head with a half-smile. "Alas~ So disobedient? How troublesome~"
"Hmph!"
A fierce look flashed in Monet's eyes as her body transformed into an enormous snow bird, shimmering with white light, captivating everyone present.
In the next moment, she rushed toward Hikaru like an arrow, her razor-sharp snow-covered talons poised to tear him to pieces.
"Very well~ Playtime is over. We'll have plenty of time for games later~"
As Monet drew near, Hikaru coated his hands with Armament Haki, seized her neck with lightning speed, and slammed her down forcefully.
BANG!
The powerful impact left Monet with minor injuries—not because of her strong defense, but because Hikaru had restrained himself. His attack was precisely measured.
After all, Monet was someone he intended to claim. What if he injured her too severely?
Since they weren't yet together, such behavior couldn't be considered domestic violence, right?
"MmnnMmnnMmnn..."
As electric current surged through her, Monet's body convulsed from the stimulation. Her consciousness grew hazy as she moaned softly—so faintly that only Hikaru could hear clearly. She had completely lost her ability to resist.
Hikaru leaned down and gently lifted her, cradling her in his arms.
By now, Caesar had fallen unconscious, unable to endure the severe pain.
Hikaru glanced around casually. The remaining researchers knelt on the ground in terror, fearing he might slaughter them on a whim.
Thump thump... Thump thump...
Just then, footsteps grew progressively louder outside as Hikaru's team arrived one after another.
"Gyorororo~ Lord God!" Saldeath stuck out his long tongue—a gesture that seemed inappropriate but was actually practice for his Smile fruit ability.
Hikaru nodded and commanded: "Collect everything, don't miss any corner! Especially the slime, artificial Devil Fruits, and SAD hidden in storage."
Punk Hazard primarily produced SAD (the raw material for manufacturing artificial Devil Fruits). There were fewer completed artificial Devil Fruits, as most processing took place in Wano Country and Dressrosa.
"Gyorororo~" Saldeath responded playfully.
Hikaru swung his dragon tail and tossed Caesar aside, though Saldeath caught him steadily. White lightning coursed through Caesar's heart, absorbing his Gasu Gasu no Mi ability and storing it in a fruit within the storage room.
(Gas generally refers to toxic and harmful gases in mines, primarily methane. Methane alone doesn't poison people but can cause suffocation.)
The power of the Gasu Gasu no Mi was actually quite formidable, considered to be of moderate strength among Devil Fruits.
A person with gas abilities could transform their body into gaseous form. Common attacks included poisoning, gas explosions, and extracting air from an area to suffocate opponents. Naturally, they could also manipulate fire.
With a flash of lightning, Hikaru carried Monet and departed from the research institute, leaving only one instruction.
"Take him back to Sky Island and place him in the Human Prison."
The Human Prison constituted the third level of incarceration in the Kingdom of God, below the Hell Prison and above the Heavenly Prison.
"Understood!"
The old scientist Caesar harbored too many hidden agendas to serve loyally.
Hikaru had already formulated a plan. After forming an alliance with Charlotte Linlin, he would use the Memo Memo no Mi to erase Caesar's memories, preserving only his scientific knowledge, rendering him a perfect tool for his research team.
——
Kingdom of God, the Imperial Palace.
Hikaru appeared in the inner hall carrying Monet in his arms. The angels stationed on both sides stepped forward promptly and inquired in hushed tones:
"Your Majesty, do you require our assistance?"
Hikaru nodded, carefully transferring the disoriented Monet to the angels, and instructed gently: "Search her thoroughly, remove all her possessions, and dress her in suitable attire."
"Your Majesty, we have garments for consorts, servants, and concubines. Should we select something modest or more... revealing?"
"The goddess category. For everything else, maintain our standard protocol."
The standard protocol naturally favored garments that accentuated beauty.
"Yes!"
Having received their orders, the two angels bowed and withdrew to retrieve the clothing.
"Wait, she possesses Devil Fruit abilities. Bring me the special Sea Stone anklet with bells prepared for new concubines with powers."
"Yes!"
The specially crafted Sea Stone anklet with bells was small yet effective—sufficient to prevent wearers from utilizing their abilities while allowing normal movement.
These were specifically designed for women with Devil Fruit powers who transitioned from enemies to concubines. When they walked or moved, the anklets produced clear, pleasant bell sounds, adding to their allure.
The other angels supported Monet and began searching her, looking for potential communication devices while removing all her possessions, including her lemon-scented socks...
Ahem... To be clear, Hikaru had certainly never indulged in such peculiarities!
He couldn't possibly know that Nami's tea had an orange flavor with rising mist that intoxicated the senses similar to Nojiko's, or that Robin's tea carried a honey flavor...
Returning to the matter at hand, Hikaru contemplated the development of the Azure Dragon Fruit's abilities while awaiting the angels' progress.
Azure Dragon... truly massive... snowflakes... white...
Yes! If he could use the Azure Dragon's power to transform into an enormous dragon, perhaps he could increase his own physical size as well...
If that were possible, why would he covet the powers of Sanjuan Wolf's size-increasing fruit?