One Piece Space Fruit - Chapter 50
Fish-Man Island, located 10,000 meters below the Holy Land of Mariejois, is a crucial point for reaching the New World. It is also the birthplace of most Fish-Men and Merfolk, earning the nickname “Undersea Paradise” for its dreamlike setting.
To reach Fish-Man Island, ships must be coated with a special material at the Sabaody Archipelago and then travel underwater using the currents. This journey is fraught with danger due to the presence of massive Sea Kings.
This island serves as a gateway between the Grand Line and the New World. Since the beginning of the Great Pirate Era, it has become embroiled in the chaos of the pirate world’s power struggles.
On Fish-Man Island, the Fish-Men and Merfolk live separately. Fish-Man District, a large area that shelters orphans, has become a lawless zone filled with Fish-Men delinquents due to the incompetence of its management.
—
It had been a week since the “Mariejois Attack,” and the outside world was still digesting the shocking news. The instigator of the event, Evan, was now lounging leisurely on a beach chair in Fish-Man District. Wearing only a pair of shorts, his muscular upper body, showcasing perfect abs, soaked in the warm sunlight. It was hard to believe that sunlight could penetrate the ocean depths, courtesy of the giant trees around Fish-Man Island.
Thanks to the regenerative capabilities of the mysterious plant tattoo on his body, suspected to be a seed from the Tree of Knowledge, the gruesome wounds inflicted by one of the Five Elders had completely healed, leaving only a faint white scar on his bronzed chest.
“This is frustrating, having to lie down for a week after each fight,” Evan muttered. He couldn’t help but wonder why his opponents were always the world’s most formidable and legendary warriors, each stronger than the last.
From Kuzan and Sakazuki on Ohara Island—future admirals “Aokiji” and “Akainu”—to Magellan, Shiryu of the Rain, and Borsalino at Impel Down—Warden, Head Jailer, and future admiral “Kizaru.” And most recently, the Holy Land of Mariejois, where even one of the Five Elders, a peerless swordsman, had appeared.
Despite the occasional difficult escape or fierce battle, he was now lying under the sun 10,000 meters below the sea, thanks to a mix of destiny’s favor and his own strength.
“I hope the next one isn’t Garp the Hero or Whitebeard, the world’s strongest man,” Evan mused, a self-deprecating thought that seemed increasingly possible.
“Not strong enough,” he sighed, clenching his fists. His awakened spatial ability could only be maintained for a short time, a significant weakness.
However, if others heard his lament, they’d be astonished. Evan’s strength growth had already reached a monstrous level in anyone’s eyes. At sixteen, he had broken out of Impel Down and attacked the Holy Land, performing feats that were the stuff of legends and thrilling tales.
“Developing spatial abilities and establishing the ‘Akatsuki’ organization are top priorities now!” Evan pondered. His name was now infamous, listed as a top enemy by the World Government, and pirates everywhere eyed him warily.
He had no ambitions to conquer the world, but he wasn’t foolish enough to wait for enemies to come to him. Without sufficient strength and influence, being targeted by the World Government would be extremely dangerous.
“As for little Robin…” Evan smiled, thinking about his disruptive actions in the Holy Land, which were partly a misunderstanding. But he had no regrets about freeing slaves and killing Celestial Dragons; it was a cathartic and satisfying endeavor.
“That smart girl will surely keep herself safe,” Evan murmured, recalling how he had forcibly sent Robin away five years ago with spatial banishment, feeling a pang of guilt.
“I owe her an apology,” he sighed softly. The thought of Robin had been a significant motivation during his five years of struggle and training in Impel Down. If someone asked why he wanted to become strong, he might only give a woman’s name as an answer.
As he lay there, lost in thought, he heard soft footsteps approaching from behind, growing closer.
“Snow, what’s happening over there?” Evan called out, only to hear a surprised gasp. He opened his eyes in curiosity.
It wasn’t Snow. Who could it be?
Turning his head, he saw a familiar black-haired girl standing timidly behind the sun chair. Though young, she was already quite graceful.
Evan recognized her as one of the three girls he had rescued from the slave cages in the Holy Land. Her face, previously dirty and obscured by the night, now showed delicate features, fair skin, and shoulder-length black hair, making her a natural beauty far surpassing any models or actresses from his past life.
“Who are you?” Evan asked, confused as he couldn’t recall much interaction with her in the past few days.
“Ah!” the black-haired girl bowed nervously. Evan-sama, I came to thank you for saving my life and also to express my sisters’ heartfelt gratitude.”
“Your great kindness will be repaid.”
“Hmm?” Evan observed her unease and waved his hand dismissively, “It was nothing, really. But if you want to show gratitude, maybe something more practical than just words?”
“Ah?” The girl looked confused, then lowered her head in a mix of anger, disappointment, and sadness.
She reminded herself that it was normal to repay a savior’s request, no matter what it was.
Taking a deep breath, she clenched her fists and said, “Of course… I’ll do anything you ask.”
“Great!” Evan grinned, looking her over until she blushed and lowered her head. “Can you… cook?”
“Huh?” The girl was stunned, not expecting such a simple request.
“Yes,” Evan nodded, stretching lazily, “Crow only knows how to eat and dig, and Snow, though good at fighting and caring for people, is terrible in the kitchen. If you can make a decent lunch, that will count as repaying your debt.”
“Really? You just want me to cook?” The girl was astonished by the simplicity of his request.
“Yes, unless you think I’d ask for something else. But if the food isn’t good, I might reconsider,” Evan teased.
Blushing, the girl nodded, her fingers fidgeting, and quickly ran off, likely to get her sisters to help with lunch.
Evan shrugged and continued sunbathing, recognizing the girl’s discomfort and wanting to give her a way out of her constant need to repay him.
“Evan-sama.” The girl returned, her face flushed, “I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Boa Hancock. Thank you so much!”
With that, she darted off like a rabbit, leaving Evan stunned.
“Boa? Hancock?”
Watching her disappear among the coral, Evan’s face showed a mix of surprise and realization.
Did he just rescue the three Boa sisters from the Holy Land, including the future Empress Hancock?
“Life is indeed full of surprises,” Evan mused, closing his eyes.
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