Chapter 111: 111. Munch-Munch Fruit Is In Hand.

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- Two months later, a fleet of ten colossal warships, each capable of holding over a thousand people, arrived at the backup port of Habu Port. This area, being the closest to Wanokuni's military factories and scientific research bases, served as the core of the nation's technological strength. The warships, however, were far from ordinary. Under Alex's command, Wanokuni's expert craftsmen implemented advanced and intricate modifications, integrating Seastone enhancements into the vessels. Simultaneously, Wanokuni's specialized scientific teams worked tirelessly to outfit the warships with cutting-edge weaponry. Because the upgrades were applied to already-completed warships, the process was expedited, saving considerable time and resources. Within just one month, the modifications were finalized. The Seastone armor, applied across the ships' hulls, provided unmatched durability and granted a unique resistance to Devil Fruit users. The interior was carefully designed with barriers to shield the ship's occupants from the Seastone's effects, allowing Devil Fruit users onboard to function without hindrance. These warships were further enhanced with the travel capabilities of Wanokuni's signature flying ships, adding an element of airborne mobility. Coupled with what could be considered the most advanced weaponry in the world, these ten massive warships became more than just vessels—they were monstrous weapons of destruction, reigning supreme over the seas. Sea Circle Calendar, 1509 Following the Fish-Man rebellion and the Mariejois incident, a brief period of calm enveloped the seas. During this time, Alex focused on consolidating his strength and resources, biding his time for the next opportunity to rise. In the latter half of the year, amidst great anticipation, the Fire Festival was held once again. The event's scale dwarfed even the infamous tea parties of Big Mom. Esteemed guests from across the world arrived, bearing gifts that far exceeded the offerings of the previous ceremony. Among the guests was Doflamingo, whose influence in the underworld had only grown stronger. Though it was rare for individuals to offer significant Devil Fruits at such events, Doflamingo broke convention. He presented his maid Baby 5 who ate the Arms-Arms Fruit, further cementing his importance as a key ally. In secret, however, Doflamingo also offered Alex another gift—a Paramecia-class Devil Fruit he had acquired through his vast network of contacts and considerable financial resources. The Insight-Insight Fruit held an intriguing ability, albeit one that required the right wielder to unlock its full potential. Alex contemplated its value. In the hands of a master swordsman, the Insight-Insight Fruit could elevate one's abilities to unparalleled levels. Perhaps, it could serve as a reward for Kuina, whose swordsmanship continued to evolve. With this fruit, she might even achieve a prowess rivaling the likes of Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman. During the ceremony's accompanying competition, a newly minted swordsman from Wanokuni claimed victory and was rewarded with the Snow-Snow Fruit. His victory secured him a position among Alex's growing ranks of elite warriors, marking him as an alternate in Alex's inner circle. Sea Circle Calendar, February 1510 From Wanokuni, Alex began expanding the reach of his Shadow Guard. Using alliances with revolutionaries and various underground networks, he established an increasingly intricate web of influence across all four seas. Special attention was given to key regions where Devil Fruits were predicted to emerge in the coming years. The Shadow Guard's forces were carefully distributed to monitor and secure these zones, ensuring Alex's control over these strategic assets. Sea Circle Calendar, June 1510 The World Government announced a historic breakthrough: the completion of the Sea Train. After ten years of dedication by the craftsmen of Water 7, led by Tom's Workers, the Sea Train finally connected distant islands, revolutionizing travel between them. With this innovation, the speed of sea travel reached unprecedented levels, breaking the barriers of traditional navigation and ushering in a new era of connectivity. In the same month, the Shadow Guard stationed in the Kingdom of Drum on the Grand Line completed its long-term mission. After years of meticulous observation and covert operations, they succeeded in their objectives: securing advancements in new medical technology, breakthroughs in artificial machinery, and critical progress in weapon development. Most importantly, they acquired a prized treasure—the Munch-Munch Fruit, a gift once bestowed by the former king to his son. Alex placed great importance on its retrieval. He entrusted Lafitte with the mission to oversee the handover and ensure the fruit's safe transport back to Wanokuni. Sea Circle Calendar, September 1510 At just 18 years old, Boa Hancock had risen to the position of Empress of Amazon Lily. With her unparalleled strength, she became the captain of the Kuja Pirates and assumed command of their legendary warship, the Perfume Yuda. Renowned as the most beautiful woman of Amazon Lily, Hancock embodied the haughty and arrogant demeanor described in the annals of history—willful, imperious, and disdainful of others. But in Alex's presence, she became something entirely different. The culture of Wanokuni, combined with her time under Maria's mentorship, had instilled in her a deeper understanding of relationships. Having come of age, Hancock's behavior shifted. Her affection for Alex grew more overt, her advances becoming bolder with each passing day. During this year's Fire Festival, Hancock was the undisputed centerpiece. Her overwhelming beauty and remarkable strength captivated the world, with the World Economic Times dubbing her the "Most Beautiful Woman in the World." Across the seas, people yearned for Wanokuni while seething with envy at the closeness she shared with Alex—images of their intimacy plastered across headlines only fanned the flames. For Alex, Hancock was not only a dazzling figure but also an unparalleled companion. Her uninhibited adoration made her presence in his life all the more enjoyable. Sea Circle Calendar, October 1510 Lafitte returned from the Grand Line bearing news of remarkable breakthroughs in Drum Kingdom's medical technologies and construction updates on the sea trains. Most importantly, he delivered the Munch-Munch Fruit into Alex's possession. This unique Paramecia fruit, known for its powers of transformation, synthesis, and digestion, had immense potential. Alex wasted no time planning for its use. The fruit could not only enhance its wielder's strength through self-modifications but also synthesize materials into entirely new forms. This ability promised revolutionary advancements, particularly in technology, where it could create new materials and technologies previously thought impossible. After careful consideration, Alex chose Comps, a standout member of his ever-expanding research team, as the fruit's recipient. With a combination of scientific aptitude and combat prowess, Comps was the ideal candidate to wield the fruit's powers. Sea Circle Calendar, November 15010 Comps quickly adapted to the abilities of the Munch-Munch Fruit, launching a wave of groundbreaking experiments. His initial focus was on replicating and advancing the shape-memory alloy—a metal originally developed by Wapol. This remarkable alloy displayed properties far beyond ordinary metals: Extreme durability: Its hardness and corrosion resistance surpassed any known material. Biological regeneration: Despite being a metal, it could "heal" itself, mimicking the biological recovery of living organisms. Whether it is Frankie's General, which in the plot was damaged and healed quickly in Dressrosa, or Germa 66's combat suit, are all constructed from this metal. The most significant application of this metal was its integration with lineage factor technology. By encoding the metal with Devil Fruit lineage factors, it became possible to create mechanical beings capable of wielding Devil Fruit powers. And the significance of this metal extends beyond that. It can further realize Vegapunk's goal of "creating mechanical life that completely obeys humans—super tool men." This metal contains an organism's unique lineage factor and can be encoded with the lineage-altering factor of a Devil Fruit. With proper research, high-tech weapons implanted with biological factors can be efficiently produced. There's no need for artificial humans; they can directly create mechanical troops with Devil Fruit abilities, similar to the pacifists, using machinery as the carrier. It's possible to form such a legion, even the "Seraphim" can further integrated with various bloodline factors. Therefore, after a week of continuous synthesis of organisms and various metals, under the astonishing innovations from the science team, Alex revealed another new era of the technology tree.