In the distance, Arthur quietly watched his crew as they continued to grow stronger. Resting peacefully in his arms were Arthoria and Merlin, both fast asleep. Meanwhile, little Lancelot sat on Arthur's shoulders, holding Arthur's compass tightly with his tiny hands. A faint smile appeared on Arthur's face before his gaze shifted toward a wooden chest nearby. Inside it lay more than one Devil Fruit, including the one Hancock had discovered.
Night gradually blanketed North Blue. Snow continued to fall lightly, covering the deck of the Athena with a shimmering layer of white beneath the moonlight. Every member of the Art Pirates gathered inside the ship's main cabin. No one spoke. Their eyes were all fixed upon a wooden table in the center of the room. Resting atop it was an elegant purple-pink Devil Fruit decorated with graceful spiral patterns.
Arthur: "It's been six months. I think... the time has finally come." Arthur slowly lifted the fruit into his hand.
Standing before him, Hancock took a deep breath. Her eyes never left the Devil Fruit. She knew Arthur had chosen this fruit specifically for her. Ever since her defeat against Akainu, she had pushed herself relentlessly over the past six months to become stronger. At last, the opportunity had arrived. She also knew exactly what kind of pain Arthur's method would put her through.
Arthur: "Are you certain?"
Hancock: "I don't want to become a burden when we face our next enemy. If enduring this pain will make me stronger... then I'll accept it." Without the slightest hesitation, Hancock nodded.
Arthur: "That's exactly the answer I expected. Come with me."
Arthur smiled faintly before walking toward his private laboratory. Without hesitation, Hancock followed him, carrying the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Succubus in her hands. After lying down on the examination bed while Arthur stood beside her, she waited until he gave a silent nod. Without another word, Hancock bit into the Devil Fruit, Her expression changed instantly.
The overwhelming bitterness caused her brow to twitch slightly, yet she swallowed every last bite without hesitation. Arthur immediately stepped forward and activated his power. His palm slowly rested against Hancock's chest as the Art-Art Fruit began rewriting her DNA according to his design, forcibly merging two different sources of power into her body.
CRACK!!
Hancock's body suddenly stiffened, The veins around her neck bulged violently. She clenched both fists so tightly that her fingernails pierced her own palms. She bit down on her lower lip, There were no screams, No cries, Not even a single complaint. Yet anyone witnessing the scene would understand that the pain far surpassed any ordinary physical injury.
BOOOOM!!
Arthur remained completely focused. Sweat slowly formed across his forehead. A few seconds felt like endless hours. Then the overwhelming pressure filling the laboratory suddenly vanished. Hancock slowly opened her eyes, Her sapphire-blue irises now occasionally glowed with a crimson-violet light. Arthur let out a long breath. A faint smile appeared on his face. Hancock stared at both of her hands. She could clearly feel two different powers coexisting within her body. The Cloud-Cloud Fruit And the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Succubus. She turned toward Arthur.
Arthur: "Get some rest first. You need time to become accustomed to your new power."
Hancock: "Thank you." She nodded, unable to hide the smile on her face, She could hardly wait to master her new abilities.
Several days later, Hancock had already resumed training alongside the rest of the crew. After spending so much time in North Blue, Arthur intended to finish his final project before setting sail again. The once-quiet laboratory aboard the Athena was once again filled with the sounds of machinery. Arthur stood alone before an enormous glass capsule.
For the past six months, he had visited this room almost every day. Not to forge weapons, Nor to build another ship, But to complete his newest creation, A new Angeloid. Type Delta... Astrea. The younger sister of Ikaros and Nymph. Arthur carefully examined the refined liquid extracted from Aura-Aura Fruit, which he got from his grandfather. He gently poured the glowing liquid into the mouth of the young woman sleeping inside the capsule.
Arthur: "Wake up.[Soul Art]"
Astrea possessed a voluptuous figure with long golden-blonde hair that reached her ankles. She wore an outfit similar to Ikaros', though hers was primarily blue. Her white-and-blue wings were specially designed for superior acceleration. Her measurements were Bust: 91 cm, Waist: 56 cm, Hip: 86 cm. She stood 159 cm tall and weighed 48 kilograms. The light inside the capsule grew brighter. The girl's eyes, which had remained closed until now, slowly opened, Ruby red, crystal Clear, and Filled with life.
Astrea: "Life Core... Synchronization... One hundred percent... System All Green." A soft mechanical voice echoed throughout the laboratory.
CRAAACK...
The glass capsule slowly opened. The young woman stepped outside and calmly observed her surroundings. Her gaze immediately stopped on Arthur. Without hesitation, she knelt on one knee and bowed her head respectfully.
Astrea: "Master."
Arthur: "Finally... it's complete." Arthur smiled with satisfaction.
Hearing the familiar synchronization signal, Ikaros and Nymph quickly entered the laboratory. The moment they saw Astrea kneeling before Arthur, both of them fell silent. Astrea slowly stood up, Her expression remained calm. Arthur looked at his newest creation for a moment before smiling.
Arthur: "From this day forward...Your name is Astrea."
Astrea: "Understood. My name... Astrea." The girl nodded.
Nymph: "Hey, Ikaros. It looks like we have a little sister."
Astrea: "Master...I'm hungry." Astrea looked toward Arthur once again.
Snow continued falling across North Blue. Unnoticed by the rest of the world, The strength of the Art Pirates had once again reached a new level. Their captain had successfully created a new Angeloid. Hancock had obtained her second Devil Fruit. And inside the ship's library, a large copy of the newly discovered Poneglyph hung across the wall. The secrets hidden within its ancient text still patiently awaited the day they would finally be revealed. Their journey Had begun once again.