One Piece World.
"You really hit the jackpot this time."
On a nameless island in the Calm Belt closest to Wano Country, Esdeath's gaze became somewhat dangerous as she looked at the people Daniel Davis had brought with him. The same was true for Chelsea and the others nearby.
"This time it's for official business," Daniel said, understanding their reactions. After all, he had brought quite a few people this time, and they were all women.
"This time?"
"It really is official business."
Daniel quickly explained, giving a rough overview of the situation on Terra. It was no wonder they misunderstood—he had brought a large group of people, and not a single man among them, only women.
From Chernobog, he had brought Talulah, FrostNova, and the Kingslayer. From Rhodes Island, there were many more: Kal'tsit, the Doctor, Amiya, Theresa, W, Ascalon, Warfarin, Nearl, Shining, Nightingale, Kal'tsit's top disciple Aya, and her number one fan Heidi.
From Higashiyama, there was Lady Fumizuki and her ninja bodyguard Shirayuki, along with the trio of Dragon, Tiger, and Ghost, plus the trio of Nian, Xi, and Ling—over twenty people in total. It was indeed a large group.
"Gods, evil demons, sea-born creatures... sounds like a fascinating world," Esdeath remarked. While it was a highly dangerous world to others, she clearly found it intriguing.
Daniel had no intention of interfering with Esdeath's interest, but he wasn't planning to let her go there just yet. If it were only ordinary demons or sea-born creatures, it wouldn't matter, but who knew what more powerful entities might suddenly appear behind them.
Urbi-Ahn had already confirmed that multiple gods existed behind the sea-born. The one Skadi had barely managed to kill was just one among them. Initially, he hadn't intended to meet with Skadi and the others, but upon learning they intended to return to Arkgento, he appeared to stop them—now was not a good time to go back.
Beneath the sea where the Fool's ship was found, they had discovered a sunken city with clear Arkgento architectural style. However, none of the group had any recollection of such a city, and an Arkgento city shouldn't be this close to Iberia in the first place.
Had the three of them not encountered Urbi-Ahn, they would have risked everything to break into the city to find out what happened to Arkgento.
Back then, their group of deep-sea hunters had launched a raid against a god of the sea-born. Although they managed to kill it, the cost was severe. Afterwards, they were washed ashore by waves and had no idea what had happened to Arkgento after that.
Specter had been captured by the Deep Sea Church under those circumstances and turned into an experimental subject. Part of the consciousness of the powerful sea-born they fought earlier belonged to one of the original masterminds who had experimented on Specter. There had been three of them; two had already been eliminated, and the last was still being hunted by her.
Speaking of deep-sea hunters, there was something interesting—Skadi had originally believed she was the only one left alive. But during a mission to destroy a Deep Sea Church base, she discovered Specter. Then Gladia appeared. Now Urbi-Ahn had surfaced as well.
Although he insisted that only the four of them were left and no more survivors remained, given Skadi's previous assumptions, who could say for sure whether another one might emerge later?
"Chelsea, help arrange accommodations for them."
After introducing both sides, Daniel took Kal'tsit and Warfarin with him and left for another island in the Calm Belt. This was where Mobius's laboratory was located.
"This is Mobius, the top expert from another world."
Inside her lab, Daniel saw numerous experimental creatures. This was why he only brought Kal'tsit and Warfarin—certain things needed to be discussed privately.
To research Oripathy, studying the Infected was essential, and that meant experiments. This was a darker aspect, and he didn't want Amiya to witness it—even though she wasn't a stranger to such things.
"Originium... Oripathy... Interesting. Sounds similar to the Honkai phenomenon."
After hearing Daniel's explanation, Mobius immediately picked up a piece of Originium, observing it with great curiosity. If her current body weren't made of Soulsteel, she probably would have inserted the crystal into her body immediately to infect herself.
Though Mobius looked like a mad scientist, she actually had strong principles. For example, when conducting experiments, she almost always used herself as the first test subject. As she once said: a scientist unwilling to sacrifice themselves for science isn't a real scientist.
Even when she used others in her experiments, she didn't tie them down to an operating table. Instead, she used threats or bribes to persuade them to consent. While that didn't make her a saint, she would back off if the subject truly refused—a moral standard already higher than most scientists.
There was a similar scientist in Terra—someone who implanted a chip into Silence's brain. She had also implanted one into her own head and eventually went mad and died, likely due to uncovering some great secret. Unfortunately, she left behind nothing in the end.
"These are all Infected. I need your help to develop a cure for Oripathy."
As he spoke, Daniel took out a large number of living creatures infected by Oripathy from Terra, including various Originium slugs, Rock Crabs, and infected humans.
Of course, these humans weren't innocent; most were bandits, bounty hunters, mercenaries, killers, and so on. Many were Sarkaz.
Neither Kal'tsit nor Warfarin reacted to what Daniel brought out. Even the younger-looking Warfarin had lived for nearly two hundred years. As a blood-mage of the Sarkaz, she too had a dark past.
It was only after becoming a doctor that she became who she was now. The two of them understood perfectly that studying Oripathy required such experimentation.
"You really came prepared. But if you want me to research Oripathy, why not take me to that world? Wouldn't that be simpler?"
Mobius's question echoed the thoughts of both Kal'tsit and Warfarin. No matter how thorough Daniel's preparations, nothing beat studying Oripathy directly on Terra. Who knew what changes Originium might undergo in another world?
"Because you're too dangerous. That world has threats far beyond Oripathy—evil demons, sea-born creatures, an underground realm, and a false starry sky. Can you honestly say you'd limit yourself to researching Oripathy and not touch any of those?"
"The process of evolution is not beautiful. On the contrary, it's hideous—hideous beyond measure. But only through experiencing that hideous process can we truly understand the beauty of life."
This was something Mobius had once said. For someone like her to not be interested in the infinitely evolving sea-born was absurd. Daniel was curious too, but after considering the consequences, he decisively gave up.
In his view, what makes a person human is their mind. That's the most precious thing. To become a creature like the sea-born, driven purely by survival and ready to sacrifice everything for the collective, would be worse than death.
"That really does sound fascinating."
As expected, Mobius's eyes lit up when she heard about Terra's disasters—clearly itching to go there immediately.
"See? This is exactly why I can't bring you," Daniel said, glancing at Kal'tsit and Warfarin to make it clear that this woman was dangerous. If Mobius went to Terra, she'd definitely get along with Rhine Lab—and with Doctor Levi, who destroyed himself with his own research.
"You're really cautious. I told you before—with your power, you should be bolder."
"It's not even your world. If you screw it up, you can just run away, right?"
Daniel understood her mindset. In the Honkai world—her home—she might have scruples. But in another world? Different story.
Like that Mobius in the Loop Project—who's to say that wasn't her real body?
"It's precisely because I have this power that I have to be more cautious. For me, rather than gambling for some unknown gain, it's better to progress step by step. It might be slower, but do I look like someone short on time? Look at Fu Hua, the one you thought the least of. What about her now?"
If someone was stuck in a single world, they might never advance no matter how long they lived—just like Kal'tsit, who had lived tens of thousands of years with little progress.
"Fu Hua, huh..."
At the mention of Fu Hua, Mobius fell silent. Back in the MOTH project, Fu Hua was one of the weakest fighters. When Su and Mobius clashed, she barged in and passed out from the shockwave.
Now, Fu Hua could fight Kevin to a draw. The reason? She had just become a fusion warrior back then and hadn't grown yet.
"This drive contains all information on Oripathy and intelligence on Terra. If you can develop a cure, I'll grant you one reasonable request."
Daniel handed her a portable hard drive.
"You really know how to boss people around." Mobius reluctantly accepted it anyway.
"These two are Oripathy experts. You can collaborate with them now."
Leaving Kal'tsit and Warfarin behind with Mobius, Daniel left.
"A rare guest indeed," said Aizen with a welcoming gesture as Daniel appeared inside the massive spirit particle space beneath Whole Cake Island.
"You seem to be taking it easy."
This spiritual space was Aizen's laboratory. Unlike Mobius's lab, the specimens here were mostly soul-based creations made by Big Mom.
"Thanks to you. So, what's the occasion?"
"I need your help with something."
Daniel brought out Originium and some infected creatures. Aizen was also an exceptional scientist and shouldn't be left out. Unlike Mobius, Aizen could approach the issue from a spiritual angle.
"Originium, evil demons, sea-born creatures... What an interesting world."
Like Mobius, Aizen showed interest in Terra's situation.
"It's also a very dangerous world—one wrong move, and humanity could be wiped out."
Not even mentioning the starry sky or underground world, the sea-born and evil demons both had apocalyptic potential.
"Danger depends on who you're talking about."
Aizen didn't say anything about going to Terra. Though interested, he understood that if Daniel wanted to take him, he would. If not, asking wouldn't change anything. Compared to Mobius, Aizen had far more patience—after all, he had hidden his strength in the Soul Society for hundreds of years. He could afford to wait.
"True. I'll leave it to you, then."
"No need to be so formal. I was getting bored anyway." Aizen smiled, waving his hand. Under his control, the region of Totto Land had grown much more peaceful.
"If neither of them can do it, I may have to let them meet and collaborate."
Daniel didn't want Mobius and Aizen to meet too soon unless necessary. But if solving Oripathy required it, then it might be worth it.
Boom boom boom—
The Calm Belt's usually peaceful sea suddenly erupted with massive waves. Two blue figures were locked in a fierce battle on the surface. This was what Daniel saw upon returning to the island. The two fighting were Esdeath and Talulah.
"What's going on?"
"They're sparring," Chelsea explained.
After Daniel left with Kal'tsit and Warfarin, Esdeath had grown curious about the newcomers' strength and initiated fights. This was the second match.
The first was FrostNova versus Esdeath. FrostNova lost. Same ice, but Esdeath was stronger. Then Talulah stepped in. The clash of ice and fire. Though powerful, Talulah was still slightly outmatched—until she donned her god-slaying armor. Then the fight became even.
"Looks like this one's going to last."
As expected, Esdeath challenged every strong individual Daniel had brought. The strange Originium Arts piqued her interest.
"I never imagined a world without Oripathy could be like this," Amiya remarked after learning about the pirates. Her expression was tinged with disappointment.
"Oripathy isn't the cause of tragedy—human nature is. Even if Oripathy is cured, it's just the beginning."
Daniel gently consoled her. Though Amiya understood many truths due to the Demon King's legacy, experiencing them firsthand was another matter.
Everyone on Terra envied a world without Oripathy. Like what a Rhodes Island operator said to Team Rainbow Six when they first arrived. But Rainbow Six only responded with silence.
"You're here, might as well enjoy yourself."
"So? What do you think?" Daniel asked Mobius, who was analyzing the Originium.
"More troublesome than the Honkai. I never thought I'd one day find myself thankful for the Honkai."
After going through the data Daniel provided and talking with Kal'tsit, Mobius was speechless. She had never imagined there'd be a day she'd actually feel grateful for the Honkai consciousness.
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