Half an hour passed before Souta Kiryuu finally regained clarity within Isaku's memories. A low, excited chuckle slipped from his throat.
He hadn't expected that this world still hid a power greater than Conqueror's Haki infusion.
"The Source... The Form of Origin..."
Souta murmured to himself.
So this was the power Imu commanded. This was the strength that gave the Five Elders their so-called immortal bodies.
The Five Elders' group teleportation circle and their ability to communicate across vast distances... Could those also be extensions of this Source Power?
He couldn't tell whether the Five Elders' abilities came from some mythical Zoan or a technique developed through strange means.
But all of them possessed immortality and long-range communion. A shared ability meant it came from the same power.
The force underlying this entire world... down to the most fundamental essence. Even Devil Fruit abilities and the Three Haki types are built from the same "Form of Origin."
No wonder Isaku could casually nullify any Devil Fruit power, and even fuse multiple rare bloodlines.
Souta felt his blood boil.
Isaku's physique contained the blood of Oni, Fishmen, Mink, and several other rare races. Just like Souta, he once faced instability and incompatibility in his inherited power.
But with the help of Source Power strengthening and refining his body... he had surpassed the original races themselves.
This wasn't just superior to a Devil Fruit.
It had no weakness.
Even the sea's curse over Devil Fruit users... is also a form of Source Power...!
With Isaku's memories, Souta learned countless hidden truths.
The sea's curse was closer to the primordial origin than Conqueror's Haki or Armament Haki. Its suppression of Devil Fruits was absolute.
If I extract and cultivate Source Power... even as a Devil Fruit user, I won't fear the sea. At least, not until my Source Power is exhausted.
Source Power could directly counterbalance the sea's curse.
But if a Devil Fruit user with Source Power fell into the ocean, the clash between the two would burn through Source Power at terrifying speed.
Dozens, maybe hundreds of times faster than using Conqueror's Haki infusion.
Because the sea's curse was infinite.
Even so, it was enough to escape drowning.
Provided he wasn't beaten so badly that he collapsed helplessly.
In other words... even if Imu is thrown into the sea, he wouldn't die easily.
Souta immediately understood.
If he could realize this, then Imu, who had lived nearly a thousand years, certainly had long since mastered it.
According to Isaku's observations, the Five Elders themselves likely don't truly wield Source Power. Everything they have was granted by Imu. That's why they kneel.
Even Saten, the so-called "War God of Scientific Defense," only understood a fraction.
Isaku was the true genius.
As Souta absorbed memory after memory, government secrets flooded into him.
He even learned the location of the New World Prison Island.
"AHAHAHAHA!! Isaku's gift is richer than Whitebeard's Quake Fruit!"
His laughter shook the room.
Behind him, Kuma finally exhaled in relief, terrified that Souta would be harmed while absorbing so many memories.
"Bang!"
The laboratory door was kicked open.
The Pirate Empress, Nico Robin, Baby 5, and Perona rushed in.
"Souta, are you alright?"
The Empress hurried to his side, clutching his arm, her wide eyes full of worry.
"I'm fine. And I gained something incredible." Souta smiled.
Robin broke in quickly before the Empress could ask more.
"Souta, Whitebeard is on the verge of collapse. The Five Elders are about to kill him. The Seraphim Messenger has already reached Fortress G18, left a teleport marker, and returned to the Ark. We can teleport there anytime."
"Right! Souta-sama, the old man Whitebeard is basically done!" Perona added, practically glowing with morbid excitement. "They smashed his crescent beard, and his chest has two massive holes in it—"
"If Whitebeard falls, two free Elders may move to hunt Kaidō or Barrett next," Robin continued, voice steady. "If the Elder who fell into the sea is recovered, the battle will end even faster. The Four Emperor crews will be annihilated. Our future moves become extremely limited."
"Whitebeard is dying?"
Souta's eyes burned.
"Perfect. We'll arrive just in time for the grand finale!"
He cupped the Empress's face, exhilarated.
He didn't even need the Quake Fruit now.
But if the opportunity presented itself... he had no issue stealing it from Teach, that so-called peacemaker.
"WHOOOO!! Time to show off again! The world is gonna remember the Souta Crew!" Bonney yelled.
While Souta was absorbing memories, the crew had already completely overrun G1 Headquarters.
The Red Count and the Pirate Empress boarded the Ark. Kuma entered the lab with Souta. The Red Count waited a few minutes and then charged straight at Steel Bone Kong.
Surrounded and overwhelmed, the Fleet Commander fell in under half an hour.
He tried to self-destruct—but the Red Count severed his arms and captured him alive.
Trafalgar Law removed his heart and reattached the arms for later judgment.
"Clean the battlefield. Evacuate G1! Top Commanders and the Six Paths of Souta—assemble!"
Souta stepped onto the Ark's deck and issued orders.
His eyes flicked toward the ongoing broadcast snail.
Morgans' feverish narration filled the air.
"Whitebeard has fallen! The man once called the strongest in the world is about to die beneath the Five Elders!"