Freedom

In the near future, Vegapunk, the "World's Greatest Scientist," would discover the conditions for transferring Devil Fruit powers, eventually allowing "objects" to eat Devil Fruits and gain different abilities.

Note: he would "discover" them, not "invent" them.

To "discover" something meant it had already existed; no one had simply systematized it yet.

And so, in that distant and mysterious ancient age, a young man coated a "sculpture" with Devil Fruit juice, eventually making it "eat" a Devil Fruit.

Aiven Lindsey had thus become a sculpture with the powers of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Oni!

During those long years, researching his own Devil Fruit Ability had indeed proved to be an entertaining pastime.

Developing a Devil Fruit depended to a great extent on the User's imagination.

Many records had shown that the same fruit could be developed in completely different ways depending on who ate it!

Demons.

Those two words had lingered in Lindsey's mind, eventually giving rise to the forms of the "Eight Demons" from his memories!

Earth Demon, Howling Wind, Thunder Demon, Sky Demon, Water Demon, Mountain Demon, Fire Demon, Moon Demon.

They represented eight different supernatural abilities!

Earth, wind, thunder, sky, water, mountain, fire, moon.

The complexity of these powers was beyond imagination.

Even if an ordinary person devoted their entire life to it, they could never fully master them!

Fortunately, Lindsey had just a little more time than an ordinary person.

A colossal wave swept in, and Lindsey sank beneath the sea.

With nothing else to do, he had spent those long years constantly imagining what his Devil Fruit Ability could do. After countless rounds of deduction, he had developed a vast number of "theories."

Unfortunately, as a stone, Lindsey couldn't put any of them into practice.

Until today—

Lindsey was no longer submerged in seawater, and he had finally gained a "human" body.

He had so many theories he wanted to test.

The first was the "urge" that had welled up when he first set foot on land.

Demon Form.

Earth Demon—[Earth Demon]!

His skin turned reddish brown, and his body grew several sizes larger, making him look even stronger.

The two pairs of dark green horns on his head especially brought out the traits of a Mythical Zoan!

"Mythical Zoan..."

Crocodile studied Lindsey, his thoughts in turmoil.

There were countless strange tales on the sea.

Even so, a "man" leaping out of an ancient Stone Tablet was more than a little bizarre.

At the same time, though, Crocodile was good at seizing opportunities.

The existence of "Aiven Lindsey" was undoubtedly Big News that would shake the world.

Crocodile had to get ahead of the competition and be the first to make contact with Lindsey!

Without hesitation, he abandoned his original escape route and decided to travel with Lindsey instead.

"Let's go."

Crocodile, a Sand-Sand Fruit User, immediately turned his body into sand and slipped into the ground Lindsey had torn open.

Lindsey sank back into the earth and led the way, while Crocodile followed close behind.

He carefully watched how Lindsey used his powers.

Inside the earth, Lindsey moved like a fish through water. All the Earth and Stone before him was fragile and easily broken.

With his thick, reddish hands, he effortlessly tore through the earth and carved out an underground passage.

"..."

Crocodile considered it.

Earth and Stone and sand were similar to a certain extent.

If he used the full power of his Sand-Sand Fruit and activated "Erosion Cycle," sucking the moisture out of the surrounding soil and turning it into sand...

Then Crocodile could also "dig" a path underground.

But he wasn't good at that, so he never did it.

A few minutes later.

Lindsey had dug an unknown distance underground.

Crocodile only knew that the lights of the Laboratory had disappeared, leaving the entire passage pitch-black.

He could only turn his body into sand and follow Lindsey closely.

Crash!

Lindsey suddenly reached up and pried apart the layer of earth above them.

Sunlight spilled in, shining on their faces.

One after the other, they climbed out.

Crocodile looked around and realized they were far from the research facility on the island.

He was about to speak when he turned and saw Lindsey lying on his back in the grass, greedily breathing in the fresh air.

Punk Hazard had yet to undergo Caesar's poison gas experiments or the battle between the two admirals, Aokiji and Akainu. The island's environment was still beautiful, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.

"Haha, that feels amazing!"

His Earth Demon Form faded, and Lindsey's body returned to that of a perfect ordinary man.

Lying on his back, he laughed. "Being free feels incredible!"

"..."

Crocodile watched him, feeling that Lindsey was a little too free.

As a "sculpture," Lindsey's body rivaled a masterpiece by a great artist, with muscle lines that were a pleasure to behold.

But as a "living person," Lindsey...

Wasn't wearing any clothes.

He lay naked on the ground, almost like a perfect work of art.

But it had all happened so suddenly. Where were they supposed to find clothes?

Crocodile didn't want to waste his fur coat, so he could only suppress his unease and let Lindsey be.

As for what to do next...

Wooooom—!!!

As he pondered, an alarm suddenly blared across the entire island of Punk Hazard, and red lights flashed atop the Laboratory.

"Tch. That scumbag Caesar really dares to make a big mess of things..."

Crocodile furrowed his brow.

He had only meant to get some leverage over Caesar and further his plans in the underworld. But Aiven Lindsey's appearance had thrown everything off course!

Who could have guessed that the ancient Stone Tablet Caesar had dredged up from the sea would turn into a "man"?!

With Lindsey gone, Caesar could tamper with things again, erase the leverage Crocodile had over him, and even use it to threaten Crocodile!

"But it doesn't matter."

"Heh heh heh heh..."

Crocodile laughed darkly.

Caesar was nothing compared to the value of Aiven Lindsey himself!

"Let's go!"

He waved to Lindsey, who was standing some distance away, and said:

"My ship's on the southwest coast. I'll take you out to sea!"

"Sounds great!"

Lindsey's eyes lit up.

He had spent far too long as a stone. The chance to venture out onto the vast ocean was exactly what he wanted!

With a powerful thrust of his hips, Lindsey sprang to his feet in one smooth motion.

He was about to follow Crocodile when, the moment he took a step, the ground suddenly began to tremble.

Crocodile froze. "Was that you?"

"No."

Lindsey shook his head, his gaze turning toward the source of the tremors.

Then a deafening roar rang out beside them!

"ROAR!!!"

Lindsey and Crocodile looked toward the sky and saw a huge figure breathing fire.

It was a massive red dragon with enormous teeth and wings, baring its fangs as it hurtled toward them from above!

"Shurorororo!"

Caesar's laughter rang out, and his body, made of gas, appeared nearby.

He had discovered that the two had escaped the Laboratory and pursued them all the way.

At the same time, he had activated one of Punk Hazard's many defense systems!

"This is an artificial creature created by Vegapunk—the Punk Dragon!"

"Shurorororo!"

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave, Sand Crocodile."

Caesar grinned maliciously. "Why don't you do me one more favor and help me test out Vegapunk's creation?"