Three days later, Atlas's warship set sail from the Sabaody Archipelago as scheduled, heading towards the New World station after receiving the official headquarters document.
But without anyone knowing, not even Sengoku, Atlas secretly began the journey to North Blue, accompanied only by Gild Tesoro.
High above the clouds, two figures, one tall and one short, soared gracefully through the sky, resembling gods who had vanished from the world.
"Vice Admiral, are we heading to North Blue for a specific mission?"
Tesoro felt a bit puzzled. Even though Atlas had informed him three days ago that they were heading to North Blue, he hadn't shared the specific mission details with him.
"Well... I'll locate a fitting Devil Fruit for you first, and afterward, I have an important assignment to entrust you with."
While explaining, Atlas employed his Observation Haki to locate Vergo's presence.
Tezoro's Gol-Gol Fruit was acquired at the auction organized by Doflamingo, so there's a good chance it's still within the Donquixote Family. Additionally, Doflamingo has held sway in the North Blue's underground for numerous years. Even if the Gol-Gol Fruit hasn't been secured, there are likely other rare fruits and valuable treasures in their possession.
This time, he aims to rescue Rosinante, and he's determined to acquire the Gol-Gol Fruit!
"What? A Devil fruit...!!?"
Upon hearing this, Tesoro couldn't help but well up with tears. He hadn't anticipated the Vice Admiral holding him in such high regard. A person like that would be worth trusting with his life.
Atlas didn't catch Tesoro's expression change; instead, he expanded the reach of his Haki. It had been three days since Vergo departed. To avoid raising suspicions, Atlas only made a sudden appearance, as if hurrying towards the New World.
Even though Vergo's general route had been discreetly investigated, it wasn't overly specific to avoid raising any alarms. To locate the other party quickly, Atlas had to rely on his Haki for a while.
Mainly because he didn't quite recall the name of the island where Rosinante was killed, he could only successfully track it by following Vergo.
Actually, he could have created Vergo's Vivre Card. Simply because he was Vergo's commander, finding an excuse to spar with him and accidentally obtaining a strand of hair or a small nail would have been reasonable. However, he abandoned the idea.
Certainly, making Vergo's Vivre Card is straightforward. However, to use the Vivre Card to track Vergo, one would need to tear a part of the Vivre Card and affix it onto Vergo himself. For a physical skill master like Vergo, discreetly placing a small piece of paper on him without him noticing would be nearly impossible.
...
North Blue.
A man in a black haori coat with clown makeup on his face casually ended the call on his den den mushi. Then, he turned around, seized a young boy with large white spots on his face, and lifted him up with excitement. He tilted his head back and grinned widely, almost from the corners of his mouth to his ears, shouting joyfully.
"You've got a chance at survival!!"
"It doesn't matter if we can't find a doctor!! Once you get the Op-Op Fruit, your incurable illness will be healed!!"
"Cheers!! Law!"
This man is Rosinante, code-named Corazon, working undercover for the Donquixote Family!
"Op-Op Fruit...? What's that?"
The young boy named Law was confused.
The excitement on Rosinante's face still didn't wane as he explained to Law, who was lifted up, "That's the power to reshape the human body! I've heard that with this ability, you can perform miraculous surgeries to cure any illness in the world. Everything can be healed!!"
"How is that possible??"
Law was shocked. Could something like this magical really exist?
"Yes, it's the magic of a Devil Fruit. As long as you have sufficient medical knowledge, you can harness its abilities!!"
"This is practically tailor-made for you. Once you eat it, your Amber Lead Syndrome will be cured!!"
Rosinante was extremely excited. He had taken Law to visit renowned doctors in North Blue for almost a year, yet they couldn't find a cure for Law's Amber Lead Syndrome. Unexpectedly, it was Doflamingo who brought a glimmer of hope today.
"But..." Law paused, glancing hesitantly at the Den Den Mushi, "Didn't Doflamingo say he wanted you to eat it, Mr. Corazon?"
"Idiot, a person can only eat one Devil Fruit. Doffy doesn't know that I'm a Fruit user yet. Besides, the two of us can never go back to the family. With Doffy's smarts, he probably already suspects I've betrayed them."
Rosinante looked at Law, who was full of doubts, and continued, "Actually, there's another reason why Doffy wants me to eat the Op-Op Fruit... Haha."
Rosinante didn't elaborate on what he said next. He simply lit a cigarette for himself under Law's perplexed gaze and added with a hint of self-deprecation in his heart.
'Doffy probably wants me, his always obedient brother, to assist him in obtaining eternal life, doesn't he?'
Yes, Rosinante naturally knows the ultimate secret of the Op-Op Fruit, which can perform the surgery for immortality known as Perennial Youth Operation! But the price is the life of the capable person !!
Suddenly, Rosinante crouched down, gripping Law's shoulders with his free hands, biting the cigarette in his mouth, and exclaimed excitedly, "Listen up!! Law, we need to act first and seize the Op-Op Fruit. I'll make sure you eat it!!"
"Prepare to set sail once more. We must seize this Devil Fruit! Then we'll find a safe place to cure your Amber Lead Syndrome."
However, what worries him the most right now is that Doflamingo didn't disclose the trading location of the Op-Op Fruit, indicating that Doflamingo has started being cautious about him consciously.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through Rosinante's mind.
For such a crucial Devil Fruit, the World Government's intelligence agency will surely have the relevant information and may intervene, so...
The Marines must also be aware of the time and location of the transaction!
'Sorry...Father'
A hint of apology crossed Rosinante's face, and then he unhesitatingly took out a Den Den Mushi from his body and dialed a number he was most familiar with.
Pere~Pere~Pere~Pere~
"Moshi Moshi, Rosinante, it's me."
The call connected, and a deep, dignified middle-aged man's voice emanated from the Den Den Mushi.
"Father, is it convenient to talk right now?"
Rosinante covered his mouth lightly and whispered softly.
"Alright, go ahead and tell me."
"I want to know the trading information for the Op-Op Fruit..."
"Pfft! How did you find out? This is top secret!"
Sengoku was startled and nearly spat out the hot tea he was sipping. You see, the only people in the Marines who are aware of this top-secret matter are him and Tsuru!
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Bonus chapter for reaching 75 powerstones.
Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari