Law didn't know Edie, but he knew that if he didn't act, Rosinante would die.
The intense silence Doflamingo maintained after Edie's arrival alone spoke volumes about the stranger's Status and power. With a grim resolve, Law rolled up the sleeve on his left arm, took the syringe in his right, and pierced his vein with practiced ease. Born into a family of doctors, Law had been trained in medicine from a young age. But this, drawing his own blood, was a first.
"This is my blood… you'll keep your promise!" Law declared, holding the full syringe out with urgency. Chenlong accepted it and handed it to Edie, who gave a small, pleased smile in return.
"Of course," Edie said, his tone warmer. "I'm a man of my word."
For Edie, the Op-Op Fruit itself would be a perfect acquisition. But even if that wasn't an option, the blood of its user would serve him just as well. He could harness Law's blood to produce "Green Blood," paving the way for the mass production of Op-Op Fruit users and, ultimately, achieving the immortality he craved.
"Save Mr. Corazon!" Law shouted, desperation edging his voice.
"He only fainted from blood loss and a heavy blow to the head," Edie replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. "You're the Op-Op Fruit user here. Use your powers; they're enough to save him."
Law suddenly recalled the fruit's power within him. Trembling, he attempted to activate it, calling forth its strange energy to revive Rosinante. "Come on, please! Recover! Mr. Corazon!" he pleaded, applying frantic touches that only worsened his frustration.
"Futile efforts, boy," Edie chuckled. "The Op-Op Fruit isn't magic. Just take him somewhere quiet and tend to him properly."
After calming himself, Law checked Rosinante's pulse, relieved to find it steady. Gathering his small strength, he hoisted Rosinante up and began to carry him away, hesitant to leave but wary of the lurking danger. Before departing, he cast a final, determined look back at Edie.
"Name?" he asked in a soft but unyielding voice.
"My name is Edie," the man replied with a gentle smile, "and I'm a scientist."
"I'll remember it!" Law said, his voice laced with both gratitude and defiance. "Someday, I'll repay you!"
"You already have, young man. Perhaps we'll meet again," Edie said. As Law trudged away with Rosinante's weight on his shoulders, Edie finally turned his attention back to Doflamingo. Edie had allowed Law and Rosinante to leave, effectively sparing Doflamingo the dilemma of killing his brother. But he knew that if anyone, Doflamingo would be livid.
"Are you really fine with this?" Edie asked, arching a brow.
"Fufufufu… Since it's your wish, I'll let them go," Doflamingo answered, his laughter tight and calculated.
For all his ruthlessness, Doflamingo was savvy; he ran his arms business out of North Blue and kept enough sense not to anger someone like Edie, especially one with influence even Kaido respected. And in a display of shrewd pragmatism, he offered a rule to abide by.
"I won't pursue them for the next three years," he said with forced magnanimity, "out of respect for you."
This made Edie's smile widen, pleased with the subservience.
"Goodbye, Doflamingo," Edie said, preparing to leave, driven by his own ambitions.
Just as Edie's body began to lift into the air, Doflamingo called out, "Dr. Edie, I'd be honored to sponsor your research institute!"
Edie paused mid-air, glancing back with mild intrigue.
"Fufufufu… I may not have the clout of the Emperors yet, but I am confident in my ability to make money," Doflamingo said, bowing slightly. "And when I make my way to the New World, I will be thrilled to extend that wealth to you."
"Well," Edie chuckled, "when you arrive in the New World, come find me at the Hive." He continued his ascent, Chenlong following, glancing back to ensure Doflamingo took the message to heart.
As Edie's figure vanished into the sky, Doflamingo couldn't help but grin, looking down at his clenched fists.
"Young Master, why offer him money?" Trebol asked with a puzzled expression.
Doflamingo smirked and looked into the snowy distance. "To enter the New World, we'll either need to kill an Emperor to claim their power, or we'll need to find a suitable ally," he replied, the intensity in his gaze revealing his resolve.
For Doflamingo, the decision was clear. Sponsoring Edie was just a shrewd move; if he was going to pay someone in the New World, it would be the Scientist with influence extending across all seas.
"Now, let's move. With that Traitor Rosinante gone, we won't be hunted down as relentlessly by the Marines," he said, leading his crew back toward the port.
Baby 5, tagging along, asked curiously, "Young Master, is that Doctor really that powerful?"
"Fufufufu…" Doflamingo chuckled darkly. "It's not just about power… People are lining up to pay that man across all seas for his scientific prowess too.
Edie departed from Minon Island, choosing not to return to the Hive immediately. Instead, he directed Chenlong, who eagerly transformed into an azure dragon, to fly toward the Drum Kingdom. Edie, perched on Chenlong's head, enjoyed the nostalgic feeling of being carried by his powerful creation—a rarity since he'd mastered flight with Haki. Chenlong hadn't served as a mount in a long time and seemed as pleased as Edie to assume the role once again.
"Where to next, Lord Heavenly Father?" Chenlong asked.
"We'll head to the Drum Kingdom. I think it's time to check in on our clone doctors." Edie's grin was as sharp as the snowy peaks that soon came into view. They crossed the Red Line, passed through East Blue, and flew over the Calm Belt, finally reaching the snow-blanketed Drum Kingdom by the evening of the following day.
Drum Island-Grand Line
The island's towering, drum-shaped mountains stood proudly against the frozen landscape. Drum Kingdom was well-known as a powerhouse of medical knowledge. Looking down from Chenlong's head, Edie's eyes gleamed. "It's been over four years. I wonder how much 66 and 77 have progressed in their studies."
"According to their reports, they found the kingdom's finest doctor, Dr. Kureha," Chenlong replied. "It took some time to gain her trust, but she eventually agreed to teach them."
"Good," Edie nodded, gesturing forward. "Let's go."
As they descended towards a forest where Dr. Kureha's home—a secluded treehouse—stood, eight young figures emerged from the surrounding trees and knelt before Edie in the snow. They were the guards he'd assigned to protect the girls, now nearly adults themselves.
"Lord Heavenly Father!" they greeted in unison.
Edie smiled. "You've all grown and done well."
The door to the treehouse creaked open, and 66 and 77, now young women around fourteen, appeared. They recognized Edie immediately and knelt in reverence.
"Lord Heavenly Father!" they called.
They weren't alone. Accompanying them was Dr. Kureha, a woman of astonishing vitality for her age, clad in her signature purple leather pants and jacket, and wearing both a pair of sunglasses and a smaller set on her head. She was accompanied by a small reindeer with a blue nose, who stared wide-eyed at Chenlong's massive form.
"Ahhhh!" the reindeer cried, trembling.
"An actual dragon? Is that Kaido?" Dr. Kureha murmured, pushing her glasses up with an intrigued grin.
Edie stepped off Chenlong's head, landing so lightly that he didn't even leave a mark in the snow. "Get up," he said, prompting the kneeling clones to rise.
66 and 77 exchanged glances before stepping forward. "Father," began 66, "are you here to bring us back?"
77 added softly, "If so, please allow us to bid farewell to Dr. Kureha and our friend here."
Edie gave a nod, but his gaze lingered on the reindeer behind them, who looked about ready to faint. Is that…Chopper? Edie thought, recognizing him from the Anime. Edie didn't expect to see Chopper so early, likely a ripple effect of his own presence here.
Dr. Kureha, sizing up Edie with an appraising eye, stepped forward. "So, you're the infamous scientist," she noted with a hint of disdain. "I see now why those girls were so adamant. They even knelt in the snow for ten days until I agreed to teach them."
Edie smiled as he met her piercing gaze. "Thank you for guiding them, Dr. Kureha."
Kureha scoffed, but a slight warmth softened her expression as she glanced back at her students. "You'd best take care of them," she warned, her tone light but edged with a hint of attachment. "They're diligent and stubborn as hell—traits they learned from me."
With a nod, Edie turned to 66 and 77. "Say goodbye to your teacher, as a reward for your dedication."
The girls were visibly pleased, their expressions carrying both gratitude and a touch of melancholy as they turned to Kureha and the little reindeer.
"Thank you for everything, Dr. Kureha," 66 said with a bow. "Please drink a little less after we leave; it's not good for your health."
Kureha waved her hand, brushing off their advice with a laugh. "Who are you calling old? I'm going to outlive all of you."
As the brief farewell concluded, Edie knelt down to the reindeer's level. "What's your name, little one?"
"M-my name is Chopper," he stammered. "Tony Tony Chopper."
Edie reached out, giving the reindeer's head a gentle ruffle. Chopper's eyes shone with admiration, though the young creature's timid nature kept him at a distance.
"I'll remember that name, Chopper." Satisfied, Edie leapt back to Chenlong's head, casting one last look at the treehouse before signaling their departure.
"Wait!" Chopper cried, his voice trembling with sorrow. "Will I…ever see them again?"
One day about four years ago, he was chased as a snow monster. It was 66 and 77 who rescued him and took him to Dr. Kureha's tree house for treatment.
Edie paused, feeling a rare pang of guilt. Looking down, he said softly, "Take care of yourself, Chopper."
With that, he signaled for Chenlong to rise, and as they ascended into the sky, 66 and 77 waved farewell to Kureha and Chopper. Watching them vanish into the horizon, Kureha gave a small smile, hiding any trace of her own reluctance. The reindeer beside her simply stared after them, his small frame trembling with sadness as he lifted a hoof to wave goodbye.