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"Pure Gold! They've found Pure Gold!!"
The bald Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) erupted, his face contorted with rage. Veins bulged in his neck as he sputtered, "How dare they!"
Rowen and his team's escape from the Bonbori was a story for another day. For now, it was clear Rowen hadn't killed the creature to claim its lantern – it simply wasn't the right time yet.
The fist-sized chunk of Pure Gold alone was enough to throw the government into chaos. If they discovered that the massive lantern on the creature's forehead was brimming with centuries of accumulated Pure Gold, the consequences would be unimaginable.
This was not the time for that revelation.
The long-mustached Gorōsei trembled slightly as he stroked his beard, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "In retrospect," he mused, "not cracking down on Law might have been a wise move after all... If we'd acted against him, none of this would have happened."
Like Pure Gold, the Ope Ope Fruit's "Perennial Youth Operation" granted immortality. However, it required the life of the user and could only be used on one individual.
"Who has time to worry about that now? Shichibukai are what they are – let Soryu (Azure Dragon) handle it!"
The swordsman Gorōsei, usually quick to voice complaints, remained unusually silent this time.
After all...
This was Pure Gold!
Unlike the Ope Ope Fruit, which had numerous preconditions, including an awakened third-stage user with no ill will towards the subject, Pure Gold had no such limitations.
Pure Gold was tangible, without side effects or conditions. When worn as a pendant, earring, or ring, it could infinitely slow the body's aging process, granting eternal youth and longevity.
"Cough, cough. Calm yourselves, everyone!" Ferrick interrupted with a cough, drawing their attention. "Our immediate focus isn't immortality, but the virus within those people!"
His words snapped them out of their reverie.
Indeed!
Even if they achieved immortality, what would be the point of living if the Celestial Dragons perished and the world erupted into chaos?
Seeing their expressions relax, Ferrick continued, "Furthermore, Soryu (Azure Dragon) is currently on the Colkla Island. Our priority is retrieving the Pure Gold."
"We must ensure the utmost secrecy regarding this matter!" He emphasized. "Surely, you all understand the ambitions that the revelation of Pure Gold's existence could ignite?"
And let's not forget – the individual who appeared in Colkla's ruins, 'Orrick,' likely already knew about it.
"Understood."
The long-mustached Gorōsei took a deep breath, calming his thoughts. "I'll contact Soryu (Azure Dragon) immediately."
…
Elsewhere, Marineford, Marine Headquarters
"What?!! You actually found Pure Gold?!!"
Akainu shot out of his seat, staring incredulously at the Den Den Mushi. "I didn't send you there to hunt for treasure!"
"It's not my fault, Fleet Admiral! How was I supposed to know the giant lanternfish was real, let alone that Alchemi Island was inside it?"
On the other end, Rowen feigned innocence. "I've already informed the Gorōsei. I'm sure they'll give me evacuation instructions soon. As for the Colkla mission..."
"Forget it. CP0 has been silent for so long – they probably won't find anything anyway."
Akainu sighed, his frustration evident.
What could he say at this point?
Rowen's absurd treasure-hunting luck defied logic.
Two years ago, Rowen purchased a secondhand treasure map from Vice Admiral Comil and discovered thousands of tons of gold, making him the wealthiest Marine officer.
Comil had been so aggrieved that he fell ill and avoided visitors for three months.
Fortunately, that incident had been limited to monetary wealth and didn't impact the larger geopolitical landscape.
But now?
He'd sailed out in search of a mythical legend – and actually found the legendary Pure Gold!
Akainu was speechless at Rowen's fortune.
"Maybe I should let him take a crack at the treasure leads piling up in our archives?"
The thought briefly crossed his mind.
But he quickly dismissed it. Sending a Marine Admiral on treasure hunts would be a disgrace to the Marine's reputation.
The Gorōsei would have his head if they found out!
Resigned, Akainu suppressed his thoughts and said, "Alright, return at once."
"I trust the Gorōsei won't give you any opportunity to linger. Make preparations quickly, shift your focus entirely to the Pure Gold, and above all, keep this matter strictly confidential!"
Pure Gold was no ordinary gold. Its legendary status had persisted since ancient times, celebrated in countless tales as a treasure beyond compare.
Akainu, like Ferrick, immediately grasped the gravity of Pure Gold's discovery. After recovering from his initial shock, he firmly instructed Rowen to maintain secrecy.
Rowen nodded in response. "Understood!"
After hanging up, Rowen glanced at the metallic box on his desk, a slight curl to his lips.
"When heaven seeks someone's ruin, it first drives them mad."
"If the world doesn't descend into madness over this, wouldn't all my efforts have been in vain?"
Suddenly, Rowen's ears twitched. In a flash, he appeared at the secluded quarters of Acier and Olga.
"I have a question for you, Acier."
"Cough… cough, cough!"
The father and daughter, mid-meal, were startled. Acier turned in surprise. "What is it, Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)?"
Seeing his daughter, Acier was reminded of Rowen's extraordinary actions. The admiral had deceived the government to protect them – a gesture for which Acier was profoundly grateful.
"Based on your research notes, is it possible for the world to recreate Pure Gold?" Rowen asked.
"Research notes?" Acier was momentarily stunned before shaking his head. "There are no research notes, Admiral. The core data on refining Pure Gold was destroyed long ago, during a pirate invasion."
"I feared that if I couldn't repel them and they managed to break into the lab, they'd get their hands on the method for making Pure Gold."
"My wife…" Acier paused, pain flickering in his eyes. "She came out of hiding, worried about me staying behind to destroy the data. That's why…"
His voice faltered, and he shook his head, unwilling to relive those tragic memories.
"So, apart from you, no one knows the formula for creating Pure Gold?" Rowen's tone was unreadable.
"That's correct!" Acier nodded firmly. "Moreover, synthesizing Pure Gold requires an extremely rare mineral element found only on Alchemi Island. Even with the formula, without the necessary materials, no one could produce it."
"If Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) wishes to ensure safety, I'm willing to sacrifice my life. All I ask is that you take care of Olga after I'm gone. I—"
"Stop!"
Rowen took a drag from his cigar, exhaling calmly as he shook his head. "I don't doubt those I use, and I don't use those I doubt. If I've chosen to let you live, I've ruled out killing you."
"I came today simply to ask that question. You don't need to overthink it."
With that, Rowen vanished in a flash of blue light.
Acier blinked, then turned to his daughter. "Olga, Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) doesn't seem as frightening as you make him out to be."
"Heh, that's because you're just a clueless old man who hasn't caught up with how the seas work nowadays," Olga replied with a sly grin, exuding the air of a precocious child. "Should I tell you the nickname your 'kind-hearted admiral' has on the seas?"
"No, please. Spare me the details and leave me some room for imagination."
Acier quickly shook his head, pulling out a chair to sit down. "Hurry and finish your food, Olga. Eat quickly and get to bed early. Tomorrow, I'll head into town to find some work. I need to make some money to support you."
Olga, gnawing on a large piece of roasted meat, froze mid-bite. She glared at him with a sharp look. "Are you calling me a glutton, you useless old man?"
"What?! I've gone from being a clueless old man to a useless one now?!" Acier exclaimed, feigning shock. "Olga, your words wound me deeply!"
"Die already!"
(End Of Chapter)