BOOM!
The training grounds shook violently, as if struck by artillery.
A massive cloud of dust surged into the air, hanging for nearly a minute before finally beginning to settle. When the smoke cleared, the central device displayed a glaring number:
[128]
That was Luo Lan's current power level.
Just fifteen days ago, he'd barely registered a level of 5—practically a weakling.
Now, in just half a month, he had skyrocketed to 128.
Such monstrous growth would make even Garp drop his jaw.
The drug Seras developed was a type of genetic serum. Its purpose? Unlocking the "genetic lock" within humans.
Key word: humans.
That meant it had no effect on the native inhabitants of the One Piece world.
According to Seras's research, humans carried a genetic lock—an internal limiter on their potential. Natives of the One Piece world, however, were born without it. The difference produced two drastically divergent paths:
1. One Piece Natives: No genetic lock. High early potential, but ultimately capped.
2. Humans: Severely limited at the start—but once the genetic lock was broken, the potential was… limitless.
So which species was stronger?
Hard to say.
What's more, according to Seras, even Devil Fruits were artificial—genetic tech created specifically to interface with the DNA of One Piece natives. That explained why, when Luo Lan consumed one, nothing happened.
And perhaps most important of all…
Luo Lan didn't just have one genetic lock. He had three.
How to unlock the remaining two—and what would happen when he did—remained a mystery.
Even Seras couldn't say. He needed time.
How much?
No one knew.
Luo Lan stared at the number on the display, his brows furrowed.
"Too slow."
Yes, his progress was miraculous. But he couldn't afford to be satisfied. He'd already lost twenty years.
Catching up in one or two? That was a tall order.
He needed more. Faster.
A marine officer approached, respectfully draping a Justice coat over Luo Lan's shoulders.
"You're back, Ian?"
"Yes, sir. Just returned. I heard you resolved that matter—congratulations."
Luo Lan exhaled lightly. "I handled it, yes. But it didn't push me through. No breakthrough. I'm still nowhere near them."
Ian tilted his head. "But, Colonel… at this rate, you'll be one of the strongest men on the seas within five years. Why the rush?"
"You think I'm being impatient?"
"Yes, sir."
Ian truly didn't get it. Luo Lan was only twenty. To reach this level before twenty-five would already be historic.
Yet Luo Lan moved like a man racing against time.
He looked up at the sky, his voice quiet but resolute.
"Ian, do you believe this world will erupt into chaos within two years?"
He paused.
"Because I do. And when that happens, I need power. Enough to survive it."
"Five years? That'll be too late."
Ian fell silent. He didn't understand—but he didn't argue.
He had followed Luo Lan from the beginning. Even a year ago, he'd volunteered for exile just to remain at his side.
And now, like always—he obeyed.
"…How did the mission go?" Luo Lan asked, shifting back to business.
"It's done," Ian said. "We recovered 17 million Berries. Already deposited."
Luo Lan's eyes lit up.
That was a sizable haul.
"And," Ian continued, "I brought back two important pieces of intel."
Luo Lan's expression sharpened. Ian didn't use the word important lightly.
"First—there's been a confirmed sighting of a Logia-type Devil Fruit in East Blue."
Luo Lan narrowed his eyes. "Logia? You're sure?"
Ian nodded. "Yes, sir. Based on our intel and a cross-check with the Devil Fruit encyclopedia, it's highly likely…"
"The Flame-Flame Fruit," Luo Lan finished the sentence before Ian could.
Ian blinked in surprise.
He hadn't even mentioned the name yet. How did Luo Lan know?
In truth, Luo Lan hadn't remembered immediately. But after revisiting the timeline, it clicked. A Logia in East Blue, in this era, could only be that fruit.
The one that Ace would eventually acquire.
"Tell me the details," Luo Lan said.
"Yes, Colonel. The fruit was found by a pirate named Dory—Krieg Pirates, third division captain. No encyclopedia on hand, but he knew the legends."
"He planned to study it in secret and use it to boost his power."
"But there were spies on board. Word got out."
"Now he's being hunted—and he's fleeing in our direction."
Luo Lan smirked faintly.
"Smart move. Escaping the central seas and heading into this barren stretch makes him harder to trace. Krieg will be fishing for a needle in a haystack."
"Exactly. And if he eats the Flame-Flame Fruit… even ten Kriegs couldn't touch him."
Ian was right.
But what he didn't know was what Luo Lan was really thinking.
Eat the Flame-Flame Fruit?
Not happening.
He didn't know how Ace got it originally. But one thing was certain:
Dory wouldn't be walking away with it.
"Colonel," Ian asked, "now that he's in the barren sea, tracking him is tough. So what's our move—"
"Do you know a rookie in East Blue named Ace?" Luo Lan interrupted.
…Here we go again.
Ian suppressed a sigh.
Why did Luo Lan always jump like this? They were talking about Dory, and suddenly—Ace?
He couldn't keep up.
Still, he replied, "Yes, sir. Moderate potential. Currently solo, drifting on a raft. Nothing remarkable yet."
Roan nodded.
"Good. Watch him closely. He'll lead us to Dory."
Ian's brain blanked for a moment.
What?
What did Ace have to do with Dory?
But…
"Yes, Colonel. Understood."
He'd long since stopped trying to understand Luo Lan's reasoning. Back at HQ, they'd learned one rule:
Don't question. Execute.
Because no matter how outrageous or irrational Luo Lan's orders seemed…
They always turned out right.
And never—never—were they unnecessary.