Dragon's First Time!

To Imu, an ordinary Zoan Human-Human Fruit was nothing important. Based on Sengoku's performance, this Devil Fruit's abilities had already been demonstrated.

The Zoan Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Daibutsu Form, allowed its user to transform into a golden Buddha after being consumed. Its palms could unleash shockwaves, and beyond that, it granted the wisdom and spirit of a Buddha.

So, when eaten by a normal person, an ordinary Human-Human Fruit's main effect, aside from lacking a transformation ability, was to enhance one's physique, intelligence, spirit, and other aspects, turning them into a truly perfect superhuman.

Honestly, rather than being used for combat, this Devil Fruit was better suited for an academic or scientific researcher.

The key was that it was connected to Chopper's birth!

It was not that he wanted a cute pet. Rather, according to the future of the original timeline, Chopper would most likely develop the so-called "Panacea" capable of curing all diseases.

It sounded unbelievable, but this world did have miraculous black technologies. What Imu valued was precisely this "Panacea"!

"But the question is, even if Chopper successfully eats the Human-Human Fruit, could he still develop the 'Panacea' without those later experiences? Would he even think of developing one?"

"Now that the entire Drum Kingdom has undergone tremendous changes because of my interference, even if Chopper appears, will he still be Chopper?"

For a moment, Imu fell into deep thought.

He had to admit one fact: because of his appearance, many people's fates would inevitably change. All he could do was guide certain important individuals so that they could have a better environment in which to grow.

Imu's gaze returned to the Munch-Munch Fruit. Logically speaking, based on this Devil Fruit's ability, the most suitable first candidate for it should have been Dr. Vegapunk.

With it, along with some guidance from him, perhaps the Pacifistas and artificial Devil Fruits could both appear ahead of schedule.

But the problem now was that Vegapunk's attitude toward the World Government remained unclear. It was still the question he had considered before: why would Vegapunk hide the fact that he had successfully replicated a perfect artificial Devil Fruit in the future?

Let's watch and wait a little longer.

After thinking it over, Imu placed the Munch-Munch Fruit back into the Silver Box, closed the lid, and set it aside. Then he picked up the letter Dragon had sent to the Five Elders.

After spending two minutes reading its contents, he found that everything was as expected. Perhaps because it was his first time writing a letter, Dragon's wording was somewhat cautious. However, he clearly was not deep enough in his scheming. As he wrote, he could not hold himself back and still pointed out the World Government's mistakes, his dissatisfaction practically leaping off the page.

Most of that dissatisfaction was focused on slavery.

"That works too. Writing the letter can be considered a way for him to vent his emotions. Better than bottling them up inside." Imu smiled.

"But they should be starting to act over there, right? That brat must be shocked right now~"

Still, he needed to consider Dragon's arrangements. Should he remain in the Navy, or would it be more appropriate to transfer him somewhere else?

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Five Warships, shaped like sea beasts, slowly sailed out through the enormous open iron gates in a triangular formation. As they crushed through the rolling waves, three long white trails formed behind them.

On the deck, Monkey D. Dragon stared blankly at the Gate of Justice as it slowly closed behind them.

Even now, he found the mission he had received this time unbelievable. As for the silent White-Clad Agents standing on either side of him, he had completely grown accustomed to their presence over the past few days.

Dragon lowered his head again and glanced at the mission report in his hands.

Mission location: Thutmose Island in the South Blue. According to the report, it was a medium-sized island whose environment consisted mainly of deserts and hills. Although it had four seasons, rainfall was scarce.

Mission target: Taklama, king of the Thutmose Kingdom, one of the World Government's affiliated nations. However, it had no seat at the Reverie. He was a king with little presence and very few citizens.

Yet after extensive investigations by CP2, they had discovered this country's strange nature years ago.

It was clearly a poor, small nation, yet it paid its annual Heavenly Tribute in full every year without a single mishap for decades.

Furthermore, there was almost no ship traffic during the day, but at night, it became relatively bustling. Nearly a hundred vessels of various sizes came and went, dispersed among more than a dozen ports around the island. That was why "relatively" was used to describe it.

Recently, CP2 had finally made a major discovery: they had uncovered King Taklama's second identity.

The Slave King of the underworld!

The entire Thutmose Kingdom was the world's largest slave supply station and the largest kidnapping syndicate in the world. It had over ten thousand slave hunters scattered across the seas, carrying out crimes such as abduction, kidnapping, and fraud for years. They would even completely sweep through sparsely populated villages. On the island itself, there was also a Slave Guard Legion of around thirty thousand men.

It was said that CP2 had sacrificed more than a dozen members to learn that the Thutmose Kingdom's main facilities and personnel were actually located inside the island. There were hundreds of large Cells used to hold slaves, and visual estimates put the number of captured slaves at several hundred thousand.

It could be said that this kingdom did not really have a concept of citizens. Even the concept of a king was vague, because they operated under an extremely professional corporate system.

Within his own island, Taklama preferred his subordinates to call him Boss rather than king.

So rather than citizens, employees was a more fitting term.

The mission objective this time was to capture King Taklama. Any other criminals who resisted were authorized to be executed on the spot, and all slaves were to be rescued.

It also stated that the Administrative Department would take the lead in organizing nearby kingdoms, mobilizing resources such as ships, food, and doctors, before finally sending the rescued slaves back to their homelands.

In Dragon's view, the World Government's plan was already sufficiently comprehensive. All he needed to do was lead the fleet and win this battle!

Yet the more this was the case, the more confused and puzzled he became.

Was this really the World Government?

The World Government that, in his eyes, had rotted beyond saving and possessed not a shred of kindness?

This was far too righteous!

But no matter what, it truly was a wonderful thing. Dragon was willing to give it his all from the bottom of his heart, if only for those several hundred thousand suffering slaves.

It was worth mentioning that this was his first time leading a fleet as the commanding general on a large-scale military operation.

Mary Geoise, Room of Authority. The Five Elders had gathered together.

"The fleet led by Dragon has already set sail." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the youngest among them, smiled.

Saint Topman Warcury, seated in the very center, rubbed his bald head and looked at him without a smile. "I still think it is inappropriate to send only Dragon, a single rear admiral, for this operation. According to the intelligence, King Taklama is not weak, and he also has a legion of more than thirty thousand men."

As for the two CP0 agents accompanying him, they could not be counted as combat power at all. Their mission was to watch over Dragon, and they would not concern themselves with anything else. Even if the entire fleet were wiped out, they would only take Dragon and leave.

"It should be fine. He is Garp's son, after all, and he possesses the Hurricane Fruit's abilities. It is not as though he cannot handle a mere Slave King." Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro spoke casually.

He was carefully using tweezers to hold cotton dusted with talcum powder, lightly tapping it bit by bit against the blade of Shodai Kitetsu to absorb the excess blade oil.

"Besides, according to intelligence sent by CP5, Garp, who said he was returning to the East Blue, suddenly changed course and entered the South Blue ahead of them." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said with a helpless smile.

Upon hearing this, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn burst into hearty laughter. "He really does not bother hiding it at all. That is Garp for you!"

At the same time, the other three Five Elders said nothing further. Since Garp had gone over there, what was there left to worry about?

Worry about an army of thirty thousand?

"Still, Doflamingo provided excellent intelligence this time. Without him, we really would not have found the hideout of this Slave King of the underworld."

Readers who have followed this far, could you share your thoughts? Do you have any suggestions or feedback?