Searching for Sleepy Town

A few days later, in a remote stretch of sea in the first half of the New World.

Houka had spent a small fortune in the dark underground world to obtain a bit of intelligence regarding Sleepy Town.

"Houka, can you really foresee that a Devil Fruit is on that deserted island?"

Newgate still found it hard to believe that Houka's precognitive abilities were so unreasonable.

If he could even predict the location of ownerless Devil Fruits, wouldn't Houka be able to get whatever he wanted in the future?

"I cannot foresee the existence of Devil Fruits themselves; I only know that in the future, a powerful individual obtains this fruit on that island."

Seven Soul Gu Insects—one blue, one purple, and five white—appeared around Houka once again, making him look like a deity.

He did not hide his mutated talent from Newgate.

Newgate felt Houka's sincerity and grew to trust him even more.

According to Rocks, Houka had resisted the temptation of the Paramecia Tremor-Tremor Fruit, which possessed the greatest destructive power.

This was only because Houka felt that Newgate was the most suitable candidate for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and he trusted Newgate's character.

This touched Newgate's heart to some extent.

Otherwise, if Houka had insisted on obtaining the Tremor-Tremor Fruit for himself, Rocks could have easily killed Newgate to seize this strongest Paramecia ability for him.

After all, in Rocks' eyes, Houka's precognitive ability was far more important than the current Newgate.

If Houka had chosen to lie and deceive Rocks, those so-called destined officers might have all become prey for Houka instead.

In fact, Houka's candor had instead won him Rocks' trust.

One must know that Rocks, a member of the D Clan, also possessed Observation Haki capable of hearing the voice of all things.

In the original timeline of the God Valley incident, Rocks, who had been forcibly dominated by Imu, could project his inner thoughts directly into the consciousness of Roger and Garp.

This was somewhat similar to the way Zunesha transmitted its consciousness.

Perhaps the communication between Imu, the Five Elders, and the Holy Knights was also a form of specialized Observation Haki.

Of course, it was more likely to be the power of some Devil Fruit.

"In that case, you could possess nine abilities. What a terrifying soul mutation."

"However, can you really develop all of these abilities?"

"Just as Rocks said, your physique is ridiculously poor!"

Newgate looked at the Soul Fire swirling around Houka's shoulders with a hint of envy in his eyes.

But he also knew how much energy it took to develop a single ability.

Especially for an orphan like himself who had never attended school, developing the Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability alone was already exhausting enough.

"That is why I must rely on you all to protect me. As long as I live long enough, I will eventually become strong!"

Houka spoke as if he had no dignity as a powerhouse, so bluntly seeking protection.

"Gurarara, since Houka trusts us so much, I will protect you well."

Newgate felt needed by Houka and actually felt a sense of willingness; he enjoyed the responsibility of this protection.

"Houka, why not go find Shiki before heading to Sleepy Town?"

Rocks was already impatient to get the black-clad swordsman Shiki, who possessed the Float-Float Fruit ability, onto the ship.

"Heh, with Shiki's personality, if he joined the ship before we found the Devil Fruit, he would likely try to snatch it or demand an equal share."

"This fruit is extremely important to me, and I don't want any accidents to happen!"

"It wouldn't be good for anyone if I had to have you all beat Shiki up."

Houka spread his hands. Rocks was not interested in other Devil Fruits right now; he only wanted to obtain the two legendary Devil Fruits that could counter Imu.

Those were the strongest Mythical Zoan, the Sun God Nika fruit, and the most wicked Logia, the Dark-Dark Fruit!

Newgate already possessed the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and the two fish-men, Babel and Sambel, did not want to become landlubbers.

As for the sailors and handymen on the ship, Houka had already ignored them.

It wouldn't be long before Rocks kicked those weaklings off the ship.

The Sword of Xebec had no need for the weak!

"I knew you had plenty of little schemes!"

"Since I'm providing you with escort, why don't you hurry up and reveal some information about Died and Dongye Huanglong?"

"Also, which powerhouse is it that obtains this Devil Fruit in the future?"

Rocks wanted to dig more useful intelligence out of Houka.

"Captain, I've already said, we are not in the same era as those two."

"However, regarding this Devil Fruit, I do know a little bit about this powerhouse."

"He was born with a special awakened Observation Haki and possesses the ability to peer into the hearts of others. Because of this, he saw through the treachery and cunning of humanity; he dislikes interacting with others and prefers to walk alone."

Houka thought of the Mythical Zoan Vampire-Vampire Fruit he was about to obtain, and his mind drifted to the solitary great pirate, Red Earl Patrick Redfield.

"Wahahahaha, Innate Special Observation Haki! How is his strength? Where is he now?"

Rocks licked his lips; such a talent deserved to be under his command.

"His talent is immense. He should be around the same age as Newgate, and his future strength won't be much inferior to Newgate's, even without a Devil Fruit ability."

"He will be able to fight against a Marine Admiral in the future!"

"He should be from the West Blue. I suspect he hasn't set sail yet, and I don't know to what extent he has grown by now."

Houka spread his hands; he truly did not know any other intelligence regarding Red Earl Patrick Redfield.

However, based on the title "Red Earl," combined with Redfield's noble attire and elegant demeanor, he had to be a nobleman!

"Name!! I want his name!"

Rocks grew excited. The West Blue was good; the West Blue was his home.

A newcomer with the potential of a Marine Admiral, and a talent with Innate Special Observation Haki to boot.

He had to snatch him up!

"Calm down, Captain!"

"His name is Patrick Redfield, nicknamed Red Earl. He should be a nobleman right now, and in a few years, he will choose to set sail as a pirate under the influence of a Music Pirate."

"Of course, he might just be disgusted by the hypocrisy among the nobility; after all, his special Observation Haki allows him to see all the filth."

"Or perhaps something went wrong with his family, forcing him to head out to sea."

Houka was not entirely clear on the specifics of Red Earl's situation and could only deduce information by combining scattered intelligence.

"Patrick Redfield! A nobleman?"

"Wahahaha, he'll set sail in a few years? I can afford to wait that long!"

Rocks grinned broadly, as if he had just acquired another important subordinate capable of dealing with Imu.

"Don't forget his special Observation Haki; he won't just join a pirate crew like ours."

Houka spread his hands, feeling little confidence regarding the guy known as Red Earl.

"Wahahaha, you just need to provide the intelligence; whether or not I can snatch him is my business."

Rocks laughed confidently, not taking Houka's warning to heart at all.

"What about Harald's son? He has natural Conqueror's Haki. Do you want to go snatch him too?"

Houka remarked offhandedly, and Rocks's eyes lit up.

However, thinking of the long growth period of the Giants, he suppressed the thought.

"He can fight me without a Devil Fruit ability, and can even battle a Marine Admiral?"

Newgate instantly memorized the name Patrick Redfield; he would definitely have to fight this person one day.