Destiny

"What...?"

Rayleigh could not stop himself from asking. His emotional shift was so great that several crew members nearby with powerful Observation Haki noticed something was off about their first mate. Unfortunately, they could not hear a thing.

"The first is Pure Gold. It is said to be an exceptionally special metal that can extend a person's lifespan. It was created by humans several hundred years ago."

"The second is the Heal-Heal Fruit among the Devil Fruits. Legend says it possesses the power to heal everything."

"The third is the Op-Op Fruit among the Devil Fruits. I heard it can grant humans eternal life. Since it can grant eternal life, it should presumably be able to cure illnesses and save people as well."

At that moment, neither Rayleigh nor Roger could contain the excitement in their hearts.

The two of them had seen and experienced much. They had heard of some of these three things, while others were completely unknown to them.

Yet before this, even the ones they had heard of had only been treated as legends. They had never truly believed in them.

That was also because, after Roger discovered he was terminally ill, he truly had too little time left. He could clearly feel his body growing worse by the day. He did not want to waste time on such illusory things when he had a more important mission to fulfill.

But now, hearing such certain words from Ye Mu's mouth made both of their hearts tremble.

"Do you know where they are?" Rayleigh asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"I don't know the specifics. I can only give you some clues. Pure Gold is said to be in the stomach of a fish called a Lantern Fish. This fish is enormous and can swallow a small island in one bite. It also loves gold, but I have no idea where it is. As for the Heal-Heal Fruit, you can try looking among the Tontatta, though I can't be sure whether it is there. As for the Op-Op Fruit, it should have been hidden by the World Government, but that is only something I heard from others. Maybe it has already ended up somewhere else by now."

After speaking, Ye Mu drained a cup of apple juice and opened his mouth again.

"That's all I know..."

Honestly, Ye Mu had only recalled these things from his limited memories. The information was extremely sparse, but to Rayleigh and Roger, who had been despairing for so long, it let them see hope.

Still, they did not say much. Roger's illness absolutely could not be known by anyone else.

"I'll have people keep watch for them."

Roger might not care about anything, but Rayleigh, as the first mate, could not afford to be the same. He had already made up his mind to use every possible means to find those three things.

"Thank you, Rayleigh. But you don't need to take it too seriously. As they say, gaining it would be my fortune, losing it would be my fate. We have a more important mission now..."

After finishing his words, Roger looked at the child before him, who was shrouded in mystery from head to toe.

At this point, he had already confirmed certain thoughts in his heart. Suddenly curious, he asked.

"Brother Ye Mu, do you believe in destiny?"

Ye Mu's answer was equally simple.

"I only want to believe in the destiny I like!"

Of course, that was the artistic way of putting it. The cruder version was:

I fucking transmigrated, and you're talking to me about destiny? Pah!!!

No matter what Ye Mu was thinking at that moment, Roger and Rayleigh had truly begun to value him greatly.

That much could be seen from the appreciation in Rayleigh's eyes. Rayleigh could not help extending an invitation to Ye Mu.

No matter how Ye Mu had learned these things, if they could bring him aboard, would that not increase their chances of finding those three items?

"Brother Ye Mu, would you be interested in joining our Roger Pirates?"

Ye Mu naturally shook his head, prompting Rayleigh to ask in confusion.

"What is it, Brother Ye Mu? Are you not interested in Laugh Tale?"

"Of course I am. It's just that compared to following you, I think going there myself would be more interesting."

"Hahahahahaha!"

This answer did not surprise either of them. If anything, it made them appreciate Ye Mu even more, and they continued chatting at greater length.

Roger also asked, "It seems that Brother Ye Mu and Brother Enel are not from Sky Island."

"Mm. Five years ago, I was brought to this island by the Knock Up Stream, just like you. As for Enel, he has lived on this island since he was little. Maybe he is like me, except he arrived earlier."

"I see. Then, Brother Ye Mu, have you never tried to find your family?"

Ye Mu shook his head.

"I've forgotten all my previous memories. All I had on me was a piece of clothing and a ruby. Even if I wanted to search, I wouldn't know where to begin..."

This moved both Roger and Rayleigh. They had not expected Ye Mu to have such a background.

Roger thought for a moment before saying, "May I see the clothing and gemstone you mentioned? Perhaps I've seen them somewhere before."

"You can, but honestly, I'm not very interested in learning about my past. What I care about most right now is training in Haki..."

Seeing the topic shift back to Haki, Roger and Rayleigh both laughed happily.

At that moment, Rayleigh saw that the banquet was nearing its end. After considering it, he stood and spoke.

"If that's the case, then why not start now? Roger, you don't mind if I take your place as his teacher, do you?"

Roger burst into laughter at this.

"Of course not."

Then, afraid Ye Mu might have other thoughts, he said to him.

"Though I'm the captain, Rayleigh is more suited than I am when it comes to teaching Haki. I'm truly terrible at being a teacher... Hahahaha..."

Naturally, Ye Mu had no objections. After all, even the future One Piece's Haki had been taught by Rayleigh.

Seeing Ye Mu nod in agreement, Rayleigh said happily.

"Come with me. Everyone has eaten about enough anyway, so let's make this the entertainment after our banquet."

With that, Rayleigh walked to the center of the banquet. Everyone noticed the scene, and they watched the two of them curiously.

At that moment, Roger suddenly stood as well and called out several names one by one.

"Shanks, Buggy, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi... Listen carefully from here on out. Opportunities for First Mate Rayleigh to personally teach Haki are rare..."

Those Roger had called were all apprentice crew members. The instant they heard his words, they sharpened their focus.

Only then did the others understand what Rayleigh intended to do.

Though many of them had already mastered Haki, Rayleigh's use of it was the best among everyone present apart from Roger. Even Kozuki Oden, who came from Wano Country and had mastered Ryuo, was inferior to him. Thus, they all turned their attention over as well.

Ye Mu also shouted for Enel.

Hearing Ye Mu call out, the prepared Enel instantly crackled with electricity all over his body. The alcohol in his body was immediately broken down, and he became incomparably sober.

This left the people around them dumbfounded.

"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit can be used like that too...?"

Roger smiled curiously as he spoke.

Now that everyone's attention had been drawn over, Rayleigh looked at Ye Mu and began his lesson.

"Then let's begin, Brother Ye Mu..."