Preparing to Set Sail

With the Time-Time Fruit and Door-Door Fruit, self-preservation was no longer an issue at all. At the same time, Lu Ge could only become stronger in the outside world. Especially after he learned that he could continue to devour Devil Fruit abilities, he became even more restless.

However, before setting off, he had to fully master his abilities from "one year later." By then, he might be able to use the power of himself from two or even three years later by utilizing Time Is on Niche.

By then, combined with the Time-Time Fruit and Door-Door Fruit, his safety could also receive the greatest guarantee.

Therefore, in the time that followed, Lu Ge went straight into arduous cultivation.

It could be said that his progress was astonishingly fast, and in just two days, he was already able to skillfully use the Three Types of Haki.

There was no helping it—who told him to have a bug-like skill like Time Is on My Side? It was just like taking an exam; since he already knew the answers in advance, how could he possibly fail to solve the problem?

Similarly, under the effect of Time Is on My Side, he had already learned everything. With that learning done, could it still be difficult?

Soon, six days passed just like that.

Lu Ge had completely mastered everything he ought to learn and used it proficiently, and his strength had already undergone a qualitative leap.

His development of the Time-Time Fruit and Door-Door Fruit had also grown increasingly proficient. Compared to himself from "one year later," all he lacked was physical fitness and raw power.

On this day, after eating the food brought by Mana and the others, upon learning that Lu Ge was going to leave Amazon Lily, they were all startled. "What?! You're leaving? When are you going?"

Through their time together over this period, they had all become very good friends with Lu Ge. Hearing abruptly that he was leaving, it was inevitable that they would feel some reluctance.

Mana even looked toward a certain woman. That person understood instantly and hurried away at a run, soon bringing Sanya and the others back here.

Sanya came before Lu Ge with a face full of seriousness. "I heard you're leaving Amazon Lily?"

Lu Ge: "Yes, my injuries are mostly healed, so it's time to leave."

Sanya immediately gave a deep bow and said with a solemn expression, "Can you take us with you?"

Hearing this, Lu Ge was taken aback. "Us? Surely you aren't planning to take members of the Kuja Pirates and leave with me? What will happen to Amazon Lily if you leave and it encounters an invasion by foreign enemies again?"

"This..." Sanya hesitated for a moment, yet she said with matchless firmness, "I know the consequences of that, but we have a reason we must leave."

Lu Ge: "Is it because of the Hancock sisters?"

To be honest, ever since he acquired the Door-Door Fruit, he had harbored plans to rescue the Hancock sisters from the Celestial Dragons in advance.

Sanya nodded with a serious expression. "That's only one of the reasons. What's even more important is that I must go find the former Empress and bring her back to Amazon Lily to take charge of the overall situation. Right now, our Amazon Lily is a group without a leader, and someone must lead us. The former Empress is the only candidate."

Hearing this, Lu Ge's eyes lit up involuntarily. "The former Empress? Hancock hasn't become empress yet, so doesn't this former Empress they're talking about mean Shakuyaku? Her given name seemed to be Shakuyaku, right? And there's an insanely badass figure by her side—Dark King Rayleigh. If he's around, we'll have an even better grasp on rescuing the Hancock sisters, and by then I can also ask him for advice regarding cultivation. Such an opportunity cannot be missed."

Lu Ge immediately nodded in agreement. "In that case, sure. But do you know the whereabouts of your former Empress?"

Even though he knew Shakuyaku was the proprietress of Shakky's Rip-off Bar on the Sabaody Archipelago, there were no chartered buses here; even with her name, he wouldn't necessarily find her in a short time, and might even get lost in the boundless sea.

Sanya shook her head. "I don't know. However, Her Majesty the Empress gave me this, saying it is the former Empress's Vivre Card. Relying on it, we can find the former Empress."

As she spoke, she rummaged inside her bosom and took out a delicate small box. After opening the box, what lay inside was a torn scrap of paper with a missing corner.

Seeing this, Lu Ge's eyes lit up involuntarily. "A Vivre Card? Excellent! As long as we have this thing, we can indeed successfully find your former Empress."

Hearing this, Sanya said with eager impatience, "Then when are you setting off?"

Lu Ge: "I was planning to leave today."

Sanya: "Today? That's soon enough, but do I need to prepare anything?"

Lu Ge pondered for a moment and said, "Money, food, and water are a must. We also need a boat of ordinary size. That's about it."

"Ah? A boat of ordinary size?"

Hearing this, Mana wore a look of astonishment. "Is a boat that small really okay? Not to mention encountering Sea Kings, even if we run into a slightly larger wind and wave, it would capsize!"

Lu Ge: "Rest assured, there won't be any problems. Having a smaller boat is simply to make traveling through things a bit more convenient."

"Traveling through?" Sanya and the other women all revealed curious expressions.

Lu Ge: "Remember the Door-Door Fruit?"

Since he intended to take them along with him, there was no need to hide it anymore; after all, this wasn't some sort of unspeakable secret.

Sanya nodded. "Is that Lago's ability? I've seen it once, and it really is quite magical and convenient. If we had an ability like that, we could safely cross the Calm Belt."

Lu Ge nodded with a smile. "Actually, his ability has already been acquired by me."

Hearing this, Sanya and the others all wore faces full of shock. "What? Really? You actually already possess the ability of the Door-Door Fruit? How did you do it?"

Lu Ge: "Upon the death of each user, a new corresponding Devil Fruit will appear, and I happened to be fortunate enough to obtain his Door-Door Fruit after Lago died."

As he spoke, Lu Ge casually reached out, and a door was abruptly opened in the air before him.

Clearly, he was not telling the truth. It wasn't that he didn't trust them—these women were every bit naive and pure, so they were naturally trustworthy. However, the fact that he could devour other people's abilities and turn them to his own use was still something he shouldn't let outsiders know, or it would definitely invite huge trouble. Therefore, he could only use this lie as a cover.

Sanya looked at the door before her with a face full of joy. "Wow~ It really is the Door-Door Fruit! That's wonderful! With this ability, we can safely pass through the Calm Belt. Mana, let's go, we'll go make preparations right away!"

Sanya immediately led the people away in a bustling flurry, not showing even a tiny shred of doubt toward Lu Ge's words. Perhaps this was where their loveliness lay: simple, sincere, without scheming or backstabbing. This was also why Lu Ge was willing to get along with them.

In just a single morning, they had already prepared everything completely.