Days passed by like this.
Calm, fulfilling, and full of hope.
A year has passed by so quickly.
That evening, the setting sun painted the entire sky a brilliant orange-red.
Roy had just come out of the gravity test field, his body soaked in sweat, his muscles slightly sore, but his spirits were exceptionally high.
He can easily endure extreme training under 90 times gravity for three hours.
The feeling of pushing his limits under pressure was irresistible to him.
Bullet also walked over from the other end of the training field, covered in sweat, but his face was full of excitement.
" Roy! One more round!"
He grinned.
"We didn't get enough of that last match!"
Just as Roy was about to speak, a communications soldier suddenly came running hurriedly from a distance.
" Captain Roy! Captain Roy!"
The communications soldier, panting, ran up to Roy and knelt on one knee.
" Thunder God Tesoro requests your immediate presence in the conference room!"
Roy raised an eyebrow.
"What's the rush?"
The communications soldier shook his head.
"I don't know. But when Lord Tesoro gave the order, his expression was very serious, and he said it was an urgent matter."
Roy paused for a second, then closed his eyes.
The power of the Telekinesis Fruit quietly unfolded.
An invisible spiritual force, like an invisible net, instantly enveloped the entire Hachinosu.
He found Tesoro —in the conference room of the main island palace.
There was another presence in the conference room.
That aura was familiar, powerful, and carried an elegant yet dangerous quality.
The Red Count
Roy opened his eyes, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Interesting."
He turned and walked towards the palace.
Bullet followed.
"What's wrong? Who's here?"
"An old acquaintance."
Roy said calmly,
"Let's go take a look."
Main island palace, conference room.
Tesoro sat in the guest seat, facing a man dressed in a deep red aristocratic suit and holding an exquisite cane.
The Red Count, Patrick Redfield.
" Mr. Red, I have already sent someone to inform the captain."
Tesoro laughed.
"They should arrive soon."
Red Count nodded slightly, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
"Mr. Tesoro, Hachinosu has indeed changed a lot in the past year."
Tesoro laughed.
"This is all thanks to the boss."
"He never skimped on resources; he was willing to invest in anything that would benefit Hachinosu."
Red Count nodded, a complex glint in his eyes.
For the past year, he has spent most of his time searching for news about Suiko Town.
But we've also witnessed the upheavals of the New World, with pirates running rampant.
And Hachinosu—
This island, which Roy built from scratch, was the safest, most prosperous, and most orderly place he had ever seen.
Here, there are no pirates running rampant, no nobles extorting money, and no officials oppressing the people.
The people here were among the most pure-hearted people he had ever seen.
Red Count took a deep breath, suppressing his thoughts.
Just then, the conference room door was pushed open.
Two figures walked in.
Roy, Bullet.
Red Count stood up and bowed slightly.
" Captain Roy, it's been a year."
Roy waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down, and then walked to the head of the table and sat down himself.
" Mr. Red, what brings you here?"
The Red Count looked at him, remained silent for two seconds, and then slowly spoke.
" Captain Roy, a year ago, you told me about the Mythical Zoan Vampire Fruit."
"Over the past year, I've searched almost the entire New World."
"But..."
He paused,
"Without a trace."
Roy picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing.
The Red Count continued,
"Since you know the exact information, you must also know the specific location of that fruit."
I've come today to invite you—
Tell me the location of this Sleeping Ancient Town.
Roy put down his teacup and looked at him.
He paused for a few seconds, then spoke.
" Mr. Red, what do you think of my Hachinosu?"
Red Count was taken aback for a moment.
This transition... was too abrupt!
But he still answered truthfully.
" Hachinosu is the safest, most prosperous, and most orderly place I've ever seen."
"The port is bustling, commerce is thriving, and the people live and work in peace and contentment."
Even the ordinary soldiers are much stronger than the average pirate.
" Captain Roy, you have indeed governed very well."
Roy nodded.
" Mr. Red, what do you think of living here?"
The Red Count frowned slightly.
" Captain Roy, what exactly are you trying to say?"
A faint smile curved Roy's lips.
What I wanted to say was--
" Mr. Red, since you've been searching for a whole year and still can't find it, why don't you just stay on Hachinosu?"
"Here you'll find food and drink, lodging and entertainment, opponents to spar with, and friends to connect with."
"What are you looking for? We can look for it together."
"Whatever you want to do, we can do it together."
Why wander alone on the high seas?
Red Count was stunned.
He looked at Roy, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Stay on Hachinosu?
He had actually anticipated this invitation.
When Roy told him about the Vampire Fruit, he had a vague feeling about it.
but...
Captain Roy.
The Red Count spoke slowly.
I'm used to being alone.
"Let me join a pirate crew and take orders from others..."
He shook his head.
"I can't do it."
Roy looked at him, without the slightest surprise in his eyes.
He had expected this answer.
The Red Count, after all, is the Red Count.
How could a legendary lone pirate easily submit to someone else?
But he had other options.
" Mr. Red."
Roy spoke slowly,
What if I told you I could grant you immortality?
The atmosphere in the meeting room froze instantly upon hearing this.
Bullet whirled around, staring intently at Roy.
" Roy! What did you say?!"
Tesoro's eyes widened as well.
"Boss! Immortality?! Really?!"
Red Count's pupils contracted slightly, and his hand gripping the teacup tightened abruptly.
eternal life...
That legendary thing, does it really exist?!
Roy watched the three people's reactions, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Of course it's true."
He said slowly,
"In this world, besides the Op-Op Fruit, there is a metal called ' Pure Gold '."
"By wearing it, one can achieve immortality."
In order to bind the Red Count to his cause, Roy threw out the "bomb" of Pure Gold.
"This is something that a doctor from the Alchemi Kingdom researched two hundred years ago, using all his efforts to save his sick daughter."
"Later, that kingdom was swallowed up by Sea Kings."
"But Pure Gold has also survived."
"It's hidden inside the belly of some giant lanternfish."
Roy looked at the Red Count.
" Mr. Red, if I could find Pure Gold, I could grant you immortality—"
"Would you like to stay on Hachinosu?"