The Red Count fell silent.
He looked at Roy, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
eternal life...
That's something countless people dream of.
Although he was a top-tier expert, he could not escape the erosion of time.
He will grow old and die.
If only we could live forever...
Moreover, Roy's offer went beyond just immortality.
There's also Bloodline Transplantation technology, powerful allies, and this prosperous island...
Red Count took a deep breath, suppressing the pounding in his heart.
Captain Roy.
He spoke slowly,
Are you sure... Pure Gold really exists?
Roy nodded.
"Sure."
"It just takes time to find it."
There's still no definite clue as to the location of that lanternfish.
"But I will send people to look for it, and I will also look for it myself."
"We'll find it someday."
The Red Count stared at him, remaining silent for a long time.
Then, he slowly opened his mouth.
" Captain Roy, I need time to think."
Roy laughed.
"Certainly."
" Mr. Red can stay on Hachinosu for now."
"Take your time to think it over, there's no rush."
The Red Count nodded.
"Then... I'll have to trouble you."
Roy looked at Tesoro,
" Tesoro, take Mr. Red to the best room."
"Treat them well."
Tesoro immediately stood up.
"Understood! Mr. Red, please follow me."
Red Count stood up, gave Roy a slight bow, and then followed Tesoro out of the conference room.
The door closed, leaving only Roy and Bullet in the conference room.
Bullet couldn't wait to speak.
" Roy! Pure Gold! That thing really exists?!"
"Exist."
Roy nodded.
"It just takes time to find it."
Bullet grinned.
"Great! That's wonderful!"
"Then, I too will live forever! I can fight on and on!"
Roy looked at him and smiled.
Don't worry, you'll get your share.
Bullet rubbed his hands together excitedly.
"When shall we set off to search?"
Roy shook his head.
"No rush."
"We don't have enough clues yet; setting off rashly will only waste time."
"I've already instructed the Fish-Man to keep a close eye on that lanternfish."
Bullet nodded.
"Okay, whatever you say."
For the next few days, Red Count stayed on Hachinosu.
Tesoro arranged a room for him with an excellent view; opening the window revealed a vast expanse of blue sea.
Every morning, he would take a walk on the island, feeling its pulse.
In the port area, workers are busy loading and unloading goods, vendors are enthusiastically attracting customers, and seagulls are circling in the sky.
The commercial district is lined with shops, offering a wide variety of goods, and merchants from all over the world trade here.
In the residential area, children chased and played in the streets, while the elderly sat in their doorways basking in the sun, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
On Trial Island, soldiers toiled in the gravity field, sweating profusely, while Bullet's roar echoed from afar.
At the kendo dojo, Hawk Eyes wielded his sword as always, each strike refined to perfection.
Red Count walked through these places, a complex mix of emotions welled up within him.
Everything here reminded him of a dream he had when he was young.
That dream had long been forgotten during his long years of solitary wandering.
And now, it has quietly surfaced in my mind again.
On the evening of the fifth day, Roy came to his room.
" Mr. Red, have you been settling in well these past few days?"
The Red Count nodded.
"Very good."
"It's better than anywhere I've lived in all these years."
Roy smiled.
"That's good."
He walked to the window and stood side by side with the Red Count, watching the sunset gradually sink into the sea.
" Mr. Red, would you be interested in visiting Dr. Gracia's laboratory?"
The Red Count turned to look at him
"The one with the Bloodline Transplantation?"
Roy nodded.
"That's right."
"Perfect timing, the doctor recently completed a new batch of embryo culture."
"Furthermore, the doctor has already used Mr. Red's gene sample to create a clone."
The Red Count was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
"Good."
The two arrived at the laboratory deep within the Trial Island.
Dr. Gracia was already waiting at the door.
" Captain Roy! Mr. Red! Welcome, welcome!"
The doctor greeted them warmly.
"Plz follow me."
The three walked through a long corridor and arrived at the core laboratory area.
Inside the enormous culture chamber, suspended within were numerous "embryos" with their eyes tightly closed.
Some of those embryos resembled members of the Roy Pirates.
Red Count stood in front of a culture chamber, looking at the embryo inside that looked exactly like him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Doctor, is this... prepared for me?"
Dr. Gracia nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Red."
"This embryo combines the superior genes of the Oni, Lunarian Tribe, and Buccaneer Tribe."
"If the transplant is successful, Mr. Red will gain superhuman physique, regenerative abilities, and the characteristics of those special races."
"Furthermore, because the fusion begins perfectly at the embryonic stage, there will be no malignant changes in appearance."
The Red Count fell silent.
He stared at the embryo that looked exactly like himself, his heart filled with complex emotions.
After a long while, he turned his head and looked at Roy.
" Captain Roy, you've surprised me..."
"You're actually willing to give me these resources and these technologies?"
Roy looked at him and said calmly,
" Mr. Red is someone worth winning over."
"Trading these resources for a permanent partner—it's worth it."
The Red Count stared at him, remaining silent for a long time.
Then he smiled.
That smile carried a hint of relief, and also a hint of gratitude.
" Captain Roy, I appreciate your sincerity."
"But about the Vampire Fruit..."
Roy interrupted him.
"Rest assured, Mr. Red, I have already given Tesoro the information on the Mythical Zoan, Vampire Fruit."
He is investigating this matter with all his might.
"I believe we'll have results soon."
A glint flashed in the Red Count's eyes.
"Really?"
Roy nodded.
"Really."
Red Count took a deep breath, suppressing the pounding in his heart.
" Captain Roy..."
He spoke slowly,
"I can stay on Hachinosu."
"But there's one condition."
"Explain."
"If one day I find the Vampire Fruit-- "
"I hope to retain my freedom."
"Not as a subordinate, but as... a collaborator."
Roy looked at him, remained silent for two seconds, and then smiled.
"Can."
" Mr. Red's willingness to stay on Hachinosu is the best outcome."
As for the form—it's not important.
The Red Count nodded.
"Then... it's settled."
The news of Red Count's arrival at Hachinosu quickly spread throughout the entire pirate crew.
The happiest person was none other than Hawk Eyes.
This World's Greatest Swordsman would come to spar with Red Count almost every day.
" Mr. Red, please enlighten me!"
In the kendo arena, Hawk Eyes held his swords in both hands, with the Black Blade Yoru held horizontally in front of him, his sword aura condensed but not yet released.
The Red Count stood elegantly opposite, holding a cane sword, a hint of helplessness flashing in his red eyes.
" Mihawk, how many times is this now?"
Hawk Eyes said seriously,
"The eighty-seventh time."
"But each time, I learn something new from Mr. Red."
The Red Count sighed.
"Alright, come on."
As soon as the words were spoken, the two drew their swords simultaneously!
Swords flashed and air surged!
Hawk Eyes's sword is as fast as Inazuma and as ruthless as a viper!
The Red Count's sword is elegant and composed, yet it conceals deadly intent!