" Crocodile, are you sure the information is accurate?"
Crocodile, with a cigar in his mouth, exhaled a smoke ring:
"Almost."
"A spy's report indicates that Doflamingo has been very active in the North Blue recently."
Meanwhile, news also spread from the North Blue — the Op-Op Fruit has appeared.
Roy's pupils contracted slightly.
The Op-Op Fruit.
That Devil Fruit, worth 5 billion Beli, is an incredible existence that allows people to achieve Eternal Youth Surgery.
It's not the kind of "pseudo-immortality" that Pure Gold provides by slowing down metabolism, but true immortality.
Roy took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.
"Continue monitoring," he said. "Let me know immediately once you confirm the exact location."
Crocodile nodded and turned to leave.
Roy leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.
Doflamingo...
That guy has been unusually well-behaved these past two years; it turns out he was keeping this to himself.
The Eternal Youth Surgery —that guy definitely knows this secret. As a former Celestial Dragons, he understands the value of the Op-Op Fruit better than anyone else.
Roy stood up and walked to the window.
Let's see who gets it first.
Roy stood by the window for a long time, his mind racing with countless thoughts.
The Op-Op Fruit.
He knew better than anyone the value of this thing in the original work.
Trafalgar Law became Supernovas because of it, became Shichibukai because of it, and almost brought down Doflamingo because of it.
But those people only saw the power of the Devil Fruit itself—spatial manipulation, cutting, transplantation, and electric shocks.
What truly prompted the World Government to offer such an astronomical price of five billion was that ultimate power.
Eternal Youth Surgery.
At the cost of the life of the one with the ability, another person is granted eternal life.
It's not the pseudo-immortality of Pure Gold that "delays aging," but true, complete immortality unaffected by any external forces.
Roy looked down at his hands. He was strong enough now, and influential enough, but what about time?
In the world of Pirate King Piece, Garp is old, Whitebeard is sick, and Golden Lion is crippled.
Time is the most ruthless thing.
But if the Op-Op Fruit...
Roy snapped out of his thoughts and turned to leave the office.
If you've decided to rob someone, you have to be prepared.
The next morning, Roy summoned the core members to the conference room.
Bullet, Hawk Eyes, Red Count, Tesoro, Crocodile, Kuma, Kyros, Moria —everyone who can fight has been called in.
" The Op-Op Fruit," Roy said bluntly. "It's appeared in the North Blue. Doflamingo is watching it too."
Bullet's eyes lit up. "That Devil Fruit that can grant immortality?"
"Right."
"What are we waiting for? Let's just charge in and steal it!"
Roy waved his hand. "No rush. Doflamingo's exact location hasn't been confirmed yet, let's make preparations first."
He glanced at the people present.
"I'll take a few men with me for this operation. Hachinosu needs to be guarded."
Bullet frowned. "Again, you're not taking me?"
"You stay. Hachinosu needs you to stay and oversee it."
Bullet was unwilling, but he knew Roy was right.
Roy looked at Crocodile: " Crocodile, keep following up on the intelligence. Notify me immediately once the location is confirmed."
Crocodile nodded.
" Tesoro, prepare the Ark Maxim. We are ready to depart at any time."
Tesoro grinned. "I've been prepared for this for a long time."
Roy called out a few more names.
" Jesus Burgess, Lafitte, Van Augur, the three of you come with me."
The three stood up. "Yes!"
" Savi, Enel, Yamato, Pea, Charon, you five go too."
Yamato jumped up excitedly. "Great! We can finally get out!"
Enel, crackling with electricity, brandished his golden staff. " The North Blue? Is it fun there?"
The Pea blinked its big eyes and nodded obediently.
Savi and Charon exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
" Kazami, Bar, you two come too."
Kazami taken aback, then stood up, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, and nodded calmly.
Bar scratched his head sheepishly. "Captain, can I do this?"
Roy looked at him. "You've been training with Bullet for two years, it's time to go out and try your hand at it."
Bar grinned. "Alright! I'll do as the captain says!"
Bullet snorted, "Don't embarrass me."
Bar patted his chest. "Don't worry!"
Once the personnel were finalized, Roy gave a few more instructions and then dismissed everyone.
As we left the conference room, Lafitte leaned over and asked, "Captain, is this the only group going to the North Blue?"
Roy glanced at him. "What? Not enough?"
Lafitte quickly shook his head. "No, no. I just feel that Doflamingo has been accumulating a lot of wealth these past two years."
Roy smiled and said, "Don't worry. No matter how much he saves up, it won't be enough."
Lafitte thought about it and agreed, so he didn't ask any more questions.
North Blue.
The Donquixote Family's stronghold, an unremarkable island, was transformed into a fortress.
Doflamingo leaned back on the sofa, a glass of red wine in his hand, legs crossed, a signature smile on his lips.
Trebol stood behind him, sticky and sullen, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, chuckling.
Diamante sat beside him, wiping his longsword.
Pica stood silently in the corner, like a statue.
" Doffy, the news is confirmed." Vergo pushed open the door, holding a report in his hand. " The Op-Op Fruit indeed appeared in the North Blue."
Doflamingo's smile deepened.
"Fufufufu... It's finally confirmed."
He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the distant sea.
The Op-Op Fruit.
Devil Fruit worth 5 billion Beli.
No, for Doflamingo, its value is far more than five billion.
Eternal Youth Surgery.
As a former Celestial Dragons, he knew this secret better than anyone else.
If he obtains the Op-Op Fruit and finds a user to perform the Eternal Youth Surgery on, he can live forever, rule the Underworld forever, and never have to fear anyone again.
"Everyone assemble." Doflamingo turned around, his voice icy. "This time, we must get it."
Trebol chuckled, " Doffy, should we inform Roy?"
Doflamingo's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal.
"No need," he said calmly. "This is our own business."
Trebol nodded and asked no further questions.
Doflamingo returned to the sofa, picked up his glass again, but his expression had changed.
The Donquixote Family has indeed made a lot of money by cooperating with the Roy Pirates over the past two years.
Funds, weapons, and Devil Fruit poured in continuously.
He used these resources to expand wildly in North Blue, and his power increased several times over compared to two years ago.
The family cadres who underwent Bloodline Transplantation experienced a dramatic increase in strength.
Even those little devils—Baby5, Buffalo, Dellinger —have grown up quite a bit.
Doflamingo felt that he no longer needed to be mindful of Roy's feelings.
But every time he thinks of the oppressive aura Roy unleashed on the day of the Pure Gold incident, he feels a chill run down his spine.
"Foo fu fu fu..." He chuckled softly, suppressing the unease in his heart.
We must obtain the Op-Op Fruit.
No matter the cost.