One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

The Red Earl remained silent.

He looked at Roy, his eyes swirling with complex emotions.

eternal life……

That's something countless people dream of.

Although he was a top 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 was not just immortality.

There's also bloodline transplantation technology, those powerful allies, and this prosperous island...

Count Red 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 is 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."

"Someday, we will find it."

The Red Earl stared at him, remaining silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly opened his mouth.

"Captain Roy, I need time to think about it."

Roy smiled.

"certainly."

"Mr. Ryder can stay on Beehive Island for now."

"Take your time to think it over, there's no rush."

The Red Earl nodded.

"Then... I'll have to trouble you."

Roy looked at Tesoro.

"Tezzolo, take Mr. Ryder to the best room."

"Treat them well."

Tezzolo immediately stood up.

"Understood! Mr. Ryder, please follow me."

Count Red stood up, gave Roy a slight bow, and then followed Tezzolo out of the conference room.

The door closed, leaving only Roy and Barrett in the conference room.

Barrett couldn't wait to speak.

"Roy! Pure gold! That thing really exists?!"

"exist."

Roy nodded.

"It just takes time to find it."

Barrett grinned.

"Great! That's wonderful!"

"Then, I'll be immortal too! I can fight forever!"

Roy looked at him and smiled.

"Don't worry, you'll get your share."

Barrett rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"So when do 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 fishmen to keep a close eye on that lanternfish."

Barrett nodded.

"Okay, whatever you say."

……

For the next few days, the Red Earl stayed on Beehive Island.

Tezzolo arranged a room for him with a great view, where he could see the entire blue sea view just by opening the window.

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 sweated profusely in the gravity field, while Barrett's roar echoed from afar.

At the kendo dojo, Hawkeye wielded his sword as always, each strike refined to perfection.

As the Red Earl 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 wandering alone.

And now, it has quietly surfaced in my mind again.

On the evening of the fifth day, Roy came to his room.

"Mr. Ryder, how have you been these past few days?"

The Red Earl 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 Earl, watching the sunset gradually sink into the sea.

"Mr. Ryder, would you be interested in visiting Dr. Gracia's laboratory?"

The Red Earl turned to look at him.

"The one with the bloodline transplant?"

Roy nodded.

"That's right."

"Perfect timing, the doctor has recently completed a new batch of embryo culture."

"Furthermore, the doctor has already used Mr. Ryder's gene sample to create a clone."

The Red Earl was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

"it is good."

……

The two arrived at the laboratory deep within the trial island.

Dr. Gracia was already waiting at the door.

"Captain Roy! Mr. Ryder! 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 are numerous "embryos" with their eyes tightly closed.

Some of those embryos resembled members of the Roy Pirates.

Count Red 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. Ryder."

"This embryo is a fusion of the superior genes of the Oni, Lunaria, and Bakania races."

"If the transplant is successful, Mr. Ryder will gain a physique, regenerative abilities, and the characteristics of those special races that far surpass those of ordinary people."

"Moreover, because the fusion begins at the embryonic stage, there will be no malignant changes in appearance."

The Red Earl remained 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 this technology?"

Roy looked at him and said calmly,

"Mr. Ryder is someone worth winning over."

"Trading these resources for a permanent partner—it's worth it."

The Red Earl 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 can feel your sincerity."

"But about the Vampire Fruit..."

Roy interrupted him.

"Rest assured, Mr. Ryder, I have already given Tesoro the information on the Mythical Zoan type Vampire Fruit."

"He is investigating with all his might."

"I believe we'll have results soon."

A glint flashed in the Red Earl's eyes.

"really?"

Roy nodded.

"really."

Count Red took a deep breath, suppressing the pounding in his heart.

"Captain Roy..."

He spoke slowly.

"I can stay on Beehive Island."

"But there is 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. Ryder's willingness to stay on Beehive Island is the best outcome."

"As for the form—it doesn't matter."

The Red Earl nodded.

"Then... it's settled."

……

The news of Red Earl's arrival at Beehive Island quickly spread throughout the entire pirate crew.

The happiest person was none other than Hawkeye.

This world's greatest swordsman would come to spar with Red Earl almost every day.

"Mr. Ryder, please enlighten me!"

In the kendo arena, Hawkeye held his swords in both hands, with the black sword Yoru held horizontally in front of him, his sword aura condensed but not released.

The Red Earl stood elegantly opposite, holding a cane sword, a hint of helplessness flashing in his red eyes.

"Mihawk, how many times is this now?"

Hawkeye said seriously,

"The eighty-seventh time."

"But each time, I learn something new from Mr. Ryder."

Count Red sighed.

"Alright, come on."

As soon as the words were spoken, the two drew their swords simultaneously!

Swords flashed and waves of air surged!

Hawkeye's sword is as fast as lightning and as ruthless as a venomous snake!

The Red Earl's sword is elegant and composed, yet it conceals deadly intent!