I collect everything in the One Piece world.

"Alright, alright, enough with the 'buts'." The white-bearded man waved his hand, interrupting him, then leaned forward slightly, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

"But now that you mention it, that kid named Mosen is indeed quite interesting."

"Not only can he defeat you, but he also possesses multiple Devil Fruit abilities... Hey, what an interesting guy."

"He hasn't been in the New World for long, has he? For a young man from Paradise to achieve this much, he has great potential."

Marco, sitting to the side with his legs crossed and arms folded over his chest, nodded in agreement: "Indeed, for a newcomer to make a name for himself in such a short time, he must either have incredible luck or real talent. It seems he's the latter."

Whitebeard took another sip of wine, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and grinned: "Gurarara! I'd really like to meet a young man like that."

"If possible, wouldn't it be better to recruit him onto my ship and make him my son?"

The captains inside the cabin exchanged glances upon hearing this; the old man's habit of taking in sons had struck again.

Whenever he saw a promising young person, Whitebeard would always try to bring them under his wing, offering them protection and a sense of family warmth.

This approach may seem naive to many, but it is precisely this broad-mindedness and deep affection for family that made the Whitebeard Pirates one of the most united and powerful pirate crews on the Grand Line.

However, Jinbe, who had been sitting quietly to the side, shook his head slightly upon hearing this, put down his wine glass, and said sincerely and earnestly, "Father, if I may be so bold, Lord Morsen is not the kind of person who would easily accept a recruitment offer."

“I had some contact with him and have a certain understanding of his personality.”

"He acts according to his own principles, dislikes being constrained by others, and will not easily submit to someone because of their name or status."

"If you want to get him on board the Whitebeard Pirates, it won't be easy..."

Whitebeard wasn't angry at all; instead, he raised an eyebrow with interest: "Is that so?"

Jinbe nodded and continued, "He has his own principles and bottom line. He won't make enemies for no reason, but he will never let anyone bully him."

"Such people are difficult to win over by 'recruiting'; they prefer equal cooperation rather than a subordinate relationship."

Whitebeard listened to Jinbe's words and remained silent for a moment before letting out another loud laugh: "Gurararara! Whether it's equal cooperation or a subordinate relationship, how will we know if we don't try?"

"Isn't he also curious about my strength? Then let's arrange a match."

"Perfect timing. I'm quite curious about him too. How can a young man from Paradise cause such a stir and even defeat Joz? I'd like to see just how capable he really is."

"If he really has the strength and courage, even if he can't be my son, being an ally wouldn't be a bad thing."

Upon hearing this, Jinbe said nothing more, but simply picked up his wine glass and silently took a sip.

He'd gotten used to it; since meeting Morsen, nothing seemed to surprise him anymore.

That young man always managed to do something unexpected, as if he was born to break the rules.

Now Morsen wants to fight Whitebeard, and Whitebeard has agreed.

Although the two are of vastly different ages, they seem to have developed a strong interest in each other, as if they are two rivals who admire each other and are looking forward to a thrilling and intense confrontation.

"Then it's settled." The white-bearded man slammed his wine bowl heavily on the table, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"I'll find a suitable time and place to meet that kid myself. Joz, you'll come with me."

Upon hearing this, Joz raised his head and nodded solemnly: "Yes, Dad!"

In a corner of the crowd, a burly, dark-skinned, fat man was quietly listening to everything; it was Marshall D. Teach.

He remained outwardly calm, even laughing and drinking with the people around him, but a shrewd glint gleamed in his eyes.

He had just listened to Jozu's detailed account of the entire battle, and when he heard how Morsen used multiple Devil Fruit abilities, combining the Rumble-Rumble Fruit with swordsmanship, to defeat Diamond Jozu with overwhelming power, his heart was filled with astonishment.

It's simply unbelievable that multiple Devil Fruit abilities can coexist in one person.

On the Grand Line, everyone knows the common knowledge that a person can only eat one Devil Fruit. If someone tries to eat a second one, their body will be torn apart, and they will surely die.

But Blackmosen defied this common sense. He not only possessed the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, but also demonstrated the power of other fruits, seemingly without any side effects. This completely overturned Teach's understanding of Devil Fruits.

Teach clenched his fist hidden in his sleeve, his heart pounding faster than usual.

Compared to this fruit, the Dark-Dark Fruit that he had always longed for didn't seem so special anymore.

If he could obtain the secret of that ability... if he could also possess the power of multiple fruits... then he would no longer need to wait so long for the Dark-Dark Fruit.

Or rather, he could gain even more and stronger power on top of having the Dark-Dark Fruit!

Teach lowered his head, concealing the fleeting greed and desire in his eyes.

He licked his chapped lips, picked up the wine bowl, and took a big gulp, using alcohol to calm the turmoil in his heart.

He couldn't rush things or reveal any weaknesses. He had already been infiltrating the Whitebeard Pirates for so many years, so he didn't mind waiting a little longer.

But that Morsen... he must find a way to uncover his secret.

Meanwhile, on the Collectors' Adventure Team's mobile platform.

In the laboratory on the second floor of the castle, Mosen is transforming stickers into experimental equipment and boxes of research materials.

Reiju stood to the side, holding a record board, checking the list while instructing Morsen to put the different devices and documents in their respective places.

"That gene sequencer is on the table on the left... Yes, right there. Handle it carefully, that probe is very delicate."

Reiju ticked a box on the whiteboard and then pointed to the corner: "Put those boxes of reagents in the refrigerator, set the temperature to minus twenty degrees. Yes, that white cabinet."

Mosen did as instructed, placing the reagent box in the refrigerator, adjusting the temperature, and then closing the door before looking at Reiju: "Is there anything else you need to move?"

Reiju flipped through the record board and shook her head: "The main equipment and data are all in place. What's left are some auxiliary equipment and consumables, which I can organize myself. Thank you for your hard work, Captain."

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Mosen walked to the window, looked at the vast sea view outside, and then turned around: "By the way, did you have any preliminary ideas about the research on bloodline factors you mentioned earlier?"

Reiju's eyes lit up when research was mentioned.

She strode to the lab bench, picked up a thick lab notebook, flipped to the marked page, and pointed to the dense notes and diagrams on it, saying:

"I have initially identified several directions. Although Judge's research approach is ruthless, it does have its unique aspects in terms of technology."

"I'm wondering if it's possible to guide the natural awakening of bloodline factors through specific domineering energy or physical training."

"This might allow us to retain the enhancement effect without affecting self-awareness. Of course, this is just a theoretical direction, and a lot of experiments are needed to verify it..."

As Mosen listened to her eloquent explanation of the technical terms and research ideas, although he only half understood most of it, seeing Reiju's focused and confident expression, he felt that bringing back these materials and equipment was the right decision.

When a person is focused on what they love, the radiance they exude is undeniable.

“That sounds promising.” Mosen placed the last instrument in its designated spot and clapped his hands.

"But what do you plan to do before you produce results? You can't just stay cooped up in the lab all day, can you? Scientific research also requires a balance between work and rest."

Reiju put down her notebook, turned around and looked at Morsen. She remained silent for a moment before speaking, "I want to learn dual-color Haki and swordsmanship from you during this time."

Mosen raised an eyebrow slightly, signaling her to continue.

“Although I no longer have the bloodline factor, my years of combat experience and instincts are still there.” Reiju clenched her fist, feeling the determination surging from the depths of her heart.

"If I can master the domineering aura and have a certain foundation in swordsmanship, even if I encounter a battle, I can protect myself and not hold everyone back."

"I don't want to stay on the ship like a weakling who needs to be protected. I want to be a partner who can fight alongside everyone, not a burden who needs to be protected."

Looking into her earnest eyes, Mo Sen smiled and nodded, saying, "No problem."

“However…” he blinked, a hint of mischief in his voice, “My tuition is very expensive, you know. How are you planning to pay for it?”

Reiju was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

After spending these past few days together, she was no longer the shy and timid Reiju who had just experienced such a thing.

She stepped forward, reached out her arm, and naturally put it around Morsen's neck. She stood on tiptoe slightly and whispered in his ear, "Do I have enough money to pay the tuition myself?... At worst, I can pay in installments..."

As she spoke, she lowered her voice and whispered a few words in Mosen's ear.

Mo Sen's eyes lit up when he heard this, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. He lowered his head and kissed her lips: "Don't beg for mercy later."

A defiant glint flashed in Reiju's eyes, her voice laced with a hint of provocation and anticipation: "I'll definitely hold on, don't underestimate me."

Seeing her eager expression, Mo Sen gently stroked her cheek and said in a deep voice, "Then... I'll collect a deposit first."

Reiju glared at him reproachfully, her cheeks flushing even deeper, but she did not refuse.

She slowly squatted down, and Mosen's breath hitched slightly as he reached out to hold onto the edge of the lab table.

After a while, the entire platform suddenly shook violently.

Reiju coughed suddenly, raising her head abruptly with tears welling up in her eyes.

Mosen was also a little embarrassed, and quickly helped her up, scratching his head as he explained, "Ahem... um... it wasn't intentional, the big snail suddenly paused, as if it bumped into something, it really wasn't my fault..."

Reiju didn't say anything, she just stood up, picked up a glass of water next to her, rinsed her mouth, and swallowed it.

She wiped her mouth, looked at Mo Sen's unusually embarrassed expression, and couldn't help but chuckle. Then she said, "I don't care. I've already paid the deposit, so you can't go back on your word. You'll start teaching me domineering aura and swordsmanship tomorrow."

Mosen nodded quickly, patting his chest and guaranteeing, "Don't worry, my reputation is impeccable! I mean what I say! I'll never cheat you! If you can't learn it, I'll write Chopper's name backwards!"

“Chopper?” Reiju pointed out the flaw in his statement without any mercy.

"...Anyway, don't worry!" Mosen changed the subject somewhat awkwardly.

As if on cue, Chopper's footsteps and shouts came from outside the door: "Captain! Captain! Something's wrong! Our platform seems to have hit a ship! Several people are adrift on the sea, come and help!"

Mosen and Reiju exchanged a glance, immediately dropped their teasing expressions, and quickly walked out of the laboratory.

They arrived outside the castle and descended the steps to the edge of the platform, where they saw several broken planks and remnants of canvas floating on the waves near the sea, clearly the wreckage of a ship that had just been wrecked.

Debris from the wreckage was scattered on the sea, along with some broken boxes and scattered cargo, suggesting that the ship had weathered a significant storm before sinking.

Amid the wreckage, several unconscious people floated on the water, rising and falling with the waves, on the verge of drowning.

Chopper had already pulled them up with a rope and was now squatting beside them, pressing on their chests with his little hooves to perform first aid.

Several people who had been pulled out of the water were gushing seawater, clearly having been pulled back from the brink of death by Chopper.

Chopper's medical skills were indeed superb. Although the faces of those people were still very pale, their breathing had gradually returned to normal.

Mo Sen also walked over quickly, his gaze sweeping over the people who had been rescued, and then suddenly fixed on the young man in the middle.

The man had short black hair, a few freckles on his face, and a strange string of letters tattooed on his left arm.

Although he had his eyes closed, his face was pale, and he looked disheveled, Morsen recognized him at a glance.

"Holy crap, Yuan... no, Ace?"

Portgas D. Ace, the future second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, is a Logia-type Devil Fruit user with the Flame-Flame Fruit ability and the son of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger.

At this moment, he lay unconscious on the platform in front of Mosen, soaking wet like a drowned rat.