In the blink of an eye, seven days later.
A modest thirty-meter twin-masted sailboat drifted gently along the sea near the Sabaody Archipelago, pushed forward by the sea breeze toward the towering Red Line that stretched into the clouds.
On the bow deck, Cobra and Rorschach sat leisurely on deck chairs, each holding a glass of fruit juice they'd picked up from Water 7.
The ship beneath their feet had also come from Water 7— a vessel Rorschach obtained from Iceburg's Galley-La Company on their way through.
As for Acier and his daughter Olga, they had chosen to remain in Water 7. Rorschach didn't insist otherwise; he merely asked Iceburg to look after them.
Cobra's original ship had been swallowed whole by the anglerfish— along with every bit of cargo on board.
Among that lost cargo was a batch of gold— precisely the two hundred tons of gold Rorschach had left behind on St. Ting Island as a small compensation to Alabasta.
Cobra had originally planned to take that gold back to Navy Headquarters and return it to Rorschach.
But ironically, it was that very shipment of gold that drew the anglerfish's attention— nearly sending them all to their watery graves.
"So that's why, Uncle Cobra," Rorschach said, tilting his head with a grin as he gulped down half a bottle of cola gifted by Franky, "next time, don't be so polite. That little bit of gold is nothing compared to the destruction of Alubarna that I indirectly caused. It's like a drop in the ocean."
Cobra gave a bitter smile. "Didn't I tell you already? Alubarna's destruction wasn't your fault. If anyone's to blame, it's Kaido. Besides, without your help, even if Kaido hadn't appeared, we still would've had to deal with Crocodile. So in truth, you're the hero who saved my country."
"Hero?" Rorschach chuckled softly and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small golden bead, which he tossed to Cobra. "Being a hero is exhausting. Rather than that, I'd rather find a peaceful place to live a quiet life— maybe as a fisherman."
"Really?" Cobra's eyes lit up. He sat upright, gazing at Rorschach with enthusiasm. "Then settle in Alabasta! The new capital has moved to St. Ting Island. The sea's right outside the door— you can fish whenever you like! If you live there, Vivi will be overjoyed."
"St. Ting Island, huh? It is a nice place to settle down. But… it's not time for retirement yet. While I'm still young, I want to do more for this world." Rorschach shook his head lightly, raised the half-empty cola bottle, and downed the rest in one gulp, exhaling in satisfaction.
To drink cola with the same flavor even in another world— it stirred something nostalgic in him.
Cobra smiled warmly at Rorschach. "I knew I wasn't wrong about you, Rorschach. It's because people like you still exist— people who stand for justice— that this world still has hope."
After a pause, Cobra picked up the small golden bead Rorschach had tossed him. Turning it over in his hand, he frowned in confusion.
"What's this?"
He didn't believe it was just a simple gold bead.
Rorschach wasn't the kind of person to be rude or careless.
To throw a gold nugget at an ordinary person— that would make them overjoyed.
But to throw it at a king? That could easily be seen as an insult.
If it wasn't ordinary gold, then what exactly was this small, golden bead in his hand?
A thought began to surface in Cobra's mind.
As if reading Cobra's thoughts, Rorschach lowered his voice and said softly, "Uncle Cobra, you guessed right. That's Pure Gold. Keep it on you, and it will indefinitely delay aging. You saw Acier and his daughter— they've lived for over two hundred years and still look young. In theory, this stuff is like the ultimate form of the Ope Ope no Mi's immortality surgery— it can grant eternal life."
Cobra's entire body trembled; even his hand holding the golden bead began to shake slightly.
The inconspicuous little bead in his hand— this was the very same Pure Gold that had driven the World Government mad two hundred years ago, a treasure sought desperately across the seas.
Whoever possessed it could live forever.
For countless people— especially kings and rulers— immortality was the ultimate desire.
If anyone learned that he held Pure Gold, even if he were hiding in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, it would draw endless predators.
Especially the World Government itself— they would never leave him alone.
Cobra knew the greed of the World Government all too well.
Even he, at this moment, found his breathing heavy as he gripped the bead tightly.
After a long silence, Cobra leaned closer to Rorschach, speaking in a hushed tone. "Since this is Pure Gold, why give it to me? Rorschach, this is…"
"Uncle Cobra," Rorschach interrupted gently, "this world is rotten. There are too many corrupt kings out there, and under their rule, countless people live in misery. But I think you're one of the good ones. So I want you to live longer— to let the people of Alabasta enjoy peace and prosperity for as long as possible."
Rorschach's words struck Cobra deeply, flooding his heart with emotion.
He clutched the golden bead tightly, staring at Rorschach for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh. Then, to Rorschach's surprise, he handed the bead back.
Rorschach frowned. "Uncle Cobra, you…"
Cobra took a deep breath and smiled bitterly. "I don't want it. I'm not meant to bear such a divine gift, Rorschach. Keep it for yourself. Immortality? Living for centuries— do you want me to become some kind of ancient monster? Imagine a centuries-old king sitting on the throne, ruling with thoughts from a thousand years ago. How could he ever lead his people into a brighter future or a new era?"
He turned toward the ship's cabin with a gentle smile on his face.
"Times change. With every new era, new kings will rise to guide their nations forward. Vivi will do far better than I ever could."
Rorschach froze, quietly watching Cobra for a long while.
He was deeply moved.
He hadn't expected Cobra to resist such overwhelming temptation— to willingly reject Pure Gold, the very thing that could grant eternal life.
To refuse the power that even the World Government once went mad to obtain— that spoke volumes.
"...Heh. Take it."
Rorschach smiled, tossing the golden bead back to him.
Cobra frowned. "Rorschach, I told you, I don't need—"
"Just take it, Uncle. Consider it a gift. I believe Vivi will one day become a great queen, but until she's ready, Alabasta still needs a healthy, capable king. As for whether you use it for immortality or let yourself age naturally— that'll be your choice."
Cobra stared at the bead for a long moment before finally smiling in understanding. He tucked the bead carefully into his chest pocket, leaned back in his chair, and took a hearty swig from a nearby bottle of wine.
"Then thank you. I'll accept your gift— but you can take it back anytime you want. Let's say I'm just keeping it safe for now."
Rorschach smirked and raised another bottle of cola. "Just remember, Uncle Cobra— that thing's for you. Don't give it to Vivi, at least not yet."
"Huh? Why not?" Cobra blinked in confusion.
"Did you forget its effect? It dramatically slows aging. Look at that little girl— she's been six years old for two centuries. Vivi's still growing. If you give her that, she'll never grow up."
Cobra nodded solemnly, making a mental note to have the bead made into a small piece of jewelry to wear at all times.
Rorschach's words weren't just a reminder for Cobra— they applied to himself as well.
He was only fifteen years old, and his body was still developing rapidly.
If he wore Pure Gold now and froze his body's growth, his physical strength would be permanently fixed at its current level.
Though others might think his strength was already monstrous, Rorschach knew he still had far to go before reaching his true physical peak.
His body wasn't yet fully mature, and his lightning-tempered physique still had room to grow.
Even his "black blade" bone transformation had only just begun.
Indeed, over the past few days, Rorschach had made a thrilling discovery— his bones were beginning to exhibit the strange transformation Garp had once described.
That is, even without using Armament Haki, a faint coating of Haki naturally lingered on his bones.
And the first bones to undergo this "black blade" transformation— to Rorschach's surprise— were his cervical vertebrae.
The uppermost part of his spine, connecting to the skull.
Back during the G-1 Naval Battle, when Rorschach had deliberately slain Wang Zhi, King had countered with a slash imbued with advanced Armament Haki, nearly severing Rorschach's neck.
Since then, he'd felt that the bones of his neck had grown notably harder— tougher than those elsewhere in his body.
The first to begin changing was the third cervical vertebra, right behind the throat.
Through Observation Haki, Rorschach sensed that the bone density there was increasing, its internal structure growing denser under the subtle permeation of Armament Haki.
The process was spreading— ever so slowly— to the surrounding vertebrae.
From the G-1 battle until now, over twenty days had passed, yet even the second vertebra hadn't fully completed the transformation.
It would take painstaking effort and endless patience to finish just this section of spine— let alone the entire skeleton.
The path of "black blade bone refinement" that Garp and Zephyr had taught him was indeed a long and arduous road.
At that moment, after spending quite some time inside the cabin, Vivi finally emerged— fully dressed and with her makeup done.
But to the shock of everyone on deck— Pell, Gaka, and the guards alike— two identical Vivis stepped out of the cabin at once.
They were completely indistinguishable: both wore elegant pastel gowns and dazzling royal jewelry, both moved gracefully, lifting their skirts delicately as they approached.
The two girls stopped in front of Rorschach, smiling sweetly in perfect unison.
"Brother Rorschach, guess which one is Vivi?"
End of Chapter)
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