People can erupt with courage when faced with absolute despair.
But when hope is finally placed before them, they can also choose to wait, watch, and hope that someone else will save them.
Over the past several months, everyone in Flevance had experienced the darkest period of their lives.
Every day, the doctors at the hospital delivered nothing but bad news.
The entire border had been sealed.
Neighboring countries, acting under orders from the World Government, had sent troops into Flevance to carry out massacres.
Back then, they would have given up everything for even the smallest glimmer of hope.
Yet after only a single night of safety and stability, that same courage had transformed into hesitation and indecision.
This world was covered by oceans.
Those who ate Devil Fruits were cursed by the sea.
Seawater would leave them weak and helpless.
But that wasn't the true reason for their hesitation.
What really frightened them was the thought of spending the rest of their lives under the scrutiny of the World Government and every ambitious force in the underworld.
Such a threat was beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
As a result, from beginning to end, only the church's nun had stepped forward.
Unfortunately, she knew nothing about medicine.
That prerequisite caused everyone's attention to shift toward the doctors standing in the front row.
Rowan sighed and looked toward the disappointed nun.
At that moment, he felt he finally understood why the Op-Op Fruit had appeared in the church.
It had nothing to do with medical expertise.
What mattered was the unwavering determination to save others.
In his memories, the nun and every child in the church had eventually been burned alive.
Afterward, the Op-Op Fruit had circulated through the world for several years before finally returning to the sole heir of Flevance's will:
Trafalgar Law.
A moment later, Rowan pushed those thoughts aside and glanced at the Op-Op Fruit in his hand.
"Without someone whose determination is strong enough and whose spirit aligns with this Devil Fruit, its full potential will never be realized."
"Since this is your choice, she could begin studying medicine starting now."
The instant those words were spoken, Trafalgar Law froze.
Start learning medicine now?
Even though his father often praised his talent, he only possessed basic medical knowledge.
As for Sister...
She had never studied medicine before.
No one knew whether she even had any aptitude for it.
How long would it take before she became capable of treating Amber Lead Syndrome?
Lami...
Lami couldn't wait that long.
Law wasn't the only one who realized this.
The doctors standing at the front understood the problem as well.
Soon, a portion of the doctors whose children had already fallen ill, especially those whose examinations showed less than a year remaining, became visibly agitated.
Meanwhile, those whose families still had more time remained silent.
"This won't be fast enough!"
"My son only has nine months left!"
"My daughter only has four months!"
"There isn't enough time!"
"We only need one experienced doctor!"
"Bino, aren't you the best surgeon among us?"
"Shut up, damn it!"
"You think eating this thing solves everything?"
"The World Government and the underworld will hunt us forever!"
"My whole family could die!"
"Maybe the Revolutionary Army is lying to us!"
"Then why don't you do it?"
"I remember your medical fundamentals were excellent. You'd only need a little more training and "
The two doctors locked eyes.
Then both immediately fell silent.
Because they noticed countless gazes turning toward them from every direction.
They knew exactly what drawing attention meant.
Several months ago, they wouldn't have cared.
Back then, they had worked themselves until they were urinating blood and thought nothing of it.
But now?
Now survival was within reach.
Now there was hope.
All it required was for one person to make the sacrifice.
And if someone had to sacrifice themselves...
Why couldn't it be somebody else?
Life in Flevance had been too comfortable.
So comfortable that both the doctors and ordinary citizens were educated adults.
And when a group consists entirely of clever people with no fools among them...
That group often becomes foolish as a whole.
"Huff... huff..."
A small figure suddenly pushed through the crowd.
"I'll do it!"
Trafalgar Law stepped forward.
His gaze met Rowan's without the slightest trace of fear.
"Since I was six years old, my father has taught me medical knowledge."
"If nobody else is willing... then I will!"
"I'll do everything I can!"
"I swear I will!"
"I refuse to let Lami die because of something so absurd!"
By the end of his words, tears were already filling Law's eyes.
He wasn't a doctor yet.
But compared to Sister, he at least possessed a foundation.
His father's teachings had given him familiarity with medicine, and learning more would be easier for him.
If nobody stepped forward, then everyone would simply continue waiting.
Just like those months in Flevance.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Being disappointed.
Again and again.
However, Rowan slowly shook his head.
"You can't."
Law froze.
Rowan continued:
"The Op-Op Fruit consumes tremendous stamina whenever its abilities are used."
"Your body is still developing."
"You might not even be capable of activating its abilities properly."
"Furthermore..."
"The patient with the shortest remaining lifespan only has a little over one month left."
"You cannot master enough medical knowledge within such a short period of time."
Law stood stunned.
Then he abruptly turned around and faced the doctors standing in the front row.
"My father told me that a doctor's duty is to save lives."
"For months, he stayed in the hospital searching for a cure to Amber Lead Syndrome."
"In the end, he was killed by the invading soldiers."
"But I don't think he regretted it!"
His voice grew louder.
"Uncles! Aunts!"
"Weren't you the same?"
"For more than half a year, you ignored your own health."
"You worked day and night searching for a cure!"
"If nobody stands up, everyone will eventually die!"
"Just like us!"
"If the Revolutionary Army hadn't appeared, all of us would have died in Flevance!"
"Mr. Rowan said that only those brave enough to resist can earn salvation!"
"Our suffering!"
"Our dead families!"
"We are the survivors of Flevance!"
"Are we supposed to forget everything and simply cling to life?"
"Do you think burying your head under a blanket will make the World Government forget us?"
"Will they forget the people who remember what happened in Flevance?"
Law's voice became increasingly emotional.
His ongoing voice change made his words rough and hoarse.
Standing atop the steps, Rowan watched him thoughtfully.
The Op-Op Fruit consumed enormous amounts of stamina.
The current Law was barely ten years old.
He wasn't a monster like Big Mom.
Even if he ate the fruit, his body might not be capable of fully utilizing its abilities.
Yet among everyone present, the people whose wills aligned most closely with the fruit were undoubtedly Law and the church's nun.
Of course, the Revolutionary Army's own doctors were also candidates.
After undergoing ideological education and years within the Revolutionary Army, their convictions were beyond question.
But this fruit came from Flevance.
It came from Annie's backpack.
It came from the hope that had sustained the people of Flevance through more than half a year of darkness.
To Rowan, it was only a Devil Fruit.
He felt no greed toward it whatsoever.
That was why he had allowed the survivors themselves to decide its fate.
"A test, then."
Rowan's voice echoed across the training ground.
His gaze swept across the crowd.
After one person finally stepped forward, nearly eighty percent of the people had retreated even further into silence.
The reason was obvious.
Most of their loved ones still had more than ten years remaining before the disease became fatal.
Under such circumstances, Law's passionate speech alone could not overcome their fear.
"Fearlessness in the face of death."
"And the determination to save patients."
"Perhaps those are the true core values of this fruit."
Rowan looked directly at Law.
"One month."
"For one month, the Revolutionary Army's doctors will do everything possible to stabilize the patients' conditions."
"But you only have one month."
Law's expression tightened.
"One month later, you will undergo a specialized medical examination."
"If you pass, the fruit will be yours."
"If you fail..."
Rowan left the sentence unfinished.
Instead, he held the Op-Op Fruit out in his hand.
"The reason this Devil Fruit is so coveted..."
"The reason its user becomes a target..."
"Is because once its abilities are fully mastered, the user can offer their own life in exchange for something extraordinary."
As he spoke, Rowan stepped down from the platform.
Walking directly to Law, he leaned down and whispered into the boy's ear.
"The Eternal Youth Operation."
"Yes."
"Exactly the kind you're imagining."
"An operation capable of granting true immortality."
"Do you think…"
"Those powerful figures in the underworld whose lifespans are nearly over, or the high-ranking rulers of the World Government, would simply leave you alone?"
The words were spoken so quietly that only Law could hear them.
Yet they made his entire body tremble uncontrollably.
After enduring months of suffering, the current Trafalgar Law was no longer the carefree child who licked ice cream on the streets.
Even at only ten years old, he understood exactly what he would be facing.
"M-Mr. Rowan…"
"When Little Lami gets better, can I ask the Revolutionary Army to protect her?"
Sharp as ever, his first thought was to entrust his sister to the Revolutionary Army.
Rowan smiled.
Lowering his voice once again, he said:
"Eternal youth…"
"Perhaps that's my goal as well. Have you considered that possibility?"
Law's lips quivered slightly.
"If that's the case…"
"Then please take care of Little Lami as well."
"I... I can do it."
Rowan chuckled softly beside his ear before standing upright.
"For this world, people like that are not a good thing."
"So I won't allow it."
"And neither will the Revolutionary Army."
The Flevance incident came to an end.
All survivors would remain at the Revolutionary Army's North Blue base while receiving treatment.
At the same time, Revolutionary Army instructors would teach them classes.
There was no coercion involved.
The island itself was merely a temporary base located near Flevance.
Once everyone was cured, the Revolutionary Army would recruit those whose convictions had awakened and wished to join.
The equipment would then be removed, and the base itself abandoned.
However, until every survivor's Amber Lead Syndrome had been cured, none of the nearly eight thousand survivors would be permitted to leave the island.
After all, if even one cured patient left and revealed the location of the base, the World Government would have no hesitation in launching a Buster Call.
Meanwhile, Rowan had already arrived in the second half of the Grand Line.
The New World.
Dressrosa.
The Op-Op Fruit could remove the poison from Amber Lead patients.
But Law's current level was far from sufficient.
That was why Rowan had given him one month.
In reality, one month was nowhere near enough.
Yet Rowan was selfish.
Using Vegapunk's research equipment, the disease could be stabilized.
The patients actually had far more time than he had claimed.
But people often needed pressure to grow.
A Trafalgar Law forced into such circumstances would become something far more valuable than a mere Op-Op Fruit user.
He would become a perfect doctor within the Revolutionary Army.
Rowan was selfish because compared to Law, whose future potential was known and who could develop the fruit to a level approaching that of an Emperor of the Sea, choosing anyone else carried significantly greater risk.
And the reason he had told Law about the Eternal Youth Operation was equally simple.
He wanted Law to understand that after eating the Op-Op Fruit, there would be no organization in the world he could trust besides the Revolutionary Army.
Dressrosa.
Lovers' Avenue.
Four-year-old Sanji carried a basket of flowers while standing in front of a street stall.
Watching the vendor prepare delicious desserts, he completely lost track of time.
The next moment, however, a pink-haired girl stormed up behind him and brought her fist down onto his head.
Bang!
"Ahhh!"
Sanji immediately crouched down while clutching his head.
Yet after seeing who it was, he could only laugh awkwardly.
"S-Sis..."
"I was just resting for a little while."
"I'll go sell flowers right away."
Reiju frowned.
Looking at Sanji's flower basket, she let out a sigh.
"We need money, Sanji."
"Although Mother's condition has improved a lot thanks to the help of the Tontatta benefactors, we still need money if we're going to survive here."
Sanji lowered his head guiltily.
But he genuinely loved cooking.
Even though he had once been beaten up by Reiju for wasting food while experimenting with recipes, he still couldn't help himself.
Every time he saw a food stall, he became fascinated by the way the owner prepared meals.
Almost three years ago, they had suddenly arrived in a country called Dressrosa.
The money they carried with them had barely been enough to settle down.
After going through countless hardships, they had started investigating rumors regarding the Tontatta Tribe.
Although most people in the kingdom considered fairies to be myths, nearly everyone believed they actually existed.
Still, surviving required money.
By chance, Miss Ebony had become a caretaker in the flower fields.
As a result, the siblings were also able to earn a living by selling flowers.
It was also at the flower fields that they met a beautiful woman whose hair was a shade of pink similar to Reiju's.
After learning about Sora's condition, she told them that the Tontatta Tribe was not a fairy tale, but truly existed.
And that among them was a little princess, only thirteen years old, who possessed the power to heal the sick.
With Aunt Scarlet's help, everything fell into place naturally.
The siblings finally met the legendary Tontatta.
A tiny little princess with golden hair.
Her healing ability required blood donations from others, so Reiju, Sanji, and Ebony each donated blood.
Over the course of more than a month, Sora's weakened body gradually recovered.
After that, the four of them completely left behind their memories of Germa in the North Blue.
They settled down in Dressrosa.
Sora, once a royal queen, also began working in the flower fields.
Reiju felt that life was already wonderful.
Their mother was alive.
The only brother who had not lost his emotions was alive.
That alone was enough.
As for Sanji, he was equally satisfied.
He looked forward to growing a little older so he could work in a restaurant and become a chef.
That way, he could earn enough money to pay the Heavenly Tribute, continue living here peacefully, and pursue his dream of cooking.
At that moment, a little girl about Sanji's age walked over.
The instant she got close to him, she pulled out a fruit knife and stabbed toward his arm.
Smack!
Reiju swung her hand and knocked the knife to the ground.
"You heartless man!"
"The day before yesterday you told me that if I bought your flowers, you'd only play with me!"
"Yesterday I saw you saying the exact same thing to another girl!"
The little girl was furious.
She charged forward and kicked him.
This time Reiju didn't stop her.
Sanji hurriedly protected his flower basket and was kicked flat onto the ground.
After scrambling back up, he immediately grabbed the basket and ran without looking back.
However, he was soon blocked again.
Six little girls with different hair colors stood before him, all glaring angrily.
Reiju, who had followed behind, rubbed her forehead.
At least these girls hadn't brought weapons like the first one.
The atmosphere of this kingdom was so extreme that even children this young were heavily influenced by it.
And her younger brother, desperate to sell flowers and earn money when they first arrived, had promised anything to anyone.
By the time he understood the customs of this country, it was already too late.
Soon, Sanji was cornered in an alley and thoroughly beaten up.
The girls declared that if they ever saw him selling flowers on Lovers' Avenue again, they would beat him every single time.
Reiju dragged the bruised and swollen Sanji home.
Her own business had gone quite well today.
After all, few people could refuse such a soft and adorable little girl.
Always clever, Reiju was far better than Sanji at using her strengths to her advantage.
After the siblings left, Rowan appeared at the very spot where Sanji had been standing.
At that moment, Reiju suddenly turned around and looked back.
A mask.
A cloak.
And an inexplicably terrifying presence.
Rowan raised a hand toward her in greeting.
But the child was not cute at all.
Without hesitation, she grabbed little Sanji's hand and started running even faster.
She didn't even bother picking up the flowers that had fallen onto the ground.
----------
Advance Chapters: patreon .com/OneFic