Chapter 41: Dorag's First Time!

To Im, the common Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit was nothing of great importance; its capabilities had already been demonstrated through Sengoku's performance.

The Mythical Zoan variant of the Human-Human Fruit, the Daibutsu (Great Buddha) form, allows the user to transform into a golden Buddha form capable of releasing shockwaves from their palms. Beyond that, the user gains Buddha-like wisdom and spiritual strength.

Therefore, if a normal person consumes the common Human-Human Fruit, aside from lacking the ability to transform, the primary effects are the enhancement of physical constitution, intelligence, spirit, and various other aspects, turning them into a truly perfect superhuman.

To be honest, rather than being used for combat, this Devil Fruit would be better suited for academic or scientific researchers.

The key was that it concerned the birth of Chopper!

It wasn't that Im wanted a cute pet, but according to the original timeline of the future, there was an eighty percent chance Chopper would develop the so-called "Panacea"—a medicine capable of curing all diseases.

Though it sounded incredible, this world did indeed possess certain miraculous "black technologies," and what Im valued was this "Panacea"!

"But the problem is, even if Chopper successfully eats the Human-Human Fruit, could he still develop the 'Panacea' without those subsequent experiences? Would he even think to develop it at all?"

"The entire Drum Kingdom has undergone massive changes due to my interference. Even if Chopper appears, is he still the same Chopper?"

For a moment, Im fell into deep thought.

He had to admit a fact: due to his appearance, the fates of many people would undoubtedly shift. All he could do was guide certain important figures toward a better environment for growth.

Im's gaze returned to the Bite-Bite Fruit. Logically speaking, based on the abilities of this Devil Fruit, the prime candidate for it should be Dr. Vegapunk.

With this fruit, combined with some guidance, perhaps the Pacifistas and Artificial Devil Fruits could appear ahead of schedule.

But the current problem lay in Vegapunk's true attitude toward the World Government, which remained unclear. It was the same question he had thought of before: why would Vegapunk hide the fact that he had successfully replicated a perfect Artificial Devil Fruit in the future?

"I'll observe for now, and wait a bit longer."

Im thought for a moment, placed the Bite-Bite Fruit back into the silver box, closed the lid, and set it aside. He then picked up the letter Dragon had sent to the Five Elders.

After reading the contents two minutes later, everything was indeed within expectations. Perhaps because it was his first time writing a letter, Dragon's wording was somewhat cautious, but he clearly lacked depth in his schemes; as he wrote, he couldn't help but point out the World Government's mistakes, and his dissatisfaction was palpable on the page.

His grievances were primarily focused on the issue of slavery.

"This is fine. Writing a letter serves as a way to release his emotions; it's better than keeping it bottled up inside," Im smiled.

"However, they should be starting their operation soon. I imagine that kid must be quite shocked right now~"

But he had to think about the arrangements for Dragon. Should he continue to keep him in the Navy, or would it be more appropriate to transfer him elsewhere?

***

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Five warships, resembling sea beasts, moved slowly out of the massive, gaping iron gates in a triangular formation. As they crushed through the rolling waves, they left behind three long, white wakes.

"..."

On the deck, Monkey D. Dragon stared blankly at the Gates of Justice closing behind them.

Even now, he found the mission he had received unbelievable. As for the presence of the silent men in white on either side, he had become completely accustomed to them over the past few days.

Dragon lowered his head once more to look at the mission report in his hand.

Mission Location: Thutmose Island in the South Blue. The report described it as a medium-sized island with an environment consisting mainly of deserts and hills. Although it experienced four seasons, rainfall was scarce.

Target: Taklama, the King of the Thutmose Kingdom, one of the affiliated nations under the World Government. However, it held no seat in the Reverie, making it a king with very low visibility and a small population.

However, after extensive investigation by CP2, the strange nature of this country had been discovered several years ago.

Despite appearing to be a poor, small nation, their annual Heavenly Tribute was paid in full, without a single discrepancy for decades.

Furthermore, there was almost no maritime traffic during the day, but it became quite lively at night, with nearly a hundred ships of various sizes entering and exiting, dispersed across more than a dozen ports on the island—hence the use of the word "quite."

Recently, CP2 finally made a major discovery regarding Taklama's second identity.

The Slave King of the Underworld!

The entire Thutmose Kingdom was the world's largest slave supply station and the world's largest kidnapping syndicate. It possessed tens of thousands of slave hunters scattered across various seas, engaging in long-term crimes such as abduction, kidnapping, and fraud. They would even conduct total raids on sparsely populated villages. Locally, they maintained a guard force of approximately thirty thousand slave-keepers.

It was said that CP2 had sacrificed over a dozen members to uncover that the primary facilities and personnel of the Taklama Kingdom were actually located inside the island. There were hundreds of massive cells used to imprison slaves, with an estimated eye-count of hundreds of thousands of captives.

It could be said that this kingdom had no concept of "citizens," and even the concept of a "king" was blurred, as they operated under a very professional corporate system.

Within his own island, Taklama preferred to be called "BOSS" rather than King.

Thus, it was more accurate to call them employees rather than citizens.

The objective of this mission was to capture King Taklama; any other criminals who resisted were permitted to be killed on the spot, and all slaves were to be rescued.

The report further stated that the rescued slaves would be organized by the Administration Department, which would mobilize nearby kingdoms to provide ships, food, doctors, and other resources to eventually return them to their homelands.

In Dragon's view, the World Government's plan was sufficiently perfect. He only needed to lead the fleet and win this battle!

But the more he thought about it, the more confused and puzzled he became.

Was this truly the World Government?

The World Government that, in his eyes, was so rotten beyond redemption and devoid of any benevolence?

This was far too righteous!

But regardless, it was indeed a great cause. Dragon was willing to work hard for it from the bottom of his heart, if only for those hundreds of thousands of suffering slaves.

It was worth mentioning that this was his first time leading a fleet as a commanding officer for a large-scale military operation...

***

Mary Geoise, within the Room of Authority, the Five Elders were gathered.

"The fleet led by Dragon has departed," chuckled the youngest, Shepherd Ju Peter.

Sitting in the center, Topman Warcury rubbed his bald head and looked at him with a solemn expression, saying, "Sending only Rear Admiral Dragon for this operation still feels inappropriate to me. According to intelligence, that King Taklama is not weak, and he has a legion of over thirty thousand."

As for the two CP0 agents accompanying him, they couldn't be considered combat power at all, because their mission was to watch over Dragon. They wouldn't interfere in anything else; even if the entire fleet were wiped out, they would simply take Dragon and leave.

"It should be fine. He is Garp's son, after all, and possesses the powers of the Hurricane Fruit. He shouldn't be unable to handle a mere Slave King," said Ihbaron V. Nusjuro casually.

He was seen carefully using tweezers to hold a piece of cotton soaked in talcum powder, tapping it bit by bit against the blade of the first-generation Shigure to remove excess blade oil.

"Furthermore, according to intelligence from CP5, Garp—the one who said he was heading back to the East Blue—suddenly changed course and entered the South Blue first..." Shepherd Ju Peter said, caught between laughter and tears.

Hearing this, Saint Garling Figarland (Jagarcia Saturn) laughed heartily: "That is truly unapologetic. As expected of Garp!"

At the same time, the other three Elders said no more. Since Garp had gone there, what was there to worry about?

Worry about an army of thirty thousand?

"However, the intelligence provided by Doflamingo this time is excellent. If not for him, we truly wouldn't have found the lair of this Slave King of the Underworld..."