Monet gazed at the Pure Gold in her hand, unable to conceal the astonishment on her face.
This item was simply too fantastical—even the Celestial Dragons were pursuing it.
Until now, the only method of achieving immortality Monet had heard of was through the final immortality surgery performed by the Ope Ope no Mi's ability.
But now, holding this gold that could slow aging to near-immortality just by being in one's grasp, she felt as if her entire worldview had been shattered.
Meanwhile, Jake looked at Monet with excitement, his voice losing its usual steadiness:
"This is called Pure Gold. I once read about it in an ancient text—it was created by a father to delay his daughter's terminal illness, a substance capable of nearly freezing the human body's condition.
Honestly, when I read that text, I didn't believe it could possibly be real. After all, even the Celestial Dragons, who have ruled the world for so many years, haven't achieved immortality.
Even Dr. Vegapunk, with his 400 years of scientific wisdom ahead of the world, has no leads in this area. How could an ordinary civilian scientist from 200 years ago have accomplished this?!
But just now, when I saw that giant serpent, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit detected an indescribably strange fluctuation within its body—one I'd never encountered before. I found it odd. You know, after training under Dr. Vegapunk for so long, I'm familiar with most material fluctuations in the world.
Yet this was the only fluctuation I'd never seen—one so unnaturally stable it shouldn't exist in this world. The moment I sensed it, I thought of the legendary Pure Gold.
Combined with the serpent's colossal size, my suspicions about Pure Gold grew stronger, which is why I risked entering its belly to investigate!
Now, it seems my guess was correct. This discovery is unimaginably precious!"
Monet nodded excitedly in response, then carefully stored the Pure Gold before handing it to Jake with a smile.
"You should keep this safe. Until everything is resolved, let's not tell anyone else—not even Dr. Vegapunk. There are still many World Government agents around him. Sometimes, even if the doctor has no ill intentions, others might exploit it."
Seeing Monet's gesture, Jake smiled faintly.
Instead of taking the Pure Gold, he looked at her softly and said.
"Monet, do you know why I was so desperate to find Pure Gold?"
"Wouldn't anyone want something like this?"
Jake smiled and nodded, then took a deep breath as if he had made some kind of resolution.
With an indescribable tone of determination, he said to Monet.
"That's right. Generally speaking, people would desire this thing. But for me, if it's eternal life alone, I'd rather grow old and die with the one I love. If this Pure Gold cannot be shared with you, I'd rather discard it here again."
Monet listened to Jake's words, her face instantly flushing to the point where it seemed blood might drip from it.
A hazy mist rose in her beautiful, clear eyes as overwhelming joy surged through her heart like floodwaters, wave after wave.
Shyness, surprise, fear, delight, happiness—indescribable emotions converged in Monet's heart at this moment.
She looked at Jake, momentarily speechless.
She simply stood there awkwardly, letting a fiery, rosy blush spread across her cheeks like sunset clouds.
Seeing Monet frozen as if her system had crashed, Jake's face also reddened slightly, but he recovered faster after all:
"What's wrong? Don't you want to?"
Hearing Jake's teasing laughter, Monet blushed and replied in a voice so soft and shy it was almost inaudible to anyone but them.
"With you... if it's with you, I... I do!"
Hearing this, Jake gently reached out and took Monet's delicate hand in his.
They felt each other's warmth, and even the silent, still sea around them seemed to transform into something breathtakingly beautiful at that moment.
"But before that, I should refine the Pure Gold a little. It wouldn't be convenient to carry it like this."
Under Monet's slightly surprised gaze, golden lightning flickered from Jake's hands.
Under the lightning's influence, the Pure Gold soon transformed into a golden ring.
Jake lightly lifted Monet's finger and asked softly.
"Does it fit?"
"Did you make it for the ring finger?"
"Mmm... want to try it on?"
"Please put it on for me!"
The moment the ring slid onto her finger, Monet immediately threw herself into Jake's arms.
About three hours later, the ship they were on arrived at the entrance to Fishman Island—Fishman Square, where most surface ships docked.
Most ships' coatings would shatter upon contact with Fishman Island's massive bubble, after which the vessels would be swept away by the currents.
Many Pirates would get separated from their crews at this point.
But for powerhouses like Jake and Monet, those currents couldn't even approach their ship.
Holy Light Protection was truly useful!
That thin barrier effortlessly withstood the repeated impacts of water flow and pressure.
When the two stepped onto the island, they weren't greeted by hospitable fishmen or beautiful mermaids, but by a group of vicious-looking fishman thugs brandishing deadly weapons.
"Looks like we get to kill some disgusting humans today! Hehehe!"
A catfish-like fishman waved a massive sword nearly two to three meters long, grinning at Jake and Monet.
To normal humans, that weapon would be nearly impossible to lift, but in the eyes of fishmen whose physical abilities are innately ten times superior to humans, it was as light as a toy, with no weight to speak of.
One of the fishmen, with the head of a shark, was currently chewing on something as he narrowed his eyes at Monet and Jake standing before him.
He then said.
"If I'm not mistaken, you two are a couple, aren't you? If that's the case, then I've got even more fun in store!"