After sailing for more than half a month from Water 7, the CP0's ship finally reached the forefront of the New World.
"Yo, we're about to part ways. Don't you have any farewell words?"
On the ship, the CP0, who was wearing a mask, seemed to have gotten used to Dillon's usual smiling and joking.
"Don't be so serious. Even spies can be lively, you know." Dillon patted CP0's shoulder.
CP0 neither dodged nor responded to him.
Seeing CP0's attitude, Dillon clicked his tongue and picked up two small boxes, saying to Tom, "Let's go, Tom. We're home."
Inside the boxes were the two Devil Fruits he had chosen from Mary Geoise's Devil Fruit Encyclopedia.
After a monotonous voyage that lasted for more than half a month, even the strong Tom was a little tired.
Hearing Dillon's words, Tom swayed as he stood up and walked to Dillon's side: "Finally... Have we finally reached our destination? Even the Supeerrrr! me is a little overwhelmed."
After the two got off the ship, CP0 stood at the bow, watching Dillon's back.
Ten days ago, after a swift investigation, they confirmed the identity and experience of that boy named Trafalgar Law.
The World Government quickly took action, even directly dispatching Sengoku to a neighboring town to recruit the boy.
After learning about Rosinante's past, Sengoku took Law's small hand and returned to Marineford.
As Fleet Admiral, Sengoku personally called Dillon, although he only said "Thank you," the weight of those words was self-evident.
When Dillon walked into the G-5 Branch's gate, the originally messy and dirty base had become very clean. Although it was still under construction, it was basically in good shape.
"You're back."
At the base entrance, Shiryu looked at Dillon and Tom behind him while biting a cigar.
After being transferred from Impel Down to the G-5 Branch, Shiryu's rank had also changed. He was now a Navy Captain, under Dillon's command.
As for Tom's identity, Dillon had discussed it with Sengoku on the way, but Sengoku said that Tom needed to make some contribution to the Navy before he could be given a rank.
Dillon didn't object to this. After all, neither he nor Tom relied on the Navy's salary to eat.
"Did anything happen?" Dillon looked at the unusually quiet G-5 Base, his Observation Haki spreading out.
He hoped that Shiryu hadn't slaughtered all the cats and dogs at home while he was away.
After sensing around, he found that no one was missing, but it seemed that they had lost their previous arrogance and wildness.
It seemed that they had been beaten. After all, Shiryu wasn't a good-tempered person.
It was already very restrained of him not to have slaughtered them.
Dillon stepped inside, and Shiryu took the initiative to step back half a step and walk with Tom.
After glancing at Tom sideways, Shiryu withdrew his gaze.
Just a small fry.
"Adams Dillon! I'm going to complain to the Headquarters about you!" Before he even entered the hall, a barbaric voice rang out from inside. Then, a Marine with an ugly face walked up angrily.
"What kind of guy did you bring back? It's simply a disgrace to the Naval Force's justice, Commander Over!" Commander Over, who had a leather belt slung across his chest, glanced at Shiryu behind Dillon, a trace of fear appearing in his eyes.
But seeing that Shiryu didn't beat him up as usual, Commander Over immediately became arrogant again: "This guy has been abusing the G-5 Marine officers and soldiers every day for less than a month. This is still..."
Boom!
A fist covered in high-intensity Armament Haki directly hit Commander Over's abdomen.
"Ugh!"
Like a fired cannonball, Commander Over was sent flying from his spot, heavily embedded in the wall in the distance.
"Deduct the relevant expenses from this trash's salary as repairs." Dillon turned his head and said to the nearby quartermaster.
"Yes!" The quartermaster straightened his body, looking at Commander Over. This guy finally had this day.
Then, Dillon called Aokiji.
"Arara, what's wrong again? I haven't had a few days of peace."
"G-5 Branch's 06 Unit's Commander Over is suspected of human trafficking, smuggling, and embezzling Navy assets. Should I execute him on the spot, or should the Headquarters take over and send him back for investigation?"
"..."
"Is it true?"
"Probably."
"Arara... Executing him on the spot isn't good. Just report it directly to the Inspection Department. Someone will go over and take over."
"You, can you have some patience with your cute subordinates?"
Booru!
?
Awesome, Kuzan!? You're starting to hang up on people!?
Dillon shook his head and stuffed the Transponder Snail into his pocket.
After the clerks took Commander Over down for detention, Dillon walked to the office and sat down.
"Shiryu, has your Raiu not been forged into a Black Blade yet?"
Shiryu rotated the cigar in his mouth, drawing out Raiu: "Ah... That's not something ordinary people can do. As far as I know, only that guy Mihawk's Yoru has been forged into a permanent Black Blade... No, it seems your blade is too."
Dillon smiled: "In fact, there is another blade too. That blade..."
Dillon thought for a moment, where was Shusui now? The Devil's Triangle?
The national treasure of Wano Country...
But it was still early. There were still eight years until the Straw Hats set sail. There was no need to rush.
He would just leave it in Moria's hands for now.
"Besides Haki, swordsmanship is also a very important part. Of course, if you are simply pursuing strength, I have a better choice here."
Shiryu raised an eyebrow: "What is it?"
Dillon picked up a box he had brought back from the CP0's ship and placed it on the table.
"Zoan Type, Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Model: Asura."
A Mythical Zoan!?
Shiryu's breath hitched.
He had worked at Impel Down for many years and knew how rare Mythical Zoan Fruits were.
Dillon looked at him with a smile. In terms of rarity, Mythical Zoan Fruits were indeed rarer than Logia Fruits.
But that didn't necessarily mean that they were stronger than Logia Fruits.
Strength was a very broad concept, which included various comprehensive factors.
Physical skills, Haki, Devil Fruits, talent, experience, and even racial characteristics and weapons could all affect a person's strength.
Compared to Mythical Zoan Fruits, Dillon thought that Logia Fruits were more pure and more direct.
"This Devil Fruit is very suitable for you in some ways, because the legendary Asura is also very warlike and easily angered. How far you can develop it depends on your own creation, and... its recognition."
"Recognition?"
Dillon didn't explain much.
After all, Devil Fruit Awakening required certain specific conditions. Especially Mythical Zoan Fruits, it seemed that each Mythical Zoan Fruit had a certain "will" residing in it. If one wanted to awaken and obtain the true power within it, they needed to be recognized by the "will" in the fruit.
Seeing that Dillon didn't answer him, Shiryu didn't ask any more questions. He stood in front of the table, staring at the Asura Fruit, lost in thought.
Dillon didn't urge him and began to drink tea.
Ten minutes later, Shiryu seemed to have made up his mind: "If I accept, what price will I have to pay?"
"There is no extra price. You are my blade. Of course, the sharper you are, the better." Dillon pushed the box containing the Asura Fruit forward:
"The taste is a bit bad. I hope you're not a picky eater."
Shiryu stared at Dillon. After a long time, he smiled and said, "I really don't know how strong you are. Or, in your heart, even if I forge Raiu into a 'Black Blade' and develop this Mythical Zoan Fruit to its limit, I'm still not your match?"
Dillon smiled wryly, but didn't deny Shiryu's statement: "Let's talk about it when that day comes, Shiryu. The war won't be too far away. There isn't much time left for you. You crave blood and crave fighting. There's no need to worry about that. In the near future, there will be endless battles waiting for you. I'm not afraid of not having opponents, I'm just afraid that you'll be too weak."
"Is that so..." A smile appeared on Shiryu's face: "Then I won't be polite. I will repay the kindness of this Devil Fruit with the blood of my enemies."
After saying that, Shiryu picked up the Asura Fruit and took a bite without hesitation.
....
A month and a half later.
Sabaody Archipelago.
Dillon strolled along Grove 12.
When he passed a bar, Dillon paused.
"Shakky's Rip-off Bar?"
Dillon stopped and looked at the sign. Wasn't this the bar run by Rayleigh's old flame?
"Dark King" Rayleigh should be working as a Coating Craftsman on a grove in the 50s now.
Dillon glanced at it and turned to leave.
"Yo~ Naval Force kid, are you looking for someone?" In front of the road, Rayleigh was holding a shirt in one hand and a wine bottle in the other, looking at Dillon.
"Just passing by."
Dillon glanced at Rayleigh. This guy didn't show up during the Marineford War or the Wano Country incident.
He only guided the Straw Hats' training for two years in the middle.
Calling it guidance... It was more like prenatal education.
He was far worse than Kaido-sensei.
Kaido-sensei taught Luffy Conqueror's Haki coating in half a day and guided him to awaken his Mythical Zoan Fruit.
What about you, Rayleigh? You taught him for two years, a full two years!
As a result, when Luffy went out, his Observation Haki was taught by Katakuri, his Armament Haki was taught by Hyogoro, and his Conqueror's Haki was taught by Kaido-sensei.
You're not even worthy of saying that Luffy is your disciple. I think you just want to freeload.
Seeing that the Naval Force in front of him didn't pay much attention to him and was just staring at him with a strange and teasing gaze, Rayleigh couldn't help but feel strange.
"Don't you want to come in for a drink, kid?"
"I'm not drinking. You're a deadbeat. Coating doesn't earn money. You sell yourself in the black market every day. You can't have any good wine to treat me with."
Watching Dillon walk away, Rayleigh was stunned, then remembered what Shanks had said when he returned from the East Blue two years ago.
"Mr. Rayleigh, I met a very interesting kid in the East Blue. Do you know? He said the same words as the captain. I'm betting all my hopes on him."
"Is that so? That's really good."
"But..." The excited look on Shanks's face faded, replaced by a solemn expression: "In the East Blue, I also met a very... special Naval Force."
"A special Naval Force?" Rayleigh looked at Shanks strangely. In a sense, this guy was also one of the transmitters of the 'fire', and he had always had strong confidence and unparalleled optimism.
Why would he show such an expression?
"A very special Naval Force, Mr. Rayleigh." Shanks recalled the moment when Dillon's Conqueror's Haki erupted in Loguetown.
"His strength suffocated me. Even if I hadn't lost my left arm, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to defeat him."
"Oh?"
Hearing Shanks's words, Rayleigh put down the wine bottle in his hand.
At that time, Shanks's individual strength was already close to catching up with the older generation of powerhouses.
And the Naval Force that could make him feel suppressed...
Among the active Naval Force, only Garp and Sengoku should have this strength.
"And... he's very young, he seems to be a few years younger than me. Mr. Rayleigh..."
After a moment of silence, Rayleigh smiled slightly: "Shanks, isn't that how the sea is? If you want to pursue your dreams, overcoming one high mountain after another is an essential experience. Since you're optimistic about the kid from the East Blue, then choose to believe him. After all, what the sea doesn't lack is miracles, right?"