A few days later, in a remote area of the first half of the New World.
Ignis had spent a considerable amount of money in the underworld to obtain a piece of information regarding Trans Town.
"Ignis, can you really foresee a Devil Fruit on that abandoned island?"
Newgate still didn't quite believe that Ignis's prophetic ability was so unreasonable.
Being able to predict even unowned Devil Fruits wouldn't that mean Ignis could have whatever he wanted in the future?
"I can't actually foresee the existence of Devil Fruits themselves. It's just that in the future, a strong person will obtain this fruit on this island."
Ignis's one blue, one purple, and seven white Soul Gu worms appeared around him again, making him look almost divine.
He didn't hide his mutated talent from Newgate.
Newgate sensed Ignis's sincerity and grew increasingly trusting of him.
According to Rocks, this guy Ignis had resisted the temptation of the Paramecia Tremor-Tremor Fruit, which boasted the strongest destructive power.
Simply because Ignis felt Newgate was the most suitable for the Tremor-Tremor ability, and Ignis trusted Newgate's character.
This touched Newgate somewhat.
Otherwise, if Ignis had insisted on obtaining Newgate's Tremor-Tremor ability, Rocks could have easily killed Newgate for him and taken the strongest Paramecia.
After all, Ignis's prophetic ability was more important in Rocks's eyes than Newgate was at this moment.
If Ignis had chosen to lie and deceive Rocks, those so-called 'destined executives' might have all become Ignis's prey.
In fact, Ignis's honesty had instead earned Rocks's trust.
Remember, this Rocks, a member of Clan of D, also possessed the "Voice of All Things" type of Observation Haki.
In the original timeline's God Valley Incident, when Rocks was forcibly dominated by Imu, his thoughts could appear directly in the consciousness of Roger and Garp.
This was somewhat similar to how Zunesha transmitted its voice.
Perhaps the consciousness communication between Im, the Five Elders, and the God's Knights was also some special form of Observation Haki.
Of course, it was more likely some kind of Devil Fruit ability.
"In that case, you could have nine abilities. That's a truly terrifying soul mutation."
"But can you really develop all those abilities?"
"Just as Rocks said, your physique is ridiculously poor!"
Newgate looked at the soul flames hovering around Ignis's shoulders, a hint of envy in his eyes.
But he also knew how much energy it took to develop even one ability.
For an orphan like him who had never been to school, developing just the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was already quite a challenge.
"So I need you guys to protect me. As long as I live long enough, I'll eventually get stronger!"
Ignis spoke as if he had no pride as a strong person, so bluntly seeking protection.
"Gurararara! Since Ignis trusts us that much, I'll protect you."
Feeling needed, Newgate instead felt willing. He liked this sense of responsibility for protection.
"Ignis, why don't we find Shiki first before looking for Trans Town?"
Rocks was eager to get the rogue samurai with the Float-Float Fruit, Shiki, on board.
"Ha, with Shiki's personality, if he came on board first and then we went looking for the Devil Fruit, he'd probably try to snatch it or demand an equal share."
"This fruit is very important to me. I don't want any accidents!"
"Then we'd have to make you guys beat Shiki up, which would be bad for everyone."
Ignis spread his hands. Right now, Rocks wasn't interested in other Devil Fruits; he only wanted the two legendary ones that could deal with Imu.
Those were the strongest Mythical Zoan, the Sun God Nika Fruit, and the vilest Logia Dark-Dark Fruit!
As for Newgate, he already had the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and the two fish-men, Barbel and Sunbell, didn't want to become land-lubbers.
As for the few sailors and laborers on board, Ignis had already ignored them.
It probably wouldn't be long before Rocks kicked these weaklings off the ship.
The Xebec's Sword had no use for weaklings!
"I knew you were full of schemes!"
"I'm here to protect you, and you won't even spill some information about Dede and Araryu?!"
"And also, which strong person in the future will obtain this Devil Fruit?"
Rocks wanted to dig more useful information out of Ignis.
"Captain, I told you, we're not from the same era as those guys."
"However, speaking of this Devil Fruit, I do know a bit about the strong person who gets it."
"He was born with a special type of Observation Haki, the ability to peer into the hearts of others. Because he saw through humanity's treachery and cunning, he dislikes interacting with people and prefers to be alone."
Thinking about the Mythical Zoan Vampire Devil Fruit he was about to obtain, Ignis thought of the solitary great pirate, Redfield the Red Count.
"Vohahaha! Innate special Observation Haki! How strong is he? Where is he now?"
Rocks licked his lips. A talent like that should join his command.
"His talent is immense. He should be about the same age as Newgate. In the future, his strength won't be much less than Newgate's, and that's without a Devil Fruit ability."
"In the future, he'll be able to fight a Marine Fleet Admiral!"
"He should be from the West Blue. He probably hasn't even set sail yet. I don't know how strong he's grown now either!"
Ignis spread his hands. He really didn't know any other information about Redfield, the Red Count.
But judging by his epithet 'Red Count' and his aristocratic clothing and elegant demeanor, he was probably a noble!
"His name!! I need his name!"
Rocks got excited. The West Blue was good; the West Blue was his hometown.
A rookie with the potential of a Marine Admiral, a talent with innate special Observation Haki.
He had to grab this one!
"Calm down, Captain!"
"His name is Patrick Redfield. His epithet is 'Red Count.' He should be a noble right now. In a few years, influenced by some musical pirates, he'll choose to go to sea and become a pirate."
"Of course, it might also be that he's disgusted by the hypocrisy among nobles, since his special Observation Haki can see all the filth."
"Or maybe there's a problem or accident with his family, forcing him to go to sea."
Ignis wasn't too clear on the specifics of the Red Count's situation, only deducing based on scraps of information.
"Patrick Redfield? A noble?"
"Vohahaha! He'll set sail in a few years? I can wait that long!"
Rocks grinned widely, as if he had found another important subordinate to use against Im.
"Don't forget his special Observation Haki. He won't join a pirate crew like ours."
Ignis spread his hands, not very confident about this Red Count guy.
"Vohahaha! You just need to provide the information. Whether I can grab him is my business."
Rocks laughed confidently, not taking Ignis's reminder to heart at all.
"Then Harald's son also has innate Conqueror's Haki. Do you want to go grab him?"
Ignis casually remarked, and Rocks's eyes lit up.
But then, thinking about the growth time for giants, he dropped that thought.
"Fighting me without a Devil Fruit ability, and also being able to fight a Marine Fleet Admiral?"
Newgate instantly memorized the name Patrick Redfield. He definitely had to fight this guy someday.