To make things more plausible, Bai Yun could only continue to blame the Devil Fruit ability, explaining to Dragon.
"My Devil Fruit ability can replicate others' abilities, but only once."
"I used up one replication of a prophet's divination ability."
"Tonight, an organization that will stir up huge waves in the sea will appear."
Bai Yun emboldened himself and met Dragon's gaze.
Not daring to look for too long, after three seconds, he looked at Sabo again.
"Sabo, since you have these aspirations, you are most suited to follow this uncle."
"I foresaw your future."
"After tonight, you will be completely disillusioned with this kingdom, steal a fishing boat and go out to sea, only to encounter a Celestial Dragon at sea, be shelled, and almost die. It will be this uncle's friend who saves you, but you will lose your memory, forgetting us. This is not good, and I don't want that to happen."
"You are too young now, too weak. Even a small kingdom in the East Blue could claim your life. Going out to sea alone is a foolish decision."
"If you don't want to stay, and going out to sea alone is too dangerous, then following this uncle is the best decision."
Sabo thought it over carefully, and indeed, it was the best decision.
If he didn't leave, even if he stayed on Mount Colubo, his father would still come looking for him.
If he left, with his current strength, facing the sea and pirates alone would indeed be very dangerous.
"Go, Sabo. We'll miss you. When we meet again, let it be at the peak!"
Sabo was speechless, nodding with tears streaming down his face. Exhausted both mentally and from running all the way, he couldn't hold on any longer and fainted.
"Uncle..."
Bai Yun looked up at Dragon, his meaning clear: he wanted Dragon to take Sabo away.
Dragon hesitated; what he was about to do would incur the strongest opposition in the world.
"What I'm about to do is extremely dangerous; following me doesn't necessarily mean safety."
"Too comfortable and peaceful an environment is not conducive to growth."
Bai Yun replied with a smile.
Dragon was taken aback, then smiled. What an extraordinary young man.
Just as he was about to speak, Ivankov and Kuma arrived.
"Dragon, everything is ready, yo~"
"Hmm? Who are these two boys?"
"Ah! This long-haired boy has a high fever!"
Looking at Ivankov, Bai Yun actually liked this character very much.
And for Kuma, Bai Yun felt a sense of respect, for willingly being turned into a robot for the sake of being an undercover agent.
"My name is Bai Yun."
"Hehe, my name is Emporio Ivankov."
"This big guy is Kuma."
Bai Yun nodded, "I know, so, could you please help me get rid of this high fever? I can barely stand."
Bai Yun knew that Ivankov's Horu Horu no Mi had a healing hormone ability, and it was this move that pulled Luffy back from hell in Impel Down.
This move heals the body by overdrawing life force, so it's best not to use it lightly. But for Bai Yun's high fever, it wouldn't overdraw much, yet he had to use it because he was going to find Luffy and the others soon.
Ivankov was surprised. This boy seemed very familiar with him, considering he and Dragon had rarely appeared in public after meeting for a while.
He looked at Dragon, and seeing Dragon nod, Ivankov walked over.
Up close, his face was indeed large.
"Okama Way: Healing Hormones!"
Ivankov stretched out his hand, his five fingernails rapidly growing, and he plunged them into Bai Yun's kidney area.
Bai Yun felt his body instantly tense, his cells seemed to accelerate, and a warm current coursed through his body. The dizzy, unsteady feeling immediately disappeared.
"Phew... much better. Thank you, Ivankov."
"Hee-haw!"
"You're welcome, Bai Yun boy, you're so cute! I really like you. Do you want me to give you another shot of female hormones? Join our family of Newkama."
Ivankov replied with a spin.
Bai Yun quickly waved his hand; no thanks, being a boy was fine.
Then Bai Yun looked at Kuma, who already had a serious face, and now hidden under a cloak, he looked even more solemn.
"..."
"..."
"If I ever travel in the future, I want to go to Amazon Lily."
Bai Yun said, preempting him.
This time, even the icy-faced Kuma's eyelids couldn't help but twitch.
"You know us very well."
Dragon spoke.
"Aside from abilities and identities, I don't know anything else. And this was just once; the divination ability has already expired."
Bai Yun nodded in response.
Dragon was a bit speechless. What else did you want to know?
"I can take this young man named Sabo."
"But, Bai Yun, you must come with me too."
"You share my belief that this kingdom is a microcosm of this world, and someone needs to stand up and make a change."
"In this regard, you are a genius!"
Bai Yun thought, no, no, no, I just have the script.
"Besides, you know so much about us, I can't rest assured with you out there."
Dragon said with a smile, though there was a hint in that smile that if Bai Yun didn't come willingly, he would be taken by force.
Bai Yun walked to Kuma's side and touched him. This confused Kuma.
What are you doing?
Among the three, Bai Yun had already touched and replicated the Devil Fruit abilities of Dragon and Ivankov; Kuma couldn't be left out.
After doing this, Bai Yun shook his head.
"In this aspect, Sabo's talent is no less than mine."
"And, I've already promised to go out to sea with Luffy as his companion."
"So, please allow me to refuse. Luffy's side always needs someone, between you and me."
Hearing Luffy's name, the smile on Dragon's face froze, and his eyes showed more guilt and longing.
"It's a good thing you're not our enemy; you have too much leverage on us."
"Hahaha, to be told that by you, at my age, I should feel honored."
"Luffy, Ace, Sabo, and I have already drunk the sworn brotherhood sake."
"We are brothers. No matter where we are or what we do, this relationship will never change."
"I need something to contact you."
"I won't disturb you all the time."
Dragon smiled, a very happy smile. He hadn't expected that the one who understood him best would be a young man.
He couldn't take the person, and he lost a Den Den Mushi.
"Thank you, I'll take good care of it."
Bai Yun took the Den Den Mushi, carefully placed it in his clothes, and then looked at Sabo, who was lying on the ground.
"Well then, we'll meet again."
"Uncle Dragon, Ivankov, Uncle Kuma."
With that, Bai Yun rose with the wind and flew towards the bay entrance.
"Wha-wha-what?! Isn't that your ability, Dragon!"
Ivankov's eyes, with their dramatic eyeliner, widened as he watched Bai Yun fly away, looking very surprised.
Dragon nodded; he was much calmer.
"It seems this kid wasn't lying."
Then he scooped up Sabo.
"Let's go, let's take the first step to change this world."
...
A/N: The journey continues! If you're eager to read far ahead and support this story, consider joining the Eternal Phoenix community. You can find me on Patreon by searching for "Eternal_Phoenix".
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