The waters near Kasven Island lay calm as Gern Reginald Sigmar's warship slowly approached a secluded cove.
Within the inlet, a pirate ship lay silently at anchor—its hull completely overrun by writhing fungal growths.
The vessel's timbers had rotted black and soft, its deck blanketed in gray-white mold that pulsed faintly, as if alive. The air itself was thick with damp rot, heavy enough to make one's stomach churn.
"Commodore Gern," the petty officer reported quietly, his eyes scanning the surroundings with caution."We've confirmed it. This is the real ship belonging to 'Plague Doctor' Samuel Kronos."
"There are no living signs aboard, but the fungal growths are still active. We should proceed carefully."
Gern nodded. Placing one hand against the ship's hull, faint vibration particles shimmered across the wood, spreading outward in precise patterns.
"Ripple."
At his command, every strand of fungus across the ship's surface shattered simultaneously, collapsing into inert dust.
That's one of the advantages of a Logia—flexibility in shaping power.
With the threat neutralized, Gern stepped aboard. His boots crunched softly against the remnants of the pulverized growth.
"You handle the inventory and transport," he ordered."Move quickly. I've only neutralized the surface—don't go digging too deep."
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines split into teams and began their work. Gern, meanwhile, headed deeper into the ship alone.
The interior corridors were dim and suffocating. At the far end stood the captain's quarters, its door sealed tight—thin tendrils of fungus still writhing through the cracks, as if resisting intrusion.
"Heh… hiding it well, aren't you?"
Raising his left hand, Gern condensed a faint ripple of vibrating energy into his palm.
"Resonance—Shatter."
Crack.
The door burst apart in fragments.
Inside, the fungal growth recoiled instinctively, unable to approach under the pressure of his Armament Haki.
Gern swept the room with a calm gaze. Beneath a heavy oak desk, partially concealed by the growths, were two small wooden chests.
"Well, well." His eyes narrowed slightly.
With a flick of his wrist, another pulse of vibration shattered both chests at once.
Their contents spilled out—
Two Devil Fruits.
One was entirely golden, shaped like a gourd, its surface etched with spiraling patterns.
The other resembled a glowing green cherry, its skin shimmering faintly with life.
"…Devil Fruits?" Gern's pupils tightened, then a slow grin crept across his face.
"So the Plague Doctor was hoarding these… hahaha. Looks like he was planning to sell them at Sabaody."
After all, Samuel Kronos already possessed the Fungus-Fungus Fruit—he couldn't eat another.
To him, these were merely bargaining chips.
Gern picked them up without hesitation.
"Can't tell which is which just by looking… I'll have to check the encyclopedia back on the ship."
"Commodore Gern!" the petty officer called from outside."All valuables have been secured. Shall we withdraw?"
"Yes. Let's go."
He turned and walked back onto the deck.
The ship had been completely stripped clean.
Standing at the bow, Gern surveyed the decaying vessel one last time.
"Burn it."
"Yes, sir!"
Torches were hurled onto the ship. Flames spread instantly, the remaining fungus shrieking as it disintegrated in the fire.
Gern leapt effortlessly back onto his own warship.
Before him lay piles of treasure—gold bars, glittering jewels, priceless artwork, and even crates of aged rum, still sealed.
Sunlight reflected brilliantly off the hoard.
"Commodore Gern…" the petty officer hesitated, glancing between the treasure and his commander.
"I recall that in the mission report…"
Gern crossed his arms calmly."Didn't the report state that the Plague Doctor's ship was destroyed along with him?"
"…Y-Yes, sir!" the petty officer froze—then immediately straightened."All hands can testify to that!"
He turned to the others."You all saw it too, didn't you?"
"Yes, sir!" the Marines shouted in unison.
"Oh dear," Gern said with an exaggerated sigh."You're putting me in a difficult position."
"Commodore Gern, we're your men," the petty officer said earnestly."It's an honor to serve under you."
And he meant it.
Under this commander, they had never once been treated as expendable. Gern always fought on the front line, shouldering the danger alone while leaving his men to handle the aftermath.
A leader like that was worth following to the ends of the sea.
"…Fine." Gern waved a hand dismissively."Each of you may take one item you like."
"B-But sir—"
"If you don't take it, I won't either. And do you really want dangerous pirate wealth floating around out there again?"
The petty officer's eyes lit up with understanding.
"Understood! The remainder will be logged as military funding—we'll use it to improve rations during resupply!"
Afterward, Gern returned to his cabin alone.
He placed the two Devil Fruits on his desk and retrieved a thick tome from the shelf:
The Encyclopedia of Devil Fruits.
"Let's see what you are…"
He flipped through the pages quickly.
"Golden gourd… glowing green cherry…"
His finger stopped.
The illustration matched perfectly.
Paramecia-Type — Gold-Gold Fruit:Grants the ability to become compatible with gold and freely manipulate any gold the user has touched.
Paramecia-Type — Heal-Heal Fruit:Grants the ability to heal others. However, using its ultimate ability—Complete Restoration—will consume the user's lifespan.
"Two Paramecia types…"Gern's eyes narrowed slightly before curving into an amused smile.
"Well, well… Plague Doctor, you really left me a generous gift."
He leaned back in his chair, thoughtful.
"The Gold Fruit… if I remember correctly, it'll eventually fall into the hands of the 'Golden Emperor' Tesoro after Doflamingo's auction."
"And the Heal-Heal Fruit… that one ends up with the Tontatta princess."
He chuckled softly.
"But now, they're mine."
His smile deepened.
"Tesoro's still just a gambler at this point… it'll be years before he meets Stella and changes his path."
"And if I'm ever going to tear the Marines away from the World Government completely…"
"…I'll need a lot of capital."
As for the Heal-Heal Fruit—
"That one's perfect for a trusted aide. Someone who stays by my side."
Gern stared at the two Devil Fruits in his hands.
Then he laughed.
"Ha… hahaha!"
"What a haul."
"A real damn treasure."