Chapter 7
That night, Vilin slept more soundly than he ever had.
But someone else lay awake.
Red Line, Mary Geoise.
Inside CP0's secret training facility.
A green-haired young man stared blankly at the fruit in his hand, eyes filled with confusion and disbelief.
Aramaki was one of the most talented recruits in the World Government's CP0 intelligence division.
Saint Saturn, one of the Five Elders and the "Scientific Defense God of War," had personally selected a Logia-type Mori Mori no Mi from the government's vault as a reward, hoping Aramaki would shine even brighter in service to the World Government.
When Aramaki excitedly accepted the powerful Devil Fruit from Saturn,
his heart raced with anticipation.
But the moment he was about to bite into it,
something impossible happened.
The swirling patterns on the fruit's surface began to fade… and vanish completely.
In seconds, the legendary Logia Devil Fruit had reverted to an ordinary, mundane fruit.
Aramaki didn't sleep a wink that night.
The next morning, warm sunlight bathed the land.
In the Kingdom of Rommel, a bizarre incident shocked the entire nation.
More than half the prisoners in the gladiatorial dungeon had been drained into withered husks.
The kingdom's nobles were in an uproar.
Investigations quickly revealed the bodies had been desiccated by plant-like forces.
Word of the mysterious "plant massacre" spread rapidly from Rommel to neighboring islands.
"Mmm… slept so well!"
Vilin groggily opened his eyes.
He glanced out the window.
Seeing the sun high in the sky, he realized it was already noon.
Suddenly, he felt his body rapidly absorbing solar energy.
No hunger at all.
Wait… I can't end up like that Green Bull guy—going four years without eating. My mouth would taste like a bird nested in it.
He looked down at Annie, still peacefully asleep in his arms.
Not wanting to wake her,
Vilin stayed in bed, quietly planning his future path.
First: figure out the current timeline.
Second: intensify physical training.
His body was still basically average by One Piece standards—nowhere near strong enough to fully unleash the Mori Mori no Mi's potential.
He pondered: Could I absorb life energy to strengthen every cell in my body? Would that raise my overall constitution?
Lost in thought,
he felt Annie stir.
Her big black eyes opened and fixed on him, unblinking.
Seeing she was awake,
Vilin got up and started dressing.
Looking at their tattered clothes,
he decided it was time to buy proper outfits for both of them.
He took Annie downstairs.
They found a casual table in the tavern.
When Yor approached,
Vilin waved.
"Boss, two breakfasts please."
"Coming right up, young man."
While waiting for food,
Vilin grabbed a newspaper from the rack.
He flipped to the front page—
and froze at the date.
Sea Circle Calendar 1470.
Then the headlines screamed:
SHOCK! Newcomer Edward Newgate Joins the Rocks Pirates!Edward Newgate – Bounty 350,000,000 Berries – Extremely Dangerous, Dead or Alive.
SHOCK! Rocks Pirates Defeat the Diral Pirates!Rocks Pirates Now the Strongest Rookie Crew!Rocks D. Xebec – Bounty 600,000,000 Berries – Extremely Dangerous, Dead or Alive.
"Holy crap… Rocks D. Xebec?!"
Vilin realized he had transmigrated into the era before the Great Pirate Age—right in the chaotic rise of the Rocks Pirates.
Looking at the wild, grinning photo of Rocks,
excitement surged through him.
He had to join the Rocks Pirates.
He wanted to become one of the greats—like the future Emperors.
Decision made: in a short while, he would set sail.
He wanted to participate in the God Valley Incident.
Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon… and Big Bear's Paw-Paw Fruit… both tempted him greatly.
Staring at the newspaper,
Vilin felt this world was about to become incredibly interesting.
After confirming the rough timeline,
he had no intention of rushing out to sea immediately.
He needed real self-defense power first.
Plates of steaming food arrived at the table.
The aroma hit him hard—tears actually welled up at the corners of his mouth.
Seeing Annie already digging in,
Vilin quickly returned the newspaper and joined the feast.
"Boss, know any houses for rent?"
Vilin asked Yor between bites.
"Heh heh! There's no news in this kingdom I don't know!"
Yor perked up instantly at the prospect of business.
"What kind of place are you looking for, young man?"
"Hmm… First, a big courtyard. Fully furnished. Oh—and a training room would be ideal."
Yor thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
"I've got just the spot! Though the price…"
Vilin patted his chest confidently.
"I'm not short on cash."
Yor grinned and held up five fingers.
"50,000 Berries a year."
Vilin winced slightly at the number,
but it was nothing.
With a Logia Devil Fruit, he was basically invincible in the Four Blues.
He could always "borrow" from nobles who oppressed the common people.
"Deal. Take me to see it this afternoon."
After finishing breakfast,
Vilin conjured a small pink flower from his palm and tucked it gently into Annie's hair.
"Little one, go rest in the room for a bit. I'll be back soon."
"Brother, come back quickly, okay?"
"Don't worry."
Once Annie disappeared up the stairs,
Vilin handed Yor 1,000 Berries.
"This covers today's room fee. Make sure my little sister gets a full lunch tray at noon."
"Rest assured—I'll treat your family like royalty."
"You'd better."
Stepping out of Yor's Tavern,
Vilin walked the bustling streets.
The beautiful facade only made him sneer inwardly.
Only someone who truly understood this world knew how rotten and dark it was beneath the surface.
He wandered aimlessly,
taking in the city's atmosphere while scouting his next target.
After some discreet inquiries,
he settled on his mark.
A noble named Ridel—son of a count in Rommel Kingdom.
Inherited his father's entire fortune, yet cruel and tyrannical.
In Vilin's words:
"People who don't value life don't deserve to keep breathing."
Noble district, Rommel Kingdom.
Vilin had already changed into fine, expensive clothing.
Now he looked every bit the elegant aristocrat, not a former slave.
Walking the smooth marble paths,
he watched pot-bellied nobles in lavish outfits escort beautiful women.
The sight made his eyes sting.
These noble ladies really can stomach anything.
He soon arrived at an opulent estate.
The manor was massive—easily the size of a football field.
Vilin couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy for their lifestyle.
Then his body shrank rapidly, transforming into a tiny sapling that vanished into the soil.
Inside Ridel Manor's garden,
a pink flower pushed through the dirt and bloomed.
Using his power,
every plant in the estate came alive,
spreading roots and vines to map the entire property.
Switching to the plants' perspective,
Vilin quickly located Ridel.
In the central luxury building, top floor, one bedroom.
Ridel was engaged in "health-promoting activities" with his mistress.
Unbeknownst to him,
a potted plant on the windowsill relayed every detail to Vilin.
The scene was so eye-searing that Vilin couldn't help but watch… for a full minute.
Afterward,
Ridel collapsed, panting and satisfied, atop the beautiful woman.
She looked up at him with pure contempt.
Vilin couldn't help but chuckle at the irony.
He watched as the sexy woman dressed in her torn, disheveled clothes,
hips swaying as she left the room…
and headed straight to Ridel's son's bedroom.
Suddenly, Vilin felt a flicker of sympathy for Ridel.
But sympathy didn't extend to his money.
That, Vilin would definitely take.
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