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The Pure Gold, its Light contained within the glass vessel, looked innocuous. Who would guess it held the secret to near-immortality?
Crack!
Arthur shattered the glass, the Light-suppressing liquid splashing as the fist-sized nugget of Pure Gold tumbled into his hand.
A brilliant, Golden Light erupted, momentarily eclipsing even Arthur's own Electric Aura, illuminating the laboratory as if it were midday.
Rumble!
The giant anglerfish, Bonbori, though still unconscious from the pain, seemed to sense the presence of its most prized possession, stirring in the depths.
Arthur narrowed his eyes, even his enhanced vision struggling to cope with the intense Golden Light.
Zzzzzzt!
Using his Electromagnetism, he pulled several uncorroded metal ores from the table, the intense heat of his Lightning instantly melting the Pure Gold, shaping it into four bracelets. He then coated the bracelets with the molten ores, masking the brilliant Golden Light.
Four silver-colored bracelets now adorned his left wrist—his mission here was complete.
As he turned to leave…
Olga, her small frame trembling, bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. Having read her father's journal, she finally understood his motivations, the years of resentment melting away, replaced by a wave of grief and regret. The realization that her father had created the Pure Gold for her—it was too much to bear.
"Don't cry. Now that you understand your father's intentions—go find him," Arthur said gently, lifting her by the scruff of her neck once more.
"But…but he's dead!" Olga sobbed, her voice barely a whisper.
Arthur chuckled. "If I knew where the Pure Gold was, why would I bring you? I made a deal with your father. I'm here to reunite you, silly."
"You're the silly one!" Olga yelled, struggling in his grasp.
As they left the laboratory, Arthur glanced at the countless formulas and diagrams covering the walls—the culmination of Acier's research. He formed a small, intensely compressed ball of Lightning in his palm, tossing it into the room.
Garp, Tsuru, and Akainu were still inside the anglerfish. They would find this place eventually. He couldn't risk the World Government rediscovering the secret of the Pure Gold.
BOOOOOM!
The explosion ripped through the laboratory, obliterating everything inside, the research notes reduced to ashes—lost to history.
The sound reached Garp, Tsuru, and Akainu, who were still searching for an exit in the third stomach.
"What was that?"
"Who cares? Let's go see. That brat, Arthur, is probably there. I'm going to teach him a lesson he won't forget!" Garp growled, picking his nose.
——
"Olga, tell Elizabeth to take a detour," Arthur said, glancing in the direction of the approaching Marines.
"Why? A straight line is faster!" Olga whined, eager to see her father.
"Fine—But if we run into those Marines, you might get caught in the crossfire and die." Arthur shrugged.
He wasn't afraid of another fight with Garp and the others. But he'd promised Acier he'd bring Olga back safely. He wouldn't risk her life.
"Elizabeth, detour! Now!" Olga yelled, not waiting for Arthur to repeat himself.
Elizabeth, hearing her master's command, instantly changed course.
They successfully avoided the Marines.
——
On a floating island in the first stomach—Several large dinosaurs roamed, searching for food, while a group of younger ones played near a cave entrance.
Among them, Acier, in his tattered dinosaur costume, crawled aimlessly, his movements mimicking the dinosaurs he'd lived among for two centuries, his scent indistinguishable from theirs.
He paced anxiously, waiting for Arthur's return.
Elizabeth's steady gait echoed as she crossed the acidic sea, reaching the island.
ROAR!
The dinosaurs, their sense of smell keen, noticed the newcomers immediately.
"Get out of my way!" Arthur's voice boomed, his Conqueror's Haki flaring, sending the dinosaurs scattering in terror.
While his Haki had awakened a few days ago—he still couldn't control it fully. He could project his presence, his dominance, but he couldn't yet use it offensively, to knock people unconscious.
He regretted not asking Chinjao about Conqueror's Haki. He was still fumbling in the dark with this new power.
He wasn't overly concerned, though.
Conqueror's Haki users were common in the New World. He'd find someone to spar with eventually.
As the dinosaurs fled, Acier approached, his eyes widening as he saw the small, golden-haired girl on Elizabeth's back.
Olga stared at him, speechless. Two centuries… She hadn't expected this reunion.
"Olga…Is that…Olga?"
Tears streamed down Acier's plump face as he rushed towards her, his atrophied legs moving with surprising speed.
"Waaaaah!"
"Daddy!"
Father and daughter embraced, their sobs echoing through the cavern.
"Acier, I brought your daughter back. Our deal's still on, right?" Arthur interrupted their tearful reunion. He wasn't interested in witnessing their family drama.
"Yes, of course!" Acier wiped his tears, nodding vigorously.
He'd never expected to see his daughter again. He was grateful—and he would honor his agreement with Arthur.
"Good." Arthur smiled, satisfied. "Remember—I'll be back for you in two years."
The anglerfish was drawn to the Pure Gold. All he had to do was activate it, and it would come to him, like a moth to a flame.
Alchemi itself had been partially swallowed because of the Pure Gold's presence.
His mission here was complete. He instructed Acier and Olga to remain hidden, then, focusing his power, he prepared to induce vomiting in the massive creature, expelling himself, along with Garp, Tsuru, and Akainu.
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