### Chapter 10: Sword God Ryuma's Festival Day
Marubu was familiar with the plot and knew a lot of intelligence, but the sea was vast, and it was unrealistic for him to search for everything one by one himself.
Therefore, what he could do was plan ahead.
Perhaps the seeds sown today would reap surprises in the future.
"A return that no woman can refuse?"
Gloriosa shook her head disapprovingly: "I don't believe there is anything in the world that can move my heart."
Marubu looked serious and emphasized: "Don't doubt it, that thing is indeed priceless!"
Since the game *Unlimited World* had intertwined with reality, the settings of derivative works like movies likely also existed.
According to the setting of the *Stampede* crossover chapter, the Giant Lanternfish was a massive lanternfish that swam in the deep sea with elusive tracks. The Straw Hat Pirates only locked onto the target after meeting the two-hundred-year-old little girl Olga and using the "Mother Ship Locator" in her hand that pointed to the beacon inside the lanternfish.
In this era, the two-hundred-year-old little girl Olga should still be in the belly of the Giant Lanternfish. Looking for her was equivalent to looking for the Giant Lanternfish, so this clue didn't mean much.
Marubu could only speculate based on clues:
The lanternfish swallowed the island where the "Alkemi" Research Institute was located two hundred years ago, or the sea area where the island originally stood might be a transit point on the lanternfish's patrol route.
Like some seasonal animals that migrate periodically throughout their lives, the lanternfish might have similar characteristics.
And Marubu's real goal...
Was the "Pure Gold" formed by the fusion and refining of various metals swallowed by the lanternfish!
In his eyes, this Pure Gold, which could "pause" the growth of all things and achieve "eternal youth," was a strategic resource far exceeding the value of Devil Fruits.
As long as one wore Pure Gold at the peak of their strength, they could maintain their combat power at the peak permanently.
As for the "longevity" of the Vampire form? That was a Shikigami after all, and the "blood-sucking rejuvenation" of [Scarlet Feast] was more like "taking medicine," which had a time limit. Once the "blood" was digested and absorbed, the effect would wear off, and the ability user would immediately return to being old. Of course, one could also be a real vampire, sucking and sucking forever...
Ultimately, it was not as direct as Pure Gold.
Besides, didn't Kaido also need something similar?
Moreover, mastering Pure Gold was equivalent to holding the key to building an immortal force.
Marubu emphasized again: "With it, the whole world will be different."
Seeing that she couldn't get anything out of him, Gloriosa had to nod and agree.
"Alright."
Marubu stood up. "It's time to part ways."
Gloriosa subconsciously asked, "Where to?"
"Wano Country."
Marubu asked back: "Are you interested in coming along? The food of the Kuja Pirates is really good; I would be happy to mooch meals all the way."
"Forget it..." Gloriosa lost interest immediately: "I'm not interested in going to that closed samurai country. I went out to sea to find medicine that can cure a special disease, not to waste time in such a place."
Marubu chuckled and raised a hand: "Why didn't you say so earlier! I have medicine!"
At this time, Vice-Captain Shakky walked over with the Kuja crew.
"Marubu, big sister hasn't even said what the disease is yet. What medicine could you have? Stinking man full of big talk!"
Toritoma approached innocently, sniffing lightly with her nose: "That's not right! I think Big Brother Marubu smells quite nice!!!"
Marubu laughed aloud and rubbed Toritoma's round little head.
His gaze swept over everyone, and he paused deliberately, speaking word by word.
"Your Lovesickness can be cured!!!"
What!!
As soon as 'Lovesickness' was mentioned, it immediately caused shock among all the women present.
In Amazon Lily, Lovesickness was a recognized terminal illness, and it was also this country's "fatal weakness."
To prevent the weakness from being exposed, they never revealed it to the outside world.
How did Marubu know about Lovesickness?
Gloriosa guaranteed that she had never mentioned it.
On all the women's faces, unconcealable shock and urgency appeared.
Toritoma's eyes widened: "Big brother, what medicine is that?"
Marubu shook his head and smiled: "Toritoma, it's not the kind of medicine you understand."
"Love but cannot obtain, longing becomes an illness."
"Wish fulfilled, chronic disease cured instantly."
"The medicine that can cure Lovesickness is—Men!!"
Men?!!
Amazon Lily strictly forbade men from setting foot there, and even legislated to deeply implant the concept that "men are all bugs" in people's hearts.
However, Marubu's words echoed repeatedly in everyone's heart like a spell.
Love but cannot obtain, longing becomes an illness—is this the cause?
Wish fulfilled, chronic disease cured instantly—is this the antidote?
Love?
Is it all because of men?
"Lord Marubu, help me cure it now! I suspect I have a slight omen of getting Lovesickness..."
"Please ask Mr. Mahoraga to give me a vaccination!"
"Then I can only choose Kaido? I've heard that ox horns can be used as medicinal ingredients!!!"
Although they didn't completely believe it, and even had many doubts in their hearts, some bold female warriors still proposed to try it.
Although they hadn't had Lovesickness yet, this disease was 'hereditary' on Kuja Island.
Prevention must be done in advance!
Marubu was speechless. Obviously, this group of women didn't have a profound enough understanding of 'longing.'
He added a few sentences.
"Everyone, follow the clue that 'men are the antidote' and explore slowly!"
"When the illness strikes, the 'man' you think of first in your mind might be able to help defeat the demon of illness."
"One day, you will get the answer."
At this time.
Gloriosa took out a piece of white paper, moved her fingers, tore off a piece, and handed it to Marubu.
"This is my Vivre Card. It can guide the direction, allowing you to find me through it!"
Vivre Cards were made from fingernails and special materials and would automatically float toward the owner's direction regardless of distance. They were the most reliable guidance tool on the sea.
At the same time, the Vivre Card could reflect the owner's health, weakness, death, and other states through changes in its condition.
"Why give me this?"
Marubu's eyebrows twitched. He turned to look at the strong and robust female warriors aside, instantly feeling immense pressure.
"No! You don't really treat me as a reserve medicine for the Kuja Pirates, do you?"
Gloriosa nodded seriously: "If it is verified to be true, why not? We can pay you!"
"Uh..."
Marubu couldn't explain clearly for a moment, and finally accepted the Vivre Card, storing it in the Shikigami Temple.
Soon, it was time to part ways.
The space of the Shikigami Temple was very vast, and Marubu could even store a ship inside.
But that warship was Kaido and Mahoraga's training ground. It was too broken, so it was left in Sleepy Ancient Town.
He found an open space, took out an Eternal Pose, and summoned the Vampire Shikigami.
Rising into the air with Kaido, he flew straight toward the direction of Wano Country.
"See you later, everyone!!!"
...
"Brother, why didn't you subdue that group of women? We also need to build our own army!"
"You continue to be the General, and I continue to charge into battle!!"
Soaring high in the sky, Kaido clung tightly to the fur on the Vampire bat's back, his voice sounding somewhat blurred in the wind.
"You mean... building a pirate crew, right?" The wind at high altitude was far fiercer than on the sea surface, blowing Marubu's hair wildly. "On the Grand Line, the army of an ordinary kingdom is meaningless, including the Vodka Kingdom! Only the Navy and pirates can dominate this sea. Obviously, we have now been forced to become pirates."
Kaido nodded: "Yes, just like the Kuja, build a pirate crew!"
"Aren't they ready-made? Their combat power isn't bad either. We can snatch them over to fill the army like capturing prisoners in war!"
Marubu leaned comfortably on the Vampire bat's back: "There are still many urgent things to do now. Having too many people would be a hindrance. Let's consider this issue after this time."
"Alright!"
The outline of Wano Country finally appeared on the distant sea horizon.
"This damn place is really far; we flew for a whole day!"
The bat rose slowly, crossing cliffs and precipices. Kaido spoke with the joy of arrival, "The intelligence obtained on Kuriti Island was accurate. Wano Country is indeed in the east. This route is also indeed safe; we didn't even encounter a decent storm."
"We're almost there!!!"
Marubu closed his eyes and smiled: "Wano Country is divided into the outer sea and the inner sea. To step on this land, we still need to fly for a little while."
At noon.
The Vampire bat quietly landed in a forest in Ringo.
Ringo was located in the northeast of Wano Country's land. It was said to be the region with the best swordsmanship in the entire Samurai Country.
Hundreds of years ago, a flying dragon plagued Wano Country. It was Shimotsuki Ryuma who took action to slay the dragon and save the Flower Capital from disaster. After his death, he was posthumously titled "Sword God," and even his sword "Shusui" was posthumously titled a "National Treasure."
In Marubu's memory, the shrine dedicated to the Sword God was in Ringo, which was also where Moria dug up the corpse.
It was currently the golden autumn season.
To better integrate into the Samurai Country, the two specifically entered a top clothing store and came out with a completely new look.
Wano Country was closed off to the outside world and had its own gold, silver, and copper currencies, distinguished by weight.
In this "Land of Gold" that no longer produced much gold, gold was the highest-grade currency. One gold piece was enough to buy a luxurious courtyard.
When Marubu took out a whole piece of gold, broke it, and paid with gold granules.
The astonishment on the shop owner's face could be imagined.
At this time, the streets were bustling with excitement.
Samurai in full dress paraded past with swords at their waists, holding high banners printed with the Shimotsuki family crest. Behind them, people beat taiko drums in a fixed rhythm, solemn and enthusiastic.
By the street, children chased and played with wooden swords, and even the candies sold by vendors were made into the shape of the "Famous Sword Shusui."
Looking at the celebratory atmosphere around him, Marubu felt physically and mentally delighted: "Good luck, we caught up with Sword God Ryuma's festival day. We can experience it properly."
Kaido had no interest in the excitement before him.
"Brother, why don't you summon Mahoraga? Aren't the samurai all over the street exactly your goal in coming to Wano Country?"
"Take the initiative to attack?"
A trace of deep light flashed in Marubu's eyes: "It's too troublesome to find samurai one by one."
"It's better to let them come to us one after another."