"What is it...?"
Rayleigh couldn't help but ask. His emotional shift was so intense that several crew members with strong Observation Haki noticed something was off with their first mate. Unfortunately, they couldn't hear anything.
"First, there's Pure Gold. It's said to be a very rare metal that can extend a person's life. Apparently, it was created by humans hundreds of years ago."
"Second is the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi, a Devil Fruit said to have the power to heal anything."
"Third is the Ope Ope no Mi. Rumor has it, it can grant eternal life. If it can make someone immortal, then healing and saving lives should be possible too."
At that moment, both Rayleigh and Roger found it hard to contain their excitement.
They had seen and heard a lot in their time—some of these things were familiar, others they were hearing for the first time. But even the ones they'd heard of had always been brushed off as myths, never taken seriously.
After Roger found out he was terminally ill, he realized time was no longer on his side. He could feel his body deteriorating by the day and didn't want to waste what little time he had chasing after things that might not even exist. He had a more important mission to complete.
But now, hearing such certainty from Yemu made both of them tremble inside.
"Do you know where they are?" Rayleigh asked, his voice unsteady.
"I don't know the exact locations, but I can give you some clues. The legend says Pure Gold is inside the stomach of a creature called a Giant Footballfish. It's massive—big enough to swallow a small island in one bite—and has a strong attraction to gold. But where it lives, I have no idea."
"As for the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi, you might want to check with the Dwarves. Whether they have it or not, I can't say for sure."
"And the Ope Ope no Mi? Supposedly, the World Government is hiding it. But that's just a rumor. For all I know, it could already be out in the world."
After speaking, Yemu drained his glass of apple juice and added, "That's all I know..."
Truthfully, he was piecing it together from the fragments of memory he still had. The information was sparse, but to Rayleigh and Roger—who had been living with despair—it was a glimmer of hope.
Still, neither said much more. After all, no one could be allowed to know about Roger's illness.
"I'll have someone keep an eye out."
Roger could afford not to care, but Rayleigh, as his first mate, couldn't. He had made up his mind—he would do everything in his power to find those three things.
"Thanks, Rayleigh. But don't stress too much over it. Like they say, if it's meant to be, it'll be. If not, then so be it. We've got a bigger mission ahead of us..."
As he finished speaking, Roger looked at the mysterious boy in front of him.
By now, he had already made up his mind. Then, out of curiosity, he suddenly asked:
"Yemu, do you believe in fate?"
Yemu's answer was simple.
"I only believe in the fate I like!"
Of course, that was the poetic version.
'Man, I've freaking transmigrated—don't talk to me about fate, screw that!'
…
Regardless of what Yemu was thinking at that moment, Roger and Rayleigh already held him in high regard.
You could see it from the admiration in Rayleigh's eyes. He couldn't help but extend an invitation.
No matter how Yemu had come across this information, if they could get him to join their crew, it might boost their chances of finding those three things.
"Yemu, little brother, would you be interested in joining the Roger Pirates?"
Naturally, Yemu shook his head, prompting Rayleigh to ask in confusion,
"Why? Are you not interested in the last island?"
"Of course I am. But compared to tagging along with you guys, I think venturing out on my own is more exciting."
"Wahahahaha!"
That answer didn't surprise either of them—it only made them appreciate Yemu even more, and the conversation grew livelier.
Roger asked, "Yemu, you and Enel don't seem like you're from Skypiea."
"Yeah. Five years ago, I ended up here the same way you did—swept in by the rising sea current. As for Enel, he's lived here since he was a kid. Might've come the same way, just earlier."
"I see. Then Yemu, have you ever tried looking for your family?"
Yemu shook his head.
"I've lost all my memories. All I had with me was a piece of clothing and a ruby. I wouldn't even know where to start…"
That struck a chord with Roger and Rayleigh. They hadn't expected Yemu to have such a past.
After thinking for a moment, Roger said, "Mind showing me the clothing and gem? Maybe I've seen them somewhere before."
"Sure. Though honestly, I'm not all that curious about my past. What I really care about now is training in Haki..."
With the conversation turning back to Haki, both Roger and Rayleigh broke into cheerful smiles.
Rayleigh looked around and saw that the banquet was winding down. After a moment of thought, he stood up and said,
"If that's the case, how about we get started now? Roger, you don't mind if I take over your role as teacher, right?"
Roger laughed heartily.
"Not at all."
Then, to reassure Yemu, he added,
"I may be the captain, but when it comes to Haki, Rayleigh is way more qualified than I am. Honestly, I'm terrible at teaching... Wahahaha..."
Yemu had no objections—after all, in the future, it would be Rayleigh who taught Luffy how to use Haki.
Seeing Yemu nod in agreement, Rayleigh smiled with satisfaction.
"Come with me. Everyone's about done eating anyway, so let's treat this as a little post-dinner entertainment."
Saying that, Rayleigh walked to the center of the banquet. Everyone turned to look, curiosity piqued by the scene unfolding before them.
Just then, Roger stood up and began calling out names.
"Shanks, Buggy, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi… Pay close attention. It's not every day that First Mate Rayleigh personally teaches Haki."
The names Roger called belonged to the ship's trainee crew. Hearing his words, they all focused intently.
Only now did the rest of the crew realize what was happening.
While many of them had already learned Haki, Rayleigh's mastery stood out among them—second only to Roger himself. Not even Kozuki Oden, who had mastered Ryuo from Wano Country, could compare. Naturally, they turned their attention as well.
Yemu shouted out to Enel.
At his call, Enel—already prepared—suddenly sparked with electricity, the alcohol in his body instantly neutralized. He sobered up in a flash.
The sight left those nearby stunned.
"The Goro Goro no Mi can be used like that...?"
Roger also chuckled with interest.
Seeing that everyone was now paying attention, Rayleigh turned to Yemu and began his lesson.
"In that case, let's begin, little brother Ye Mu...."
...
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