Several days later, in a remote stretch of sea at the start of the New World.
Fang Huo had spent a fortune in the underworld to obtain a scrap of information about Shui Gu Town.
"Fang Huo, can you really foresee a Devil Fruit on that deserted island?"
Newgate still found it hard to believe Fang Huo's prophetic ability was so unreasonable.
If he could even predict ownerless Devil Fruits, wouldn't that mean Fang Huo could get whatever he wanted from now on?
"I can't predict the existence of a Devil Fruit; I only know that, in the future, a strong individual will obtain this fruit on that island."
A blue, a purple, and seven white Soul-Insect Familiars appeared around Fang Huo again, making him look almost divine.
He hadn't hidden his Mutated Talent from Newgate.
Sensing Fang Huo's sincerity, Newgate trusted him even more.
As Rocks put it, Fang Huo had resisted the temptation of the Paramecia Tremor-Tremor Fruit, the most destructive of its kind.
Simply because Fang Huo felt Newgate suited the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power best—and because he trusted Newgate's character.
That touched Newgate more than a little.
Otherwise, had Fang Huo insisted on taking Newgate's Devil Fruit ability, Rocks could easily have killed Newgate for him and seized the strongest Paramecia power.
After all, in Rocks's eyes, Fang Huo's prophetic ability mattered more than the current Newgate.
Had Fang Huo chosen to lie and deceive Rocks, those so-called fated Executives could have become his prey.
In truth, Fang Huo's honesty won Rocks's trust instead.
You had to remember that Rocks of the D. Clan could likewise hear the Voice of All Things with his Observation Haki.
During the original timeline's God Valley War, when Imu forcibly seized control of Rocks, his inner voice could appear directly in Roger and Garp's minds.
A bit like how Zunesha transmits its consciousness.
Perhaps the mental communication among Imu, the Five Elders, and the God's Knights is also some special form of Observation Haki.
Of course, it's more likely to be a Devil Fruit ability.
"—So you can possess nine abilities? A terrifying soul mutation indeed."
"But can you really develop every one of them?"
"Just as Rocks said, your physique is outrageously weak!"
Watching the soul-fire curling around Fang Huo's shoulders, Newgate felt a twinge of envy.
Yet he also knew how much energy developing even one ability consumed.
Especially for an orphan like him who'd never attended school; mastering the Tremor-Tremor Fruit alone was almost too much.
"So I'll count on you all to protect me. As long as I live long enough, I'll eventually grow strong!"
Fang Huo seemed to have no pride as a powerhouse, bluntly asking for protection.
"Gurarara, since Fang Huo trusts us so much, I'll protect you well."
Feeling Fang Huo's need, Newgate was happy to shoulder the responsibility of protection.
"Fang Huo, why not find Shiki first before heading to Shui Gu Town?"
Rocks could hardly wait to get the black-market samurai who wielded the Float-Float Fruit aboard.
"Heh, with Shiki's temperament, if he boards first and then we hunt the Devil Fruit, he'll either try to snatch it or demand half."
"This fruit is crucial to me; I don't want any mishaps!"
"If we end up having you all beat Shiki up, it'll be bad for everyone."
Fang Huo shrugged. Right now, Rocks had no interest in other Devil Fruits; he only wanted the two legendary fruits that could counter Imu.
Those were the strongest Mythical Zoan, the Sun God Nika Fruit, and the vilest Logia, the Dark-Dark Fruit!
Newgate already had the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and the two Fish-Men, Babel and Sunbell, had no wish to become hammers in the water.
As for the few sailors and deckhands aboard, Fang Huo had written them off.
Before long, Rocks would probably drop those weaklings off the ship.
The Saber of Xebec had no room for the weak!
"I knew you were full of little schemes!"
"I'm escorting you, so quit stalling and spill what you know about 'Dad Die' and 'Toyo Arlong'!"
"Also, which strong individual in the future will obtain this Devil Fruit?"
Rocks wanted to dig more useful intel out of Fang Huo.
"Captain, as I said, we're not from the same era as those two."
"Still, speaking of this Devil Fruit, I do know a bit about the powerhouse in question."
"He was born with special Observation Haki that lets him peek into others' hearts, so he sees through human treachery and prefers solitude."
Thinking of the Mythical Zoan Vampire Fruit he was about to obtain, Fang Huo recalled the lone wolf Great Pirate, Redfield.
"Worororo, innate special Observation Haki! How strong is he? Where is he now?"
Rocks licked his lips—talent like that should join his command.
"His talent is formidable; he's about the same age as Newgate. Even without a Devil Fruit, his future strength won't be far behind Newgate's."
"He'll be able to fight a Fleet Admiral!"
"He's from the West Blue; he probably hasn't set sail yet. I've no idea how strong he is right now."
Fang Huo spread his hands—he really had no further intel on Redfield.
But judging by the title "Red Count," plus Redfield's aristocratic clothes and elegant manner, the man should be nobility!
"His name!! Give me his name!"
Rocks grew excited—the West Blue was his home sea.
A rookie with Admiral potential and innate special Observation Haki?
He had to snatch him up!
"Cool it, Captain!"
"He's Patrick Redfield, nicknamed 'Red Count'. Right now he should be a noble; a few years from now, inspired by a musical pirate, he'll choose to sail as a pirate."
"Of course, he might grow sick of noble hypocrisy—after all, his special Observation Haki lets him see all the filth."
"Or perhaps his family will run into trouble and force him to sea."
Fang Huo didn't know the exact details; he could only piece together scattered clues.
"Patrick Redfield! A noble?"
"Worororo, he'll set sail in a few years? I can wait that long!"
Rocks grinned wide, as if he'd gained another key subordinate to use against Imu.
"Don't forget his special Observation Haki—there's no way he'll join a pirate crew like ours."
Fang Huo shrugged; he wasn't confident about Redfield.
"Worororo, you just supply the intel; whether I can recruit him is my business."
Rocks laughed, utterly dismissing Fang Huo's warning.
"Then what about Harald's son, born with Conqueror's Haki—want to snatch him too?"
Fang Huo tossed out the remark, and Rocks's eyes lit up.
But recalling how slowly Giants mature, he dropped the idea.
"He can fight me without a Devil Fruit and clash with a Fleet Admiral?"
Newgate instantly memorized the name Patrick Redfield—he'd have to fight this man someday.