The Golden Dragon flew across the vast and endless seas of the North Blue.
Just a moment ago, Judge called Ian. He said that after two years of research, the artificial Devil Fruit project had finally yielded results.
A few hours ago, the first batch of artificially cultivated Devil Fruits had ripened, and he couldn't wait to share the news with Ian.
So, instead of heading back to Wano, Ian immediately changed course and headed toward the Germa Kingdom.
It was quite a coincidence that the Germa Kingdom was located in the North Blue at the moment, and hadn't gone to another sea to serve as mercenaries.
Otherwise, finding them would have been quite troublesome.
Artificial Devil Fruits, huh? They had finally succeeded.
Ian was quite excited.
He wondered how they compared to Caesar's Smile fruits from the original story.
Caesar's Smile fruits were a real disappointment. The chance of gaining power after eating one was only ten percent. If you didn't gain power, you were stuck as a fool who could only smile for the rest of your life.
And even if you did gain power, the ability was completely uncontrollable and couldn't be suppressed. You had no choice but to accept the fact that you were transformed into some bizarre, monstrous shape.
With Judge's skills, there's no way his products could be worse than Caesar's, right?
As the Golden Dragon sailed across the sea, atop the Red Line, in Mariejois.
The Five Elders gathered for a meeting.
"Zephyr was defeated without any resistance."
The bald, bearded Elder, Vochelli, set the tone for the meeting. "We can no longer ignore the Golden Dragon and Ian the Skyfire."
"That kid's power has grown to the point where it could shake the world, especially since he's part of the Beast Pirates."
The other Elders nodded in agreement.
Ian alone was strong enough, but more crucially, he was a high-ranking member of the Beast Pirates, even considered an heir to the crew.
That was terrifying.
After all, this meant the Beast Pirates were now far beyond the ordinary.
There would be no opponents left for them in the New World.
This was definitely not the kind of situation the Five Elders wanted to see.
"What should we do?"
The long-bearded Mazzdao asked. "Should we just eliminate the Beast Pirates directly?"
"This is not an easy task,"
The swordsman in a kimono, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, adjusted his glasses. "If we can't wipe out the Beasts Pirates in one fell swoop, they'll escape into the vast sea, and when we can't find them, they'll launch a ruthless revenge against us."
This was the very issue that had been bothering the Five Elders.
These pirates could easily abandon their base and wander the seas.
Although the world government's intelligence system is advanced, they can't see everything. Finding a group of pirates who deliberately want to hide on the vast ocean is far from easy.
The World Government is large and powerful, but they can't indefinitely invest all their resources into a search.
"What I mean is," Topman Warcury spoke softly, "Can we try to sow discord between Ian and Kaido? Ian's strength is growing stronger, and the power under his command is increasing as well. Kaido used to trust him with all matters regarding the Beasts Pirates, but now, and in the future?"
"There's no doubt Ian will become even stronger. At that point, who will be the true master of the Beasts Pirates?"
The other four Elders looked pensive.
Yes, since external pressure isn't working, why not try internal sabotage?
The Golden Dragon is essentially an independent ship from the Beasts Pirates.
On board, Ian's direct forces have grown too powerful.
Doesn't the cold-hearted Kaido have any concerns?
"We could try it!"
"Then it's decided! I think we should take a two-pronged approach: guide the external public opinion, and at the same time, send people to infiltrate the Beasts Pirates to stir up conflict between those two."
Ian, unaware of the World Government's plans to intervene in the Beasts Pirates, was currently meeting with the Germa Kingdom's rumbling mobile territory.
"Hahaha! Ian! Long time no see!"
Judge laughed heartily and immediately gave Ian a warm hug.
"It's been two and a half years, right?"
Ian smiled warmly in return.
Anyone who could help him develop artificial Devil Fruits would always receive a warm smile from him without hesitation.
Indeed, it had been two and a half years since their last meeting.
The last time they met was also the first time they met.
The completed Raid Suits had been delivered to Ian in Wano Country by Judge's commission to Umit.
Speaking of which, the timing of this research was quite peculiar.
Judge, showing off his chicken feet, right?
"Yeah, it's almost been three years now."
Judge released Ian, looking somewhat nostalgic, but quickly became enthusiastic again. "But these two and a half years haven't been wasted!"
"Come on, Ian, come see the fruits of my research!"
Ian, looking at his bright smile, couldn't help but laugh. "So, it's definitely an amazing creation, right?"
"Hahaha! You'll see once you take a look!"
A little later.
Judge led everyone into a large greenhouse deep within the kingdom.
Despite the vastness of the greenhouse, only five plants were grown.
They resembled miniature banana trees, lush and thriving, with thick branches and leaves.
Each plant bore a fruit.
Slightly larger than an adult's fist, the fruits were of varying shapes, but they all shared a common feature: spiral patterns on their surface.
"Is this the artificial Devil Fruit?"
Law, who had recently consumed the Surgery Fruit, curiously approached the plants and carefully examined them.
"Should be, right?"
Judge twirled his pointed mustache.
"Should?"
Jack instantly turned to Judge, looking even more impatient than Ian, "What do you mean?"
"Each of these fruits contains a special Animal Lineage Factor that I've created."
Judge explained, "Once eaten, the Lineage Factor inside will merge with the user, granting them the power of that animal."
"So, I think it's somewhat similar to the concept of an artificial Devil Fruit?"
Jack let out a relieved sigh.
Drake couldn't help but praise, "Incredible!"
After all, it's a Devil Fruit.
The most mysterious power in the world.
"Can we test it out?"
Ian asked eagerly.