DeLocas knew these things well because he had dreamed of achieving immortality through them.
And right now, the shimmering metal in Dragon's hand… was almost certainly Pure Gold.
Compared to the Ope-Ope Fruit, which required a willing sacrifice, Pure Gold only needed to be worn to grant eternal life.
It was far too tempting.
"That's…!"
DeLocas swallowed hard, his gaunt face filled with greed.
For a moment, he feared he was dreaming.
Pure Gold was something even the Celestial Dragons desperately desired—yet now… it was right there, within his reach.
"Pure Gold."
Dragon's voice was calm.
As if what he held wasn't a priceless treasure, but just a worthless stone.
"Give it to me!"
Before anyone could react, DeLocas launched himself forward using Moonwalk, moving at blinding speed toward Dragon, intent on snatching the Pure Gold.
But in the next instant, he froze mid-air—as if his body had been locked in place.
Dragon's right hand, holding the Pure Gold, was coated in a deep, jet-black color.
With his level of skill, Dragon could easily use advanced Armament Haki to destroy the Pure Gold before DeLocas even touched it.
"You can have it."
Dragon's gaze was piercing.
"But you'll have to work for the Revolutionary Army… for three years. When the time is up, I'll give it to you personally."
Trading Pure Gold to buy three years of service from a top-tier powerhouse was undoubtedly extravagant.
But if it meant adding another powerful piece to the coming final battle against the World Government, then it was worth it.
Dragon had no desire for eternal life.
Compared to his revolution, Pure Gold was nothing more than dirt.
"Give it to me now, and I'll join the Revolutionary Army immediately!"
DeLocas—who had once betrayed the Marines to serve the Celestial Dragons—clearly had no sense of loyalty.
Or rather, under the temptation of immortality, he had completely abandoned any sense of pride.
"I don't trust you."
Dragon rejected DeLocas without hesitation.
If Kizaru's trustworthiness was 99 points, then DeLocas's was 100 points—just negative.
The Marines who had died at his hands had trusted him, only to perish without knowing why. If not for Kizaru uncovering DeLocas's true nature, he might have become an admiral, and by then, even if his crimes were exposed, the World Government and Marine higher-ups might have simply turned a blind eye for the sake of maintaining their authority.
A scumbag like him had no place in the Revolutionary Army, even if his strength rivaled an admiral's.
"Then how the hell am I supposed to trust you?!"
DeLocas growled, furious. Eternal life was within reach, but Dragon was cruelly making him wait three more years.
And during those three years, not only would he have to fight for the Revolutionary Army, but he also had to ensure Dragon stayed alive—because if Dragon died before handing over the Pure Gold, and it ended up in Marine or World Government hands, even DeLocas knew he'd never be able to get it back.
"I swear on the Revolution… on my honor. Besides, do you really have a choice?"
Dragon had no interest in DeLocas's feelings—he only wanted to use his power.
"If you dare deceive me, I swear I'll wipe out the entire Revolutionary Army—even if it costs me my life!"
DeLocas gritted his teeth, shaking with rage. If he weren't worried about Dragon destroying the Pure Gold, he wouldn't be negotiating like this.
With anyone else, he could have tried snatching it.
But Dragon—once a target on his personal hit list—was different.
DeLocas knew for a fact that Dragon wouldn't hesitate to destroy the Pure Gold if needed, even if it meant losing his own chance at immortality.
Their exchange felt long, but in reality, less than a minute had passed.
It was only then that Sengoku—stunned by both Pure Gold and DeLocas's betrayal—finally snapped back to reality.
"DELOCAS! HOW DARE YOU?!"
Sengoku roared in fury.
What enraged him wasn't just DeLocas's betrayal, but the fact that he had shamed the Marines—worse, his actions might even jeopardize their entire battle plan.
The Marines still had the advantage, but their goal was to completely eradicate the Whitebeard Pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and the escaped prisoners from Impel Down.
Meanwhile, the enemy only needed to rescue Ace and escape.
"BASTARD!"
Akainu was furious. Victory had been within reach—the Whitebeard Pirates were on the brink of destruction.
And then Dragon and DeLocas had ruined everything.
"Scary stuff… When did Dragon get his hands on Pure Gold?"
Kizaru scratched his head.
He himself had once considered looking for Pure Gold, but by the time he traveled to this world, nearly ten years had passed, and he could barely remember where it had been discovered.
He eventually gave up—searching for it was like finding a needle in the ocean.
At some point, he had even mentioned Pure Gold to Dragon in passing, just bragging.
Who could've guessed that his wide-eyed, 'so amazing' little bro would actually find it?
"Old man, what the hell is Pure Gold?"
Marco, still completely confused, finally spoke up.
The Marines had just revealed a trump card—a top-tier powerhouse—and before Marco could even panic, Dragon whipped out Pure Gold and made DeLocas switch sides instantly.
Marco couldn't understand—what kind of treasure could make an admiral-level fighter lose his mind like that?
"Pure Gold… A legendary treasure said to grant eternal life."
Whitebeard's eyes flickered with reminiscence.
"A long time ago… someone once asked me to help find it. I searched the entire Grand Line and never found a trace of it. Never thought the Revolutionary Army would get their hands on it..."
Though Whitebeard had never found a family within the Rocks Pirates, old men tended to reminisce more as they aged.
Marco's eyes widened.
He stared at the Pure Gold in Dragon's hands, unable to look away.
If they weren't currently allied with the Revolutionary Army, he'd have already tried stealing it.
Even among pirates, alliances were full of betrayals—but the Whitebeard Pirates were the exception.
[Random Viewer Wanting to Befriend Luo Feng]: HOLY SHIT! THAT THING IN DRAGON'S HANDS—IS THAT PURE GOLD?!
[Esdeath]: Darling, the target you assigned me seems to be switching sides. Want me to act in advance?
[Kobayashi]: Hey, what's Pure Gold?
[Orochimaru]: Oh… interesting. The balance of power has shifted in an instant. As a commander, this Dragon fellow is quite impressive…
[Ai Haibara]: It doesn't look like gold…
[Random Viewer Wanting to Befriend Luo Feng]: Pure Gold… That's the kind of thing that keeps a two-hundred-year-old granny looking like a little girl!
[Tony Stark]: @Borsalino Hey, buddy! Remember? We're best friends! And best friends share cool stuff, right?
[Orochimaru]: Hard to believe a power like this has no side effects…
[Random Viewer Wanting to Befriend Luo Feng]: Not sure. As far as I know, there's nothing in the storyline that mentions side effects.
[Orochimaru]: @Borsalino Need a hand? I happen to have some free time. If needed, I can use Edo Tensei to revive the previous Hokages for backup!
[Ai Haibara]: Ahem… Something this miraculous should be researched before use. @Borsalino If you need, I can offer a lab—free of charge.
[Random Viewer Wanting to Befriend Luo Feng]: Uh-oh, Poison-Tongue Girl, didn't you want to grow up? If you wear Pure Gold, maybe you'll never grow!
[Ai Haibara]: You idiot! I can just wait until I return to my real age before using it!
[Fubuki]: This world is truly fascinating!
[Xiao Mei]: So amazing…
[Borsalino]: Nah, no need to act yet. DeLocas is pretty good at survival. I'm not even sure if he has a plan to escape. Spooking him might be a hassle.
[Borsalino]: Also, don't think we need backup. Marineford has three admirals, plus Garp and Sengoku. A five-on-three fight, how could we possibly—
Borsalino suddenly paused mid-message, his lips twitching.
Just as DeLocas was being "persuaded" by Dragon and was about to switch sides, Borsalino's Observation Haki picked up something.
A hooded figure—hidden among the pirates—possessed considerable strength.
The guy was using some unknown method to conceal his presence, but as soon as the power balance started shifting, he became restless.
And most importantly—
Borsalino recognized him.
That familiar aura… He had just dealt with this person not long ago.
And if his instincts were right, this hooded man was a top-tier powerhouse—at least on DeLocas's level, if not stronger.
"It's definitely you, Rayleigh… Damn it, Dragon, you really love giving me surprises, huh?"
Borsalino muttered under his breath.
This Dragon, whom he had personally trained, was getting out of hand.
Bribing DeLocas with Pure Gold was one thing. But how the hell did he manage to drag Rayleigh into this mess?!
On second thought… it made sense.
Rayleigh wouldn't have come to rescue Ace unless:
1. He didn't know Ace was Roger's son, or
2. He thought his presence wouldn't make a difference.
Even if Rayleigh joined Whitebeard, they still wouldn't be able to defeat the full force of Marine HQ.
But now…
With the Revolutionary Army and escaped Impel Down prisoners in the mix—
With Dragon and DeLocas now fighting alongside Whitebeard—
With Rayleigh joining the fray…
For the first time, the Marines were not guaranteed victory.
"This is trouble…"
Borsalino cast a glance at Vice Admiral Garp.
If Garp let things slide, then wouldn't that mean…
He'd have to be the one to save the world?
Garp's expression was extremely conflicted.
And that was rare—for the usually straightforward Marine Hero to look so torn.
Watching DeLocas defect under Dragon's temptation, Garp was both furious and… surprisingly, a bold thought crept into his mind.
But his Marine pride held him back.
If you could visualize Garp's emotions right now, there'd be a tiny angel Garp and a tiny devil Garp brawling on his shoulders.
The tension on the battlefield rose.
On one side: 100,000 elite Marines.
On the other: The main Whitebeard Pirates, their 43 allied crews, the Revolutionary Army's five divisions, and the Impel Down escapees.
The air was thick with hostility.
Even Luffy, known for recklessly charging ahead, was being held back by Sabo, stopping him from making a suicidal rush at the Marine lines.
Luffy had already tried several times to get close to the execution platform.
But his opponents kept getting stronger and stronger.
The last one he faced—
Was an old woman with a face full of wrinkles.
Yet the pressure she emitted was as terrifying as his grandfather's.
Even Luffy, reckless as he was, instinctively hesitated before taking on Vice Admiral Tsuru.
In terms of numbers, the Marines had a clear advantage.
Even after retreating to Marineford's plaza, they still occupied a third more space than the allied forces.
But in combat strength, the allied forces had the edge.
Whitebeard's 16 division commanders, the Revolutionary Army's elite troops, and even the Impel Down escapees were all battle-hardened fighters.
Even the "rabble" among them were once fearsome pirates.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! A call from the Five Elders!"
Just as Sengoku was about to give the order to wipe out the Revolutionary Army and the other enemies of the World Government,
His aide rushed over—holding an ornately decorated Den Den Mushi.
Sengoku's face darkened instantly.
He had expected the Revolutionary Army's intervention.
But he never thought Dragon would be this resourceful.
Hijacking the live broadcast to incite global uprisings.
Using Pure Gold to make DeLocas switch sides.
Turning what should have been a one-sided slaughter into a balanced fight.
For someone like Sengoku—who prided himself on planning everything perfectly—this was like getting slapped across the face repeatedly.
However—
When he answered the call, he didn't hear the Furious Rant of the Five Elders.
Instead—
Their voices were filled with near-hysterical excitement.
°°°
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