One Piece : From Slave to Fleet Admiral Chapter 275
Monet's eyes widened in disbelief as she examined the Pure Gold she held. This artifact was beyond her wildest imagination—pursued even by the tyrannical Celestial Dragons.
Until this moment, the only path to immortality Monet knew of was the final life-altering surgery offered by the Ope Ope no Mi's power. Yet, cradling this gold, which promised near-immortality by merely being in its presence, felt like a fundamental shift in her understanding of the world.
Jake, observing Monet, spoke with an uncharacteristic tremor in his voice, his gaze fixed on her. “This substance is known as Pure Gold. I encountered a reference to it in an ancient manuscript. It was reputedly created by a father desperate to prolong his daughter's life from a terminal illness—a material said to almost halt the human body's aging process.
To be honest, when I first read about it, I dismissed it as pure fantasy. After all, the Celestial Dragons, who have held dominion for centuries, haven't achieved true immortality. Even the brilliant Dr. Vegapunk, whose scientific prowess is centuries ahead of our time, has made no headway in this regard. How could a humble civilian scientist from two hundred years ago possibly succeed in such a feat?!”
“However,” Jake continued, his brow furrowed in thought, “earlier, when I observed that colossal serpent, my Rumble-Rumble Fruit detected an anomaly within its body—a peculiar fluctuation unlike anything I've ever registered. It struck me as highly unusual. Having trained under Dr. Vegapunk for so long, I am familiar with most known material fluctuations. This, however, was an unknown, an impossibly stable phenomenon that defied natural laws. The instant I sensed it, the legend of Pure Gold flashed through my mind.
Coupled with the serpent's immense size, my suspicions about the Pure Gold intensified, compelling me to venture into its belly to investigate! It appears my conjecture was accurate. This discovery is of immeasurable value!”
Monet, her face alight with excitement, nodded vigorously. She carefully secured the Pure Gold before presenting it back to Jake with a smile. “You should safeguard this. Until everything is settled, let's keep this a secret from everyone, even Dr. Vegapunk. He is constantly surrounded by World Government operatives. Even with the doctor's pure intentions, others might seek to exploit such knowledge.”
Jake offered a gentle smile at Monet's thoughtful gesture. Instead of accepting the Pure Gold, he looked at her tenderly and inquired, “Monet, do you comprehend the depth of my desire to find the Pure Gold?”
“Wouldn't anyone covet such a treasure?” Monet replied, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Jake smiled and nodded, then inhaled deeply, as if solidifying a profound decision. His voice resonated with an unshakeable determination as he addressed Monet. “Indeed. Generally, this item would be highly coveted. However, for me, if eternal life is the sole offering, I would sooner age and pass away alongside the one I cherish. If this Pure Gold cannot be shared with you, I would prefer to cast it aside once more.”
Upon hearing Jake's words, Monet's face flushed crimson, so intensely it seemed the color might spill. A soft haze veiled her clear, beautiful eyes as an overwhelming wave of joy surged through her heart. Shyness, surprise, trepidation, delight, and pure happiness—an indescribable torrent of emotions converged within Monet.
She gazed at Jake, momentarily rendered speechless. Standing frozen, a fiery blush spread across her cheeks, reminiscent of a vibrant sunset. Witnessing Monet's stunned reaction, as if her very system had faltered, Jake's own face tinged with a slight color, though he recovered more quickly. “What is it? Do you not wish for it?”
Catching Jake's teasing laughter, Monet blushed deeper and whispered her reply, her voice barely audible to anyone but him. “With you… if it is with you, then… then I do!”
Jake gently reached out, taking Monet’s delicate hand in his. As they felt the warmth of each other's touch, even the tranquil, motionless sea surrounding them seemed to transform into a scene of breathtaking beauty.
“However,” Jake added, a playful glint in his eyes, “before we proceed, I should refine this Pure Gold a bit. It would be rather inconvenient to carry it in its current form.”
Under Monet’s gaze of gentle surprise, bolts of golden lightning crackled from Jake’s hands. Under the intense energy, the Pure Gold rapidly reshaped itself into a gleaming golden ring. Jake delicately lifted Monet’s finger and asked softly, “Does it fit?”
“Did you make it for my ring finger?” Monet asked, her voice filled with wonder.
“Mmm… would you like to try it on?” Jake prompted.
“Please, put it on for me!”
The instant the ring settled onto her finger, Monet spontaneously embraced Jake tightly. Approximately three hours later, their vessel reached the gateway to Fishman Island—Fishman Square, the primary docking area for surface ships. Many vessels' protective coatings would fracture upon impact with Fishman Island’s immense bubble, subsequently being carried away by the unpredictable currents.
Many pirate crews at this juncture would find themselves fractured. However, for formidable individuals such as Jake and Monet, those treacherous currents posed no threat to their vessel. The 'Holy Light Protection' proved exceptionally effective! This delicate barrier easily repelled the relentless assault of water flow and pressure. Upon disembarking on the island, they were not met with welcoming fishmen or enchanting mermaids, but rather a band of menacing fishman ruffians wielding lethal armaments. "It appears we have the opportunity to eliminate some repulsive humans today! Hehehe!" A catfish-featured fishman brandished a colossal sword, spanning nearly three meters, a wide grin plastered on his face as he addressed Jake and Monet. For ordinary humans, wielding such a weapon would be an insurmountable task. Yet, for fishmen, whose physical prowess is inherently tenfold that of humans, it was as effortless as lifting a plaything, devoid of any discernible weight. One of the fishmen, bearing the head of a shark, was methodically chewing on some unbeknownst item while fixing a shrewd gaze upon Monet and Jake. He then declared, "If my senses don't deceive me, you two are a couple, are you not? Should that be the case, then I have even more amusement planned for you!"