30 Years in Whitebeard’s Crew, I Became Invincible

"Keep an eye on those apple trees for me," Roy said.

"No problem, big bro. We've already picked out an island with the right climate."

In the world of pirates, you can find all kinds of people, but more often than not, they're useless. A killer is easy to find. But someone who can properly grow an apple tree? Much harder.

The miracle apple tree didn't need extreme conditions to grow, and the lab was already being built. Once they returned, they could plant it right away.

"Big bro, what experiment are you even doing? One moment it's this, the next it's that… Now you even traveled all the way here for apple trees," Marco asked.

"You'll find out eventually. No rush," Roy replied.

"Alright, so secretive…"

The group left the Calm Belt and returned to their base.

The Whitebeard Pirates still held the largest and most secure territory in the New World. Some areas were extremely stable, and they picked a suitable island to build a laboratory.

Roy began his experiments there. It wasn't anything too difficult. As long as he had data and materials, he could make it work.

His goal was to produce SAD, a special substance that could be fed to fruits. The resulting artificial Devil Fruits currently only worked for Zoan types.

As for Paramecia, Roy needed to clone the Lineage Factor of the ability user, turn it into "green blood," and do a massive blood transfusion.

The problem was that green blood wasn't something normal people could handle. It required a superhuman body.

According to Vegapunk's research, the only race currently suitable for this kind of blood transplant was the Lunarians, their unique physiology made them ideal for modification.

"Big Bro, you're not joking, right?" Marco asked, lounging in a chair in the lab with a grin.

"I'm not. Your regenerative ability is excellent and doesn't deplete your body. Give me some of your blood," Roy replied.

"Alright, alright." Marco drew some of his own blood.

"What are you working on, being all secretive?" Marco asked while his phoenix flames healed his wound.

Most people's regenerative abilities would drain their stamina. No matter how severe the injury, he could always rise from the ashes. A little blood loss was nothing.

"I'm making artificial Devil Fruits," Roy said.

"Artificial Devil Fruits?" Marco blinked, then his eyes widened.

"Wait, big bro… you're not trying to replicate my ability, are you?" Marco exclaimed.

"Yeah. I want to see if it's possible," Roy replied.

"No way… you can actually make Devil Fruits?" Marco asked.

"Of course. For now, only Zoan-types are possible. You're the only Zoan user on the ship so you're the test subject. If this succeeds, I'll look for other Zoan users," Roy said.

"If you can replicate any Zoan fruit, that would be…" Marco imagined the implications and found it terrifying.

Things had been quiet for the Whitebeard Pirates lately. The incident with Big Mom had made global waves, everyone knew now that Roy wasn't someone to mess with.

He had defeated Yonko Charlotte Linlin. Even though Whitebeard was still alive, Roy had already proven himself. It was only a matter of time before he was officially declared the next Emperor.

"Linlin lost."

Kaido only heard the news a few days later, he had been drinking nonstop, disconnected from the outside world.

If not for King seeking him out, he'd still be drinking.

"Kaido-sama."

"What?"

"Jack's sent back a message."

"Oh? How did it go? Did he take care of it?"

"..No. He was defeated," King said seriously, handing Kaido a newspaper.

Kaido took the paper and glanced at it. It showed Jack lying on the ground, defeated, and in front of him stood a man wreathed in flames.

The article detailed the battle: Ace had defeated Jack the Drought of the Beasts Pirates.

Now that Ace's identity was known, and with this victory, his bounty had risen sharply.

Portgas D. Ace, son of Pirate King Gold Roger — bounty: 1,250,000,000.

"Hmph. Useless." Kaido tossed the paper aside. It caught fire in the air and turned to ash.

He grabbed his sake gourd and drank deeply.

"I'm going."

Kaido stood up.

"Kaido-sama, perhaps I should go instead. If you make a move personally, things might escalate," King said.

"You worried I'll lose to that brat?" Kaido scoffed.

"No, that's not it."

"I know what you're thinking, you're afraid this will spark a war with the Whitebeard Pirates. So what? I want to see what that guy's made of," Kaido said.

"But Kaido-sama…"

"Enough, King. Watch over Wano. I'll be back soon."

Kaido shouted angrily. His body transformed, turning into a massive azure dragon that soared away from Onigashima.

King watched him rise into the sky, helpless.

"Mehahaha, Kaido-sama's flying off. Must be because of dumb Jack's failure. I told you he couldn't handle Fire Fist Ace. Should've let me take care of it," Queen said.

"No one asked for your opinion. Just do your job," King said coldly, not even sparing him a glance.

"You're always like this, hiding behind a helmet, afraid the World Government might recognize you."

Whoosh!

King spun around and kicked, but Queen blocked with his cybernetic arm.

"Struck a nerve, huh? Idiot!" Queen laughed.

The two immediately broke into a fight while Kaido soared through the clouds.

After Big Mom's defeat, and the loss of one of her eyes, Kaido had laughed and cried for a while.

Then news came that she was completely defeated and Totto Land had been looted.

Kaido was now even more curious about Roy.

As someone who had spent his life chasing battle, how could he not want to fight someone like that?

"Hm? Is that… an island flying in the sky?"

Kaido suddenly noticed a floating island a familiar sight that reminded him of someone.

"He's still alive?" Kaido muttered, stunned. He twisted his dragon body and glided toward the floating island.

Meanwhile, the island above was filled with celebration.

"Zehahaha! I didn't get the Tremor-Tremor Fruit Fruit, but I did get something I wanted!" Blackbeard laughed loudly, sitting on a throne.

"So this is how Devil Fruits are born, how fascinating," Devon mused, clapping.

"You're a Devil Fruit user too, aren't you? Nya," Avalo Pizarro said, glancing at her.

"What? Wanna test me?" Devon grinned, hand on her sword.

"No interest. I'll find a fruit that suits me better, nya."

"When are we heading down?" Shiryu asked.

"Let me get used to this fruit first," Blackbeard replied.

"Huh? That's not Shiki… Who are you?" A voice suddenly came from above, startling the Blackbeard Pirates.

"Who?!"

"Wait a second… don't tell me it's—"

...

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

[email protected]/DaoistJinzu