Chapter 2: Miracle Surgery, High Reward
Not long after Roja left, Vice Admiral Tsuru led a large naval force to surround the island. Among the survivors, only Corazon, miraculously revived by Roja, remained.
"Corazon!!!"
"Where's the medical unit? Quickly, check on him!"
"We must save him!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru knelt beside Corazon, her expression filled with concern. As an old friend of Sengoku, she had only recently learned of Corazon's existence.
This man wasn't just an undercover Navy agent—he was Sengoku's adopted son. Corazon's survival was non-negotiable.
Tsuru ordered the medical team to examine Corazon while she surveyed the island for clues. As she stepped into a charred building, her fingers traced the blackened walls.
Burn marks stretched across every surface. Recalling the towering flames that had torn through the Birdcage moments before, Tsuru's heart sank.
"What kind of terrifying power could cause such destruction?"
While she pondered, the medical team approached to report.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, we've completed Corazon's examination," the team captain said, though his expression was perplexed. "It's... very strange. His injuries are severe, and his body shows signs of being near death. Yet, his vital signs are stable, and his blood circulation is normal. It's as if someone performed a miraculous surgery on him."
Tsuru's expression darkened. "A miraculous operation? Could it be... the Ope Ope no Mi?"
The implications settled heavily on her mind. If someone had already consumed the fruit, they must have used its powers to save Corazon.
Tsuru approached Corazon, who was still lying weakly on the ground. As he saw her, Corazon struggled to rise, but she stopped him with a gentle hand.
"Corazon, I just need to ask you a few questions," she said softly.
"Yes…" His voice was faint but steady.
"Do you know the identity of the powerful individual who appeared on the island?"
Corazon shook his head.
"Did you see his face?"
Another shake of his head.
"What about the Ope Ope no Mi? Do you know where it is?"
Corazon hesitated briefly but shook his head again. He knew it was Law who had saved him, but revealing that information to the Navy would put the boy in danger. Corazon's silence was his way of protecting Law, hoping the boy would grow stronger and find his place in the world.
Tsuru scrutinized his expression but found no hint of deception. After a moment, she sighed deeply.
"Take Corazon back to the ship and let him rest," she ordered.
As her subordinates carried Corazon away, Tsuru took out her Den Den Mushi and dialed Sengoku.
Marineford, Sengoku's Office
Sengoku stood by the window, his face tense, but his expression softened as soon as the Den Den Mushi rang.
"Tsuru, how is Corazon?"
"He's alive," Tsuru replied. "His injuries are severe, but someone used the Ope Ope no Mi to save him."
Sengoku exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "That's a relief. And the fruit? What about Doflamingo?"
Tsuru's voice turned grim. "The Ope Ope no Mi has been taken, likely by the mysterious individual who appeared. As for Doflamingo, he escaped during the commotion caused by that person."
She recounted the events on the island—the towering flames, the destruction of the Birdcage, and the overwhelming power that seemed to come from nowhere.
Sengoku clenched his fists, beads of sweat forming on his brow. The thought of such a power in the hands of an unknown figure sent chills down his spine.
"I understand," he said finally. "Search the island thoroughly. If you find nothing, return to base."
After hanging up, Sengoku immediately informed Fleet Admiral Kong. In turn, Kong brought the matter to the Five Elders in Mary Geoise.
Mary Geoise, the Five Elders' Chamber
Kong stood before the Five Elders, their imposing figures casting shadows over the ornate room.
"I hope you bring good news, Kong," said one Elder, his fingers idly resting on the hilt of his sword.
Kong remained stoic, his voice steady. "The Ope Ope no Mi has been taken."
The Elder's movements froze. His piercing gaze locked onto Kong as the room's atmosphere grew oppressively heavy. "What did you just say?"
"On Haiyan Island, during the trade, a mysterious individual appeared. They destroyed the Birdcage and took the Ope Ope no Mi," Kong repeated firmly.
Silence fell over the room, thick with tension. After what felt like an eternity, the bald Elder broke the silence.
"Issue a bounty—two billion berries. Every intelligence agency will assist in identifying this individual. The Ope Ope no Mi must be retrieved."
Kong nodded and left the chamber to carry out their orders.
The Navy wasted no time. Within hours, blank bounty posters with the astronomical sum of two billion berries were plastered across the world. The only detail provided was the suspect's ability to summon "Monstrous Flames."
Even the influential Morgans and his news network spread the word, ensuring the bounty reached every corner of the seas.
Moby Dick, Whitebeard Pirates' Flagship
Marco stared at the blank bounty poster in disbelief. "A bounty of two billion berries for someone with no identity? All we know is they wield monstrous flames."
The rest of the crew gathered around, murmuring in surprise.
"What kind of monster did this guy provoke to piss off the Navy so much?"
Whitebeard's booming laugh silenced them all. "Gurarara! Someone with that kind of power—I'd welcome them as my son!"
"Dad, not this again…" Marco sighed as the rest of the crew burst into laughter.
Whole Cake Island
Charlotte Linlin, better known as Big Mom, read the news with an amused grin. "Two billion berries! Those Navy dogs must be frothing at the mouth!"
Katakuri, standing beside her, commented, "For the Navy to take such drastic measures, this person must have disrupted something critical to their plans."
Linlin's grin widened, revealing her sharp teeth. "If that fool dares show up at my tea party, I'll make his soul into a snack!"
"Understood, Mama."
On a Remote Island
Law held the blank bounty poster in his hands, his heart filled with gratitude. His mind replayed the image of Roja, the man who had shattered the Birdcage and saved Corazon with seemingly invincible power.
"When I become stronger," Law vowed aloud, "I'll find you and follow you!"
The wind carried his words across the desolate island, a promise etched in his heart.
Elsewhere, the subject of the bounty, Roja, sailed on the open sea, his gaze sharp as he noticed a mysterious woman in the distance...
Weekly Power Status
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