High above the Kingdom of Clifford, upon Alvis Island.
Laboratory No. 017.
The oval-shaped Pure Gold sat encased within a transparent cube of reinforced tempered glass. It radiated a blinding, golden luminescence that was as intoxicating as it was beautiful.
Dalt, Vade, Hubert, and Jason, along with dozens of assistants, were a blur of motion. They were busily running a battery of tests on the Pure Gold at the center of the lab.
The group wore expressions of manic fervor, tossing around technical jargon so dense it would leave a layman dazed and sleepy.
"This substance emits a miraculous energy radiation. It directly influences cellular division, —slowing down biological aging and halting physical growth entirely!"
"To think a metallic substance could achieve the effect of eternal youth... we haven't even finished analyzing how many metallic elements are involved in its composition!"
"Could it require ultra-high energy radioactive ores? Vanley Iron? Devil Stone? Cobalt Gold? But those are all lethal! They cause malignant radiation sickness or cancer!"
"Almost all high-radiation ores in this world are toxic. Is it possible that mixing different types in a specific ratio causes this unique transition?"
"Who knows? It could be a rare metal from a deep-space meteorite!"
"Damn it! Didn't the Captain bring back Dr. Myskina Acier, the man who actually created this stuff? Just make him write down the formula!"
"That old man refuses to give the recipe to 'pirates.' If it weren't for his daughter being in our hands, he would have offed himself long ago. The Captain is currently 'persuading' him."
The scientists argued heatedly, their voices occasionally breaking into frustrated shouts.
…
In a Detention Cell…
"Dr. Acier, as long as you work for the Chris Pirates, I can guarantee the safety of both you and your daughter. If you have any demands, feel free to speak up," Aeridar said calmly, looking at the obese man with blonde hair and a matching beard.
This was Dr. Acier, a survivor of Alchemi from two hundred years ago, the smelter of Pure Gold, and Olga's father.
Acier looked at Aeridar once and remained silent.
"You should know you have no other choice. I'm not going to let you leave just because you write down the formula," Aeridar continued, unruffled. "The World Government is still hunting for you. They won't be as polite as I am, and I certainly won't let them have you."
"I won't write the formula for Pure Gold," Acier said dryly.
"To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could rip the formula straight out of your brain. But it's you I value, Doctor," Aeridar said with genuine sincerity.
An intellect capable of inventing and smelting something like Pure Gold was far more valuable than the substance itself. This was why Aeridar remained patient; he had a deep respect for true talent, the classic admiration a "slacker" feels for a "straight-A student."
A flash of anger crossed Acier's chubby face. "I will not serve pirates!"
Aeridar shrugged with a look of regret. "I know. Olga told me. Her mother, your wife, was killed by pirates."
"Hmph!" Acier snorted, glaring at Aeridar.
"But you have to ask yourself: who is truly to blame for her death? The greedy pirates? Or the man who smelted the Pure Gold?" Aeridar met Acier's eyes, his voice dropping an octave. "An innocent man gets into trouble because of the treasure he carries. Ultimately, it was because you were too weak to protect your family."
"You created the Pure Gold to save Olga from the terminal South Blue Emperor Fever, but the appearance of that gold drew in greedy pirates, which in turn took your wife's life. Don't you see? Fate used your wife's life to pay for Olga's."
"I..." Acier's lips trembled. He lowered his head, his expression dark with sorrow.
"Olga is your only living relative. Even if I let you both go right now, do you think the World Government would treat you well?" Aeridar mocked. "Given the nature of the Celestial Dragons, they would squeeze you dry. Olga has lived for two hundred years under the influence of Pure Gold—they would turn her into a lab rat."
Acier's face turned deathly pale. Knowing the track record of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, such a fate was highly probable.
"I can offer you and Olga absolute security without restricting your freedom. Furthermore, there is now a specialized medicine for 'South Blue Emperor Fever.' I can have her cured completely. What do you say?" Aeridar asked casually.
Acier swallowed hard. His resolve was wavering. His daughter was his world; he would gladly die if it meant she remained unharmed.
"I am more than just a pirate; I am the sovereign of a nation and the richest man in the world," Aeridar tempted. "I can give you a life of luxury and the best laboratory on the planet. I will provide unlimited funding for any research topic you desire!"
"I... I..." Acier struggled for words, hesitating for a long time before finally whispering, "I won't work for pirates!"
Aeridar's expression chilled. His voice turned sharp. "I really didn't want it to come to this. Do you really want to force my hand? I can find someone to dig that recipe out of your head and rewrite your memories, Dr. Acier!"
…
Dressrosa Harbor.
A cruise ship docked, and over a dozen figures draped in heavy black robes disembarked. They were tall and burly, with swords hanging at their waists or giant axes and heavy hammers strapped to their backs.
The locals, however, were unfazed. So many strange people had arrived lately that a few robed figures hardly raised an eyebrow. No one was curious enough to risk unmasking them.
"So this is Dressrosa... a prosperous place."
"Nya, nya~ It's been a long time since we've been to the outside world. Things have changed. I wonder if the Chris Pirates will actually show up?"
"They should. According to our intel, that man is allied with Doflamingo. He won't miss a tournament this grand."
"Good. We'll cut them down one by one. Let that bastard feel what it's like to lose his subordinates! Nya~"
The two leaders, both over three meters tall, spoke in hushed tones while their followers kept a sharp lookout.
Suddenly, a gust of wind caught their robes, revealing fur-covered limbs and, for a fleeting second, bushy tails.
They weren't human. They were members of the Mink Tribe!