321 North Blue Marine Branch.
Military Hospital.
Ash from Daren's cigar drifted lazily to the floor as he exhaled a puff of smoke. He gave the nurse adjusting his IV a playful wink, making her ears flush red.
"How's that thing I asked you to do?" he asked casually.
Momonga glanced briefly at the nurse, then replied carefully, "As per your instructions, the warships involved in the operation were stocked with a variety of fruits in their cargo holds. But... there's been no sign of anything unusual."
Daren frowned.
"What about the target island? Did you search it?"
Momonga nodded with gravity.
"We've been conducting a full sweep for the past two days. Still nothing. That island is in a polar climate, constantly battered by snow and wind. Only a few hardy plants can survive there—completely unfit for human habitation. As for fruit-bearing plants, practically nonexistent."
He paused, waiting until the flustered young nurse left the room before lowering his voice.
"When Admiral Sengoku's warship docked here for resupply, I boarded and searched it myself. Still couldn't find what you were hoping for."
"I checked the ship's log. Three days before the mission even started, their fruit supplies had already been completely used up."
Daren let out a slow exhale, silent for a moment before laughing under his breath.
"So it really isn't that simple, huh…"
Momonga looked hesitant.
"Are you sure about your theory? That when a Devil Fruit user dies, their fruit reincarnates on the nearest piece of fruit…"
"There's never been a recorded case of that happening in these seas."
Daren shook his head.
"No—I'm not sure. It was just a theory."
"Having you prepare fresh fruit in advance and conduct a post-battle sweep of the island... it was just a small experiment."
"Guess that theory doesn't really hold up after all."
Daren had full confidence in Momonga's capabilities.
After working together for years, he knew exactly how diligent and precise the man was. No matter how outlandish the order, if it came from Daren, Momonga would carry it out to the letter.
And if he said there was nothing, then there was nothing.
Which meant the idea that "a Devil Fruit reincarnates on a nearby fruit upon the death of its user" could be ruled out.
It made sense.
As a transmigrator, Daren had a fair grasp of the One Piece timeline.
In the original story, Devil Fruit reincarnation was shown only three times.
First: Whitebeard dies in the Marineford War. Blackbeard, likely using the Yami Yami no Mi, somehow extracts his Gura Gura no Mi.
Second: Ace's death. Two years after the war, his Mera Mera no Mi ends up in Doflamingo's hands and is later used as bait in the colosseum.
Third: Punk Hazard. Caesar Clown creates the lethal slime weapon "Smiley." It consumes a Devil Fruit through scientific means, taking on the form of a new Devil Fruit. After it dies—presumably from eating candy—one apple in a nearby basket morphs and becomes a Devil Fruit.
That last scene in particular had led many fans to believe that was the rebirth mechanism.
So for this operation against Byrnndi World, Daren figured it was worth testing. He had the North Blue Fleet carry a large supply of fresh fruit on board.
After all, the Moa Moa no Mi was incredibly powerful. Even if he couldn't use it himself, passing it to a subordinate to form a powerful core team would've been ideal.
But now, it seemed the truth was far more complex.
Still... that was understandable.
If the rebirth mechanism were really that simple, the World Government or Marines would've figured it out long ago.
Not to mention the number of Devil Fruit users locked up in Impel Down.
Over its long history, surely some had died—from torture, illness, cruelty, harsh environments, or simply old age.
As far as Daren knew, supply ships regularly brought food into Impel Down—including fruit.
And Impel Down was geographically isolated, surrounded on all sides by sea and located in the Calm Belt.
If a Devil Fruit user died inside, and fruit was present, then by that logic, the fruit should've transformed.
But despite the countless prisoner deaths over the years, there had never been any report of a Devil Fruit appearing within Impel Down.
"So... maybe there really is no pattern. Maybe it's entirely random?"
Daren murmured to himself.
"Should I keep the search going? Maybe it just takes more time for the fruit to reappear?" Momonga asked.
"Yeah. Leave a few men behind to continue the sweep on the island."
Even if the odds were slim, Daren wouldn't pass up the chance—no matter how small.
"No problem."
Momonga nodded.
"Oh, right. One more thing. A message just came in from Marineford—Headquarters has confirmed that the third Officer Training Camp will officially begin in ten days."
A sharp gleam flashed in Daren's eyes as he smiled.
"So it's finally starting?"
Momonga pulled a document from the folder at his side and handed it over.
"This is the participant list for the third Officer Training Camp."
Daren opened the file.
Right at the top was his own name.
"North Blue Admiral, Marine Headquarters Commodore, Rogers Daren."
Daren grinned.
"Looks like the commendation for the Saint Xildes incident got approved. I've been promoted."
Momonga's lips twitched slightly.
Daren continued down the list.
"Lieutenant Commander, Kuzan. South Blue."
"Captain, Doberman. West Blue."
"Lieutenant Commander, Yamakaji. South Blue."
"Lieutenant Commander, Onigumo. West Blue."
"…"
So many familiar names.
"The Golden Generation... what a constellation."
As he looked at the list—names that would one day echo across the Grand Line and shape the future of the Marines—Daren's smile deepened, filled with anticipation.
The tides of a new era were rising.
And this was an age lit by stars.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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