One Piece: Who Made him the Pirate King!

Storm wanted to "travel," but not immediately.

He planned to set off for the Grand Line after wrapping up matters in the South Sea.

At the very least, he needed to handle those warships first! Storm had pre-ordered a "Paw-Paw Fruit Global Ticket" from Kuma.

Then he began arranging a physical training regimen for Kid and Killer.

Storm's approach to Kid and Killer's training plan was quite simple.

He would follow the same training routine he had previously used at the Navy Elite Rookie Training Camp!

In short—

"The Two Hundred Times Effort" training method!

Just as Kid and Killer were enthusiastically starting their scientific training to improve their abilities, Aokiji contacted them again via Den Den Mushi.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has made a decision!"

Aokiji got straight to the point, relaying the Admiral's opinion to Storm.

"The headquarters has accepted your proposal, and will soon send someone to the South Sea to redeem the warships and sailors from you."

Storm had made quite a few demands during this "warship transaction."

Belly was just the most basic of requirements.

Money only becomes money when it circulates in the market and successfully trades for corresponding items; otherwise, it's no different from waste paper.

In exchange for three large Navy warships, Storm had requested a certain amount of Belly from the headquarters.

But more importantly, he sought other practical resources that could assist during their voyage! This included, but was not limited to, nautical charts, log poses, and intelligence on special individuals...

Among these conditions, the most crucial one was—

"What about Dr. Vegapunk?"

Storm looked at the Den Den Mushi and asked the question that concerned him the most.

Vegapunk was the core condition of this "warship transaction"!

Of course, Storm wasn't suggesting that he would trade three large warships for one Vegapunk.

Even if, hypothetically, Sengoku suddenly lost his mind and forcibly sent Vegapunk over...

Storm still couldn't afford to support this "world's greatest mind."

A super scientist who transcended the era required endless resources to nurture.

Storm only wanted to meet Vegapunk to help Kuma and Bonney obtain a treatment plan for "Azure Jade Scale."

"The Fleet Admiral's opinion is..."

Aokiji spoke slowly.

"The headquarters, in principle, cannot allow a 'pirate' to have close contact with Dr. Vegapunk."

"Principally disagree."

Storm raised an eyebrow, understanding Aokiji's implication.

"So that means, in practice, it's possible?"

"Yes."

Aokiji replied.

"After all, you are a member of the SWORD Unit and still part of the Navy.

"The Fleet Admiral has agreed to your request; he can allow you to meet Dr. Vegapunk.

"However, the Fleet Admiral has one more requirement."

Storm asked, "What requirement?"

"If you want to meet Dr. Vegapunk, you must come to Punk Hazard Island in person."

Aokiji said slowly.

"On the other hand, you must be accompanied by Borsalino at all times to meet Dr. Vegapunk."

"Kizaru... the Admiral? I understand."

Storm nodded slightly.

"However, I'm currently in the South Sea and can't reach Punk Hazard Island in the New World anytime soon.

"I would like to request a Den Den Mushi contact with Dr. Vegapunk."

There was a Red Line separating the South Sea from the New World.

Although Storm's Blue-Eyed White Dragon and Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit could "cross" the Red Line, it would still take time.

Considering Kuma's current feelings, Storm proposed this "Den Den Mushi contact" condition to Aokiji.

"If it's just a Den Den Mushi contact..."

Aokiji paused.

"It should be fine."

Before long, Aokiji relayed Storm's new request to Sengoku and received permission.

Since Sengoku had accepted the condition of "meeting Vegapunk," he naturally wouldn't refuse the new request for "Den Den Mushi chatting."

Storm quickly received a new Den Den Mushi number from Aokiji.

He returned to the small chapel, called Kuma, and together they boarded the Blue-Eyed White Dragon.

In Kuma's earnest gaze, Storm dialed Vegapunk's Den Den Mushi number.

"Moshi Moshi, is this Dr. Vegapunk?"

"This is Vegapunk."

An elderly voice came from the Den Den Mushi.

"Vongola Storm? Is the person Fleet Admiral Sengoku mentioned you?"

Sengoku? Admiral? Even though Kuma was worried about his daughter, he couldn't help but glance at Storm.

He knew Storm had connections in the Navy.

But he didn't realize the extent of those connections!

Storm could directly communicate with the Navy Admiral?!

"Yes, Dr. Vegapunk, I know you're pressed for time, so I'll be brief."

Storm took the initiative to ask.

"To protect the 'patient's' privacy, I want to confirm if this Den Den Mushi can be monitored or surveilled?"

"Very cautious..."

Vegapunk seemed to have done something on his end, and a soft beep sounded from the Den Den Mushi.

"Alright, I've brought over a white Den Den Mushi that prevents eavesdropping, and I've turned off the surrounding monitoring Den Den Mushi.

"Can we talk now?"

Storm looked at Kuma.

Kuma immediately took over the conversation and spoke up.

"Dr. Vegapunk!"

"Eh? It seems like the person has changed? Is it the patient?"

"No, I'm the patient's father."

Kuma quickly said.

"Doctor, have you heard of the disease 'Azure Jade Scale'?"

"Azure Jade Scale? Ah! Of course I know."

Vegapunk replied.

"So that's why you sought me out... How is the patient's condition?"

"Bonney—my daughter, has developed some blue, stone-like growths on her face."

Kuma asked, both worried and anxious.

"Last year, a doctor told me she had Azure Jade Scale and wouldn't live past ten.

"But she is already six years old this year!"

Punk Hazard Island.

Vegapunk frowned upon hearing the voice from the Den Den Mushi.

"Are you saying that poor little girl has been suffering from this illness for a year?"

Vegapunk recalled the various information about Azure Jade Scale stored in his mind.

"What is her current condition?"

The voice of Kuma came through the Den Den Mushi.

"She only has a little gem on her face; nothing else."

"Only on her face?"

Vegapunk was taken aback.

"This disease spreads continuously when exposed to natural light."

"Yes."

Kuma said solemnly.

"Because I discovered this, I've kept my daughter at home, sealing the doors and windows, not letting her go outside."

"That's quite rare..."

Vegapunk nodded.

"If the patient's condition is truly as you say, then this disease...

"Can be treated!"

"Really?!"

Kuma was instantly overjoyed.

"Azure Jade Scale can really be treated?"

"Absolutely."

Vegapunk said.

"However, I need to see the patient in order to make a definitive judgment."

Although Vegapunk said this, Kuma's mood was still incredibly happy.

Just then, Storm interjected.

"Dr. Vegapunk, we are currently in the South Sea and cannot reach Punk Hazard Island in the short term."

Storm asked.

"I would like to inquire if Germa 66, specifically Vinsmoke Judge, can treat Azure Jade Scale?"

"Judge? I haven't heard that old friend's name in a long time..."

Vegapunk sighed, then continued.

"The treatment for Azure Jade Scale involves creating new stem cells and transplanting them into the patient.

"As long as the patient's condition hasn't deteriorated to an irreversible extent, this method can cure Azure Jade Scale.

"I'm not sure if Judge is familiar with the disease 'Azure Jade Scale.'

"But if we only consider the treatment method of 'creating and transplanting stem cells,' the Judge I remember should be able to do it.

"He is quite skilled in gene cloning technology."

"Thank you very much for clarifying, Doctor."

Storm expressed his gratitude and handed the Den Den Mushi back to Kuma.

Kuma then proceeded to ask a multitude of questions about Azure Jade Scale, primarily regarding protective measures.

Vegapunk patiently answered for quite a while.

Only after Kuma had asked all his questions did Vegapunk excuse himself, citing the need to conduct other scientific research, and hung up the Den Den Mushi.

After the call ended, Kuma still looked excited.

"That's great! Bonney is finally saved!"

"Punk Hazard Island is not an easy place to reach."

Storm put away the Den Den Mushi and reminded him.

"Kuma, your identity is special, and Bonney's Azure Jade Scale is too conspicuous.

"Once you appear on Punk Hazard Island, it could likely cause unnecessary trouble."

Kuma suddenly calmed down.

He remembered his race and the reason Ginny fell ill...

Even if Kuma wanted to immediately take Bonney to Punk Hazard Island, he knew that recklessly bringing her there could be a trap...

At that point, not only would he fail to save Bonney from her illness, but he might also endanger her life!

"My thought is, since Dr. Vegapunk believes Germa 66 has the means to treat Bonney."

Storm said seriously.

"Then you can first visit Germa 66 to see if they can truly cure Azure Jade Scale."

"Okay!"

Kuma nodded firmly.

After discussing their action plan, Storm and Kuma confirmed a strategy of "splitting up."

Three days later.

A medium-sized Navy warship arrived in the nearby waters of Sorbet Kingdom.

It was a Navy guest responsible for overseeing this "warship transaction" from the Grand Line.

Storm handed over the three large warships and hundreds of Navy soldiers to the other party as previously agreed.

He had originally planned to keep one warship for himself...

But considering the upcoming travel plans.

Storm was heading to the Grand Line.

Kuma was heading to the East Sea.

Leaving an unclaimed large warship in Sorbet Kingdom would only bring disaster to this country.

Storm simply handed all three large warships over to the Navy.

After all, there were plenty of warships at sea.

Out with the old, in with the new.

Once the "warship transaction" was concluded, Storm returned to Sorbet Kingdom.

Kuma, who had been waiting for a long time, raised his right hand and asked the question again.

"If you're traveling, where are you going?"

"Alabasta!"

Setting off for the Grand Line!