Vergo led the G-5 fleet toward Sleepy Ancient Town and successfully obtained the Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Vampire Form.
It was an exceptionally powerful Devil Fruit.
One of its abilities was restoring youth.
However, Vergo himself was still in his prime, so he had no need for that particular effect.
What interested him most was another ability:
By absorbing an enemy's blood and vitality, he could continuously weaken opponents while keeping himself permanently at peak condition.
In some ways, it resembled the ability of Ryokugyu, who drained nutrients from living beings.
If the two fought—
Who would absorb faster?
The vampire...
Or the forest man?
Vergo anchored the fleet beside an uninhabited island.
The G-5 soldiers remained waiting near the shore while Vergo alone entered deeper inland.
On the warship's deck—
Smoker stared at Vergo's back with suspicion and hostility.
Back during the assault against Zephyr's Neo Marines—
Vergo had personally gone to confront Zephyr alone.
Later, Tashigi had also been lured to that battlefield by Zephyr's disciple, Ain.
Then the volcano erupted.
The entire island was destroyed.
Vergo returned completely unharmed.
But he claimed that Tashigi had been swallowed by the volcanic eruption.
At that time—
Smoker nearly lost his mind from rage.
He wanted to settle the score with Vergo—
Only to be kicked away effortlessly.
He was nowhere near Vergo's level.
Smoker hated his own weakness.
He couldn't protect Tashigi.
He couldn't even avenge her.
To grow stronger as quickly as possible, he risked his life participating in the Summit War.
But even there—
He achieved almost nothing.
At best, he could deal with ordinary Whitebeard pirates or weaker captains.
As for Whitebeard's division commanders?
Smoker couldn't beat a single one of them.
After the war—
He returned to G-5 once more.
Partly because he believed Vergo was hiding something suspicious.
And partly because—
He still carried a burning desire for revenge.
Every day, Smoker trained for over ten hours.
All for the sake of one day beating Vergo into the ground.
Unfortunately—
That dream would likely never come true.
Unless Smoker someday reached Admiral-level strength himself—
He would never even touch Vergo's shadow.
Walking toward the island's center—
Vergo could feel Smoker's hateful gaze without even turning around.
He sneered inwardly.
If not for Rox Star's orders—
He would've secretly eliminated Smoker long ago.
Eventually—
Vergo arrived at the island's center.
A place impossible for the G-5 soldiers on the shore to see.
There—
A tall and imposing man stood waiting.
The moment Vergo saw him—
All the dignity and authority of the G-5 base commander vanished instantly.
He dropped to one knee.
With utmost reverence, he said:
"Greetings, Young Master!"
"Rise."
Rox Star sensed the increasingly deep and oppressive aura coming from Vergo and nodded in satisfaction.
"Your strength has improved significantly."
Vergo stood back up, though his respectful posture never changed.
"It is all thanks to the Monster Cells bestowed by Young Master... and the Gravity Training Chamber."
In order to help Vergo quickly reach Admiral-level power—
Rox Star had personally built him a gravity chamber.
Aside from Wano Country—
It was the only gravity chamber on the seas.
That alone showed how highly Rox Star valued him.
How could Vergo not be grateful?
Rox Star then tossed him a bottle.
"Drink this."
"Once you do... you will truly possess one of the highest levels of strength in this world."
Vergo caught it excitedly.
Was this medicine yet another miraculous invention comparable to Monster Cells?
Respect and gratitude surged through him simultaneously.
He bowed deeply once more—
Then drank the Super Divine Water in one gulp.
Moments later—
An overwhelming pain tore through his body.
But after enduring it—
His aura exploded upward violently.
His presence now completely matched that of a true Admiral-level powerhouse.
Feeling the unprecedented power flowing through him—
Vergo couldn't help but throw his head back and roar.
"ROAR!!!"
The terrifying sound shook the island itself, frightening countless birds and beasts into fleeing.
Filled with confidence, Vergo declared:
"With my current strength... I can absolutely become a Marine Admiral!"
"I won't lose to newcomers like Fujitora or Ryokugyu!"
Rox Star also had full confidence in Vergo now.
"The new Navy under Akainu will soon finalize all its systems and appointments."
"You need to head to Marineford as quickly as possible and secure the Admiral position."
"But before that..."
"While you still carry the identity of G-5 base commander—"
"Go to Gran Tesoro."
"And retrieve all the money held by Gild Tesoro."
Tesoro, the user of the Gold-Gold Fruit, could freely manipulate gold itself.
Rumor said he controlled twenty percent of the world's wealth.
He possessed countless industries across the seas.
Rox Star was preparing for a world-scale war against the World Government.
A conflict that had already begun advancing from the North Blue.
And war—
Required money.
An enormous amount of it.
Besides—
Why should someone weak like Tesoro possess such ridiculous wealth?
Not taking it would be a waste.
The reason Rox Star ordered Vergo to act under G-5's banner was simple:
It would avoid drawing the World Government's suspicion.It would further increase Vergo's military achievements.
Because becoming an Admiral required more than just strength.
Merit mattered too.
Fujitora and Ryokugyu were both newly recruited through the World Military Draft.
Compared to them—
Vergo possessed far greater seniority and accomplishments.
As long as he displayed sufficient strength—
The Navy leadership, including Akainu and even retired Sengoku, would naturally support this veteran marine becoming an Admiral.
Vergo understood everything immediately.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Rox Star nodded slightly.
Then—
He opened the Anywhere Door and vanished.
Eliminating Tesoro?
Such a trivial matter no longer required Rox Star personally.
With Vergo's current Admiral-level strength—
It would be effortless.
After returning to the G-5 fleet—
Smoker immediately froze.
His pupils shrank violently.
"How...?"
"How did your aura suddenly become so much stronger?!"
"What did you just do?!"
Vergo turned his gaze toward him coldly.
"This has nothing to do with you, Smoker."
"As a subordinate... you have no right to question your superior."
That single glance carried an even more terrifying pressure than before.
Smoker's expression changed drastically.
Cold sweat streamed down his back.
His face turned pale instantly.
He no longer dared say another word.
Vergo snorted coldly.
Then issued an unquestionable order to the entire fleet:
"All forces—change course immediately!"
"Destination: Gran Tesoro!"
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