Chapter 278: Pure Gold
"In the New World, in the Morley Sea, a massive sea vessel is swiftly sailing across the vast ocean. The flag belonging to the Locks Pirates is flying atop the ship's mast. Ling stands at the ship's bow, his hands crossed over his chest, gazing at the distant sea.
"Pure gold; if we can obtain that thing, then our Locks Pirates won't need to rush anymore." Silently thinking about this, Ling orders the pirates to increase their speed.
Three days later, they finally arrive at the location provided by Doflamingo. Ling looks at the giant Sunfish basking on the sea's surface, and his eyes gleam excitedly.
"Indeed, we've truly found it this time!" Seeing the gigantic piece of pure gold inside the Sunfish's lantern, Ling's whole body bursts into flames. "Everyone, fire all the prepared harpoons, and even if it costs your lives, keep it under control!"
After giving orders to the pirates, Ling spreads his wings and soars into the sky. "Shinryu Emperor Slash!" Drawing the enormous sword from his waist, he ignites it with fiery flames and swings it forcefully.
A massive flaming slash shoots out and violently strikes the giant lantern of the Sunfish's head.
"Boom!"
"Roar!" The flaming slash hits the tentacles of the lantern, causing severe pain that awakens the slumbering Sunfish, which lets out a painful howl. Its massive body violently swings, trying to submerge itself in the sea to evade Ling's relentless attacks.
"Fishman Karate Secret Art: Sea Current Shoulder Throw!" Underwater, watching the sunfish attempt to escape, Shachi immediately employs his secret technique, using his immense strength to lift the Sunfish out of the water.
"Ahh!" Ling, seizing the opportunity, flies towards the soaring Sunfish and strikes its enormous tentacle with his fiery sword, chopping it off.
"Crash!"
"Snap!"
The tremendous force instantly pierces the Sunfish's defense and severs the tentacle before its head.
"Shachi!"
Upon hearing Ling's low growl, Shachi leaps out of the sea and delivers a powerful punch to the Sunfish's belly. The tremendous force sends the sunfish flying. Ling takes this opportunity to continue delivering massive slashes, quickly cutting the Sunfish into pieces.
With the lantern gone, the radiant, pure gold is exposed to the air. Ling does not stop and continuously releases giant slashes, cutting the pure gold into small fragments. He then rapidly flaps his wings to collect all the gold and return it to the ship.
In no time, all the pure gold is collected, and Ling immediately instructs the crew to turn the ship around, paying no attention to the Sunfish roaring and splashing in the distance. Shachi jumps back onto the ship from the sea.
"Is this the pure gold that Captain Locks was talking about, the one that can keep people young forever?" Shachi curiously asks, looking at the pile of shimmering gold on the ship.
"Yes, that's right. With these, our Locks Pirates won't need to declare war on the World Government hastily. We can continue to develop for some time," Ling responds.
"With these, those old folks shouldn't have any objections either." Of course, the old folks Ling mentions wouldn't have any objections even without the pure gold. "Haha, with these, our Locks Pirates can continue waiting for over ten years.
When that time comes, our Locke Pirates will undoubtedly have completely dominated the New World. By then, with our immense power, we'll be able to defeat the World Government," Shachi says excitedly.
If they can quietly develop for over ten or twenty years, as Locks mentioned, the Locke Pirates will succeed. Soon, Ling informs Locks of the news of the pure gold. After learning about the pure gold, Locks sails with Tayzolo and Ares to the Sky Island, Upper Yard.
After arriving in the Golden City with Tayzolo, Tayzolo uses his gold-gold fruit power to combine all the gold into a massive sphere, and then he and Locks fly towards the New World. One week later, after continuous traveling, they finally returned to Glimms on Baihua Island in the New World.
The first thing Locks does upon returning to Glimms is to find Ling. Upon seeing the massive pile of pure gold, Locks' eyes shimmer with an inexplicable light. "Ling, have Doctor Vegapunk process all this pure gold into various ornaments. Then, distribute those ornaments to the main officers of the pirate crew."
"Additionally, prepare a gift of pure gold and personally deliver it to Whitebeard. Tell him it's a gift from his subordinates, and he should leave the New World with his son. Otherwise, I'll give him another gift personally." Ling nods in understanding.
"Captain Locke, what if Whitebeard refuses?" Ling asks, looking at Locke with a calm expression. "Refuses? Heh, if Whitebeard is willing to lose all his sons or family members, then that's his choice. But since Whitebeard has shown us kindness, I don't want to act against him for now. So, Ling, I entrust this mission to you."
Ling nods and then leaves Glimms with all the pure gold, heading to the island where Dr. Vegapunk is located. After Ling's departure, Locks gathers all the core officers of the pirate crew back to Glimms.
Now that they've obtained this treasure, it's time to make some changes to the future policies of the Locks Pirates. In the North Blue, in Do Flamingo's headquarters, Trash Town.
Doflamingo sits high on his throne while reading a book. Below him, his family members are seated.
"Hehehe, my dear family members, I've received the latest information. Locks have obtained what they wanted at that location."
"So, our cooperation has taken effect, and next, we will enter the Grand Line and the New World to reclaim the kingdom that once belonged to us!" Doflamingo extends his arms and grins, filled with boundless ambition.
At this moment, he can see a bright future for himself. "Hehehe, Dofy, does this mean we're going to become the rulers of a country soon, right?" Trebol asks with a snotty nose, smiling mischievously.
"That's right, my family members. We're about to gain control of a massive country to serve as our headquarters!"