"One Piece: Sign-In at the Start to Get Ryūjin Jakka"

Not long after Roya left, Vice Admiral Tsuru arrived with a large contingent of Marines, surrounding the island. The only one left behind was Corazon, who had just been revived by Roya and was now regaining consciousness.

"Corazon!!!"

"Where are the medics? Get them over here now!"

"We must save Corazon at all costs!"

Vice Admiral Tsuru stared at Corazon anxiously. As an old friend of Sengoku, she had only just learned of Corazon's existence from him.

Not only was he a Marine spy—he was also Sengoku's adopted son!

They had to save him!

Tsuru immediately called for the medical team to examine Corazon while she took the opportunity to search the island for clues.

She approached a nearby building, lightly brushing her fingers over the scorch marks covering its surface.

The burns were everywhere, countless in number. Remembering the towering flames she had witnessed earlier, Tsuru felt her heart tremble.

"What terrifying power..."

Just as she muttered these words, the medical team finished their examination and hurried over to report.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, we've completed the examination of Corazon's condition."

The head medic hesitated, his expression strange.

"However... It's very odd. Despite Corazon's body being in a state that should have been fatal—multiple severe injuries, critical condition—he shows no signs of life-threatening danger. His blood circulation is normal. It's almost as if... as if he underwent a miraculous surgery!"

Tsuru's eyes darkened at the medic's words.

"A miraculous surgery, huh?" she murmured. "It seems the Fruit of Surgery has already been taken and consumed by someone."

With that thought, she walked over to Corazon.

Lying on the ground, Corazon saw Tsuru approaching and tried to sit up, but she stopped him.

"Corazon, I just have a few simple questions for you."

"Understood."

Though no longer in mortal danger, Corazon's voice was still weak.

"Do you know the identity of the powerful individual who suddenly appeared on the island?"

Corazon shook his head.

"Did you see his face?"

Another shake.

"What about the Fruit of Surgery? Do you know where it is?"

Again, Corazon shook his head.

He knew it was Roya who had saved him, but he couldn't tell the Marines that Roya had eaten the fruit.

This was his way of protecting Roya—hoping that he would grow stronger at sea and find his own place in this world.

Tsuru studied Corazon's eyes but found nothing.

After a long silence, she sighed.

"Someone, take Corazon back to the ship and let him rest."

Then, she pulled out her Den Den Mushi and called Sengoku.

At Marineford, in Sengoku's office…

Standing by the window, Sengoku answered the call the moment the Den Den Mushi rang.

"Tsuru, is Corazon alright?"

Hearing her confirmation, the tension in his chest finally eased.

"Good, that's good! What about theFruit of Surgery? And Donquixote Doflamingo?"

Tsuru's voice turned bitter.

"The Fruit of Surgery was most likely taken by that mysterious figure on the island. As for Doflamingo... he probably fled the moment that powerhouse made his move."

She relayed everything she had seen in detail.

Sengoku clenched his fists, cold sweat forming on his forehead as he listened to the description of the sky-scorching flames that melted snow, shattered the Birdcage, and stretched for miles.

"Understood. Search the island once more. If nothing turns up, return."

After hanging up, Sengoku reported the situation to Fleet Admiral Kong, who immediately headed to Mary Geoise—the holy land where the Five Elders resided.

"Kong, I hope you bring good news."

One of the Five Elders, holding a sword, spoke coldly.

Unfazed, Kong stood firm.

"The Fruit of Surgery has been stolen."

The moment these words left his mouth, the sword-wielding elder stopped polishing his blade, his oppressive aura crashing down on Kong.

"What did you say?!"

Bearing the pressure, Kong repeated, "A mysterious powerhouse appeared on Hachinosu, the island where the trade was supposed to take place, and took the Fruit of Surgery"

Silence fell among the Five Elders.

A tense atmosphere filled the room.

After what felt like an eternity, one of them—a bald elder—spoke.

"Issue a bounty. Twenty billion berries. We must find this person. I'll mobilize all intelligence agencies to assist in uncovering his identity. The Fruit of Surgery must remain in our hands."

Kong gave a firm nod before leaving Mary Geoise.

The Marines acted swiftly.

Before long, a blank bounty poster—bearing no image, only the description of "a user of devastating flames"—spread across the seas.

Every Marine-controlled island was plastered with these posters. They even collaborated with Morgans, the information magnate, dispatching countless News Coos to ensure the bounty reached every corner of the world.

On Moby Dick, Whitebeard's flagship…

Marco stared at the latest bounty poster, baffled by the blank image.

"Pops, the Marines just issued a bounty with no picture—just a description of someone who can control apocalyptic flames. Twenty billion berries."

His words drew the crew's attention.

"What?! Twenty billion?! For a guy with zero info?!"

"What the hell did this guy do to piss off the Marines this badly?!"

"Gurararara! Sounds like someone I'd want as my son!"

Whitebeard's booming laughter echoed across the deck, infecting his crew with the same mirth.

Marco sighed. "Pops, not again..."

On Whole Cake Island…

Charlotte Linlin, preparing for her first tea party, glanced at the newspaper and scoffed.

"Twenty billion berries? Those Marine dogs have truly lost their minds!"

Beside her, Katakuri spoke calmly.

"For the Marines to act so recklessly, this person must have struck a nerve. Perhaps something critical to their interests."

Linlin licked her lips. "Once the tea party is done, if this guy shows up, I'll turn his soul into a snack. Bet it'll taste delicious!"

"Yes, Mama."

On a small, unnamed island…

Roya clutched the blank bounty poster, warmth filling his chest as the image of that invincible figure burned in his mind.

"Once I'm strong enough... I will follow you!"

His voice rang out across the island.

Meanwhile, the man behind the blank bounty had just spotted a woman adrift at sea…