The Door-Door Fruit was nothing short of a broken ability—a real bug in the system. Its power allowed the user to open a door on any surface, even in midair. If a door was created in the air, it would lead into a strange, green-hued pocket dimension—a safe space where the user could hide or escape danger.
Rosinante couldn't help but think—if he could get his hands on that fruit, it would be worth storing away. Maybe one day, he could entrust it to a suitable subordinate… or that person. Either way, it was too valuable a power to be left unused.
With that thought, Rosinante stepped out of the cabin. Outside, Turkey and Water Duck were already waiting for him. After giving them a few quick orders, he noticed a ship flying the flag of the World Government speeding toward them from afar.
He frowned. The Government wasn't exactly short on money, so why the rush? Even if a cargo ship had been attacked, this level of urgency seemed excessive.
Then, as Spandine emerged from the cabin, Rosinante's suspicion deepened. CP9 personally guarding a shipment? This wasn't just about precious goods.
He waved Spandine over.
"Hey. Forgot to ask earlier, what kind of cargo are you hauling that CP9 has to guard it personally?"
Spandine hesitated for a moment, then replied, "White Lead. This ship's full of top-grade White Lead."
"White Lead? What does the Government need with so much of that?"
Rosinante narrowed his eyes. Spandine, now sworn to serve him, didn't dare hide the truth. "Sir, allow me to share a secret of the World Government."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Spandine glanced toward Turkey and Water Duck. "This secret is for your ears alone, sir."
At that, the two subordinates wordlessly stepped aside. Spandine lowered his voice.
"Let this be a token of my loyalty. What I'm about to tell you is classified under the strictest secrecy."
Rosinante nodded. "Go on."
"Sir, are you familiar with White Lead?"
"A little. It's Frevance's famous export—a miraculous substance used across industries, even weapon production."
"Exactly." Spandine said with a nod. "But, sir, did you know White Lead is highly toxic?"
Rosinante feigned surprise. "Toxic?"
"Yes." Spandine said gravely. "The World Government discovered that fact over a hundred years ago. Long-term mining and contact with White Lead causes severe poisoning—leading to albinism, drastically shortened lifespans, and eventually, extinction."
"Then why didn't the Government warn Frevance's royal family? Shouldn't they have stopped mining immediately?"
Spandine gave a chilling grin. "They did warn them. But the message sent was the opposite—to increase production. The World Government even raised the purchase price, tempting Frevance's people to mine day and night. The result? An endless flow of White Lead straight into the Government's hands."
Rosinante's expression darkened. "Why? It can't just be for money."
Spandine chuckled. "Money? No, sir. Wealth is valuable, but not enough to make the World Government sacrifice one of its own member nations. The truth is… they discovered a secret about White Lead."
Rosinante's curiosity sharpened. "What secret?"
"White Lead can store energy. It's irreplaceable in the manufacture of advanced weapons. All those trivial applications—paint, cosmetics, even confectionery additives are just what's made from the leftover scraps. The refined core material is extracted and sealed away by the Government."
Rosinante's eyes narrowed sharply. Energy storage, that made perfect sense. On Earth, lead-acid batteries worked on the same principle. If White Lead functioned as a natural superconductor or energy cell, it would indeed be a strategic resource—priceless, and worth killing for.
Spandine leaned closer. "I'll tell you one more thing, sir—a bit of insider gossip. Word is, the Five Elders have ordered CP0 to investigate a scientist named Vegapunk. Apparently, someone leaked his design plans for a laser weapon, and guess what? Its power source runs on stored White Lead energy."
Rosinante's pupils constricted.
Vegapunk. That name was already legendary, the man who claimed to be five hundred years ahead of the world, the genius who would one day create seastone-powered warships and the Pacifista project.
Thinking of those bear-like cyborgs that could fire laser beams from their palms and mouths, Rosinante immediately connected the dots. If Vegapunk's lasers were powered by White Lead, then the Government had indeed destroyed an entire country just to monopolize a weapon's energy source.
It was logical—but unforgivable.
A cold fury welled up inside him. "A filthy regime… treating an entire nation's people like insects. It's despicable."
Rosinante clenched his fists. He wasn't strong enough to change the world yet—but one day, he swore, he would. When that day came, he would tear down this corrupt Government and bring peace to the world.
"Wh–What did you just say, sir?"
Spandine's face went pale. Rosinante hadn't spoken quietly, and every word had reached him clearly. To insult the World Government out loud, that was treason punishable by death!
"Oh? I didn't say anything." Rosinante replied with a disarming smile.
"And you didn't hear anything. Anyway, looks like your comrades are here. I'll be taking my leave."
He patted Spandine's shoulder, then turned toward his men. "Turkey, Water Duck—we're leaving!"
In the next instant, the three of them kicked off into the sky, disappearing toward the coast in a blur of Moonwalk.
(End of Chapter)
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