One Piece: Deriving All Things

Sanders, accompanied by Myskina Acier and his daughter Olga, navigated back to the fabled Sky City.

On the journey, Sanders shared details about his current territories: The Nation of Gods, Sky City, and Dressrosa.

Considering the danger of the secrets they held, Myskina Acier chose to reside temporarily in one of Sky City's villages. For someone who had been cut off from the outside world for nearly 190 years, this seemed like the safest option. Sky City, floating high in the heavens, felt like a sanctuary compared to the Nation of Gods.

"This is your Sky City, Mr. Sanders?"

Looking at the majestic islands hovering in the skies, Myskina Acier couldn't hide his awe. Olga, too, stood slack-jawed, marveling at the view.

"Sky City floats using a Devil Fruit ability, but if you want to see something truly breathtaking, it has to be the actual Sky Islands."

Sanders smiled as he gazed at the islands. "Up there, the clouds form seas you can sail on."

Myskina Acier, now more comfortable around Sanders, expressed his desire:

"What an incredible place. One day, I'd love to see it for myself."

"You will, eventually," Sanders replied nonchalantly. "But for now, remember my warning: the secret of pure gold must never leave your mouths. I have the power to handle the greed it attracts. You do not."

"I understand, Mr. Sanders." Myskina Acier nodded solemnly. "I'll stay in a quiet village and keep a low profile for now. I'll even build a secluded house for Olga and myself. We'll avoid contact with others for a while."

On the journey, he had come to understand that Sanders was no ordinary man. The newspapers he read revealed just how influential Sanders was.

His repeated warnings were clearly for their benefit.

Still, Myskina Acier worried about Olga's brash and outspoken nature, a personality trait shaped by over a century of isolation. He feared her inability to keep secrets and knew living under Sanders' protection in Sky City was the safest option.

"Good. Remember that." Sanders gave a small nod and docked the ship at the island's port.

This port, specifically designed for Sky City's fleet of floating ships, was under strict guard. Several dozen flying vessels, large and small, were docked there. These were powered by stored electricity, allowing Sky City's inhabitants to traverse between the heavens and the earth without Sanders or Nami.

As Sanders disembarked, holding two small boxes—one containing the large piece of pure gold and the other the rings embedded with it—a guard hurried over.

"Captain! You're back!"

"I am. How's the power situation on the ships?"

The guard saluted and reported, "Most ships still have enough power. Since you and Miss Nami were away, we've refrained from making unnecessary trips."

"Good." Sanders nodded. "Let everyone know that now I'm back, they can use the ships freely."

Leaving the port behind, Sanders led Myskina Acier and Olga to the grand palace of Sky City. Along the way, they encountered members of the Thunder God Pirates and local residents, many of whom worked in the massive palace.

This palace, left behind by Shiki the Golden Lion, required an extensive staff just for maintenance.

"Captain! You're back!"

Wappa, the captain of the Divine Guard, sprinted over to Sanders, his enthusiasm evident.

"I am. Looks like you've been training hard while I was gone," Sanders said with a grin, noticing Wappa's increasingly muscular frame.

"Not just me, Captain. Everyone has been training hard," Wyper replied with enthusiasm.

"What about Issho?"

"The Vice-Captain? He's off enjoying himself in Dressrosa."

"Alright. Pass this along—have Law come to see me, and find a quiet spot near the village to build a small house for our new guests."

"Yes, Captain. I'll handle it right away," Wyper responded before turning to leave.

After Wyper left, Sanders turned to Myskina Acier. "Law is the ship's doctor. He'll help treat your daughter's condition. Your house will be built soon. For now, I'll provide you with basic supplies and some funds. Once you're settled, you'll need to support yourselves."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Sanders. We're already more than grateful." Myskina Acier bowed sincerely.

He was well aware that Sanders had no obligation to care for them. Not only had Sanders saved them from the Lantern Giant's belly, but he was also providing a place to live and starting resources. It was far more kindness than they could have expected.

Not long after, Trafalgar Law appeared, striding quickly toward Sanders.

"Captain, you called for me?"

"Yes. Do you have the special medicine for Emperor Fever in stock?"

"I do. The Sky City medical stores are well-stocked. Is someone sick?"

"It's not me," Sanders replied with a faint smile. "It's this little girl." He gestured toward Olga.

"These are my friends, Myskina Acier and Olga. They'll be staying in the village for a while," Sanders introduced them.

"Hello, I'm Trafalgar Law, ship's doctor for the Thunder God Pirates. Just call me Law."

After a brief nod toward the father and daughter, Law turned to Sanders.

"Take them for treatment and find a temporary place for them to stay until their house is finished," Sanders instructed.

"Understood," Law replied before leading the pair away.

With that task complete, Sanders made his way to Nico Robin's quarters.

After knocking on her door, a calm, feminine voice called out from inside.

"Come in."

Opening the door, Sanders found Robin lounging on a chair by the balcony, a book in her hands. Her dark hair was tied into a ponytail, an orange pair of sunglasses resting on her forehead. The gentle breeze stirred a few loose strands of her hair, adding to her serene aura.

"Sanders, you're back," Robin greeted, setting her book aside.

"Yeah, I'm back," Sanders replied, walking to the opposite chair. He placed the two small boxes on the table and poured himself a cup of tea from the nearby pot.

"How did it go?" Robin asked, her tone casual.

"Smoothly. I got everything I wanted."

Taking a sip of tea, Sanders raised his hand. His palm transformed into a dragon's claw, its sharp scales glinting in the sunlight.

Robin glanced at the claw without surprise. "You're growing stronger by the day. What's next? Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit?"

"Not yet." Sanders shook his head thoughtfully. "For now, I'll focus on refining what I already have. My body is no longer a weak point. I can take on anyone, even the Four Emperors. The only question is how long it'll take me to defeat them."

Robin chuckled softly. "No more rivals? You really are a monster, Captain."

Her words carried no doubt. Robin knew well that even before acquiring Kaido's Mythical Zoan ability, Sanders had been on par with the Four Emperors. Now, with his vastly enhanced physical abilities, his supremacy was unquestionable.

"Anything happen while I was gone?" Sanders asked.

"Nothing major," Robin replied. "Though some of the crew are restless. After your battle with Kaido, your absence for so long made them nervous."

"Now that you're back, everything feels normal again," Robin said with a soft smile. Sanders was the heart of the Thunder God Pirates.

Every crew member had joined because of him, but they hadn't been together long enough to build strong bonds with each other. Sanders' month-long disappearance had left everyone uneasy.

"Robin," Sanders began, his tone calm. "Have you heard of Alchemi?"

"Alchemi? The legendary island that vanished two centuries ago?" Robin's eyes lit up with recognition. Her extensive knowledge never failed to impress.

"That's right. That's where I've been recently, picking up a few things," Sanders confirmed with a nod.

"Pure Gold?" Robin asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

There was no mistaking it. If Sanders had gone out of his way to visit Alchemi, it had to be for the legendary Pure Gold.

"Exactly. The Pure Gold created by Myskina Acier," Sanders replied.

"Incredible… So the legend is true," Robin murmured, her gaze drifting toward the small box Sanders had brought with him.

Pure Gold—legendary for its rumored ability to halt aging and extend life indefinitely—was something she'd only read about in myths and fables.

"So, it's true that it can delay aging? A form of pseudo-immortality?" Robin's disbelief showed in her widened eyes as she stared at the box.

Sanders smiled knowingly. He recalled how, during Trafalgar Law's recruitment, he had mentioned knowing many ways to achieve immortality. It hadn't been an exaggeration.

"Close the balcony doors," Sanders instructed. "Pure Gold is best examined in a sealed space."

Once Robin had done so, Sanders drew the curtains, plunging the room into darkness.

"Why does it need to stay out of the light? Is there some kind of taboo?" Robin asked curiously.

"There's a legendary curse associated with Pure Gold," Sanders began, his voice low and steady. "It's said that anyone who possesses it is doomed to misfortune."

Robin arched an eyebrow. "A curse? Do you believe it?"

"Not exactly," Sanders replied with a chuckle. "The truth is more practical. There's a specific fish—a giant anglerfish—that's irresistibly attracted to the glow of Pure Gold. Every time Pure Gold is exposed to light, it draws this creature toward it."

"And this fish… swallows it whole?"

"Exactly. That's the so-called 'curse.' Alchemi itself vanished because it was swallowed by this anglerfish," Sanders explained.

Robin's expression shifted from curiosity to realization. "So that's the true story behind the legend. Alchemi's disappearance wasn't supernatural—it was just a meal for a fish."

"Smart as always," Sanders praised her with a snap of his fingers. He then opened the box, revealing the Pure Gold inside.

A blinding light illuminated the room, even through the protective container.

"Even though we're ten thousand meters in the air, it's better to be cautious," Sanders remarked. "The anglerfish can't reach us up here, but if it senses Pure Gold in the seas below, it might linger around Dressrosa and cause trouble."

Robin leaned closer, her fingers brushing the gleaming material. "So, this is Pure Gold… Does it really grant immortality?"

"Absolutely. Exposure to its glow over long periods has proven it. The results have been verified," Sanders explained.

"Verified? How?" Robin inquired, her brow furrowed.

"Myskina Acier developed Pure Gold to save his terminally ill daughter, Olga. Both of them are still alive today," Sanders said with a grin.

"Still alive?" Robin's usual calm demeanor faltered. She was genuinely astonished.

Myskina Acier had lived nearly two centuries ago. If he were alive today, he would be over 240 years old—approaching the lifespan of a Giant.

"Not only that," Sanders continued, "Olga still looks the same as she did at six years old. In nearly two hundred years, she hasn't aged a day."

Robin sat back, overwhelmed by the implications. Pure Gold wasn't just a myth; it was tangible proof of a kind of eternal youth.

For the first time in a long while, she was left speechless.

"A little girl who's lived for over two centuries?" Robin whispered, her astonishment evident. "It seems Pure Gold truly can grant a long life."

"The father and daughter are currently staying in the palace," Sanders explained. "If you'd like to learn about events from two centuries ago, you can talk with them."

Robin's eyes lit up. As an archaeologist, her greatest desire was to uncover the mysteries of the Void Century. Though this didn't directly relate, speaking with people from two hundred years ago was still an incredible opportunity.

Her excitement was palpable, the gleam in her eyes reflecting the glow of Pure Gold. Sanders chuckled at her eager expression.

"No need to rush," Sanders reassured her. "They'll be staying in Sky Island for a long time, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to talk with them. For now, though, there's something I want to ask you."

Robin looked at him curiously. Sanders' expression grew serious as he pulled out another small box.

"Nico Robin, would you like to have a long life?" he asked solemnly, extending the box toward her.

Robin hesitated, her gaze fixed on the mysterious box. Before she could respond, Sanders placed it in her hands.

"Whether you want it or not, it's entirely up to you," Sanders said with a playful smirk.

Robin opened the box to find a simple yet elegant ring inside. On the inner side of the band was a tiny fragment of Pure Gold, glinting faintly.

She immediately understood the implications. By wearing this ring, she could attain a prolonged life, possibly even eternal youth. It was a temptation that few could resist—especially the promise of staying forever young.

After a moment of silence, Robin let out a soft chuckle.

"Sanders," she began with a teasing tone, "do you know what it means to give a woman a ring?"

Sanders raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Of course."

"Well, Captain," Robin said, closing the box and tucking it into her coat pocket, "I'll think about it."

Sanders' smile widened, pleased by her reaction. However, her next words wiped the grin off his face.

"Captain, you really shouldn't go around giving rings to every woman you meet," she remarked with mock sternness.

"Cough, cough! Nothing like that! I'm still a young man, you know," Sanders stammered, scratching his head.

"Oh? That's not what it looked like when you were chatting with that bartender on Sabaody Archipelago for hours," Robin teased, clearly referring to Shakky.

Sanders coughed again, trying to defend himself. "That was... unavoidable! I'm too strong; I might accidentally hurt someone who doesn't understand my strength!"

Robin raised an eyebrow, her expression filled with disbelief.

Realizing he was digging himself into a hole, Sanders quickly gathered the Pure Gold and dashed out of the room with a sheepish laugh.

As the door closed behind him, Robin couldn't hold back her laughter anymore. She touched her slightly flushed cheeks and muttered, "What a greedy man, Sanders!"

Her expression softened as she took out the ring from her pocket. Her Devil Fruit powers activated, and additional arms sprouted from her body, each one holding the ring, turning it over in inspection.

"I am, after all, the user of the Flower-Flower Fruit," she mused aloud with a sly smile.

She slipped the ring onto her finger, then reconsidered and moved it to another finger. Satisfied, she tucked it away discreetly.

Meanwhile, Sanders was humming a tune as he strolled into the main hall, only to find Law, Baby-5, and the others gathered around, deep in discussion.

"What's going on?" Sanders asked, curiosity piqued as he walked over.

Peckoms turned to look at him and blurted out, "Captain, you're back so soon?"

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T/N:

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