"Madam, is dinner ready?"
Back at the same restaurant, Chronos greeted the proprietress as soon as he entered.
A promise made should be properly kept—those who break their word are contemptible.
"Of course!"
The proprietress beamed with delight, but upon seeing the listless Jade, she couldn't help but find it peculiar.
"Is this little girl your child?"
Chronos made a fist and pointed his thumb toward Jackie Chan, introducing, "This is Jackie Chan, the uncle of that one, Jade Chan."
Looking at the slightly awkward Jackie Chan, the proprietress chuckled and said:
"She must be quite a clever child, thinking of helping you find the ruins too~"
"If she were a little less clever, I'd be thanking the heavens."
Jackie Chan sighed dejectedly—this child Jade was just too clever.
The proprietress smiled but didn't pry further into others' family affairs, heading into the kitchen to pick up the already prepared ingredients and start cooking.
"Now that my request is completed, Jackie, what are your plans next?"
At the dinner table, Chronos struck up a casual conversation, posing the question to Jackie Chan.
To be precise, Chronos had only recruited Tohru so far. Jackie Chan was merely helping out as a friend and wasn't yet considered part of his crew.
"Of course, I'll take Jade back to Pops, then have Pops keep a close eye on her. After that, I'll continue traveling to various places to study ruins and work as an archaeologist!"
Thanking the bespectacled waitress who brought over tea, Jackie Chan picked up his teacup, blew on the steam, and replied naturally.
Hearing this, Jade abruptly looked up, her face wearing a stubborn expression of refusal.
Jackie Chan saw it but calmly averted his gaze, pretending nothing had happened.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you have another ruin you need my help finding?"
Jackie Chan was puzzled—since when had Chronos become so interested in archaeology?
"I just think your skills are impressive and wanted to hire you. Care to consider it?"
Chronos said half-jokingly and half-seriously, though in truth, he didn't hold much expectation.
Given Jackie Chan's personality, he likely wasn't suited for working obediently for someone else.
Sure enough, Jackie Chan immediately shook his head and said bluntly, "Spare me, Chronos. I'm really not cut out for your kind of adventures. I just want to be an ordinary archaeologist."
"An ordinary archaeologist who can kick over a nearly seven-meter-tall giant?"
Moria, who had been sitting quietly nearby, exclaimed in disbelief—why was his embarrassing past being brought up again!?
Jackie Chan was at a loss for words but still waved his hand, indicating it was just kung fu.
"Since you're set on this, I naturally won't force you. But as friends, if you ever need my help in the future, just say the word."
As for Jackie Chan, Chronos didn't actually crave his allegiance. Even though Jackie was a 'superman' in many respects, he truly only wanted to live a peaceful life.
Moreover, with Jackie's kind-hearted nature, he wasn't suited to follow Chronos in 'conquering the world.'
"Thank you."
Jackie Chan relaxed and smiled, cherishing Chronos's friendship.
As for the future, now that characters from the Adventure World had begun to integrate, how could the villains be left out?
The Black Hand, Saint, Drago, Tala, Demon Xiaolong, demonic aura, shadow masks...
Even if Jackie Chan left, he likely couldn't escape the clash between righteousness and dark energy, and would surely contact Chronos again.
The food was about ready, so everyone opened their appetites, chatting as they ate.
After the meal, the group once again gave high praise to this restaurant.
Chronos paid the bill in full and led everyone away.
"Moria."
On the road, Chronos patted Moria's arm, catching the big guy's attention.
"What?"
"Become my partner? I have a bold plan next."
"Oh?"
Moria was also thinking. Honestly, with Chronos being a Triple Devil Fruit Ability User, his future was destined to be extraordinary.
In terms of strength, Moria also acknowledged Chronos; in terms of getting along, during their days on the Ark Maxim, Moria felt comfortable too.
Thus, Moria found he didn't really have any reason to refuse.
"But I still have Little Perona."
Yet when the words came to his lips, Moria showed a different side.
Chronos smiled—how could he not understand what Moria meant.
"Aren't you going to make Little Perona the Ghost Princess? How about we take over a few islands and make that princess title official?"
Moria grinned, his sharp fangs forming a terrifying smile.
That settled everything.
"If you can't do it, I'll leave on my own and make Little Perona a princess myself!"
"Of course."
The two men's fists bumped, and nothing more needed to be said.
Jade cast an envious look toward Jackie Chan—she wanted to be a princess too.
Jackie Chan could only look helplessly at Chronos; he knew his friend was planning something big!
Amidst the laughter and chatter, Chronos once again expanded his lineup, and the group gradually moved away from the island, approaching the vicinity of the Ark Maxim.
Then, a tall, slender yet powerfully built man smiled as he approached the group, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
A dark red suit paired with a large blue boutonniere, along with the bat-shaped umbrella in his hand—all these details confirmed his identity.
The Legendary Pirate, Red Count, Baron Redfield.
"Chronos! Jackie Chan! Moria! Jade!"
A familiar voice rang out, clear and carrying the innocence and naivety of a child.
The little raccoon dog Patton appeared, perched on Red Count's shoulder, greeting them cheerfully.
"Patton!"
The first to respond was naturally Jade, who only saw her friend.
Just as she thought about stepping forward to greet him, the back of her neck was grabbed by fate, causing her to slip in place a few times. Jade looked up in confusion and saw Jackie Chan's serious expression.
"Uncle Dragon?"
Jade called out tentatively—what kind of expression was that?
"Oh, it's Patton. Good to see you again."
Chronos stepped forward, responding warmly, while also greeting the old veteran.
"Long time no see, Senior Red Count. Are you here to catch up with me?"
His attitude was very calm, as if Red Count really was just an elder who had come to chat.
Red Count's lips curled into a smile, his hawk-like eyes glancing at Chronos before surveying each person around him one by one.
Tohru, Jackie Chan, Moria, Angeles, and finally Jade—his gaze lingered longest on Jade, as if marveling at this little girl.
"It's been a long time, Chronos. How is that fellow Whitebeard's health?"
"Pops is doing very well. Just the other day, he took us soaring through the skies and diving into the seas. And you, senior?"
"I'm not doing so great. Seems I've aged a bit, and my body isn't as nimble as it used to be."
Red Count seemed to be sighing, but Chronos didn't believe a word of this old-timer's nonsense.
In a sense, Red Count was actually a figure from the Rocks era. His debut came only a few years after Rocks.
But precisely because of that, Red Count carried a lifelong regret.
From Rocks' debut to his end at God Valley, his active period spanned at least eighteen years. It was during this time that Red Count gradually rose to his peak.
Whitebeard is not yet fifty, but Red Count is already approaching sixty.
In the world of pirates, where strength accumulates with age, the average peak period is around forty and above, with decline slowly setting in around sixty.
Red Count was indeed nearing the onset of that decline.
"So, can you do me a favor, kid from Whitebeard's crew?"
Red Count's tone remained calm, but aside from the two children, everyone on Chronos' side grew serious.
"Let's hear it, old-timer. If it's reasonable, I might just agree."
"Lend me the archaeologist by your side. On this island, I want to find something."
Red Count smiled, as if the earlier little test had never happened.
Jackie Chan pointed at himself in disbelief, as if confirming it was him he wanted.
"Let's speak plainly, senior. It was you who ambushed us earlier, wasn't it? That inexplicable God Valley battle."
"Of course, but it was just a test."
"That's too casual, senior."
"However, I should also tell you something. What you're looking for is the Mythical Zoan: Vampire Fruit, right?"
"Clever kid."
Red Count wasn't surprised. After all, if he could uncover this information, how could Chronos not know?
"Then it's a bit unfortunate."
"Because..."
Under Red Count's gaze, Chronos flashed a bold smile, extended his hand, and clenched his fist tightly.
A crimson light flashed, and Chronos' body underwent a sudden transformation—a slender figure, sharp claws, vampiric fangs, and bat-like wings.
Vampire Fruit: Human-Beast Form.
"That fruit has already been eaten by me, senior. You're too late."
!
Red Count's pupils contracted to the size of pinpricks, and his voice trembled.
"No, impossible. Aren't you already a Rumble-Rumble Fruit Ability User? How can you also possess the power of the Vampire Fruit!?"
"Of course, it's because..."
Zzzap~
The crackle of electricity sounded as half of Chronos' body transformed into lightning.
"I'm a monster capable of consuming multiple Devil Fruits~"
Contrary to expectations, Red Count didn't break down. Instead, he looked at Chronos with a gaze of understanding, which was quite strange.
After a long moment, Red Count spoke again.
"So that's how it is... Is that it? No wonder that fellow Whitebeard sees you as his successor. So that's it."
The scene fell into silence at that moment. The little tanuki Patton looked left and right, his face filled with confusion.
What's going on? He just wanted to bring his boss to meet his friends!
Swoosh~
A light, crisp sound of a sword rang out as Red Count raised his umbrella, which resembled a bat umbrella but was actually a renowned blade—the umbrella sword.
"Shall we exchange greetings as pirates?"
"If you insist on the invitation, senior..."
A curve formed at the corner of Chronos's lips. He genuinely wanted to see the gap between himself and the legend now.
"Moria, please take Jackie Chan and the others away first. I'll catch up with the old senior."
Moria opened his mouth, glancing at Chronos's position as if wanting to say something but hesitating.
In the end, however, he gritted his teeth and nodded, pulling Tohru and the others away in the blink of an eye.
Patton's body stiffened abruptly as he turned back, looking at Red Count in disbelief.
"Boss, why? They're friends!"
"They're your friends, not mine, Patton. Step aside."
Red Count spoke unhurriedly, his fingers already tightly gripping the umbrella handle.
The little tanuki's pupils trembled, pain evident in his expression. No, this couldn't be real.
Tap, tap, tap...
Patton dashed in front of Red Count, his large steel-pen tail making crisp sounds as it struck the ground.
"No, boss, don't fight. Friends shouldn't..."
Whoosh!
Before Patton could finish his sentence, Red Count's figure had already closed in on him, almost as if teleporting.
"Annoying!"
With a swift kick, Red Count sent Patton flying, the forceful motion stirring up a gust of wind.
Patton's eyes quivered, not from physical pain but from the ache in his heart.
"Boss..."
Muttering these words, Patton's gaze remained fixed on Red Count.
Thump!
Chronos reached out and caught Patton, who was flying straight toward him.
Looking at the little tanuki with tears at the corners of his eyes but still conscious, then glancing at Red Count's calm expression, Chronos couldn't help but chuckle.
What an undignified old senior~
If you want to find a way out for your child, why go to such lengths?
Patting Patton's large head, Chronos said calmly:
"This isn't your fault, Patton. I'll help you give your boss a good beating."
"No! Don't hurt the boss!"
Patton struggled to straighten up, trying to stop Chronos.
Red Count's hawk-like eyes flickered, but he averted his gaze.
Chronos found this amusing, then sent a faint electric current through his fingertips.
A paralyzing current.
Zap!
Patton's body swayed, his eyes losing focus as his head drooped and he 'fell asleep.'
After carefully placing the little tanuki aside, Chronos turned his attention back to Red Count.
"Are you so used to being alone that you don't even want to bring your own child along?"
Red Count's expression stiffened before he replied in a rigid tone, "It's not my child, just a tool. If it weren't for it, back at God Valley..."
Before he could finish, Chronos cut him off.
"Really? I don't believe it."
"Senior Red Count, I've looked into your records. During your early days, you had an alias, didn't you?"
Red Count suddenly looked up, a barely noticeable mix of shame and panic flashing in his eyes.
"Patton, if I'm not mistaken, that was your name during your early days. You gave your name to Patton, yet you want to deny that he's your child?"
Chronos's words carried a hint of amusement. It seemed that these old-timers who hadn't done much wrong and leaned toward the good side were all tsunderes~
"Shut up!"
Red Count was furious and humiliated. He only wanted Patton to have a better future—what was the point of following an old man like him!?
Boom!
Haki surged as Red Count fell silent, immediately greeting Chronos with an attack.
The crimson sword energy miraculously transformed into spirals, resembling circular saws or drills. Six Flying Slashes shot straight toward Chronos.
Unlike Whitebeard's overwhelming force or Rocks' unrestrained power, Red Count's sword techniques emphasized one thing: speed.
In almost the blink of an eye, those six slashes were already grazing Chronos' skin.
Chronos' figure flickered, lightning flashed, and with Observation Haki, he deftly evaded them.
Then, in the next second, Red Count's figure appeared right beside Chronos.
"Kid, get serious!"
An attack infused with genuine Haki struck. Chronos' body reacted instinctively—the sense of reality was far greater than in that false God Valley!
Without a second thought, Chronos grasped at the air, summoning crackling lightning that swiftly materialized.
Thunder Sword - Qinghong!
Clang!
Crack!
The moment their swords clashed, Red Count immediately pressed down. The terrifying monstrous strength, completely mismatched with his slender frame, caused the veins in Chronos' arms to bulge.
After all, Red Count was someone who could fight on par with Whitebeard and Roger. While their monstrous strength might not be exactly equal, it was certainly close.
The power tempered by the vast seas already had Chronos' arms trembling.
Without hesitation, Chronos instantly changed tactics. This guy in front of him wasn't exactly elderly yet—matching strength with him was a losing game.
Flash!
Chronos' body transformed into an electric current, attempting to create distance. As he released Thunder Sword Qinghong, he prepared to replicate Moria's explosive tactics.
But...
Whoosh! The instant Chronos moved away, Red Count turned into a crimson blur, closing the gap fiercely.
As a lone wanderer on the seas, Red Count was undoubtedly a well-rounded fighter, whether in terms of shipboard duties or his own abilities.
But if one had to pinpoint Red Count's defining trait, it wasn't his Observation Haki that could read memories—it was his terrifyingly fast speed.
Often, before enemies could even react, they'd only see a crimson blur before their heads separated from their bodies.
This was also the origin of the "Red" in his epithet, Red Count.
In Chronos' perception, Red Count arrived before him with almost no gap in timing, then raised his umbrella sword.
Slash!
Splat!
A spray of blood flew. Chronos instinctively clutched his wound, glaring intently at the man before him.
Red Count approached unhurriedly, speaking word by word.
"Had enough of playing house?"