Chapter 73: Splitting Up — Itachi and Law Head to Rakesh Callender
Three Days Later — Eastern Coast of the Small Island
"Come, Master Itachi. Test your new power."
Law stepped aside, gesturing toward the open sea before them.
In the tall grass behind the two, dozens of Freys Pirates members huddled together, watching with barely contained excitement. Freys himself was front and center, blinking rapidly.
"It's only been three days! Has he really recovered?!"
"Look—he's still wrapped in bandages!"
"Shh! He said not to call him 'God Itachi' anymore! It's 'Brother Itachi' now!"
"YOU'RE the one who's too loud! Blink!"
"Brother Trafalgar said no following! If they catch us, they'll chase us off!"
The whispered argument continued as Itachi stepped toward the water's edge.
He stood motionless for a moment, the breeze catching the open coat draped over his bandaged shoulders. Then—
His eyes opened.
The Kaleidoscope Sharingan spun to life.
Crimson light erupted around him—Susano'o's skeletal form manifesting, growing, armoring. Ribs became flesh. Flesh became armored plating. The skeleton rose into the half-bodied Tengu form, towering above the shoreline.
Itachi's right hand clenched.
Armament Haki flowed—black lightning crawling up his arm, across his shoulder, into Susano'o itself.
The Tengu's armored right hand darkened with the same Haki.
The Totsuka Blade drew. Haki coated it—black flames over crimson fire.
Law's eyes gleamed.
"Haki coating... on the crimson giant itself?"
Itachi swung.
BOOM.
The sea parted. Not a cut—an annihilation. Water split to the ocean floor, revealing bare rock and sand for hundreds of meters. The wave that followed exploded outward—a tsunami in reverse, larger than the island itself.
"AMAZING!!!"
The Freys Pirates burst from the grass, cheering wildly.
Itachi released Susano'o. The crimson giant faded.
He checked his reserves. Pupil power—depleted, but shared the drain with his chakra. Just as Law had predicted.
He turned, acknowledging the cheering pirates with a slight nod.
"Your surgery was successful, Law. Thank you."
Law waved off the gratitude.
"Don't be so formal, Master Itachi. We're allies now."
He smiled.
"Next step—solving your stamina issue permanently. We follow the plan. Rakesh Callender first. The Straw Hats can spend a few days in Dressrosa, gathering information."
Yesterday, Law had finally made contact with Luffy's approaching ship.
FLASHBACK — Transponder Snail Conversation
"WHY can't we all go together?! Itachi's fruit—we should help find it!"
"Calm down, Straw Hat-ya."
"Rakesh Callender isn't like other islands. It's a three-way neutral zone—Revolutionary Army territory adjacent, Four Emperors' influence bleeding in, underground world monsters lurking in every shadow. It's an entire kingdom built beneath the surface."
"Too many people drawing attention—especially with YOUR personality—would get us trapped."
"TRA-GUY! I don't care! You stay right there! I'M COMING!"
[Usopp's voice, distant: "Hey, Law? Question. Do you REALLY think Luffy can go anywhere without causing trouble? His pattern is 'three steps, four incidents'..."]
Luffy (grabbing the snail): "TRA-GUY! WAIT FOR ME! I'M DEFINITELY COMING FOR THIS ADVENTURE—"
"Dressrosa has the world's best barbecue. Skewers. Grilled meat. Endless."
Long pause.
"...Barbecue?"
END FLASHBACK
The lure of barbecue had worked. Luffy was now happily sailing toward Dressrosa.
After further discussion with Nami, the plan was set: split into two groups. The Straw Hats would infiltrate Dressrosa, gather intelligence. Itachi and Law would accompany the Freys Pirates to Rakesh Callender, secure the Root Fruit, and rendezvous quickly.
Law called Freys over.
"You said the Root Fruit has been available for years. Explain."
Freys blinked rapidly.
"Blink. I've been sailing seven years! Blink. Every year, I attend the Rakesh Callender Underground Trading Conference. Blink. And every year, the Devil Fruit list includes the Root Fruit. Blink."
"But it never sells?"
"Blink. Exactly! It's always there, never auctioned!"
Another pirate spoke up. "Captain Freys, remember two years ago? The last Root Fruit auction—it was cancelled, right?"
Freys blinked confirmation.
Itachi's voice cut through. "Then how do you know it's still there?"
"OH! Blink! We got the trading list two months ago! Before Fishman Island!"
Freys gestured. A subordinate produced a blank sheet of paper.
Law frowned. "This is blank."
Freys grinned, striking a match. He held it near the paper—slowly, text appeared.
"Blink! Trade lists are sent to black market merchants near Rakesh Callender every year. Normally, we wouldn't qualify. Blink."
He pointed at the revealed text.
"But THIS year—a new delivery service appeared on the seas. Blink. Buggy's Delivery Service!"
Law's eyebrow rose.
"Buggy? The clown from the Paramount War? Former Roger Pirate apprentice?"
Itachi considered this. "A delivery service operating in these waters... that man must possess considerable strength."
Law shrugged. "Hard to imagine. Maybe he's hiding something."
Freys swept the match across the paper, revealing the complete trading list.
Weapons. Poisons. Government-banned technology. Slaves. Mermaids.
And on the far right—twelve Devil Fruits.
At the bottom of the list:
ROOT-ROOT FRUIT
"It's still there! Blink!" Freys pointed.
Law studied the dates.
"Six days until the conference begins."
He turned.
"Master Itachi. We leave now."
(End of Chapter)
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