14 13. The Grand Plan

I had to spend all night telling Bobby about the world around us, its laws, rules, the races that inhabit it, the factions that have power in the world, the past and the possible future that I have already managed to change, about our future plans, goals and etc.

Also, I tried to teach Bobby what it means to be human. Well, or, at least, how to integrate into human society so that no one notices that he is an android. Since, in fact, Bobby was created for this, he learned very quickly and by morning began to behave more humanly, although some oddities remained.

At dawn, I sent him to walk around the city so that he could collect more data and look at the interaction between people. I think it will do him good. At the same time, he will be able to copy the appearance of some random person and stop looking like me.

By the way, I still looked through the encyclopedia that I bought from Gin and actually found the fruit Daiya Daiya no Mi, which gives literally the same powers as my diamond form. Indeed, an incredible coincidence. True, nothing was said about the one who previously possessed his power.

In addition to the fruits I know from anime and manga, I also met many new ones and one of them was called the Meta Meta no Mi. A Paramecia-type fruit that turns the user's body into liquid metal, making him a Liquid Metal Man. Doesn't it remind you of anything? So there was an explanation for Bobby's abilities. Don't have to hide them.

I myself overslept until dinner, and then had breakfast and, having checked out of the hotel, went to Gin's store. Which, for some reason, was closed.

After several minutes of unsuccessful attempts to call the owner, I already began to worry that the old man had become ill and he was dying there, so I decided to open the lock with a master key, but I was interrupted by a kind, feminine voice that came from behind me: - Sorry, you are Nemo?

Turning towards the voice, I saw an elderly lady with a motherly smile. Having examined the woman and not noticing any catch, I politely smiled and said: - Yes, it's me. How can I help?

- Gin-san asked me to give you this when you arrive. - said the woman and handed me, apparently, a note.

- Thanks. - I said quickly, grabbing the sheet and beginning to read its contents.

[Sorry, kid, but I won't be able to say goodbye to you in person. An unforeseen problem arose and I had to leave the island. Be sure to visit me the next time you're in the area again. The doors of my store are always open for you.

You have my den den mushi number, so you can call me when you need information. We'll call in a couple of days, and I'll give you a tip on a wealthy pirate. I think you can cope with it without any problems, and at the same time you will earn good money.

With love, Old Man Gin, zuzuzuzuzuzuzu.]

'Tch, that's sick. I was hoping to ask him Haki. And a map of the Grand Line would be nice to have.' - I thought displeasedly, squeezing the piece of paper.

- Something is wrong? - Noticing my displeasure, the woman who was still standing in front of me asked.

- No, everything is okay. Just upset that I couldn't say goodbye to Gin in person. He helped me a lot. - I lied.

'Okay, it doesn't really matter now. We can keep in touch, and I will always have time to find out everything I need. Besides, I still have a lot of time to learn Haki…. But, all this is strange…' - I thought, with a sigh.

- Is that how? Understand. It looks like Gin-san. He has helped so many people on our island. - the woman said with a smile, interrupting my train of thought.

- Truth? - I asked with a smile, noticing the sparkle in the woman's eyes when she spoke of the old man.

It seems that Gin is still at least somewhere and the ladies are still following him. Everyone should be so active at his age, zuzuzuzu…. Ahem, I've heard that laugh too often lately...

- Yes. And although he is engaged in not entirely honest business, he is doing a good job for the island. He helps people almost free of charge when they have financial difficulties and saves them from distress, unlike the bank, which is ready to take everything to the last. - with a little adoration, said the lady.

- Excuse my curiosity, but what do you know about Gin's past? - I asked, trying not to pay attention to the behavior of a schoolgirl in love, from a woman who was clearly over sixty.

- Not much. He appeared on the island, as if from nowhere, a little over twenty years ago, ten years after the founding of the city. Our mayor is his son. Rumor has it that Gin abandoned him as a child and went to sea to become a pirate. Because of this, the mayor went to the Marines and even wanted to arrest his own father. - Leaning slightly towards me, Madame said quietly.

- Ah, what passions. And how did it all end? - I asked curiously.

It seems that in any world, old gossip girls are the most valuable source of information. If Gin doesn't work, now I know who to seek help from.

- Apparently they never met. According to gossip, the mayor rose to the rank of Commodore, but then left the service when he became disillusioned with the Marines after his home island was destroyed by pirates. Then, he settled Cozia, and then Gin-san found his son. The mayor is still angry with his father and they don't communicate at all, but it seems that Gin does not give up trying to earn forgiveness. I think that's why he helps the locals. - Madame said in one breath.

- And the Mayor, although offended by Gin, still turns a blind eye to his dark deeds, since they benefit the island. - I added with a smile.

- And there is. I have known Gin-san for a long time, and I think that he loves this island, just like the rest of us, and therefore helps in every way he can. For example, yesterday he brought you to defeat Bluejam Pirates. By the way, you are a very impolite young man. They fled without accepting our gratitude. Here, have a pie, you need to eat more. - the women scolded me, and then handed me a big pie.

Um… thanks. Anyway, last question, do you happen to know the name of Gin's pirate crew? - I asked as I took a bite of a pie. Tasty….

- I know that he was the treasurer, but I don't remember the name of the team. I think the mayor said something about Racks Pirates or Rucks Pirates, I'm not sure… - Madame, whose name I still don't know, said thoughtfully.

'Ha, so Gin really is that Silver Ax from the Rocks Pirates. And he was the treasurer… Who would have doubted.' - I thought calmly as I finished my pie.

The only pity is that due to age, he lost all his strength. If you believe the words of this old joker, of course. Such a teacher would be amazing. Well, at least he is ready to share his experience and part of his knowledge with me, which is also very valuable….

- Sorry, but I have to go now. Thank you for the conversation and for the pie. - I said, turning my attention back to the older woman.

- What are you, my dear, it's not difficult for me. Here, hold on to the path. - the woman said kindly, handing me the whole package this time.

- Um… Thanks again. Goodbye. - I said awkwardly.

- Thank you, honey. - waving goodbye to me, the woman said and went about her business.

- Really delicious. - I said as I started eating a new pie and went to the place where Bobby and I met.

***

(3rd POV)

At the same time, in the tallest building in the city, which served as the city hall, on top of the clock tower, there were two men who were watching our main character and discussing their grandiose plans.

- So it really is him, yeah? - a very tall, almost seventy-year-old man with long green hair asked softly as he watched Nemo leave town.

- Yes, I am sure. - said the little old man, also known to us as Gin, nodding his head, standing next to the green-haired man and also watching Nemo.

- And how is he to you? - looking at the old man, the Mayor of Cozia asked with curiosity, and that was exactly what he was.

- Strong, smart, brave, kind-hearted, but not naive. In general, he exceeded all our expectations. - Gin said honestly.

- Well, if you remember who his 'parents' are, it's not surprising. - Gin's son said with a smile.

- Yes, Vegapunk did a great job creating him. Although I saw something familiar in him, Nemo's personality does not remind me of them at all. He is different. More collected, less reckless. - Gin said thoughtfully, analyzing his new acquaintance, whom he met not at all by chance.

- So even better. If all goes according to plan, he will sit on the Empty Throne instead of that bastard, and lead our world into a brighter future. A king who first thinks and then acts is exactly what we need now. - the man said looking into his father's eyes.

- Maybe you're right. After all, we started this whole plan in order to get a worthy ruler, and not a new Joy Boy who will change the world, but will not want to take responsibility for it because of his love of freedom, leaving us to our fate. We all know what this led to. - The old man said shaking his head.

- Right. By the way, since you mentioned Joy Boy, how is Shanks and the others' plan coming along? - the mayor asked.

- They found a possible candidate, they gave him a straw hat and he already ate the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika. But for now, he's not ready to hit the road. There are about three years left to start. - Gin said, showing awareness of the plans of another faction, who also wants to change this world, but in a different way.

- It's clear. Let's see which of us was right in his choice of the way to destroy the current order. - Gin's son said with a little obsession in his voice.

Old Man Gin nodded at his son's words, then said: - You're right, of course, but things aren't going the way we originally planned. I shouldn't have met Nemo so early. And anyway, how did he get to Cozia so quickly? And this is his unusual equipment, costume and mark, it is not clear where it came from....

- Most likely, this is Vegapunk's parting gift, you know him. But, it doesn't matter now, so don't worry about trifles. We originally did not plan to manipulate and interfere heavily in his life, so everything goes on as usual. And it looks like fate favors us. We can only watch from the shadows provide support to the best of our ability and hope that everything will end as we wish. - the mayor said with hope in his voice, looking at the horizon.

- I hope so. We do not want all our efforts to be in vain, as was the case in the past nine attempts. - Gin said with a heavy sigh.

- I feel that this time everything will work out. At the very least, his ability to use the diamond form already proves that this time, things will be different. - the green-haired man said.

- Yeah, who would have thought that he would inherit the powers of the Daiya Daiya no Mi from Xebec without eating the fruit itself. I've heard of similar mutations where the offspring inherit the powers of the Devil Fruits from their parents, but they are usually very weak and extremely rare. Looks like we got really lucky this time. - Gin said with a smile. not knowing that his assumption is not true and this is just a happy coincidence.

- Right. But, the boy is well done, which hides his natural strength behind the devil fruit. In any case, give him your support and help him in his journey in any way you can. If he decided to play Bounty Hunter, then so be it. At least in battles with pirates, he will gain experience and strength. Also, gradually reveal to him the secrets of the world and tell him about the problems of the current world order. I think it will hit him to the core. - ordered his father, a former Marine.

- Understood. What are we going to do about his apparent obsession with gold? It seems that in addition to John's talent, he received his love of money. - Gin asked, remembering his former teammate.

- Nothing. Everyone has their flaws, and since he loves gold so much, why not. Think, it can also be used to win him over to us when the whole truth is revealed. - after a little thought, said the mayor of Cozia.

- Okey. Then I'll take care of Nemo, don't worry, everything will be fine. And what will you do? - said the old man.

- Sengoku contacted me here…. - The man said a little annoyed.

- O? And what, offered to return to Marines? - Gin asked, knowing full well how his son felt about his former comrade, after what had happened to their common homeland.

- Yes. They are now in a bad situation and they can not cope with the influx of new pirates. Sengoku needs people to trust. He offered me the position of admiral and even came up with a call sign. 'Green Bull'. - nodding his head, the vice admiral, and not the commodore, actually said in retirement.

- Not bad, it suits you. - said Gin, remembering his son's fruit, and then seriously asked: - And what do you think? Do you agree?

- Another time, I would send that bastard to hell. But for now, Nemo will need his man in the Marines, who can cover his back from the eyes of the World Government. There is no choice, so you have to agree. - with humility in his voice, said the future Ryokugyu.

- And what, will you leave your beloved Cozia? - Gin asked with a grin.

- Now my place is not here. But I hope you take care of the island while I'm away? - Green Bull asked, looking at his father, whom he is still angry about the past, but for the sake of a brighter future, he is ready to put aside his feelings.

- Don't worry, this is my home too, so I will protect Cozia, zuzuzuzuzu…. - the old man said sincerely.

- Okay, then I will contact Sengoku and accept his offer. Also, I will inform our friends, that the plan has progressed and they should prepare for a meeting with Nemo. - said the green-haired Marine.

- Fine. For Nemo, zuzuzuzuzu. - Gin said with a huge smile, raising his glass of wine.

- For Nemo, rahahaha. - his son replied with the same smile, raising his glass.

- FOR THE FUTURE KING!!! - clinking their glasses, the father and son exclaimed loudly, believing in their dream to change this world, entrusting it to a worthy ruler.

True, they could not even think that the one on whom they placed their dreams and hopes was not a person from this world and knew much more than expected, possessing the Golden Lottery, which completely changes the rules of the game. Wonder how this person will affect the plans of the conspirators?