Chapter 17: Rayleigh And The Perennial Youth Operation

When Aokiji consumed the potion.

Rayleigh, from the Sabaody Archipelago, has completely obtained the bonus of life.

He's now twenty years younger.

For someone alive, especially an elderly man pushing eighty, this is indeed the greatest reward.

Inside Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.

Rayleigh sits in front of the bar, and you can see him changing visibly, becoming younger right before your eyes.

The wrinkles on his face diminished, and his once pale, lifeless hair swiftly transformed into a vibrant golden hue.

It happened almost instantly.

Rayleigh reverted to his fifties and sixties.

With blond hair, most wrinkles vanished from his face, his physique gained a bit more strength, and he radiated vitality.

"Rayleigh, that's an incredible transformation."

Shakky, seated on the opposite side, observed Rayleigh's changes and couldn't help but be amazed.

The Rayleigh we saw before was seventy-eight years old, and despite his strength and good care, he still appeared quite old.

However, it was evident that he was an elderly man.

Rayleigh, now twenty years younger, appears to be in the prime of his life, not a day over sixty.

"I'm a bit envious."

Shakky commented with a small sigh.

"You seem younger than me now. Do you still have to envy me?"

Rayleigh couldn't help but laugh.

Shakky wasn't significantly younger than him, but with the outward appearance of being twenty years younger, she looked more youthful.

It's truly an unresolved mystery.

"But it's still regrettable. It would be fantastic if lifespan could be exchanged for a 20-year revival card."

Rayleigh swirled the wine glass in his hand and spoke with a sip.

Even though the 20-year revival card can't bring Roger back directly, it's almost equivalent.

"What happens after Roger is revived?"

Shakky lowered her eyes slightly, took a light breath, and said, "Roger would be resurrected in his fifties. Without this reward, he would be eighty. Rayleigh, it's not a bad outcome."

Rayleigh paused for a moment, looked at Shakky, and couldn't help but smile, "You're absolutely right, Shakky."

"By the way, wasn't there a revival card this time? A little girl ended up with it."

Rayleigh suddenly recalled this and hastily entered the chat room.

The chat room is now chaotic, with the little girl named Koala taking centre stage.

After a bit of insight, Rayleigh understood why.

The resurrection card with a ten-year guarantee is already quite formidable.

This fortunate little girl named Koala hit the jackpot.

She randomly obtained a thirty-five-year resurrection card.

Even if the extra years from this resurrection card can't be exchanged for lifespan, it's still quite impressive.

Thirty-five years allow her to revive any deceased being within that time frame.

This can already bring back the person that most people in the world today wish to resurrect, including Rayleigh.

It's been only twenty-four years since Roger's execution, and this resurrection card is more than sufficient.

Rayleigh said, "Koala, please, if you use this card to revive our captain Roger, the entire Roger pirate crew will be deeply indebted to you."

Douglas Bullet added, "Count me in. You can name anyone you want to eliminate as long as you can bring Roger back."

Copper Jabba said, "Hey, Bullet, close your mouth; don't frighten the little girl."

Whitebeard added, "The Whitebeard Pirates are ready to lend a hand too."

Sengoku questioned, "Is a pirate's promise trustworthy? You pirates, after all, go against the World Government's promises."

Sengoku directed his words to Koala, "I guarantee, in the name of the former Marine Marshal, as long as you help me revive Rosinante, everyone in the Marines will be your ally."

"I believe that despite the old man's retirement, with his reputation and connections, you can navigate the World Government's corridors, except for the Celestial Dragons."

Koala replied, "Well, I'm from the Revolutionary Army."

Sengoku responded, "Excuse me."

Golden Lion shamelessly declared, "Little girl, as long as I can be resurrected, I'm willing to join the Revolutionary Army."

He said this without any shame. After being defeated by the Straw Hat Boy, he was left entirely on his own. Joining the Revolutionary Army was an option he could easily discard.

Shiki even considered a way to absorb the power of the Revolutionary Army for his personal gain.

Kaido interjected, "Enough of this nonsense, Shiki. You still want to join the Revolutionary Army?"

BIGMOM stated, "If you can assist in reviving MOM Carmelite, all nations will be under your command."

Zoro pleaded, "Help me bring Kuina back, please."

Trafalgar Law added, "And if I can revive Corazon, I'll perform an immortal surgery for you."

Things were already getting quite outlandish.

Luo's entry intensified the chaos of pursuing resurrection cards even further.

The immortal surgery.

The most formidable figures in the world are well aware of this ability of the Op-Op Fruit.

After all, a single Devil Fruit can command a bounty of five billion Berries in the underworld, indicating its immense value.

It's worth noting that the bounties offered by the Four Emperors pale in comparison to that.

The drawback of the immortal surgery is its steep cost. It involves sacrificing the person's own life. Hence, typically, those without special abilities opt for this procedure.

However, at this particular juncture, Luo could use the eternal life surgery as a bargaining chip, truly driving people to the brink of madness.

It's worth noting that the resurrection card may not hold significance for everyone. For instance, Kaido has no desire to revive anyone. Since the moment he was sold as a slave by the country, he had no family or friendship to speak of.

As for Rocks? What connection does he have to it?

Shiki as a former partner? Don't joke around.

Resurrection might not be appealing, but eternal life holds an incredibly terrifying allure for everyone in this world.

It's potent enough to make individuals give up everything in its pursuit.

"Captain."

At this moment, within a submarine, in the depths of a sea area.

Beibo and the others glanced at Luo with complex expressions.

"Sorry, buddy."

Luo's gaze remained resolute as he stated, "My life was originally purchased by Corazon with his own life, including this Op-Op Fruit."

"I don't want to miss this chance. If I let it slip away, I might never get it again in the future."

Corazon passed away thirteen years ago, and ordinary resurrection cards wouldn't bring him back.

This 35-year resurrection card presents a golden opportunity.

Luo is determined not to let it go, even if it means undergoing eternal life surgery at the expense of his own life.