"So much happened while I was asleep?"
Listening to iser's explanation, Luffy's eyes were filled with surprise.
He hadn't expected that after defeating Moria, another Royal Seven Warlord of the Sea would appear!
And after this Warlord... Moria actually got back up and started fighting him?
"That's right," iser nodded. "If Moria hadn't suddenly intervened, we would've been in real trouble."
His Chakra was nearly depleted, and his crewmates were either injured or exhausted.
And Kuma... was practically at full strength!
Just thinking about Kuma's Devil Fruit Ability made iser feel it was absurd.
Why did such an outrageous power exist in this world?!
Luffy nodded, then asked curiously, "But why did that big bear show up here?"
"From what he said, he ca to invite iser to beco a Royal Seven Warlord," Nico Robin explained. "Most likely, the World Governnt took an interest in iser's abilities."
Robin understood—compared to her, soone who could read Poneglyphs, the World Governnt was more concerned about iser, the Ninja.
After all... his power didn't originate from a Devil Fruit!
Still, there was one thing Robin found puzzling: How had the World Governnt been so sure Moria would be defeated by them?
Was this Warlord just weak to begin with?
Or... were they preparing for both outcos?
If Moria defeated them, Kuma would only need to take iser away. If they defeated Moria...
Then he would invite iser to beco a Warlord?
Hmm, that made sense when she thought about it.
"Invite iser to beco a Warlord?" Luffy was stunned for a mont before angrily exclaiming, "That damn Kuma, how dare he try to steal my crewmate!!"
"If I see him again, I'm gonna punch him into the sky!"
Luffy was furious. That bastard had the nerve to pull sothing like this while he was asleep—he wouldn't let him get away with it.
Seeing Luffy's anger, iser chuckled. "I didn't accept his offer, you know."
"That doesn't matter! I still gotta beat him up!"
"Alright, next ti we see him, we'll beat him up!"
"Yeah!"
Luffy nodded seriously, already imagining how he'd take down that despicable Kuma.
Though... in Luffy's mind, Kuma's image was that of an actual bear.
"That guy's Devil Fruit Ability is still a huge problem," Zoro said with a frown. "If we don't figure out how to deal with it, taking him down will be tough."
Any attack could be repelled—what kind of terrifying ability was that?
Worse, even after being hit, he could use his power to deflect his injuries... That was just broken!
Hearing Zoro's words, the others fell into thought. The Paw-Paw Fruit's ability was indeed a serious obstacle.
After venting for a while, Luffy gradually cald down—until his stomach started growling.
"Sanji!!"
"I need food!!"
"Sanji's already cooking," rry said.
Sanji had guessed Luffy would wake up soon, so he'd gone straight to the kitchen after leaving the island.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before Luffy woke up.
"That's great~"
Luffy grinned, showing his teeth. Waking up to a al was simply the best feeling in the world.
"There's one thing I'm curious about," Franky said. "Why did Moria help us?"
The mont he spoke, everyone fell silent—even Luffy quieted down. This was sothing he, too, had been wondering about.
"It might have sothing to do with sothing I did."
"Sothing you did?"
"Yeah." iser nodded. "After Moria was defeated by Luffy, he asked a question. So I told him to search for the answer within himself... and hit him with an Illusion Technique while I was at it."
The group exchanged glances, unsure what the issue was.
"Could the key be... your Illusion Technique?" Nico Robin asked.
"Pretty much," iser replied with a sigh. "The ability of this technique is to make the target see the thing they fear most."
"Is that the sa ability you used to make that Ghost Woman see a giant cockroach?"
"Yep."
"Giant... cockroach?"
A question mark popped up over Luffy's head. What the heck was that about?
iser gave him a puzzled look. Luffy had been there the first ti he used the Illusion Technique on the Ghost Woman.
Oh, right. The kid had been lying on the ground sulking at the ti—he probably hadn't heard.
"That Ghost Woman was terrified of it," iser explained. "But why would the thing Moria feared most..."
"...be his dead comrades?"
As he spoke, iser recalled the expression on Moria's face and felt a pang of emotion.
"The thing that terrifies others... was the comrades Moria longed for?"
He didn't know what Moria's comrades had said to him, but the change in him was definitely connected to this.
Maybe... Moria had made peace with himself?
Like... overcoming his inner demons.
Shaking his head, iser said, "Either way, we owe our escape this ti to Moria."
"I see..." Luffy nodded. "Seems like that guy's not so bad after all."
"Wha—?!"
Chopper stared at Luffy in shock. "But he was our enemy before, Luffy!"
"Yeah, he stole your Shadow! Aren't you mad?"
"Ahahaha, that?" Luffy laughed. "I beat him up, so I'm over it."
He had been furious before the fight ended, but once he defeated Moria, his anger faded. He wasn't the type to hold a grudge.
Besides... Moria had saved his crew. Luffy was actually grateful to him.
"That's... so like you, Luffy..."
"Oh, where's Brook and the marriage proposal girl?" Luffy asked, glancing around for his potential crewmate and the friend he'd made this ti.
"Huh?!"
"Usopp's not here either..."
"Brook's in the kitchen chatting with Sanji," iser said. "Usopp hasn't woken up yet—he's still sleeping in Chopper's infirmary."
"As for Lola and the others..."
iser said helplessly, "The situation was quite complicated back then, so Lola and the others left."
"Left, huh..."
Luffy fell silent for a mont. He had really liked those guys—had they already gone?
But this wasn't sothing he hadn't experienced before, so he quickly cheered up and laughed loudly. "Ahaha, well, we'll et again next ti there's a chance!"
Seeing Luffy's laughter, iser also smiled and nodded. "Yeah, if there's a chance, we'll et again in the New World."
Nami had ntioned earlier that Lola's family seed quite influential, but she hadn't gone into detail, so Nami wasn't sure about the specifics.
iser pondered—perhaps she was the descendant of so great pirate or an important figure from a certain country.
The one thing he couldn't figure out was why she proposed to people the mont she t them.
Could it be that she was pressured too much by her family and ran away to seek her own love?
But her idea of love was just too peculiar...
Lost in thought, iser fell into contemplation.
Just then, Brook pushed the door open and announced, "Everyone, Mr. Sanji's al is ready—"
"Huh?!"
"Mr. Luffy, you're awake?!"
"Brook!!"
Luffy sprang up from the deck and rushed over to Brook, exclaiming, "Hey, you! You can join my pirate crew now, right?!"
They had already retrieved his shadow, so naturally, he could stand in the sunlight again and continue his journey!
Hearing Luffy's words, Brook, now bathed in sunlight, laughed. "Yohohoho, I'm glad you rember that. But... there's one more thing I haven't told you."
"What is it?"
"I made an important promise with my crewmate..."
"Is it about Laboon?" Luffy grinned, showing his teeth. "Franky and the others told ."
Brook froze, giving Franky—who was leaning against the wall—a surprised look. He clearly hadn't expected them to share this with Luffy.
"Ah... yes, it's about Laboon."
"He's a little whale nad Laboon, in a certain strait—"
"Brook, we know Laboon."
"Huh?!"
Brook was stunned, staring at Luffy in shock before instinctively asking, "You know him?"
"Yes!"
Sanji walked over from behind and nodded. "We t that big guy at Twin Cape."
"Mr. Sanji too—"
"When we first entered the Grand Line, we ran into him at the entrance," Nami added. "We also learned that Laboon had been waiting there for fifty years..."
"If that guy knew you were still keeping your promise, he'd be overjoyed."
"After fifty years... he's still there...?" Brook's voice trembled slightly.
He had never dread that, fifty years later, that little guy would still be waiting there... Laboon hadn't forgotten their promise!!
"Yes," Nami nodded. "The old man at Twin Cape said you might already be dead, but Laboon refused to believe it."
"Then—he would ram his head against the Red Line every day, never stopping even when he was covered in wounds."
Hearing Nami's words, Brook imdiately grew tense. That little guy was doing sothing like this?
Wasn't he just hurting himself?!
Seeing Brook's reaction, Nami quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, he's stopped harming himself now."
"Luffy made a new promise with Laboon in his own way—to wait for us properly in that place."
Though Luffy's thod had been rough... at least it had made Laboon stop hurting himself.
For them, this was good news.
Listening to Nami, Brook glanced at Luffy, clearly surprised that he would do such a thing.
Still, it was good—at least the little guy wasn't hurting himself anymore.
But just thinking about Laboon ramming into the Red Line before made Brook's heart ache.
"Laboon... how could he do that to himself..."
"Because he wanted to find you all."
At those words, Brook couldn't hold back anymore. His body trembled uncontrollably, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"Then... then is Laboon... still doing well now?"
"Ah, he's as lively as a mountain," Sanji said.
As he spoke, he struck an exaggerated pose, as if trying to show Brook just how massive Laboon was.
"That's great... that's really great!!"
At that mont, Brook's tears spilled over, and he stood there sobbing loudly.
"I've never been this happy in my life!!"
"It's so good to have lived this long!!"
For Brook, today was the happiest day he'd had in fifty years—the day he received the most wonderful news. Laboon was still alive, still waiting for them in that sa place, never changing his mind even after fifty years.
It ant his own perseverance had aning. Laboon hadn't forgotten them!!
Thinking this, Brook cried even harder.
"Thank you... thank you all!!"
"I'm so grateful to you!!"
"Don't be so formal, hahaha," Luffy laughed.
Once Brook had finally cald down, Luffy asked, "So, what do you think now?"
Brook fell silent for a mont, then looked at Luffy with utmost seriousness. "Mr. Luffy... may I join the Straw Hat Pirates?"
"Haha, sure~"
"Eh?!"
"You're agreeing just like that?!"
Sanji and the others stared at Luffy in shock, but the next mont, they all rushed to Brook's side, lifting him up as they shouted, "But... welco aboard, you damn skeleton!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Yohohoho~"
At that mont, Brook once again tasted what it felt like to be a pirate.
As he looked up at the ceiling drawing closer, he murmured in his heart, Laboon... thank you for waiting for all this ti.
After setting Brook down, Luffy said, "If you want to see Laboon, we can turn back right now."
It would take so extra ti, but for Brook's sake, they didn't mind making the detour.
Seeing his companions smiling at him, Brook also laughed, and at the sa ti... he made a new decision in his heart.
Laboon... can you wait for a little longer?
Now that my pirate spirit has been reignited, I too have the ambitions of a pirate.』 Brook murmured to himself.
Back then, they had promised to reunite with Laboon head-on.
So... he hoped that the day he would et Laboon again would be after sailing around the entire Grand Line, facing him head-on!!
Thinking this, Brook said, "Luffy's dream is to sail around the world and beco the Pirate King, right?"
"Yes!"
"Then my reunion with Laboon isn't so urgent anymore." Brook continued, "With our long lifespans, we'll et sooner or later."
"When that ti cos, I'll tell him everything that happened along the way!"
Island whales live for centuries, and after fifty years, he hadn't changed at all, so... their ti was plentiful.
Besides... from their current position, going back or going all the way around didn't make much difference.
So Brook decided to sail around the world with his crew and et Laboon head-on!
The crew exchanged glances, clearly not expecting Brook to make such a decision, but... since it was his choice, they could only respect it.
"Alright, I understand," Luffy nodded.
"Then...
"Let reintroduce myself!"
Brook took out a wanted poster and slamd it firmly on the ground.
"Huh?!"
"A wanted poster?"
"You're a wanted man too?!" Sanji exclaid in surprise.
"Indeed, I am wanted!" Brook knelt on one knee before Luffy, lowering his head as he spoke solemnly, "I am a wanted man with a bounty of 33 million Berries, known as 'Humming' Brook!"
"Forr captain of a certain kingdom's guard, later acting captain of the Rumba Pirates, swordsman, and musician!"
"From today onward, I entrust my life to Captain Luffy of the Straw Hat Pirates. To avoid being a burden, I will fight with every bone in my body!"
"Yohohoho!"
Hearing Brook's words, Luffy burst into laughter and said, "Welco aboard, Brook!!"
"Yohohoho!"
"Everyone, to welco our new crewmate... let's throw a party!!"
"Yeah!!"
Seeing his companions' joy, Brook laughed heartily along with them.
Living this long... truly is wonderful!
anwhile, outside Thriller Bark, a pirate ship floated on the sea.
"Has Lord Moria's battle not ended yet..." Hogback gulped nervously.
Ever since the Straw Hat Pirates left, terrifying explosions had echoed across the island, continuing even now.
Just how intense was this fight?
"Battles at the level of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea don't end so easily," Absalom remarked.
"True, but..."
Hogback hesitated, knowing full well the extent of their Warlord's strength.
Could Lord Moria, who had been defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates... really stand a chance against Tyrant Kuma?
Absalom glanced at Hogback and said irritably, "Lord Moria is different now."
"How so?"
"If you didn't see it, you wouldn't know." Absalom turned to look toward the island's direction. "Lord Moria... he's truly changed."
Having followed Moria for many years, Absalom could naturally discern the state of his captain.
Right now... he only hoped their captain could defeat this Tyrant Kuma.
Hogback looked at Absalom in confusion, unable to comprehend what he ant.
But he didn't dwell on it. Once Lord Moria returned, he would naturally understand Absalom's words.
"Speaking of which, where's Perona?" Hogback asked.
"Her..." Absalom's expression darkened. "No idea where Kuma sent her."
Though that mischievous girl loved pranks, she was still his comrade.
Not knowing whether she was alive or dead weighed heavily on him.
Hogback froze upon hearing Absalom's words, then murmured, "So this is why Lord Moria is fighting Kuma..."
Though Lord Moria never allowed them to call him captain... Hogback could tell—he deeply cared about the three of them.
And now, if Perona had been killed by Kuma, how could Lord Moria not be enraged?
This version of Lord Moria... was truly worth following wholeheartedly.
At this thought, Hogback said worriedly, "They must return safely."
Both Lord Moria... and Perona.
Just then, an even more terrifying explosion resounded.
With this explosion, the distant Thriller Bark... split apart!
As if sothing unimaginably destructive had detonated upon it!!
"What in the... happened?" Hogback gasped in shock.
"This is the level of combat between Royal Seven Warlords..." Absalom gulped. "Truly horrifying."
To think they could reduce an entire island to such a state!
anwhile, the two Warlords who had just been locked in mortal combat had now separated, standing atop massive boulders as they faced each other.
The Thriller Bark beneath their feet had been utterly shattered, its foundation crumbling apart.
Seawater surged from below—soon, this place would sink completely beneath the waves.
"See? This is the result," Kuma stated.
After enduring their battle with the Straw Hat Pirates, this massive ship couldn't withstand the force of their clash.
After all... the Paw Impact he used against Moria was far more devastating than before.
"Just a ship. Broken or not, it doesn't matter," Moria sneered. "I wasn't planning to keep it anyway."
Now, Moria intended to head for the New World.
And for that journey, this oversized vessel was useless. So let it shatter—a celebration of his rebirth!
With that thought, Moria raised his left hand, now twisted and battered from the fight.
Subsequently, the fruit's ability activated, and the Shadow lying on the ground quickly squird, forcibly restoring itself to its original form!
Along with the Shadow's transformation, Moria's bones also emitted a series of cracking sounds!
Crack, crack, crack..."
Soon enough, Moriah's twisted arm forcibly returned to its original state!!
Throughout this process, Moriah was in agony, as he had to endure the pain of his arm being repaired!
Yet, Moriah's expression remained unchanged, still grinning like a madman as he coldly stared at Kuma.
"That's... quite a terrifying ability," Kuma remarked. "To recover from injuries just like that?"
"And you have the nerve to say that about others?" Moriah pointed at the two floating ability gases beside them. "Who was the one bullying people by relying on the power to repel injuries?"
If he hadn't arrived in ti, the Straw Hat Pirates might have been beaten to death by this guy.
Not only that, but this bastard had also used his ability to repel the injuries after being slashed by Moriah earlier.
Honestly, it was downright cheating.
At that mont, a massive fish leaped out of the water, landing right on the injury gas Kuma had repelled behind him.
The next instant...
"Boom!!"
The enormous fish exploded into fragnts!!
Seeing this, Moriah's cold grin widened.
Kuma didn't bother explaining—this was indeed the convenience his ability provided, and there was no reason not to use it.
Watching Kuma's silence, Moriah suppressed his smirk and said, "Kuma... you're truly an outlier among the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea. What did the World Governnt offer you to make you willingly serve them?"
"Even... undergoing modifications!"
Glancing at the steel on Kuma's arm, Moriah's eyes filled with confusion.
After all, those who could beco one of the Royal Seven Warlords were all formidable figures, and such individuals were usually unruly and proud.
Yet, soone like him... would willingly beco the World Governnt's lab rat?
He couldn't understand it.
Kuma glanced at his shoulder, then replied stiffly, "I have... my own reasons."
As long as his daughter could grow up healthy, not only would he endure modifications by the World Governnt—even if they demanded his life, so what?
"Suit yourself," Moriah shook his head.
He had only asked out of curiosity, never expecting Kuma to reveal the details of his deal with the World Governnt.
Otherwise, the World Governnt might very well revoke whatever they had given him.
After a mont of thought, Moriah said, "Alright, let's continue our fight."
"Without making you spit out—"
"She's unhard," Kuma interrupted.
"What?"
"I said, that little girl is fine," Kuma stated flatly. "She's still alive."
Hearing Kuma reveal the truth so bluntly, Moriah sighed. "You could've just said that earlier."
If he had known the truth right after the Straw Hat Pirates left, he wouldn't have continued fighting.
Sheathing his massive blade, Moriah asked, "So, where is Perona?"
He didn't expect Kuma to return her personally, so he planned to fetch her himself.
Instead of answering, Kuma countered, "Are you... sure you want to bring her back?"
"What do you an?"
Frowning, Moriah stared at Kuma, montarily puzzled by his words.
"You should understand what the failure of a Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea entails," Kuma said calmly.
Hearing Kuma's words, Moria was montarily stunned before his expression darkened.
Yes, he knew exactly what it ant.
He believed it wouldn't be long before the navy ca to besiege him. After all... he intended to set sail again!
And the forces sent to suppress a Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea would at least consist of several vice admirals... no, more likely an admiral leading the operation!
Under such circumstances, bringing along a little one like Perona could indeed pose problems.
At least during this period, that was the case.
However...
"Whether my crew returns is my decision to make!" Moria declared. "It's not for you to decide!"
"Is that so..."
Kuma nodded and said, "She's with Hawkeye."
After speaking, Kuma closed his mouth and turned to leave.
The ability he had initially projected was about to return to him. If he didn't leave now, he might die here.
After all... this was Moria's territory!
"Hawkeye, huh..."
Recalling the man with eyes like an eagle's, Moria actually relaxed.
That guy could be considered a true warrior, spending his whole life with swords. He probably wouldn't bother with a little girl.
In that case... for now, he should focus on handling the imminent crisis.
It wouldn't be long before the navy ca to suppress him.
Once he resolved his own problems, he could bring Perona back.
Then, Moria looked at Kuma and said, "Since you brought this information, I'll give you so advice in return."
Kuma paused at his words and replied, "Speak."
"Find yourself an escape route soon," Moria said. "I don't know what deal you made with the World Governnt, but... if you don't extricate yourself in ti, you likely won't end well."
He knew their mindset all too well... a thief is always a thief!
Even if they acted as the World Governnt's dogs, the World Governnt would never truly regard them as equals. This was why Moria had never held the World Governnt in any esteem from the start.
The only reason he had agreed to beco one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea was so he could stay here peacefully as a shut-in.
Hearing Moria's words, Kuma didn't respond. Without even a gesture, he instantly vanished from the spot.
Along with him disappeared the mass of gas floating nearby.
Gazing in the direction Kuma had departed, Moria narrowed his eyes and muttered, "Why does he seem different from the rumors?"
Would the Tyrant really warn him about such things?
It seed this guy was more complicated than he'd imagined.
Shaking his head, Moria transford his Shadow into bats that lifted him into the air.
Seated atop the giant bat, Moria silently watched the gradually quieting island below and murmured, "I can't help feeling reluctant to leave..."
But Moria also knew this island couldn't be saved. That it had lasted this long was already a miracle.
Thus, Moria sat silently on the bat, watching the island gradually sink until it completely disappeared beneath the waves before turning to leave.
Soon, Moria spotted his Pirate Ship on the open sea.
"Ah, it's Lord Moria!!"
"Lord Moria!"
Seeing Moria flying back, Absalom was beyond excited.
Hogback also looked thrilled—this ant their captain truly possessed combat strength on par with Kuma!
Landing on the ship, Moria nodded and retracted his Shadow before asking, "Hmm, are you all unhard?"
"We're fine," Absalom replied. "Did you defeat Kuma?"
"No." Moria shook his head frankly. "That guy isn't so easy to take down."
The Paw-Paw Fruit's abilities were too overpowered—killing him wouldn't be simple.
Absalom nodded in understanding. After all, Kuma was one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea.
anwhile, Hogback stared at Moria with gleaming eyes. He noticed their captain seed genuinely different now—at the very least, his energy and spirit had changed.
As a doctor, he was highly sensitive to such things!
"Lord Moria—"
"Call Captain."
"Eh?!"
Absalom and Hogback gaped at Moria in shock. They never expected such a request—hadn't he forbidden them from using that title before? The first ti they'd tried, he'd scolded them harshly.
"Starting today, I set sail anew!" Moria declared with firm resolve. "Will you continue to follow ?"
Absalom and Hogback exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. "At your service, Captain!!"
"Gehihihihi!"
Receiving their affirmation, Moria laughed heartily, his joy unrestrained.
Then, his gaze turned to Hogback as he pondered what kind of Devil Fruit to acquire for him—sothing to ensure at least basic self-defense.
As for Absalom, there was no need to worry. The Invisibility Fruit's power alone greatly boosted his survival odds.
"By the way, Lord Mor—"
"Hmm?"
Absalom: "..."
Under Moria's stare, Absalom quickly corrected himself. "Captain, have you heard any news about Perona?"
Old habits died hard—it wasn't easy to switch after years of calling him "Lord Moria."
"Perona, huh..."
Moria glanced at the distant sky and murmured, "The current situation isn't suitable for bringing her back. She's safer where she is than with us."
"Besides, we don't have ti for that now."
"Eh?!!"
"What do you an?"
The two stared at Moria dumbfounded. What did he an by "safer elsewhere"? And... what did he an by "no ti"?
"The Marines will co to hunt us down soon." Moria grinned. "Hell, an Admiral might even show up."
Absalom: "..."
Hogback: "..."
The two looked utterly flabbergasted at Moria. He hadn't ntioned anything about an Admiral joining the hunt!
"What, scared?"
"Captain... is it too late to let us off now?" Hogback sobbed. "I want to take refuge with Perona too."
"That won't do~"
"Why not?"
"Kuma has already left. I don't have that kind of ability to send people flying~" Moria shrugged.
Hearing this, Hogback and Absalom exchanged glances before sighing in resignation.
"Ah...
What else can we do? Might as well follow obediently.
"You two idiots, show so backbone! Watch how your captain beats up a Marine Admiral!"
"Yes..."
"Louder!"
"YES!!"
"That's more like it!" Moria laughed heartily with hands on his hips. "Starting today, I'm going to train you two properly."
"Gehihihihi!"
"No way—"
"No objections allowed!"
"Gehihihihihi!"
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