Deep within the roots of the Adam Treasure Tree, light was blocked by layer upon layer of roots, leaving only faint traces of illumination.
This was the lowest level of Elbaf - the Underworld.
The massive, intertwined tree roots resembled the skeletons of ancient behemoths, weaving together to form labyrinthine passages in the darkness.
The air was damp and cold, carrying the scent of earth and decay.
Water droplets occasionally seeped through gaps in the roots, falling into puddles on the ground with clear, echoing sounds.
From deeper within the darkness came intermittent rustling noises, as if some creature was squirming in the shadows, or perhaps the roots themselves were slowly growing.
Orion walked at the forefront, his Observation Haki having already locked onto Loki's position.
Hancock held onto his arm, following closely beside him.
The sound of her high heels clicking against the slippery ground was particularly distinct in the silent space.
Mihawk, Yamato, Denjiro, Nekomamushi, Inuarashi, and the Fleet Admiral's Honor Guard led by Morgan followed closely behind, everyone maintaining their vigilance.
"So this is the Underworld?" Yamato looked around, her tone carrying disappointment, "It's not that scary after all! That scheming woman Robin, always so serious about scaring people!"
As she spoke, Yamato hefted her kanabo, her eyes scanning the darkness as she searched for a target to hit with her Thunder Bagua.
However, the entire Underworld remained deathly still, with no movement except for the continuous chirping sounds coming from the depths of the darkness.
"Husband," Hancock turned her head to look at Orion, a trace of confusion flashing in her beautiful eyes.
"Where are we going?"
Since going to sea on the Training Ship and becoming intimate with Orion, Hancock had naturally started calling him "husband."
Orion didn't pay this much mind - while he didn't place great importance on romantic relationships, he was still a normal man.
Especially after his encounter with Sharlia, who was possessed by Imu, at the Holy Land, the previously career-focused man had opened the floodgates, and his needs in that area had become somewhat intense.
Of course, none of that was important.
What mattered was that Hancock had become his woman, so calling him husband wasn't inappropriate.
Orion smiled slightly, "We're going to meet someone - a cursed prince of the giant kingdom."
Hancock blinked, understanding Orion's intention.
"Does husband want to recruit him under your command?"
"That thought has crossed my mind." Orion nodded. "But it might not be feasible, as this cursed prince is no ordinary person."
After walking for another ten minutes, the view suddenly opened up before them.
A relatively spacious area appeared before the group.
Thick tree roots converged here, forming a natural prison cage.
At the very center of this cage, a figure so massive it was suffocating sat slumped against a giant tree root.
It was a giant over sixty meters tall.
He wore a wide-brimmed helmet, his eyes wrapped in thick bandages, with Sea Stone Shackles thicker than ship anchors binding his wrists and ankles.
Dozens of chains as thick as a man's wrist extended from all directions, firmly securing him to the tree roots.
Even under such rigorous confinement, the giant still radiated an unsettling aura—sinister, dark, like a wild beast ready to pounce and tear its prey apart at any moment!
Orion stopped walking, now less than ten meters away from Loki.
Loki slowly raised his head.
Though his eyes were covered, he seemed to see through everything.
He grinned, revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth, his massive tongue hanging down and swaying in the air.
"Hehehe..." A sinister laugh echoed through the Underworld. "The World Government truly is persistent."
Loki's voice was deep and hoarse, each word seeming to be squeezed from the depths of his throat, sending chills down the spine.
Fortunately, everyone present was a veteran who had weathered great storms.
Even the Marine soldiers following Morgan, though lacking in strength, carried the courage bestowed upon them by their Fleet Admiral!
"The mission the God's Knights failed to complete has actually been handed over to the Fleet Admiral of the Marines." Loki twisted his arms slightly, his laughter growing thicker. "So, Fleet Admiral Orion, what terms are you prepared to offer me to join the World Government?"
This sudden statement drew everyone's attention to Loki.
Mihawk narrowed his eyes, his hand resting on the hilt of his black blade Yoru.
Denjiro, Nekomamushi, and Inuarashi instinctively assumed combat stances.
Yamato looked up, her eyes shining brightly.
Orion took a step forward, slightly raising his head to look at the enormous Loki, and spoke calmly.
"If I recall correctly, you were already imprisoned here when I staged my coup and became the Fleet Admiral of the Marines and you actually recognize me? It seems not everyone in the Giant Kingdom wants to keep their distance from you, their cursed prince."
Before Loki could respond, Yamato suddenly stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Orion.
Her large eyes fixed on Loki as she exclaimed excitedly, "You're the cursed giant prince Loki?"
"You look really strong!"
Yamato hefted her spiked club onto her shoulder and said eagerly, "Save the talk for later. How about we fight first?"
Hearing this, Loki shifted his attention from Orion to Yamato.
A playful expression appeared beneath his bandages.
"A female Marine not wearing a Marine uniform? It seems your position in the Marines is quite special..."
Before he finished speaking, Loki suddenly changed his tone. "You carry a familiar scent... Hmm? I remember now—it's Kaido's aura! What is your relationship with Kaido?"
"Kaido is my father!"
Yamato didn't hide it, stating bluntly, "I'm his son, Yamato!"
"Kaido's son?" Loki tilted his head slightly.
Judging by the voice, Yamato was clearly a young girl!
But he didn't dwell on this minor detail, instead grinning with bloodlust as he said, "Interesting. As Kaido's son, one of the Four Emperors, you've actually become a lapdog for the Celestial Dragons!"
"Hey, hey, hey—"
Yamato raised her voice sharply, furious. "What nonsense are you spouting? How dare you call me a lapdog for the Celestial Dragons!!"
As she spoke, Yamato didn't hesitate in the slightest.
Raising her kanabo high, she leaped into the air, black and red Conqueror's Haki coiling around the weapon as she unleashed a Thunder Bagua straight at Loki's head.
Surprisingly, Orion didn't stop her, watching with a faint smile as Yamato charged forward to fight at the slightest provocation.
With a sudden explosive sound, terrifying Conqueror's Haki radiated outward.
The kanabo wrapped in Conqueror's Haki slammed heavily into Loki's head.
Loki's massive body remained unmoved, as if he felt nothing at all from the kanabo striking his head, allowing his enormous tongue to swing wildly amidst the residual waves of Conqueror's Haki.
"Kaido's son? Not much to speak of, hehehe~"
Amidst the sinister laughter, Loki suddenly raised his head.
Even restricted by Seastone Handcuffs and shackles, his body wrapped in chains, it didn't hinder him in the slightest from unleashing his furious Conqueror's Haki.
As the vast and mighty Conqueror's Haki erupted, Yamato immediately felt an invisible imposing aura rushing toward her, forcing her to retreat swiftly back to Orion's side.
Just as Yamato returned to Orion, Loki suddenly stood up.
His over sixty-meter height brought an oppressive presence that instantly enveloped the entire area, dark clouds gathering above with faint flashes of lightning raging.
Looking down condescendingly at the tiny Yamato beneath his feet, the standing Loki grinned, unleashing the unique aura of the Giant Prince.
"If you truly wish to fight me, help me remove these Seastone Handcuffs, shackles, and chains. I'll show you what real power means!"