The Thriller Bark sailed out of the Devil's Triangle, emerging into the misty waters at its edge.
"Goodbye, everyone!"
The embers of a vast bonfire glowed softly as the Rolling Pirates gathered on deck.
But the hosts of the banquet had already decided to depart.
"Hehe, everyone, farewell!"
"Lola, thank you for your gold and your Life Card!"
"Yohohoho, we're leaving our ship to you! Don't get wiped out like we did!"
"Hey, hey, hey, Brook, your friends are us now! Don't say nonsense!"
"Moriah has promised not to take your shadows again, so meet us on the high seas next time!"
…
The Thousand Sunny drifted slowly away, its familiar orange and white sails shrinking into the distant horizon.
"Have a safe journey!!!"
On the eerie deck of Thriller Bark, the Rolling Pirates reluctantly waved goodbye to the departing crew.
"I didn't expect them to be so down‑to‑earth…"
"Yeah! They're seriously too nice."
"The Fifth Emperor was unbelievably friendly, not only did he give us back our shadows, he made us great food! From now on he's my idol!"
"Yes, yesterday's feast was the best I've ever tasted."
"Shh, have you forgotten…?"
The Rolling Pirates glanced nervously toward the looming silhouette of the haunted castle.
"There's still a Shichibukai on this ship. Don't stay too long or he might grab our shadows back again!"
Lola nodded, her voice trembling slightly:
"Then let's quickly repair that ancient pirate ship that Brook's friend left us; it still looks pretty sturdy."
…
Inside Thriller Castle.
"That's right! The limits of corpses are still too great!"
Moriah stared at a small robot on the ground, muttering as if possessed.
"If there were a large number of robots paired with shadows from powerful individuals…"
"No matter how strong a subordinate is, it is ultimately external power."
Shirogai stood beside him, a slight smile on his face.
"The most trustworthy strength in this world is one's own ability."
"This is the path I have chosen, though everyone's path is different!"
Moriah snapped back sharply.
"Indeed, this is the path you have chosen."
Shirogai didn't refute him, instead he continued with quiet clarity:
"But the issue is, having strong subordinates and your own strength are not mutually exclusive."
"…"
Moriah's face darkened, uncertainty flickering through his expression.
Ever since his defeat against Kaido, he had struggled with confidence in his own power.
Confronting weaker opponents was one thing, but any truly strong opponent caused his confidence to falter.
That was why, in the original story, Luffy had been able to defeat Moriah — not because of overwhelming skill, but because Moriah had lost confidence in himself.
Confidence was a supreme weapon for any strong individual.
And Moriah felt his had been shattered by Kaido's strength.
"After losing, must you doubt yourself? Foolish! Even after shame, you still fail to grasp bravery as my companions do."
Shirogai's voice remained steady, his eyes observing Perona, who hovered nearby, curiously studying him.
"After all, you too have companions you want to protect, ones you would not willingly give up, right?"
A gulp escaped Moriah as Shirogai's words reverberated inside him.
Shirogai's shadow merged into the ground, dissolving into Moriah's darkness, leaving only one final statement behind.
"Think about it, then contact me. Shadows do not necessarily have to be seized through plunder. Perhaps many would willingly offer their own shadows."
"What an… unpleasant fellow!"
Moriah glared at his own shadow, feeling as if Shirogai's words were directed at both Shirogai and himself.
…
Above Thriller Bark.
"Hehe, interesting."
Shirogai hovered in the sky, his gaze drifting into the depths of the Devil's Triangle where something monstrous hid its presence.
"It's not time to face you directly yet…"
He murmured softly, then transformed into a pitch‑black arrow, the tip sharp, his entire being forged from dark Haki energy.
"However, a show of force can still be executed."
Zzzzt!
He channeled his Haoshoku Haki, vibrating through the sky, infusing it into the arrow as it locked onto a hidden monster deep within the mist.
Creak…
Shirogai drew back the black mystic bow toward a full moon, then released a black Haki arrow that shot forward like a blazing star.
Whoosh!
The shadow arrow, empowered by Haoshoku, traveled at incomprehensible speed.
In an instant, it shot straight toward a black shadow with deep red pupils standing atop the head of a gargantuan bird‑like creature.
"Lord…"
The strange bird dared not move, its voice trembling as it spoke.
"…"
The tall figure, expressionless, stared at the incoming arrow and extended a slender, pale hand to pinch the long arrow between his fingers.
"Crack!"
The pure white hand crushed it effortlessly.
Boom!!!!!!
Then, an overwhelming surge of Haoshoku Haki burst outward from the towering figure, revealing a mocking sneer.
"Hehe…"
Crack!!
"…"
In that moment, the figure's red pupils constricted sharply.
He sensed the Haoshoku Haki once again, igniting a vicious expression.
"Shirogai Yamikuro!!!"
With a roar, his form shifted, transforming into a massive dragon‑like monster whose size far surpassed the giant bird beneath him.
"Joy Boy!!!"
The colossal beast swallowed the Haoshoku that had not fully erupted, pulling it into a gaping, abyssal maw.
"Roar!"
…
"Roar!!!!!!"
…
From afar, the Straw Hat Pirates suddenly heard the non‑human roar echo through the distance.
"Huh? What's that sound?"
Luffy sat on the lion figurehead of the Thousand Sunny, tilting his head curiously toward the mist.
"Who knows."
Shirogai reinserted Kisame into its scabbard, chuckling lightly.
"Maybe it's just an angry beast."
"Then that beast must be enormous!"
Usopp peered nervously at the misty waters ahead.
"Franky, speed up! Don't let that Sea King chase us!"
Inside the cockpit, Franky pumped his fist with energy.
"Ay! Today's a great day for sailing! Super good! Everyone's ready?"
He slammed a control button with a roar.
"Coup de Vent blast!!!"
Poof!!!
The Thousand Sunny seemed to leap into the sky, piercing the clouds as it rocketed forward.
"Ah!!! Damn it, Franky! I wasn't standing steady!"
Nami clung to the railing, startled.
"Hey, little birds!"
Chopper waved gleefully at startled seagulls below.
"Wow!!! The Sunny is flying! Just like the Going Merry!"
Usopp puffed up his chest proudly.
"Idiot! It was built with materials from the Merry and new upgrades! It's the improved version of the Merry!"
Luffy grinned broadly at the bow.
"Ah hahahaha, Thousand Sunny, go!!! Fly far, far away!"
"Yohohoho, this is my first time seeing a ship fly into the sky."
Brook played his violin with tears in his eyes aboard the Going Merry, joy shining through.
"Especially with new companions, it truly makes one happy! Though I'm already dead…"
"Yohohoho."
Robin sat gracefully, sipping coffee with a soft laugh, enjoying the moment as her friends celebrated.
Deep inside, she too appreciated this peaceful moment alongside her companions.
…
Gravity Training Room
"Huff, huff…"
Zoro strained beneath a massive dumbbell, sweat streaming down his face.
As soon as they boarded the ship, he entered the training room and began rigorous gravity training.
…
Thousand Sunny — Second Floor
Shirogai smiled as he opened the restaurant door to greet his cheerful crew, overseeing voices outside.
"All kinds of freshly prepared food are available without limit, please enter in an orderly fashion, no crowding…"
"I'll go first! I'll go first!"
"No, if you go first all the meat will be gone! I'll go in and protect the meat for everyone!"
"Me too! Me too!"
____
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