"Is this the third ability your clone carries?"
Ivankov stared in amazement at the comic book labeled One Piece: Toriko that Shirogai casually tossed out and watched grow larger.
"What sort of Devil Fruit ability is this?"
"Paramecia type, Book‑Book Fruit. Luffy, Nami, Sanji, Pudding, you all go inside. It's very roomy in there."
Shirogai's lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"But be careful, there are dangers inside too. There are experts far stronger than your current strength."
"Oh! Really? Then isn't that interesting!"
Luffy was the first to dash into the book with excitement.
"Oh? Are there a lot of tasty things too?"
Sanji, cigarette dangling from his mouth, waved at Ivankov with a cool indifference:
"Ivankov‑san, we've troubled you all these days. I hope we never meet again!"
"Hee‑haw! Sanji boy! See you next time!" Ivankov squawked cheerfully.
"Hmph! Better if we never meet again! Take care!"
Sanji thought of leaving this terrifying island and enthusiastically drilled into the comic.
"Pudding, come on~ don't be afraid. At least there shouldn't be anything life‑threatening here."
Nami pulled Pudding's hand and ushered her into the comic book world.
"I thought the main body would show up at the page opening. Seems he doesn't want to come out."
Shirogai smiled as he watched his companions enter, then turned to look at Monkey D. Dragon, who had remained hidden in the shadows, avoiding a direct encounter with Luffy.
"Dragon, do you want to go in and meet the main body?"
"So that powerful aura inside is your main body?"
Monkey D. Dragon stepped from the shadows, solemn as he examined the strange swirling portal within the book.
"So strong."
Inside the comic…
Monkey D. Dragon…
A man perched beside an ancient, bottomless pool as he gently lifted his head to gaze at the sky, a slight smile on his face.
"Do you want to come see me?"
Suddenly the fishing rod jerked downward.
"Oh? Did I catch something?"
He smiled and pulled upward, and the small rod straightened. The deep pool erupted with unstoppable force. A huge, dark figure roared forth —
Bottomless Abyss Dragon King
Capture Level: 5000!
…
Monkey D. Dragon already sensed a terrifying presence within the book, something staring back at him.
"…."
So that was genuinely Shirogai's true body.
"No wonder you travel the world in clone form."
Dragon's scalp tingled as he breathed deeply.
"Have you really become this powerful? Is this world no longer able to contain your true form?"
"The main body is inconvenient to move around in…"
Shirogai smiled.
"After all, I don't want a slight cough to turn into a hurricane, or a light stomp to crack open chasms in this world."
"Hee‑haw! That's truly terrifying!"
Ivankov felt his scalp tingle.
"You actually carry your main body with you. Do you intend to ambush others?"
Shirogai shook his head lightly.
"If someone fights my clone and feels they're about to win, and then I reveal the main body… wouldn't that make those people despair?"
He waved his hand, shrinking the comic book back to its compact form and casually tucked it into his embrace.
Inside the comic reality…
"Hehehe, where is this?! So much delicious food!!!"
Luffy laughed as he fell from the sky into a valley overflowing with delicacies, devouring them with unrestrained joy.
"Wow! Wow! Wow!!!"
"Oh oh! Oh oh oh!!!"
In the distance, a group of wild monkeys suddenly howled and screeched.
Whoosh!!!
Suddenly, a massive mountain flew through the air from afar, soaring past Luffy's head before bouncing away, disappearing in the distance like a skipping stone leaving ripples behind.
"Wow! Who could possibly have such strength to throw a mountain that huge?"
Luffy leapt onto the highest branch, shading his eyes as he watched the distant mountain.
"Hehehehe, maybe it's over there?"
On the beach…
"Wuwuwu, I hate this! Admiral, please stop looking!"
"Sorry! Admiral Cero, we were tricked by those Okama!"
"We were ambushed!"
A group of Marines, covered in bizarre makeup, hung upside down from trees, their legs swaying while they looked shamefully at Admiral Silver Cero approaching them.
"So, you ignored my advice and ended up like this?"
Shirogai stood with his hands behind his back, lightning flickering in his eyes as he spoke to the tied Marines.
"It seems being around me so casually has made you forget Marine discipline."
Marine discipline issues existed not only among the high ranks. Lower‑level Marines also suffered from real problems — whether in their duties, understanding of justice, or even living conditions — many discrepancies separated Marine ideals from reality.
The Marines carried the slogan of Absolute Justice, but in the name of that justice, they often acted with too much force, imposing order on the seas and nations alike. Compared to pirates, the Marines looked good by contrast, but in truth many nations did not need them, yet had to accept Marine intervention as puppets controlled by the World Government.
But now the Air Force had emerged — a new military presence that didn't occupy territory but offered technology without immediate cost. In comparison to Marines, the world began to see Marines as oppressive, a symbol of rising tyranny rather than protection.
"Go back and receive your punishment from Vice Admiral Dore. I don't have much to say — reflect on yourselves."
Sizzle!
Shirogai shook his head, silver‑white lightning sparking in his hand as he summoned a lightning longsword. With a precise motion, the sword sliced through the air and severed all ropes that bound the Marines.
"Sorry, we disgraced you."
Lieutenant Love, his face caked with pink lipstick, rosy powder, dark mascara, and wearing a frilly dress, looked at Shirogai with shame.
"Go wash your face. I can't help but want to hit you," Shirogai muttered, averting his eyes.
"Yes…"
The Marines dressed as Okama trudged off to the beach to wash their faces, dejected.
Onboard the Thunder Serpent warship…
"You're heading to Fish-Man Island?"
The ship sped across the sea. Vice Admiral Dore frowned, hesitating.
"Do we need permission from above?"
"No need."
Admiral Silver stretched his legs casually.
"Those guys can't dictate where I go!"
"But Fish-Man Island seems to have had recent internal conflicts…"
Vice Admiral Dore looked worried.
"That's exactly why I want to go to Fish‑Man Island!"
Admiral Silver sneered.
"Since those fish‑smelling folks are causing trouble, I might as well turn all of them into grilled fish!"