Because Kaoru Tsubasa had appeared through the sacrifice of the Crimson Demon, the curse of deception laid down by Gado naturally fell upon that same demon.
"We'll meet again…"
After the sacrificial Crimson Demon turned to stone, Gado's figure vanished before Kaoru's eyes.
Marijoa — Among the Blooming Flowers
"Kaoru Tsubasa… I will remember you."
Sitting cross-legged on the marble floor, Gado murmured to himself, his gaze fixed upon a bounty poster spread before him.
Aboard the Going Merry
Kaoru Tsubasa had just obtained crucial information from Gado.
First — the Demons had crossed over into the pirate world. Compared to their power in the original realm, they had grown even stronger.
Second — the Ten Commandments, the highest-ranking warriors among the Demon Clan, might have also descended upon this world. Their abilities were overwhelming, beyond anything ordinary people could hope to challenge.
Even if one fought with everything they had, victory against the Ten Commandments was far from certain.
Thinking this through, Kaoru immediately activated the bracelet on his wrist, using it to sense the location of the Going Merry.
"I wonder how Kaoru's doing…" Usopp said anxiously, staring toward the entrance of the Grand Line in the distance.
"Relax," Zoro replied, his tone calm but his eyes betraying the same concern. "Kaoru's not the type to go down easily."
To avoid making it harder for Kaoru to find them, the crew had docked temporarily on an island near the entrance to the Grand Line.
Then, without warning—
BOOM!
A colossal shadow rose from the sea, and a massive whale breached the surface with a thunderous splash.
"Oh—ohhh! What a huge whale!" Usopp cried, eyes wide in disbelief. The Merry looked like a toy ship compared to it.
"Is that… a Sea King?" Zoro muttered, his jaw tightening as he reached for his swords.
The whale ignored the tiny vessel and opened its jaws wide.
"Oh no! We're gonna get eaten alive!" Luffy yelled, running in circles on deck. "I'll take him down in Gear Third!"
He puffed air into his hand, ready to strike—
BUMP!
Usopp stumbled and crashed into Luffy, knocking him aside.
"Everyone—!"
Kaoru arrived just as the Merry disappeared into the whale's mouth.
"Am I too late?" he muttered, pressing a hand to his forehead as he stared at the beast before him.
Inside the Whale
"Oh… we're not dead?" Usopp blinked as he looked around. The Merry was floating in what seemed to be a sky painted with clouds and birds. "Wait, this looks like heaven…"
"What? It's fake?" Luffy gasped, rubbing his eyes.
"No," Nami said sharply, scanning the surroundings. "Look closely—the clouds and birds aren't moving. It's a painting!"
"A painting?" Sanji repeated, squinting at the sky. "Then we're still inside the whale's stomach?"
"We're gonna die! We're gonna melt!" Usopp wailed, running frantically around the deck.
Seeing him panic, Luffy joined in, spinning in circles.
BONK! BONK!
"Both of you—quiet!" Nami shouted, smacking them both on the head.
"Gomen nasai…" they whimpered in unison, clutching their bruises.
After restoring order, Nami frowned at the massive murals surrounding them. "Who could've painted all this inside a whale?"
"Ah! Look over there!" Usopp suddenly pointed toward the distance. "Is that… an island?"
"Where?" Nami asked, scanning the horizon. She saw nothing until Usopp handed her a telescope.
"See? Told you! Sniper Usopp's eyes never miss!"
Through the lens, Nami spotted a small island-like structure within the whale's interior. "You're right… that's incredible."
Usopp puffed his chest with pride. "Of course it is!"
Under Nami's direction, the Merry slowly sailed toward the island. As they approached, they saw buildings—actual structures—standing impossibly inside the whale.
An elderly man emerged from one of the houses, calmly taking a seat on a chair outside and opening a newspaper.
"Who are you?" Sanji demanded, his tone sharp.
Zoro unsheathed two of his swords, standing at the ready. Even the usually composed swordsman looked wary.
Usopp, Luffy, and the rest tensed, prepared for a fight.
"Don't act rashly," the old man said mildly, not even looking up from his paper. "People might die."
"You old geezer, what's that supposed to mean?" Zoro snapped. "You think we're the ones in danger?"
The man turned a page. "Of course not. I meant me."
The response stunned Zoro into silence.
The old man's eyes flicked up briefly, landing on Luffy's straw hat. "That hat suits you well."
"Really?" Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Hey, old man, do you know Shanks?"
At the mention of that name, the old man paused. "Shanks…?"
He remembered the fiery-haired boy from the days aboard Roger's ship. Years had passed, and now that same red-haired kid was one of the Four Emperors ruling the New World. Even more unbelievable—the red-nosed cabin boy from those days had somehow become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"Of course he knows Shanks, Luffy."
A voice echoed from above.
"Kaoru! You're okay!" Luffy shouted excitedly as Kaoru Tsubasa descended from the air.
The rest of the crew's tension melted into relief at the sight of him.
"How could anything happen to me?" Kaoru replied with a grin, tossing aside the two unconscious figures he was carrying.
They were none other than Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9—agents of Baroque Works, loyal to Crocodile.
Miss Wednesday, better known as Princess Vivi of Alabasta, groaned as she landed.
"Why are you two here again?" Crocus asked, shaking his head. "Haven't you given up yet?"
Kaoru ignored them, turning to the old man with a genuine smile. "Long time no see, Crocus."