Chapter 159: Moria's Intel, Ancient Song
BOOM!
The outcome of the battle was destined from the start.
Stories of redemption are touching.
But time never turns back.
Whether 'Golden Lion' Shiki or 'Gecko' Moria, it was the same.
They might have found some shadow of their former selves in their final moments.
But the wasted years couldn't be made up.
Especially when facing the most vibrant 'New Era' of this sea.
So...
CRACK!
When the sound of 'Moonlight' breaking echoed again, when the spear shining with elemental light pierced Moria's body.
Ryuji wasn't surprised.
Neither was Moria.
THUD!
His figure collapsed instantly, half-kneeling on the ground—the hideous wound piercing his body spilled blood and filth beneath him.
But...
"Cough, cough, cough... Kishishishi..."
At this moment, he was laughing inexplicably. "As expected... lost..."
He muttered to himself.
"Lord Moria!"
Behind him in the sky, Perona's anxious voice came.
But Moria looked at Ryuji. "Hey, Ryuji... I remember you said... you came to ask me... for... intel?"
"Correct."
Ryuji nodded. "Regret it?"
"Yeah, regret it..."
Moria whispered. "Spare Perona, and I... cough... will tell you the intel."
"She didn't attack you... I can guarantee... cough... she won't seek revenge..."
He said, his voice carrying a plea.
Hearing this, Ryuji was silent for a moment.
Then...
"A reasonable trade."
He nodded gently.
"Kishishishi..."
Hearing this, Moria seemed to laugh more happily.
Then...
"Don't come closer—Perona, stay there, don't move!"
He mustered his strength and roared. "If you still acknowledge yourself as my subordinate, don't come closer."
"..."
Perona's flying figure paused instantly.
"Lord Moria..."
She seemed to realize something, tears filling her eyes instantly.
"Listen... after I die, collect my corpse. If there's a chance in the future... cough... take it back to my homeland in the West Blue!"
"Do not seek revenge on The Zodiac—this is... Captain's Order!"
Moria shouted with his last strength. "If you heard it, answer!"
"Y-Yes! Lord Moria!"
Perona understood Moria's meaning.
She bit her lip unwillingly, choking out an answer.
"Kishishishishishi!"
Moria laughed satisfactorily.
He looked at Ryuji again. "Ask... quickly..."
As he spoke, the shadow in his body began to fade—a sign of the fruit ability wearing off.
Ryuji didn't delay.
"I heard there is a giant 'Pirate Ship' in this Florian Triangle..."
As his words fell.
He saw Moria's dying state suddenly sharpen.
As if a dying flash, his gaze looked at Ryuji incredulously. "Y-You... how do you know..."
Seeing Moria's attitude, Ryuji understood he asked the right person.
"What do you know about it?"
Ignoring Moria's question, Ryuji pressed on.
Moria gasped for breath.
Then, he spoke with difficulty. "I am... a descendant of the Kozuki Clan of Wano Country, overseas."
What he said was undoubtedly the biggest secret of his identity.
Yes—Gecko Moria was a descendant of the ancient 'Stonemason Clan', the carvers of Poneglyphs, the Kozuki Clan.
"My family passed down some ancient... cough... legends about the 'Void Century'."
Moria whispered, seemingly recalling the past.
"It's a prophecy song, said to be... cough... made by a prophet of Fish-Man Island in a certain generation."
"The First King and the Cursed Ones left treasures on the Giant Ship, wandering in eternal mist."
"It is the source of curses, the beginning of darkness, the hope to change the era, the incomparable power."
"When the era of atonement comes, the blood of the Cursed Ones will step onto the Giant Ship, turning the gears of history."
"On the Final Island, the Black Sun will turn into a Great Serpent and swallow it, playing the Drums of Liberation."
"Before that, roam, Cursed Giant Ship."
"Before that, endure, oppressed people."
"Before that, continue, bound world."
"..."
When Moria told Ryuji this ancient song.
Ryuji was naturally confused.
But clearly, this was all Moria knew.
"I wanted to defeat Kaido, so I came... eternal mist... Florian Triangle..."
"But... couldn't find... no trace... over time, forgot..."
Moria's voice was almost inaudible.
Of course, he didn't 'Degenerate' immediately after being defeated by Kaido.
In fact, the first thought in his mind after defeat was...
"I want revenge."
He wanted revenge.
He wanted to reclaim his ambition, his dream.
But he painfully discovered he couldn't.
Because after that battle, he couldn't imagine a 'Self' that could defeat Kaido.
His ability, Haki, strength, everything was insufficient.
So, he began searching for 'Ways to Become Stronger'.
"If self-training can't do it, rely on external forces."
"You can't protect your comrades, so... powerhouses of past eras should be able to, right?"
"Your strength is insufficient, so pursue ancient legends."
"Comrades' deaths bring pain, so make comrades who won't die."
At some point, these thoughts began to surface in his mind.
He believed them.
It was precisely to find the 'Incomparable Power' left by the Void Century, and because the Florian Triangle suited his 'Zombie Army' plan, that he came here.
But after repeated fruitless searches, over time... he gave up searching for the secrets hidden in the mist and devoted himself to his zombie army.
"Truly... regretful..."
Moria's eyes closed slowly.
Yes—he regretted.
Not regretting attacking Ryuji earlier.
But regretting...
"Back then, I should have been the one to die in that battle."
At the last moment, Moria realized the source of his pain over the decades.
Defeat by Kaido was regrettable, death was fearful.
But that was a fitting end for a pirate, not enough to cause such pain.
What truly pained and tortured him into this state was Guilt!
He was the Captain, the one who should protect his comrades.
Yet he was protected by them and escaped alone.
He became the sole survivor—this was the mistake he dared not face.
But fortunately...
"Lord Moria!"
In his peripheral vision, Moria saw Ryuji's tall figure leaving.
Perona's anxious face and voice rang in his ears.
Moria felt a sudden relief.
Because this time, he didn't run.
This time...
"I... protected my comrade."
Moria's consciousness faded into darkness.
☆☆☆
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