Chapter 35 Thunder And Promise.
Rocks entered the bar in an angry mood. "Is there any news from Ron?"
Everyone went silent. Stussy sighed. "None yet. He hasn't reached Fishman Island. There is no Heavenly Tribute passing through Fishman Island."
Rocks gritted his teeth. Everything was going sideways. 'Ron was missing, Harald had gone mad, and he had been getting a bad feeling lately. Is this so-called destiny playing its game?'
Gloriousa and Shakky sat quietly, saying nothing, but the air around them was heavy.
Newgate walked in. "No news of Ron. The Admirals and Marines haven't made any big moves."
Shiki scoffed. "Tsk, why worry so much? You think just anyone can take down that monster?"
---
Inside the Holy Land, Garling walked in.
St. Peter spoke coldly, "You are interrupting us, Garling. Don't forget the precious competition just ended."
"I know, but this is different," Garling replied. "It's a non-affiliated nation. We offered them affiliation with the World Government, but they declined. With the abundant resources of the island, the Government profits greatly. But we made an unexpected discovery."
He grinned. "I'm sure the Great One will like it. So I propose we hold the next hunt on God Valley."
St. Peter frowned slightly. "We will discuss that later. Now leave."
Garling frowned but finally asked, "Where are the other Elders?"
"That is none of your concern. Now leave," Peter said coldly.
Garling frowned but left. The doors closed behind him.
On Hachinosu, Gloriousa looked at Shakky. "You sure you want to do this? If he were here, he wouldn't want you doing something you don't want."
Shakky shook her head. "It's been a month since he went missing. And I can feel it… something is changing. And I'm not strong enough."
She giggled lightly. "And he left it here just in case I changed my mind. Well… I guess I did."
With that, she took a bite of the fruit in her hand. Her face immediately went pale.
"Blagh! It's disgusting!" she complained after swallowing.
Gloriousa burst out laughing. "Your face was really worth watching."
Shakky's mouth twitched. A bolt of lightning shot toward Gloriousa.
"Oi!" Gloriousa dodged as the attack blasted a hole through the wall.
In the next instant, Shakky disappeared and appeared beside her.
"Damn, it's OP. No wonder everyone calls it the strongest Logia," Shakky muttered.
Gloriousa stared in disbelief as Shakky moved again and again, teleporting across the room.
Then she disappeared and reappeared atop the Skull Mountain. "Well, damn… this is fun. The feeling of lightning speed is amazing."
Gloriousa floated up. "Oi, stop running around like a kid who got a new toy."
She tossed Shakky a book. "It's Ron's ideas on how to develop the Goro Goro no Mi."
Shakky caught it and began reading. Her eyes lit up. Soon, both of them resumed training.
Deep in the ocean, a giant Fishman swam while dragging a bloodied body wrapped in bandages.
They finally reached Ryugu Palace.
"Phew… you are a lifesaver, Neptune," Ron said, lying on the bed.
Neptune scratched the back of his head. "Well, Newgate is my friend. He said you were headed here, but then you vanished. So I went out to search."
He trembled slightly, recalling the burning sea and the shaking island.
"Bhahaha… don't worry. I'll be fine soon. Just keep everything between us," Ron said. "And I promise I'll repay this debt."
Neptune waved his hand. "No—"
"Think before you speak. You will be becoming king soon," Ron interrupted.
Neptune fell silent, then bowed. "Then please help us when you can, Ron."
Ron grinned. "Bahaha, now we're talking."
He looked at him. "As repayment for your help… I promise that in the future, Noah will fulfill its purpose. Fishmen and mermaids will see the sun."
Neptune blinked. "Th-this?"
Ron waved dismissively. "It's my promise to all of Fishman Island. And don't worry, I'll also take care of your daughter."
Neptune looked confused. "But I don't have a daughter. I'm not even married yet."
"You're not yet, but you will be. Don't forget, I'm an ancient giant and only 19," Ron said casually.
Neptune nodded slowly, finally understanding. "Then I hope you can truly fulfill that promise."
"Of course I will," Ron grinned.
"But why would my daughter need you to take care of her?" Neptune asked.
Ron choked awkwardly. "Ahem… let's not beat around the bush."
He snapped his fingers, and a poneglyph appeared.
"The Ancient Weapon Poseidon… or should I say, the mermaid princess?"
Neptune trembled in fear. "This…?"
"Don't worry. I don't need an Ancient Weapon," Ron said calmly. "I'm just saying, if she happens to be one, I'll protect her from bad people."
Neptune nodded, thinking of the Celestial Dragons.
"Then I will leave my daughter in your care," he said.
For some reason, Neptune felt something was off, but he ignored it and left to bring food.
Ron sighed as he removed his bandages.
"Hiss… it hurts."
His body was covered in black markings.
"Tsk… who would've thought a Devil Fruit like this existed?"
The markings pulsed, and an unbearable pain erupted.
"Fuck!" Ron gritted his teeth as blood spilled from his mouth. "Hah… haah…"
Time passed as Ron rested in Ryugu Palace, his presence known only to Neptune and the king.
Outside, Gloriousa and Shakky trained harder than ever, waiting for news.
The Rocks Pirates searched the New World, but there was no trace of Ron.
The news of his disappearance spread across the seas.
On a warship, Garp ate his senbei calmly. "Tsk… do those idiots think taking care of that monster is easy? He might just pop out and start spamming Fire Fists."
On the Roger Pirates' ship, a banquet was underway.
"Wahahaha! That bastard is out! Let's go have fun at Shakky's bar!" Roger laughed, dancing with Gabban and others.
Rayleigh simply accepted the chaos. He stared at the sea as Roger walked up to him.
"What do you think happened?" Rayleigh asked.
Roger grinned. "Who cares?"
Rayleigh looked at him seriously. "You think he's alive?"
"Is there any doubt? That bastard will be back. He's a monster. He won't die that easily," Roger laughed.
---
On Hachinosu, Gloriousa and Shakky sparred as thunderclouds covered the sky.
Rocks, Shiki, and Newgate sat watching.
"Damn that bastard… where did he get so many amazing Devil Fruits?" Shiki muttered in jealousy.
"Gurararara… that's Ron for you. Giving Devil Fruits without a second thought," Newgate laughed.
Shiki sighed, then started shouting, "Shakky-chan, you can do it!"
A massive crowd of pirates cheered along with him.
Rocks grinned. "That bastard sure is taking his time."
Still, that uneasy feeling remained. As The image of a woman kept appearing in his mind.
---
Inside the Holy Land, in the empty throne room, the Five Elders knelt.
Imu looked at them. "What happened?"
St. Nusjuro answered, "My lord, he refused."
Imu nodded. "Mu expected that."
Nusjuro continued, "We used the Curse Fruit, but his Haki had grown at an absurd rate. He survived, but fell into the sea. With him paralyzed, he shouldn't be able to survive. He might be dead by now."
"What a waste," Imu muttered as he walked toward the garden room.
"Mu is disappointed, Ron."