The Straw Hat Fleet surged forward at full speed toward the waters of Totto Land, Big Mom's territory.
This time, there was no room for hesitation. The beginning of the war could already be foreseen, and everyone knew it would not be an ordinary conflict. Because of that, each division carefully selected its strongest fighters, forming an elite force worthy of confronting even the World Government.
Sixth Division: Ace, Marco, Jozu, and Vista—the former elite of the Whitebeard Pirates—now reunited once more under a new purpose.
Fifth Division: "Knight of the Sea" Jinbei, leading the Sun Pirates, a group composed entirely of fish-men experienced in maritime combat.
Fourth Division: "Surgeon of Death" Trafalgar Law, accompanied by Beppo, the polar bear mink, along with his crew.
Third Division: Gecko Moria and his vast army of zombies, advancing like a tide of the undead.
First Division: Zoro, Sanji, Chopper, and Brook.
Zero Division: Nami, Vivi, Robin, Shirahoshi, and Perona—a seemingly "lighter" group, yet possessing extremely dangerous and unpredictable abilities.
And finally…
On Onigashima, the eight members of the Heartless Legion were gathered, along with more than twenty thousand pirates from the Beast Pirates!
The island had been lifted into the sky by Luffy, and with nowhere to escape, the pirates could only remain there, waiting for the moment they would be unleashed onto the battlefield as an overwhelming force.
---
As for the Second Division, they remained at the base camp in Elegia.
Usopp and Franky were completely absorbed in researching the battleship Pluton. Franky, in particular, had already realized that the legendary weapon was not limited to destructive power—there were deeper functions, hidden mechanisms they had yet to fully understand.
---xXx---
At this moment, six ships, accompanied by the floating island, cut through the skies at high speed, heading straight for Totto Land.
---
On the deck of the Thousand Sunny…
Nami leaned against the ship's railing, looking worriedly at Shirahoshi, who floated beside the hull.
Around the Sunny, a mass of seawater hovered in the air, allowing the mermaid princess to keep part of her body submerged. Only her upper half was exposed, her hands resting against the ship as she leaned in to talk.
"Shirahoshi… are you really going? This could be dangerous…"
Her voice carried genuine concern.
"I… also want to help, Miss Nami…"
Shirahoshi replied softly, with a gentle smile.
Vivi gently held the mermaid's fingers and said with a warm smile:
"Be careful, Shirahoshi. This isn't the deep sea… there's nowhere to escape if something happens."
"I know… I'll be careful!"
Shirahoshi replied, trying to sound confident.
---
Nearby, Perona floated in her ghost form, listening to the conversation with a bored expression.
"Why do I have to go…? I never wanted to be part of this…"
Her real body was still resting inside the Sunny.
Robin, sitting elegantly with her legs crossed, smiled faintly.
"Your ability is extremely useful. Reconnaissance, infiltration… you can do far more than you think. If you perform well, Luffy will be very pleased."
"Why would I care about pleasing him?!"
Perona snapped back, puffing her cheeks as she grabbed a donut and took a bite. Half her face puffed up, giving her an almost childlike appearance.
---
At the bow of the ship, Luffy gazed toward the horizon. Then he walked over to the group and handed a copy of the Poneglyph to Robin.
"This is the Poneglyph Jinbei brought. Take a look."
"Another Poneglyph…?"
Robin's eyes lit up instantly. She opened the document and began reading it with heightened focus. The contents seemed more important than usual.
---
Luffy then looked at Perona curiously.
"You're a spirit… and you can still eat?"
"It's for the experience!"
She replied proudly.
"You only taste it… you're not actually eating."
Without hesitation, Luffy stretched out his hand and pinched her ghostly cheek.
"Go use your real body. Your main body is in the room. That's a captain's order."
"Why does it still hurt even though I'm a ghost?!"
Indignant, Perona rubbed her face and disappeared, returning to her physical body.
Moments later, she reappeared—this time in her real form—accompanied by her stuffed bear, Kumashi.
"Hehehehehe…"
She let out a sinister laugh.
"My ghosts found someone infiltrating… the Moby Dick."
---
On the deck of the Moby Dick…
With only four people on board, vigilance had relaxed just enough for someone to slip in unnoticed.
"Yamato… when did you get here?!"
Ace widened his eyes.
"Shhh! Keep it down, Ace!"
Yamato gestured frantically.
"If Luffy finds out… I'm done for!"
Marco placed a hand on his forehead and sighed.
"You really think he doesn't already know…?"
Suddenly—
"Negative… negative… negative…"
A ghostly whisper echoed.
Yamato looked up and saw a small ghost dancing in the air.
Before she could react, it passed straight through her body.
Plop.
Yamato dropped to her knees immediately.
"Sorry… for sneaking on board…"
she muttered, completely dejected.
The ghost laughed.
"Hehehe… Captain Luffy told you to confess."
"Damn it!"
Her emotions shifted instantly.
Yamato stood up, clenching her fists.
"I let my guard down!"
---
Suddenly, a voice echoed directly in her mind.
Yamato froze.
Cold sweat ran down her forehead.
Without arguing… she walked to the edge of the Moby Dick and jumped toward the Thousand Sunny.
---
Shortly after…
She was kneeling on the deck, in front of everyone.
Luffy, sitting cross-legged, spoke calmly:
"Before he died, your father asked me to take care of you."
A brief pause.
"Even if we stood on opposite sides… I can't ignore that. A promise is a promise."
Yamato raised her head, surprised.
"Really?!"
"But I have conditions."
"I'll accept anything!"
she replied without hesitation.
Luffy smiled.
"I heard Black Maria trained you as an oiran."
Silence.
"From now on, you'll maintain the posture and etiquette of an oiran."
"…"
"And I never want to hear you call yourself Kozuki Oden again."
"…"
"Now… repeat after me: I am Yamato."
Yamato looked as if her soul had left her body.
"I… I am… Yamato…"
"More convincing."
"…"
Luffy laughed.
Teasing someone like Yamato was surprisingly fun.
---
Meanwhile, on another ship…
Among the Sun Pirates, the atmosphere was completely different.
Aladdin, as the groom-to-be, was surrounded by his crewmates.
"Aladdin, are you nervous?"
Jinbei asked with a smile.
"You're getting married… treat your wife well."
"Captain Jinbei! Even if I'm married, I'm still a Sun Pirate!"
Jinbei fell silent.
Around them, the fish-men raised barrels:
"Come on, Aladdin! Drink more before you say goodbye!"
"I'M NOT LEAVING THE CREW!!"
Aladdin shouted.
---
On Moria's Thriller Bark…
Hogback was frantically stitching bodies together.
Moria watched from afar, laughing.
"Faster! The war is coming! We'll need more soldiers!"
"Fosfosfosfo! Leave it to me, Lord Moria!"
---
Meanwhile…
On the Sunny…
Zoro trained as always.
Holding a ten-ton bar, he continued his exercises without even changing his expression.
As if the impending war were nothing more than just another ordinary day.
(End of Chapter)