The two-masted ship sailed through the night, its bow splitting the waves as it pushed deeper into the South Blue.
Behind them, the Oliventa ancestral estate gradually vanished into the darkness. In the courtyard, those unconscious agents woke one after another, then fled the island with fear and despair clinging to them like a second skin.
The news would reach the World Government soon.
A CP0 elite squad would mobilize. The God's Knights would receive the report. The Five Elders would convene an emergency meeting.
All of it was within Bullet's expectations.
He needed enemies.
He needed battles.
He needed to devour.
He needed… to become stronger.
Until one day, he could stand atop Mary Geoise and face those Celestial Dragons who called themselves gods, opening a dragon's maw meant to consume everything.
That day would not be far.
...
At daybreak, the two-masted ship cut across the calm waters of the South Blue.
Anna stayed in the cabin, caring for her grandfather.
His condition was worse than she had expected.
In the attack three years ago, he had not only suffered physical injuries, he had also been struck by some special ability. His vitality had been leaking away ever since. Even after basic treatment, his face remained pale, his breathing thin and weak.
"Grandfather, drink some water," Anna said.
She helped him sit up and carefully raised the cup to his lips.
The old man drank a few sips with difficulty, then shook his head, signaling it was enough.
He opened his eyes. Eyes that once held a sharp, intelligent light now carried only exhaustion and pain.
"Anna…" he rasped. "That person… can you trust him?"
Anna was silent for a moment.
"I don't know if he's trustworthy," she answered honestly. "But he's strong. Strong enough to deal with those CP agents without difficulty."
"And…" She hesitated, then pulled the rubbing from her clothes. "He has writings which our family has studied."
"He said he wants me to decipher it. In exchange, he'll protect us."
The old man stared at the rubbing for a long time, something complicated flickering in his gaze.
In a low voice, he said, "Back then, I thought deciphering the ancient writing was only for scholarship."
"I didn't expect it would bring a disaster that would wipe out our family."
"Grandfather, the Void Century… what is it, really?"
Anna finally asked the question that had haunted her for years.
"Why would the World Government pay any price to cover it up?"
The old man closed his eyes. Only after a long time did he speak.
"It is 'sin.'"
"The sin committed by gods, and… humanity's resistance."
He did not continue, but the words alone were enough to leave Anna shaken.
She tightened her grip on the rubbing, a fierce impulse rising in her chest.
She wanted the truth.
She wanted to know why her family had been hunted, and what had truly happened in that hundred-year blank.
And that, perhaps, was the reason she could work with that monster at all.
On the deck, Bullet stood by the helm, watching the sea ahead.
His Observation Haki remained spread out, and within a kilometer, nothing could move without being reflected in his awareness.
So far, everything was normal.
But according to the intelligence from that agent, CP0's pursuit could appear at any moment.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Anna stepped onto the deck, rubbing in her hands.
She still looked worn down, but her gaze was steadier now, as if she had finally decided what she wanted.
"I want to talk to you," she said.
Bullet nodded, signaling her to continue.
"You said earlier that our deal was you protect us in exchange for deciphering ancient writing."
Anna met his eyes directly.
"But I want to know more."
"What is your purpose in deciphering it?"
"Is it only for power?"
"Power and truth," Bullet answered, straightforward.
"I want to know every secret in this world."
"The Void Century, the Ancient Weapons, the Will of D, and even… the nature of gods."
"And those secrets are hidden in the ancient writing."
"And after you know them?" Anna asked.
"Devour them."
A flicker of light passed through Bullet's scarlet slit pupils.
"Knowledge is also a kind of power."
"The more I know, the stronger I become."
"When I know all the truth of this world, I can devour the world itself."
The words were arrogant, close to madness.
But Anna could feel it.
He meant every word.
This monster truly intended to treat the "world" as food.