"What are the coordinates on your back?" Luo Ning pressed again, certain this information would prove valuable.
"The coordinates depict a path leading to the Great Kingdom's highly secretive location," Zunesha rumbled. "It lies above the sea, not hidden, but rather encompassed by horrendous natural dangers."
The climate there dwarfed even the New World's most perilous conditions. Imagine a zone as treacherous as the triangle formed by Impel Down, Marine Headquarters, and Enies Lobby – a region easily traversed through the Gates of Justice.
Venture beyond these familiar locations, however, and monstrous whirlpools plague the seas, swallowing ships whole and burying them in the abyss. This is precisely why Luffy and his crew were forced to escape through the Gates of Justice; a detour was impossible.
These coordinates form a secure route, a sequence of four points that, when connected, reveal not only the Great Kingdom's location but also the sole safe passage. Obtaining all four coordinates is paramount, for without the complete sequence, venturing into that region is a guaranteed death sentence.
The final destination marks the Great Kingdom's ruins. These four coordinates hold immense significance for ordinary people as well. Zunesha recounted its own harrowing escape, having fled without the benefit of the safest route. The perils it faced were not limited to monstrous whirlpools; fearsome tornadoes and electrifying storms raged through the skies, a terrifying gauntlet of nature's fury.
Escaping that perilous region took a heavy toll. The aftereffects forced Zunesha into a long period of recuperation. Even with its immense size at the time, barely exceeding current stature, navigating those hazards proved a monumental feat, a testament to the true dangers lurking there.
"A truly fascinating place," Luo Ning mused. "While the idea of a final island held some intrigue, the revelation that it's the ruins of the Great Kingdom? Now that demands exploration!"
Perhaps the extended period of isolation fueled his desire for conversation, because Zunesha continued to chat with Luo Ning until nightfall, weaving tales of the kingdom's founding.
"Master Luo Ning, what transpired just now? You've been completely motionless for quite some time," his companions finally voiced their concern. Initially, they believed he was merely resting, but his prolonged stillness gave them pause. Even Zunesha remained silent.
The twice-daily water spray ritual had only occurred once that day, a development that surprised the Mink Tribe. After all, these scheduled events had never been interrupted before. Now, with Luo Ning's unusual state added to the mix, they couldn't help but suspect a connection.
"No worries, I simply had a lengthy conversation with Zunesha," Luo Ning explained. "Perhaps the lack of interaction for an extended period is to blame. Zunesha and I got a bit carried away."
His explanation left everyone speechless.
Inuarashi stammered, "Talk with Zunesha? How in the world...?"
From birth, they'd all attempted communication with the giant elephant, but to no avail. Yet, Luo Ning managed a lengthy conversation.
"I employed a special method," Luo Ning explained, slightly dampening their curiosity. "The Elephant's voice is restricted to a select few, which explains why you couldn't hear it."
Robin, ever the inquisitive historian, pressed, "Then what did you discuss?"
Zunesha was a living relic of the past, arguably more valuable than any historical text. Robin naturally craved knowledge of their conversation.
"We covered some of your most desired topics – the hundreds-year void in history, the World Government's formation, and the twenty kingdoms that predated it."
"And the true final land!"
Luo Ning's words detonated like a bomb, drawing every eye to him.
"What final land? Does One Piece hold a bounty of treasures?"
Nami, the ever-present thief, couldn't contain her excitement at the mention of treasure.
"While I haven't learned about Roger's treasure from Lord Elephant, I do know the nature of this final land. It's the ruins of a great kingdom, and its destruction likely holds the key to its fate," Luo Ning explained, his voice laced with disdain. "This must be why Roger sought to send people there."
The very mention of Roger left a bitter taste in his mouth. Luo Ning saw him as nothing more than a glorified manipulator, preying on humanity's curiosity to ignite an era of chaos. The whole "final land" scheme struck him as foolish, and he refused to indulge the topic further.
"The ruins of a great kingdom, huh?" Robin chimed in. "Speaking of which, I did stumble upon some coordinates and a route description in historical texts, though incomplete."
"Of course they're incomplete," Luo Ning confirmed, shaking his head. "Only by combining all four pieces can you determine the exact coordinates and course to reach this final place. Without them, any ship, be it airship or seafaring, is doomed to meet a watery grave."
Even Golden Lion Fruit's flight wouldn't guarantee safe passage. Zunesha described a treacherous landscape – a sea ravaged by constant tornadoes, terrifying thunder, and relentless lightning. Any attempt to navigate these waters would be a suicide mission.
The seabed presented no better alternative. Powerful creatures lurked in the depths, and monstrous whirlpools posed a constant threat. Even Zunesha, with its immense size, struggled during its escape.
For ordinary vessels, venturing into that region was a guaranteed death sentence. Only with overwhelming power to neutralize these natural disasters could one hope to survive. On that entire sea, Luo Ning harbored a grim certainty: he was the only one capable of such a feat.
Others might endure a single bolt of lightning or a brief tornado, but what about days on end? Fatigue would inevitably set in. Without Luo Ning's unique abilities, any expedition into that maelstrom would be a fool's errand.