Sleeping Ancient Town, situated atop a mountain overlooking the town.
When Arthur scanned this location, he utilized electromagnetic force to detect an unnatural cavity within the mountain.
Inside, there were structures unlike any he had encountered before. After exploring most of the island using electromagnetic force, this was the first time he encountered such a cave within a mountain.
These buildings inside the mountain likely belonged to the historic site of the ancient town of Sleeping.
After examining the mountain for a while, Arthur discovered what seemed to be an entrance, but it was obstructed by earth and rocks.
Since Sleeping Ancient Town lacked formidable individuals and was quite secluded, located over ten kilometers away from any populated area, Arthur felt no hesitation in blasting open the suspected entrance bit by bit. In no time, he had created a tunnel nearly a hundred meters long, leading into the mountain.
Within the mountain, he discovered an ancient ruin resembling an altar, albeit with distinctive features.
While circling the altar, he noticed something resembling ancient text. However, that wasn't his primary focus.
Sensing with electromagnetic force again, Arthur detected a hidden chamber in a corner of the altar, beneath a stone slab, containing something intriguing.
Upon moving the slab aside, he found a decayed box containing a purple apple-shaped fruit with a unique pattern. Unsure if it was indeed a Batto Batto no Mi of the Eudemons species, Arthur decided to consult a Devil Fruit catalog later.
Deciding to leave the cave, Arthur stored the fruit and departed Sleeping Ancient Town with Jessica.
"Jessica, take the gold and Devil Fruit back and conceal them at the heart of Angel Island. Alternatively, you can personally hide them on the moon, where no one will notice. Take them home safely."
On the boat, Jessica retrieved the metal-wrapped pure gold glass jar from the wall, secured the Devil Fruit in iron, and handed it to Arthur.
"Huh? Aren't you coming back with me?" Jessica asked, puzzled.
Arthur shook his head. "I have other matters to attend to, so I can't return just yet."
"Alright then. Take care, okay?" Jessica hugged Arthur tightly before leaving.
"Take care on your way back, too. Fly straight to the sky and avoid any attention," Arthur advised, patting Jessica's head.
As Jessica departed, Arthur set off alone towards the depths of the New World.
His goal? To confront the individual renowned for having the strongest Haki and assess his current standing in the world.
With limited real combat experience, how could he improve without engaging in battles?
In the New World, the territories of the Four Emperors are vast. Whitebeard's and Big Mom's territories are in the first half, while Red Hair's and Kaido's domains are in the latter.
Among them, Whitebeard's territory is the largest, followed by Big Mom, Kaido, and finally Red Hair.
Whitebeard's dominance stems from his pirate flag sheltering numerous islands. Big Mom's territory, although smaller than Whitebeard's, remains unchallenged due to her inability to defeat Whitebeard, as well as her mysterious friendship with him. Kaido, on the other hand, is formidable but unable to surpass Whitebeard's might. Red Hair's territory is more relaxed, as they prioritize freedom over territorial disputes.
Besides these Four Emperors, there are numerous forces, both large and small, vying for power in the New World. While they aspire to rise to the level of the Four Emperors, their strength often falls slightly short. Nonetheless, these factions are formidable in their own right.
Additionally, there are non-affiliated nations and World Government franchise countries. Generally, non-affiliated nations in the New World are stronger than franchise countries. This complexity, alongside the unpredictable and treacherous climate, contributes to the region's reputation as the New World.
The era of great pirates in the New World is marked by chaos and rules. Sailing these waters requires considerable strength or affiliations with powerful factions for safety. Even then, safety is not guaranteed.
Arthur traversed Whitebeard's territory before entering Big Mom's more stable and prosperous domain. Big Mom's nation, especially when she remains rational, is considered a haven in the New World.
After spending time blending in as an ordinary citizen in Big Mom's territories filled with sweets, Arthur quietly departed, finding the excessive sweetness unreasonable.
Moving into Kaido's territory, known for its unpredictable leader, Arthur avoided provoking the madman due to his own agenda. However, the presence of a ship bearing the Beasts Pirates flag with an elephant ivory logo caught Arthur's attention, hinting at potential trouble ahead.
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