Yes, that's right!" Brook nodded instinctively but quickly realized something was off.
"Wait... how did you know?!" Brook turned to Kai, staring in shock. If he still had eyes, they would have been bulging out of his skull. He hadn't said anything about it yet!
"The whole shadow business... it must be Moria. He's the only one I can think of with the Shadow-Shadow Fruit," Kai said calmly.
"Gecko Moria?" Robin's expression grew serious upon hearing the name.
Nami, sensing the tension, asked, "Robin, do you know about him?"
"Yes," Robin nodded. "Gecko Moria is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, on the same level as Crocodile."
"Pfft, Crocodile-level? What's there to worry about then?" Usopp, who had been petrified with fear just moments ago, now sat back in his chair, acting cool.
"Huh?" Kai raised an eyebrow at Usopp. "You're saying you could handle someone on Crocodile's level just like that?"
"Of course not," Usopp admitted. "But I've got you guys! We're a crew, right? If you're strong, I'm strong too!" He said it with a straight face, not even a hint of shame.
...
Kai sighed. "Usopp, don't underestimate the Seven Warlords. None of them got their titles by being pushovers. And even among them, there are differences in strength. Crocodile, for instance, is probably the weakest. The strongest of the Warlords, though, can stand toe-to-toe with the Four Emperors."
"The Four Emperors..." Hearing those words sent chills down the crew's spines. They knew what that meant—pirates who ruled the seas, sitting at the pinnacle of power. They were still far from reaching that level.
"What about Hawkeye?" Zoro suddenly asked, his voice filled with determination. "Where does he rank among the Warlords?"
"Hawkeye is the one I mentioned who can rival the Four Emperors. He's the strongest Warlord."
Zoro's eyes gleamed with excitement. He knew Hawkeye wasn't just any swordsman—he was the world's greatest swordsman. One day, Zoro would surpass him and claim that title for himself.
"What about Moria? Is he strong among the Warlords?" Nami asked.
Kai thought for a moment. "Moria... he used to be strong, especially when he was younger and fought Kaido. But now... it's hard to say. His power mostly comes from his army of zombies. His own strength... doesn't stand out much anymore."
Usopp, feeling reassured, leaned back confidently. "Well, if he's that weak, we don't have anything to worry about!"
"Huh?" Brook blinked, confused. "Are these people... actually so fearless? They're not even worried about a Warlord?"
"Just tell us where Moria is, and we'll help you get your shadow back!" Luffy declared, thumping his chest.
"You... would really do that?" Brook was deeply moved. If he had eyes, they would be welling up with tears. But then his joy turned to sorrow. "But... I don't even know where he is. I've been wandering this sea for so long, I'm not sure I'll ever find him."
Kai, who had been quietly observing, suddenly stood up. "No need to look for him. It seems the owner has come to us."
Everyone turned to look at Kai, surprised. Without another word, Kai headed outside the cabin, and the rest of the crew quickly followed.
What greeted them outside made their jaws drop.
"Ghosts! Ghosts!" Usopp screamed at the top of his lungs, instantly pulling out garlic, a cross, a mirror, and a wooden sword from seemingly nowhere.
Kai glanced at Usopp, baffled. This guy sure is prepared!
The rest of the crew stood frozen in place, looking horrified as ghostly figures floated around them. But Kai wasn't paying attention to the ghosts. His eyes were focused on an empty spot in the corner of the ship.
In an instant, Kai's figure disappeared.
When he reappeared, he was in the corner, gripping what looked like thin air.
"Kai, why are you grabbing at nothing?" Luffy asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"You guys don't use Observation Haki yet, do you?" Kai sighed.
"Huh? What's that?" Luffy asked, still clueless.
Hearing this, the rest of the crew activated their senses, trying to feel out what Kai was talking about.
"W-what's happening, Robin? Is something scary here?" Chopper asked, trembling as he clung to Robin's legs.
"I think so," Robin replied, though she couldn't see what Kai was talking about either.
After a moment, Luffy's eyes widened. "I... I can sense it! There's something there, but it's faint... I almost missed it!"
"You only just awakened your Observation Haki. It's not as developed yet," Kai explained, tightening his grip on the invisible figure.
"Ahem..." A choking sound echoed through the ship, startling everyone. Slowly, an outline appeared where Kai had been gripping. It gradually solidified, revealing a man in a black coat with a lion's mouth on his chest.
Kai's eyes darkened as he recognized the man.
It was Absalom, one of Moria's top subordinates.
He was also the one who had tried to expose Nami back in the day.
Kai's expression grew colder. I have no tolerance for scum like him.
"You... what are you going to do?! Let me go! I serve Lord Moria! Are you not afraid of what'll happen if you harm me?" Absalom struggled to speak, his voice trembling.
"Do you think I care?" Kai replied, his voice chillingly calm, his grip tightening further, his gaze filled with icy resolve.
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Power Stones would be appreciated if you liked the story.