After taking all the treasures on Moria's ship, Masa decided to start his trip once again to Water 7. He had enough of an old ship like this, a ship from an old era that would practically be an antique if it was brought to the world of DxD or Mahouka.
Yes, this ship might be a luxury, but even so, it wasn't luxurious enough for him; at least, he wanted to put a fridge, air conditioner, water warmer, a large pool, jacuzzi, or rather, it would be great if his ship would even become a submarine, too.
Masa knew that his wish was ridiculous, especially when Luffy, the main character of the story, had his ship made of wood.
Yet, Masa was a man of the modern world, so naturally, he wished for something modern.
More importantly, this was possible for him since, unlike Luffy, who lacked intelligence, Masa didn't lack it, and he had many blueprint examples that he could ask from either Masa DxD or Mahouka.
Still, before they left, Moria, Absalom, and Hogback could only stare at Masa with a complicated gaze. After all, not only had this guy practically stolen all of their wealth, Masa even took Perona even if he had Carina by his side.
This guy is a beast!
'Dammit!' 3x
The three of them cursed inwardly for Masa, who was so promiscuous, wishing to have a harem, yet there was nothing they could do, considering how weak they were.
Pika Pika no Mi.
With this Devil Fruit, Masa was practically invincible.
Even if he couldn't win, he could run away, and no one could catch him.
Yet, if this was all, then they would just envy Masa's luck, but Masa was also an amazing swordmaster and also mastered Haki, whether it was Armament Haki, Observation Haki, or even Supreme King Haki.
'Moreover...'
Moria's lack of knowledge made him hesitate, but he felt that Masa's Armament Haki was special somehow.
Still—
"Masa, what are you planning to do in this sea!"
Moria couldn't help but voice out his doubt, considering how powerful Masa was.
Unlike others who went to the sea to prove they were the strongest or achieve their own ambition, having their names to be known by everyone.
Yet, Masa was different; even with such prowess, he remained anonymous, completely hidden from the world as if he were trying to brew a hidden conspiracy.
What did this guy wish to achieve?
As Moria's voice sounded, everyone, whether it was Carina, Perona, Brook, or the others, was staring at Masa, wondering what he wanted to do.
Masa fell silent for a moment and said, "Peaceful life."
"..." Everyone.
This was unexpected, they thought.
"Peaceful life?" Moria looked at Masa strangely.
"To be honest, if you don't target me, I am too lazy to fight you either."
"....." Moria.
In other words, you reap what you sow.
If Moria hadn't set a trap to target those who sailed within this sea, then would he have encountered this trouble?
If Masa didn't appear, would Moria and the others be defeated in such a humiliating way?
No way.
Masa was too lazy to do all of that, even if he had to admit the gains he got from Thriller Bark were delicious.
Still—
"What is a peaceful life?" Perona asked curiously.
Masa looked at Perona strangely, but he decided to explain, "A life without the worry of a war, starvation, poverty, sickness, or dominated by others. I want such a life for myself and my family."
"..."
Did such a life exist?
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Or rather, they had never dreamed that such a life existed!
Why does everyone wish to become a pirate king?
Everyone thought that it was the best path to become the one with the most freedom and the happiest in this world.
Yet, in the simplest terms, didn't they just want to achieve the life that Masa expressed from his lips?
Still, instead of a round way out or simply a stupid method of becoming the Pirate King, Masa sought a different method, a method that no one could think of, only him, who knew what he would do, and the others were just blind, unsure of what he thought of, yet for one thing, they knew the life that he described as a wonderful life that everyone dreamed of.
"I just want peace of mind."
Moria stared at Masa with complicated eyes and said, "That's going to be difficult."
"Is it more than your dream to be a pirate king?"
"..."
Yeah.
Moria wanted to say that, but if he said that, he would deny his dream. However, the truth was before his mind.
After all, he knew even if he became the Pirate King, he couldn't escape the Marines and the World Government.
Or, rather, why did he become the Shichibukai?
Wasn't it because he didn't want to be troubled by the Marines and the World Government?
Wasn't it just the fastest way for him to live a peaceful life?
By relying on the World Government, Moria achieved the life that Masa dreamed of, yet he could tell that Masa planned something that he didn't know, but for one thing, he wanted to see that Masa could achieve that dream of his, that land of dream that could only be achieved when one was sleeping or dying.
"I will leave first."
Masa didn't bother with Moria anymore, but he knew that Moria's existence was like Perona's father, so he said, "Get stronger."
"You don't need to remind me of that, brat!"
It was humiliating, Moria thought, but he knew that he had to become stronger.
Still—
"Take care of Perona."
Perona wanted to cry again when she heard Moria's words.
"You don't need to remind me of that."
After that, there was no need to say anything anymore. The two of them would be living in two different worlds.
While Moria hadn't given up his obsession to become the Pirate King, Masa only wanted a peaceful life, so the two of them were simply in a contradiction.
Yet, there was no doubt that Moria knew that Perona would be living well with Masa, especially when he could see how close Perona was to Masa. To be honest, he could imagine that the next time they met each other, she might have a baby with her.
'Hmm...'
Moria felt a little conflicted, but then again, he could imagine that he would love the existence that was born between Masa and Perona.
Heck, he might even give his everything to this existence that was born between Masa and Perona.
Well, if possible, he wanted this little guy to be a boy so he could inherit his pirate group.
"Absalom, Hogback, let's go."
"Yes, Moria-sama!"
"Let's become stronger!"
As Moria thought to regain his previous power, he also didn't forget to create even more powerful soldiers as he had regained the fire that had been subdued within his heart.
Still holding a cute bear doll, Perona, who stayed by Masa's side, asked curiously, "By the way, we are going to Water 7, right, Masa?"
"Yes."
"To make a new ship?"
"That's right."
"Isn't our ship good enough?"
Perona thought that Masa's ship was good enough, especially considering its luxurious interior and powerful exterior.
"I want to make a better ship."
"What kind?"
"Be patient, okay?"
"Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"
Perona wasn't sure what kind of ship Masa planned to make, but naturally, she was curious, so she threw a tantrum. Still, she threw a tantrum at the wrong person.
"Ah, wait, not here~! Ah~! Oh~!"
Yet, as Masa was on his way to Water 7, Masa of the DxD made his first appearance for the first time.
"It seems... I have to go to the human world, huh?"