I was holding a mug of hot tea, its steam rising lazily to the cabin ceiling, while I slowly leafed through a fresh newspaper. On its front page, three new faces that became part of Shichibukai caught the eye.
The first was Cavendish, with a crossed-out award of 220 million belli. His smile, haughty and sharp as a blade, which he probably loved to swing, was on display in a large photograph.
He was followed by Jingjiao, an old pirate with combat experience and a reward of 542 million. His sturdy figure and deep scars spoke for themselves–the government knew why they had chosen him.
The last one was Dagon Grimm, with his relatively modest reward of 240 million. I knew less about his reputation, but this man's face seemed to be imbued with a dark energy, as if he found pleasure in chaos.
I took another sip, letting the bitter taste of the drink focus my thoughts. I turned the page with a light movement, but my gaze involuntarily returned to the note in the corner. It's a small article, but it's important. The union of Kaido and Doflamingo. Suddenly. How do they collect information? The newspaper said:
Amazing and disturbing rumors are coming from the closed country of Vano, shrouded in a veil of secrets. After a long lull, the Quixotic Doflamingo known as the "Heavenly Demon" has reappeared in the New World. His sudden return has made everyone think about what changes this infamous master of intrigue is preparing for us.
According to unconfirmed sources, Doflamingo, who disappeared from the radar after the events in Dress Rose, is now on the territory of Vano. Moreover, rumors claim that he has formed an alliance with Kaido, the emperor who leads the formidable Beast Army.
But many questions remain.:
How and why did the Doflamingo end up in Vano?
What could have motivated Kaido to form an alliance with him?
Is it true that the recent battles in Vano are related to this unexpected alliance?
Some evidence claims that the Kaido army suffered serious losses, and key figures such as Jack and Queen allegedly do not appear in public. However, there is no confirmation of this data yet.
The maritime government remains silent, which only fuels interest in what is happening in Vano. Recall that this country has always been closed to the outside world, which makes it an ideal place for secret battles and unexpected political changes.
Experts are already warning that if Kaido and Doflamingo really joined forces, it could turn the balance of power in the New World upside down and have disastrous consequences for the balance of the world.
We will closely monitor developments and hope that light will be shed on this new, disturbing chapter of Vano's story.
After finishing my tea, I went out of the captain's cabin onto the deck. The cold ocean wind swept past, filling the sails with a blood-black color. They fluttered lazily like war banners. The boards beneath his feet seemed alive—every step echoed with a low, booming sound, as if a giant was slumbering inside the ship. The Thunder Leviathan always left a feeling as if its heart was still beating, even though its "body" had long been made of ebony and metal.
The hull of the ship, reinforced with steel plates, glittered in the dim light, and the runes engraved on it flickered faintly. A massive dragon's skull stood on the bow, its empty eye sockets seemingly watching the surrounding waters. The spikes along the sides made the Leviathan look like a beast ready to rip apart anyone who dared to get too close. Masts made of giant bones, in memory of the sea monsters that fell under the hand of Kaido or his army, cast terrifying shadows.
The Fleet of Beasts moved slowly but surely. My instructions were followed: the army left Vano, and the island itself remained at the mercy of fate. Those who had once been proudly called part of the Beast Army were now disappearing into the depths of a New World. Of the twenty-eight thousand soldiers, after two weeks, only eighteen thousand remained under my control. I let the others go with a warning not to set foot in the Bathroom. The remnants were still floating behind me, but their looks already betrayed fear and doubt. Time will do its job.
Zenusha was already close. A giant elephant, whose size exceeded the radius of my control of the puppets, that is, more than five kilometers, slowly moved across the ocean. I had to collect all the puppets on board the Leviathan. The flames of my power enveloped the ship, and clouds began to form beneath us. The Leviathan seemed to come to life as its hull slowly lifted off the water. Soon we were airborne, heading towards Zenusha's huge silhouette piercing the horizon.
When our ship reached the top of Zunesha's back, I felt the subtle scent of salt and herbs, blowing in the wind, mixed with the scent of rain and wood. The ancient forest growing on the back of a giant elephant was like a frozen moment from another era. We arrived at the city of Minkov. The tall silhouette of Duke Inuarasi was waiting for us on the bridge leading deep into the trees. His fur, though stained with age, still retained a golden sheen.
He stepped forward, not looking at me, but at Kaido's figure behind me. His voice was steady, but there was a hint of wariness in it.
"What brings you here?" "What is it?" he asked, as if addressing the question not to us, but to the forest itself.
I took a step forward, leaving Kaido behind, and spoke before he could open his mouth.
"I'm looking for a Poneglyph pointer,– I replied calmly. "If it's inconvenient, I can enter the city alone.
Inuarasi's gaze lingered on me. His eyes, deep and penetrating, seemed to be searching for an ulterior motive in every word I said. After a short pause, he nodded.
"You can enter," he said, –but only within the designated route. We do not want uninvited guests in our lands.
–I agree,– I answered briefly.
The Duke motioned for me to follow him, and we moved deeper into the forest. Kaido remained behind, motionless as a statue at the entrance to the city.
Along the way, Inuarashi kept breaking the silence, asking me questions in a soft but insistent tone.
"You're not from Vano,– he began. – How are you related to Kaido?
"We're cooperating," I replied evasively, avoiding unnecessary details. "And you?" Why did you decide to show him the Poneglyph?
"We don't have the task of protecting him," he said after a short pause. – This is a stone of the past, and his words are only for those who are able to understand them. We do not know the secret of Raftel, but if it really exists, it is unlikely that even Yonko will be interested in it for a long time.
The forest around us gradually darkened, the sun's rays became thinner and thinner, making their way through the dense foliage. Finally, we came to a low cave entrance, barely visible among the roots of an ancient tree.
–Here,– Inuarasi said, stopping.
I stepped inside and found myself in front of a massive red block. The light of the torches hanging along the walls played on the smooth surface of the stone, on which mysterious symbols were carved. I came closer and started reading.
From the land where the Titans nurture their cities and where the peaks of the world touch the clouds, there lies a mystery hidden beyond the horizons on the southeastern side. Four thousand eight hundred nautical miles from Elbaf stretches a place where the waters find their tranquility, and the land becomes inaccessible to ordinary mortals. Here, at the edge of the inhabited world, the last frontier begins, leading to the past, which is reflected in the stones and the sky.
I took a coin out of my pocket and held it at eye level, letting the torchlight play on its surface. The question sounded inside me, and the coin swirled in the air before landing on my palm. A moment later, a scene unfolded before my eyes. I saw how ancient craftsmen carved text on this very stone using a tool whose glow resembled a red-hot stone. Their hands moved with precision and care, as if each symbol was a prayer.
When the vision disappeared, I took another look at the text. Behind my shoulders, Inuarasi spoke cautiously.:
"Have you read everything?"
–Yes,– I replied, hiding the coin.