(Responding to the power-scaling issue: the young King-level Orin defeated Rocks together with Roger and Garp—it's just that Orin landed the final blow by exploiting an opening.
As for current Orin, his mastery of Haki has reached a level beyond King-tier (Rocks, Imu level). He is weaker than Joy Boy, but due to being a special type with an extremely powerful Devil Fruit mechanism, he can absolutely suppress King-tier opponents. In theory, two King-tier fighters can contend with a Super King-tier, but special cases like Imu and Orin can't be measured by theory alone in real combat.)
...
"That was really reckless~"
After this battle, the intelligence from Elegia spread across the entire world.
Any force with even a bit of influence had learned that in the music kingdom of Elegia, a perilous war concerning the safety of the world had taken place.
"But... that does fit that old man's personality~"
"Don't you think so, Kuina?"
Sitting atop the massive bow of the ship, the gigantic giant listened to the information read aloud by the woman beside him, then smiled as he asked.
"Even so, Sensei was far too bold. If he were permanently trapped inside the [Sing-Sing Fruit], his life would truly be in danger..."
Kuina, who had received immense kindness from Orin, was clearly worried about such actions, so she responded bluntly.
But Sadgeo, draped in a black cloak and dozens of times larger than Kuina, simply held his straw hat and smiled.
"Don't worry~"
"A man as strong as him wouldn't die to a mere Devil Fruit."
Having grown up in a laboratory, Sadgeo had heard countless stories about Orin—from both the Shichibukai and the underworld.
The one statement he found most convincing was:
"Never think that guy Orin would be troubled by any situation. Maybe... he's already seen his entire life through Observation Haki."
That line came from an anonymous man carrying a cross-shaped black blade.
Though it sounded exaggerated, it clearly showed just how well he understood his old friend.
A man with so many backup plans you couldn't count them—someone who might scheme against you at any moment.
And based on Sadgeo's understanding, after thinking it through again and again, the only way he could imagine breaking free was...
Orin controlling Uta within the Song World, making her sing a forbidden score, summoning Tot Musica, and then defeating it in a single strike before escaping.
"But even if it didn't work, that girl named Uta is really impressive. I'd love to recruit her if I get the chance!!!"
Sadgeo stroked his chin, clearly pleased with the idea.
Hearing this, Kuina immediately jumped up and smacked his head with the scabbard of her sword, raising a lump.
"What the hell are you thinking?!!!"
"But it's true!!!"
Clutching his head, Sadgeo silently marveled at the immense strength of Mythical Zoan users.
"At its core, it's just someone trying to forcefully achieve the liberation of the world with their own power. In that sense, I'm the same~"
"That still doesn't make it okay!!!"
Kuina placed her hands on her hips, glaring at this unreliable giant, and couldn't help but question whether the path Orin had pointed out for him back then was truly the right one.
But...
Zoro was following the future Pirate King.
So her following someone aiming to become the King of the World didn't seem so unacceptable after all.
"If not, then forget it..."
Sadgeo leaned back with both hands behind his head, gazing up at the sky with a faint smile.
"Anyway, before long, I'll be able to accomplish all of this with my own power~"
He seemed to recall something, grinning widely.
At that moment, several giants and fish-men approached carrying food and placed it in front of Sadgeo.
Even though the portions weren't nearly enough for him alone...
"Thanks for your hard work~"
Sadgeo grabbed the food and stuffed it into his mouth, while Kuina also jumped onto the table.
"Don't worry about it! There's still plenty of meat left~"
The atmosphere on the ship was lively and harmonious.
Though there had once been differences between the various races—giants almost stepping on dwarves, humans disliking the fishy smell of fish-men...
Under Sadgeo's "Fist of Love," everyone had become much more amicable.
Kuina had been uncomfortable with this approach at first.
But seeing that all races genuinely acknowledged Sadgeo's combination of kindness and authority, she gradually came to accept this captain as well.
"So... what exactly is this power you mentioned?"
Kuina asked while eating.
"It's a secret. A power capable of changing the world~"
Recalling what Orin had told him on the way to Mary Geoise after their decisive battle against Blackbeard, Sadgeo's eyes shimmered with an indescribable light.
...
"Seriously..."
"I got delayed and didn't even manage to deliver this Nika sample~"
Sitting atop the back of a giant bird, Orin crossed his arms as he finally remembered the matter.
He had promised that rebellious brat, after all—and the preparations were nearly complete.
"In that case... let's head to Egghead."
Upon receiving the command, the Seagull King immediately gathered storms around its body and shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, splitting the sea in two.
Orin instantly appeared atop its head. At first, the Seagull King didn't even understand what had happened.
It only saw Orin sit cross-legged on its head and slowly take out a Black Gun.
"No need to fly so tediously~"
Aiming forward, Orin gently pulled the trigger.
"Bang—"
The air ahead instantly turned into something like a flat pane of glass.
As the Seagull King flew into it, its figure vanished in an instant.
"This new Black Gun is really useful~"
Passing through the Mirror World, Orin even caught a glimpse of Brûlée peeking through a mirror at Katakuri sleeping in the distance.
But he didn't make a sound. In a flash, he passed through and appeared above the sea outside an island.
Countless Sea Beast weapons roamed the surrounding waters, but Orin was already used to them and flew straight toward the highest point.
The Vegapunk satellites had clearly noticed this enormous presence.
A few drops of cold sweat appeared on Lilith's face.
"Being this free on a government-controlled island... aside from the Elder, it's probably only Mr. Orin..."
"He's probably here to see the main body. Maybe it's about the Gum-Gum Fruit?"
And indeed, Orin had come to see the main body.
At this moment, the old man was busy working on a giant robot when he suddenly saw Orin's figure and jumped in surprise.
"Oh, it's Orin... What is it?"
"Well..."
"You haven't forgotten, have you? The final stage of that plan."
"I've already obtained the Nika sample~"
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