"I wonder what kind of Sea King Meiser will bring this time~" Merry mused, resting her chin on her hand.
Come to think of it, they hadn't eaten the Sea King they defeated at Sabaody Archipelago last time. She hoped it hadn't spoiled.
"Whatever kind is fine, as long as it can get us to Impel Down," Luffy said.
"It's Impel Down!" Merry corrected him helplessly.
What was wrong with this guy? Why did he always misremember names and give people and things weird nicknames?
"Ahahaha, well, it's that big prison anyway!" Luffy laughed, scratching his head.
"You might encounter powerful enemies when you go to Impel Down this time," Granny Nyon interjected. "So be careful."
With Meiser's Sea King, escaping shouldn't be too difficult, but if they ran into an Admiral-level opponent inside, things could get dangerous.
After all... those kinds of monsters were on a whole other level!
Hearing this, Luffy's smile faded. He adjusted his hat and said firmly, "No matter what, I'm going to save Ace."
Even if it cost him his life, he had no regrets.
Granny Nyon sighed inwardly as she watched Luffy's determined expression.
Talking to him was pointless—this guy was as stubborn as they came.
Well, with Meiser accompanying them, things probably wouldn't spiral out of control.
With that thought, she relaxed slightly.
Then, she turned to Merry and asked, "Merry, what color snake do you want?"
"Hmm... a blue one."
Margaret: ???
"You're not asking for a blue snake just because you saw Sandersonia-sama's form, are you?" Margaret asked, dumbfounded.
If she remembered correctly, Sandersonia could transform into a massive blue serpent.
"Of course not," Merry shook her head. "I just like that color."
She then looked back at Granny Nyon. "Granny, do you have one in that color?"
"I'll see what I can find," Granny Nyon nodded.
Who knows? She might even find a snake with some special venom—that could boost the little one's combat abilities.
"Thank you, Granny!"
"You're welcome."
Granny Nyon patted Merry's head affectionately, her eyes full of warmth.
Looking at the girl reminded her of Hancock and her sisters in their younger days.
Just then, Meiser appeared in the backyard. "Let's go. It's time to set off."
"Finally!"
Luffy shot out like a monkey, brimming with excitement.
"What kind of Sea King did you catch?" Margaret asked curiously.
"Well... that thing had a dog's head and was a few hundred meters long," Meiser replied.
"A few hundred meters?!"
Margaret stared at him in disbelief. He had tamed a Sea King that massive in such a short time?!
That was unbelievable!
A creature that huge was several times larger than a pirate ship!
"Truly impressive," Granny Nyon remarked with admiration.
They actually managed to take down a large Sea King in such a short time. Truly worthy of someone who can go toe-to-toe with a Marine Admiral!
With such a massive Sea King, they could easily follow the military warship without issue.
"However, I've noticed a problem," Meiser said. "The Sea King's perception seems flawed."
"Perception?" Margaret asked, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"When deep underwater, they don't rely on sight to observe their surroundings," Meiser mused, stroking his chin. "It's more like they sense everything through aura or scent."
"But the warship's aura blends with the ocean's!"
To ensure their tracking wouldn't fail, Meiser had deliberately maneuvered the Sea King near the warship for a test. The feedback he received was that the creature couldn't detect the warship's location underwater.
Because... the warship's aura was identical to the ocean's!
"An aura matching the ocean?" Granny Nyon frowned, her mind racing with theories. After a moment, she said, "It must be Sea Stone."
"Sea Stone?!"
"Indeed." Granny Nyon nodded. "You know what Sea Stone is, right?"
"Yeah, it's used to suppress Devil Fruit users."
"That's too simplistic an explanation," Granny Nyon corrected. "To be precise, it's a crystallization of the sea itself, infused with the ocean's essence—that's why it can nullify Devil Fruit powers."
"Still, the Navy's application here is surprising."
She paused briefly before continuing, "From what we've seen, the Navy must have developed special technology to integrate Sea Stone into their warships, masking their presence. That's likely how they navigate the Calm Belt."
Otherwise, the moment a warship entered the Calm Belt, it would draw the attention of massive Sea Kings. And once targeted by those colossal creatures spanning hundreds or even thousands of meters... death would be all but guaranteed.
"So, you can't have the Sea King follow the warship anymore?" Margaret asked.
"Not exactly," Meiser replied. "I just need to surface periodically to reorient."
"Of course, if we could locate the Navy's special current, we wouldn't need such hassle—just follow it."
According to Shakky, that current could lead them straight to Impel Down, so finding it would solve everything.
"No need for such complications," Granny Nyon said, standing up. "Come with me to see the Serpent Princess."
"I have a solution."
Meiser was puzzled but relieved that she had a plan. He then raised his hand and performed the Shadow Clone Technique.
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke dissipated, revealing an identical copy of Meiser.
"Wha—?!"
"A... a clone?!" Margaret gasped, eyes wide with disbelief.
He could actually create clones?
"Yep, a clone," Meiser chuckled.
"Color me impressed," Granny Nyon admitted, equally astonished. "I didn't think you could really do this."
Just like in the stories—ninjas and their Clone Techniques.
But Meiser had never shown it in front of her, so she thought he couldn't do it.
Yet... he really knows the Clone Technique!
"As a ninja, isn't it only natural to know how to clone?" Meiser grinned.
After speaking, Meiser turned to Luffy and said, "Luffy, go with the clone to the Sea Kings first. I'll catch up with you soon."
"Got it!" Luffy nodded.
Meiser then handed the scrolls containing food and the warehouse supplies to his clone, signaling it to set things up so no time would be wasted.
"Understood."
The next moment, Meiser's Shadow Clone activated a Ninjutsu—a massive rocky hand suddenly burst from the ground, grabbing the two of them before diving back underground and vanishing.
"He... he went underground again!" Margaret's eyes widened.
Just like before—he was truly incredible!
"What a convenient and useful ability," Granny Nyon remarked with a sigh.
With the Earth Release Technique, this kid could go anywhere he pleased.
Being a ninja... how enviable!
"Let's go find Hancock."
With that, Granny Nyon summoned her Serpent Cane and began walking slowly into the distance.
Meiser followed, but just as he took his first step, a small hand tugged at his sleeve. "Merry?"
"Meiser, you two have to come back alive!" Merry said tearfully, staring up at him.
She was terrified that this farewell might be their last.
"Didn't we already pinky promise?" Meiser bent down and ruffled the little girl's hair. "We'll definitely come back alive!"
"Mm!!!"
Reassured, Merry let go of Meiser's sleeve.
"Margaret, I'm counting on you to look after Merry while we're gone," Meiser said.
"Don't worry," Margaret replied solemnly with a nod.
"Kid, hurry up!" Granny Nyon called.
"Right, coming!"
After giving Merry one last smile, Meiser turned and left.
Instinctively, Merry reached out again—but this time, she said nothing, silently watching Meiser's back until he disappeared from sight.
Meiser... Luffy... Please stay safe.
The little girl bit her lip, praying for them in her heart.
"Don't worry, Merry," Margaret said, picking her up. "They're so strong—they'll definitely come back alive."
"Mm!"
"Come on, I'll teach you some egg-hatching tricks," Margaret offered.
"Okay!"
Meanwhile, at the western coastline of Kuja Island...
A colossal Sea King lay submerged in the water, only its eyes and part of its head visible above the surface.
Under Meiser's control, it hadn't moved an inch since arriving.
A moment later, the ground on the shore burst open as a rocky hand emerged.
"We're out!"
Standing atop the rocky hand, Luffy threw his arms wide and cheered.
Meiser shot him an exasperated look—this guy really loved making a scene.
Shaking his head, Meiser turned toward the sea and shouted, "Come out!"
As his voice faded, the massive Sea King stirred.
"BOOM!!"
The next moment, an enormous dog head emerged from the sea, its eyes blood-red.
"Whoa... it's huge!!!" Luffy exclaimed.
"I just said it was several hundred meters long," Meiser replied.
Scratching his head, Luffy said, "I don't know how big several hundred meters is."
Meiser: "..."
Meiser's lips twitched. Apparently, making a simpleton like Luffy understand such things was indeed difficult.
Shaking his head, Meiser said, "Anyway, this guy is our transportation for this trip."
"I've named him: Erha."
"Oh, Erha, got it." Luffy nodded. "Since it has a name now, I won't eat it."
Meiser: "???"
Wait, so this guy was planning to treat it as emergency rations from the start?
The thought of emergency rations made Meiser think of Chopper.
"Poor Chopper..."
"Meiser, are we sitting on its head?" Luffy asked excitedly.
As he spoke, he stretched out his arms to grab Erha's head, intending to launch himself up.
"Idiot, not the head!"
"Huh?"
Luffy froze at Meiser's words, then—due to his Rubber powers—went flying straight into the sea.
"Gurgle gurgle gurgle..."
Meiser: "..."
Watching Luffy blowing bubbles in the ocean, Meiser facepalmed.
"This moron."
With a pained expression, Meiser activated the Water Release Technique to fish out the still-bubbling idiot.
"Cough... ugh..."
"Gah... I almost died!"
"Too bad you didn't drown," Meiser snapped. "Next time, can you let me finish talking?"
Fortunately, they were on the western coast, far from the Navy Battleships on the frontlines, or they might have been spotted.
If the Navy had discovered them... their entire operation could have been ruined!
The thought made Meiser's fist clench.
"Thud!"
A Haki-infused punch landed squarely on Luffy's head, leaving a massive bump that sent him rolling on the ground in pain.
"Ow... that hurts!"
"Next time, listen to me properly, you idiot!" Meiser growled.
"But—"
"Hmm?"
"Sorry..."
Seeing Meiser raise his fist again, Luffy immediately apologized.
Meiser snorted, then turned to Erha. "Open your mouth."
The Sea King obediently opened its maw, revealing its massive fangs—a terrifying sight.
Unfortunately, neither Meiser nor Luffy was fazed.
"Let's go, Luffy!"
With that, Meiser grabbed Luffy and leaped, landing precisely inside the creature's mouth.
He then took out the Scroll containing the warehouse, clapped his hands, and released it.
"Thump~"
Surveying the warehouse's position, Meiser nodded. "Good, it's on the edge here, so it won't be affected much."
Next, Meiser activated the Water Release Technique, creating a hollow water sphere to securely encase the warehouse.
After inspecting it and confirming everything was in order, he nodded in satisfaction.
"What is this?" Luffy asked curiously, staring at the water sphere.
"This is a hollow water sphere I created using Water Release. It prevents seawater from rushing in and washing us away," Meiser explained.
Although it required continuous Chakra to maintain, it wasn't difficult for him. After all... his Mangekyō Sharingan Pupil Technique was incredibly powerful!
The only downside was that it could only stay fixed in one place—otherwise, it could have been used as a Coating.
Meiser mused silently.
"So cool!" Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Meiser's Water Release Technique could even do something like this? Amazing!
"Pretty impressive, right?" Meiser grinned. "My Water Release Technique is top-notch!"
With that, he grabbed Luffy and pulled him toward the water sphere.
"Hold your breath."
"Huh?"
Before Luffy could even ask, Meiser yanked him straight into the Seawater Barrier.
Luffy: ???
"Gurgle gurgle gurgle... cough cough."
Emerging on the other side, Luffy collapsed on the ground, coughing violently.
Meiser chuckled. "I told you to hold your breath."
"You said it so fast... cough... How was I supposed to... cough..."
Meiser awkwardly averted his gaze. Had he spoken too quickly? Well, he'd pay attention next time.
Luffy didn't dwell on it. After spitting out the water, he quickly regained his energy and began curiously examining the warehouse before them.
Under the moonlight, he could faintly make out the structure inside the water sphere.
"Meiser, are we gonna stay here from now on?"
"Yep, that's right."
Meiser pushed the door open and stepped inside. "This 20-square-meter space is enough for us to move around."
As he spoke, he pulled out some candles from a Scroll, placing them on the table and lighting them.
"I bought these candles on the way back—perfect for lighting," Meiser said.
As for oxygen, it was easy to solve—just let Tooth out periodically for fresh air.
He would open the water sphere to let oxygen in when needed.
"Meiser, you think of everything!" Luffy grinned, baring his teeth.
He hadn't even considered the lighting issue.
Meiser simply smiled in response.
Before heading to Impel Down, they'd be living here. If he didn't plan carefully...
Well, that would just be asking for trouble.
Naturally, Meiser wanted to make sure they were comfortable.
Then, he turned his gaze outward, thinking to himself: I wonder how my main body is doing...
What exactly is Granny Nyon's method...?
Just then, Luffy spoke up. "Meiser, can I eat something?"
Meiser: ???
Meiser turned to him in shock. "You're telling me you're still hungry after all that?"
"I was full this afternoon, but now I'm hungry again," Luffy scratched his head.
His digestion was incredibly fast—whatever he ate in the afternoon was gone by night.
That was why he often sneaked into the kitchen to grab food at midnight.
Meiser: "..."
Meiser's expression turned complicated, at a loss for words.
Fortunately, the supplies purchased this time were plentiful, otherwise they might not have been enough to feed this guy.
Shaking his head, Meiser took out the Scroll containing the food and said, "Good thing I had the foresight."
Casually unrolling the Scroll, he took out some food and placed it on the table before saying, "Eat up, you glutton!"
"Awesome!"
"Arigato!" Luffy laughed loudly.
He then picked up a large piece of meat with bone and began eating, his expression one of pure enjoyment.
Meiser ignored him, instead turning to glance toward the window as he thought to himself: 'I wonder if there are any Admirals stationed where Fire Fist Ace is...'