Somewhere upon the sea, the colossal Zou continued its advance, stepping through towering waves.
Its enormous body was wrapped in a hazy layer of white light. From a distance, the giant elephant appeared as though it were concealed beneath the silhouette of an immense straw hat, its outline blurred and indistinct, making it seem even more gigantic.
Strangely, despite Zou's tremendous movements across the ocean, not a single sound escaped. The entire island moved in absolute silence.
Atop a giant tree, Joy Boy sat cross-legged. His body radiated brilliant white light, while waves of white flames occasionally drifted around him. A ribbon-like cloud of white fire carried countless leaves in a steady circular motion around his body.
High above him, a straw hat slowly rotated in the sky, continuously releasing particles of white light. Those scattered lights merged into the gigantic straw hat that enveloped Zou, replenishing the mysterious protective barrier surrounding the island.
Rustle.
The bushes beneath the giant tree shook.
Pedro pushed aside the branches and stepped forward.
Wearing his crown, he raised his head toward Joy Boy, his eyes filled with reverence and devotion.
At that moment, Joy Boy opened his eyes. Two beams of white light burst forth from his gaze and struck a nearby tree. The tree twisted unnaturally before rapidly expanding. Thick branches transformed into writhing tendrils, one of which descended toward Pedro, wrapped around him, and gently lifted him before Joy Boy.
Pedro stared at the retreating branches, amazement covering his face.
Joy Boy grinned.
Leaping lightly from his seat, he landed beside Pedro and patted his shoulder.
"Isn't it fun?"
Pedro quickly composed himself.
"It truly is a miraculous ability."
Joy Boy folded his arms with a wide smile.
Compared to the embarrassment he had experienced when he first arrived on Zou, he now carried himself with overwhelming confidence.
He had recovered the legacy he had left behind on Zou. During this period, his soul had completely synchronized with Luffy's body, and his strength continued to increase each day. He was not far from regaining his former peak.
Now, with every movement, he could influence the world around him.
As he described it, everything should be freed from the restraints of rules and allowed to dance wildly throughout the world.
Looking up at the rotating straw hat overhead, Joy Boy asked,
"Pedro, how has everyone's training progressed?"
Pedro lowered his head respectfully.
"Everyone has fully mastered Haki. They are now qualified Mink Tribe warriors."
Joy Boy immediately corrected him.
"They are Free Warriors. Don't forget our name, the Free Army."
"Yes, the Free Army!"
At the mention of freedom, Pedro's face flushed with excitement, as though his blood had begun to boil.
"I also used the previous full moons to help the younger members who had not mastered Sulong. They can now maintain control after transforming."
Joy Boy's smile widened.
He placed both hands upon Pedro's shoulders.
"Pedro, you've done an excellent job. Having a companion like you is truly wonderful."
The repeated praise nearly made Pedro lose himself.
If one exaggerated slightly, it seemed as though he would willingly tear out his own heart and offer it to Joy Boy.
He struck his chest forcefully.
"This is my duty. Please rest assured, Joy Boy. I will help you destroy the Celestial Dragons and liberate the entire world."
Joy Boy's eyes became moist with emotion.
He embraced Pedro tightly.
"Good, very good. Together, we will make the name of the Free Army echo across the entire world."
After speaking, Joy Boy seized Pedro's shoulders and leaped from the giant tree, landing upon the soft, elastic ground below.
Pedro suppressed his excitement and asked,
"Joy Boy, what should we do next? Give the order, and every member of the Mink Tribe will follow you."
However, Joy Boy shook his head.
"Pedro, you are mistaken. Some of your people have yet to truly recognize us."
Pedro's expression darkened immediately.
"It is because of Wanda and Carrot, those two traitors."
After regaining much of his power, Joy Boy had already sensed Lloyd's arrival the previous day.
He had immediately ordered Zou to crouch low upon the sea, using the enormous straw hat barrier to conceal the island beneath the ocean's surface and avoid Lloyd's detection.
During that process, he also discovered Wanda and Carrot traveling alongside Lloyd. Through them, he learned that his presence on Zou had already been exposed to the World Government.
Thinking about it, Joy Boy slowly shook his head.
"In truth, this is also my responsibility. I did not expect them to reveal what happened here. I even met them when I left the island. I should have stopped them then."
Seeing Joy Boy blame himself, Pedro hurriedly replied,
"This is not your fault. I failed to guide my people properly."
A cold light flashed through his eyes.
"If we meet them on the battlefield one day, I will show them no mercy."
Joy Boy waved his hand.
"There is no need for that. They are still young. Forget about them."
His expression gradually became serious.
"Now that the Celestial Dragons are aware of us, we must act more carefully before the final battle begins. We need to strengthen ourselves as much as possible."
Pedro nodded.
"Yes, Joy Boy. How much of your strength has returned?"
Joy Boy narrowed his eyes.
He clenched his fists and felt the endless power surging within him.
"It still requires some time, but before Zou reaches our destination, I will completely recover."
His gaze sharpened.
"This time, I will not fail."
The moment those words fell, an overwhelming wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Joy Boy's body.
Black lightning crackled through the air.
The tremendous pressure spread across Zou itself.
Feeling the immense aura radiating from Joy Boy, Pedro became even more excited, as though he could already see the day when the Celestial Dragons would fall.
At the same time, deep within Mary Geoise, inside the Chamber of Flowers,
Imu slowly raised her head while seated upon the Empty Throne.
Her cold eyes gazed forward.
She gently stroked the throne's armrest.
Dark clouds rapidly gathered above Mary Geoise.
A terrifying pressure instantly descended upon the Holy Land.
Outside the Chamber of Flowers, the Five Elders' expressions changed drastically.
Without hesitation, they all knelt toward the chamber in unison.
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