The Journey Home: The Last Poneglyph

The day after the Void surfaced.

The sea was clear and the sun shone on the deck, where the resin film had completely evaporated. Kaido lay on the ship's railing, looking at the sea for a long time, but he could see nothing but water on the surface.

"Lin Yuan, how much longer until we reach Hachinosu?"

"Two days. If you want it to be faster, I can teleport you back first."

"Oh, no need for that."

Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi: "The text on the red Road Poneglyphs has been translated. It points to coordinates in a certain sea area of New World. Tides, currents, and star markers, along with the other three, are needed to determine the destination. We don't know where the fourth one is yet."

"The fourth piece is in the Big Mom's hand," Lin Yuan said.

Kaido looked up from the ship's railing. "Are you sure?"

"Haha, when have I ever lied to you?"

Kaido didn't press further. After a moment of silence, he suddenly laughed, "Oh ho ho... You're going to that woman's place? She's not easy to talk to."

How many years did you work with her?

"Three years. On Rocks' ship." Kaido leaned against the ship's railing. "When she first arrived, Whitebeard, and he won. She was furious for a whole day. Later, Rocks put her in charge of the grain depot, and she turned it into a confectionery shop."

Bullet walked over. "So you fought with her?"

"It's a draw." Kaido slammed his Iron Club onto the deck. "She didn't win, and I didn't lose."

"So why did she pursue you for three days?"

"Pirates don't need a reason to fight, or maybe they want to have my baby, oh ho ho..."

In the afternoon, Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi again. "I've translated part of the Blue Apology. It starts with Joy Boy's promise to Fish-Man Island —he promised to bring the mermaids to live on land, but he didn't keep his promise. Because the Ancient Kingdom was destroyed by the World Government, he couldn't return."

Huijin paused for a moment, holding the teacup.

What was he feeling when he wrote these?

"It's a pity. I can tell," Ginny said. "He left two markers before he left—one for an apology, and one for directions. The blue one is the apology."

Huijin didn't ask any more questions. She put down her teacup and looked at the distant sea.

Jin stood atop the mast and glanced down at her.

The next morning, Ginny's voice suddenly changed. "Lin Yuan! A ship is approaching from the northwest! Pirate flag, bounty... 220 million, the 'Iron Fang' Pirates. Their route intersects with yours, and they're moving very fast!"

Kaido, sunbathing on the deck, jumped up immediately after hearing this. "Two hundred and twenty million? That's impressive."

"Let's go over and take a look," Lin Yuan said.

The Void changed course and headed towards the other ship. The other ship also spotted the Void but didn't hide—when pirates meet, it's either run or fight; the other ship chose the latter.

A one-eyed, burly man stood at the bow, carrying an iron chain ball and wearing iron braces. He was taken aback when he saw the Void —the ship was enormous. But when he saw the flag on the sail, he didn't recognize it.

"Leave the ship! Get out of here!" The one-eyed captain brandished his chain ball. "Or I'll sink you all!"

Kaido leaped from the Void. He landed on the other ship's deck, his Iron Club bar slamming into it, causing the ship to lurch violently and sink halfway up the waterline. He was two heads taller than the one-eyed captain, looking down at him and grinning. "What did you just say?"

The one-eyed captain nearly dropped the chain ball when he saw his face. "Kai... Kaido?!"

"Oh ho ho... You got it right, but there's no reward."

Kaido smashed the bow of the ship with a single blow. Wood chips flew everywhere, and seawater rushed in. Bullet followed closely behind, leaping over and smashing the mast in half with a punch. The sails came crashing down onto the deck, burying several pirates underneath.

The one-eyed captain tried to resist, but the chain ball slammed into Kaido's back. Kaido didn't turn around; instead, he grabbed the chain and yanked hard, pulling the one-eyed captain over and slamming him onto the deck. Kaido stepped on his chest.

"A bounty of 220 million, and that's it?"

The one-eyed captain's eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

The battle ended in less than three minutes. On the Void, Ginny's voice carried a hint of disappointment. "That's it? Two hundred and twenty million, and it couldn't even last three minutes?"

"He's too weak." Kaido jumped back onto the Void.

"Tie him up and lock him in the hold. We'll deal with him when we get to Hachinosu."

On the evening of the third day, the Void sailed into the port of Hachinosu.

Ginny stood on the dock, holding an account book and a translation, a piece of orange dangling from her mouth. Zephyr stood beside her, arms crossed.

"You're back?" Zephyr asked.

"I'm back. On Sabaody Archipelago Garp asked me to give you his regards," Lin Yuan said, jumping off the ship. "Fish-Man Island was alright. I had a meal, made two rubbings of the monument, and formed an alliance with Neptune."

Zephyr "Haha"

Ginny handed over the translated manuscript. "The red part contains coordinates, pointing to a certain sea area in the New World. The other three parts need to be combined to determine the destination. Is the fourth part definitely in Big Mom's hands?"

"Lin Yuan said yes, then go get it," Kaido said.

"It's not about taking, it's about exchanging," Lin Yuan said. "Let's make a first impression and visit Whole Cake Island as allies."

"Are you sure?" Ginny frowned. "That's the Big Mom's territory."

"When she was doing business on Hachinosu last time, she said she welcomed me to visit Whole Cake Island," Lin Yuan said. "Now it's time to keep my word. Allies should visit each other."

What if she doesn't give it to me?

"Talk it over. If we can't reach an agreement, then we'll talk again."

Lin Yuan had Ginny send a message to Big Mom through Morgans's connections. "I've come to Whole Cake Island for a visit. Just some friendly exchanges, and maybe to discuss a business deal. --Lin Yuan"

After the letter was sent out, Ginny continued translating the blue stone tablet. Kaido was feasting in the Training Grounds —he ate roasted meat, then fruit, then jerky. Bullet was practicing his punches on the deck, smashing a piece of Seastone with one blow, sending shards flying. King and Huijin were sparring in the Training Grounds, golden and gray flames intertwining. Zephyr stood by watching, occasionally calling out, "King, the left wing is slowing down." King adjusted his stance and continued practicing.

The next morning, the Big Mom replied, "Well... kid, come on over. Whole Cake Island is waiting for you. A banquet is in store. --Linlin"

Ginny finished reading, she looked up at Lin Yuan: "She said she'd wait for your banquet."

"Then let's go." Kaido stood up. "She's treating us to dinner; we'll talk about it after we eat."

How many meals have you had with her?

"Just once. It was her birthday, and she made the cake herself, saying, 'Wow... my cake is the best in the world.'" Kaido paused. "I tried a bite, and it was indeed delicious. Later, I went and got another piece, and she chased me halfway down the island."

"You took the whole piece?"

Kaido retorted confidently, "You don't take half a piece of cake."

Bullet shook his head. "So your relationship with her is just about stealing cakes."

"It's not stealing, it's taking. She cut it up and no one ate it, so I'm sharing the burden. Or, Lao Ba, why don't you have a baby with her to improve your relationship?"

Bullet didn't bother to reply.

Late at night, on the top floor of the Castle. Moonlight spilled onto the sea as Ginny walked up and stood beside Lin Yuan.

"The blue stone tablet has been mostly turned over. In his apology, Joy Boy said— the D. Clan are the guardians of the Ancient Kingdoms. Their mission is to protect Laugh Tale."

Lin Yuan looked at the moon. "When Roger gets there, he'll naturally be able to see it."

After a moment of silence, he continued, "Once I get my hands on the four Road Poneglyphs, I won't go alone. I want to invite everyone to go with me. Rocks, Whitebeard, Big Mom, Roger, and me—each of us in our own ships, each on our own paths, meeting up at that place."

"That place?" Ginny asked.

"What Laugh Tale Joy Boy left behind shouldn't be left to just one person."

Ginny looked at him. "Oh, Captain, inviting so many people, there might be a huge treasure there. How will we divide it up?"

"You're becoming less and less like a pirate." -Zephyr

"They never really looked alike." Lin Yuan

The Void was resupplyed by dawn.

Ginny stood on the dock. "Keep in touch remotely. Be careful. That Big Mom isn't easy to talk to."

Kaido, carrying his Iron Club, jumped onto the ship. "I know. Just don't touch her cake."

"You've fought with her before, are you still afraid of her?"

"It's not fear, it's trouble." Kaido leaned against the ship's railing. "When she chases people, she's more annoying than Sea Kings."

Bullet boarded the ship. "How many times has she chased you?"

"Just that one time. Oh ho ho... This time it's your turn to pursue her. She's from Totto Land, she'll definitely like you."

Bullet: "Hahaha, this is the best of women! Kaido, are you sure you haven't been with her?"

"Oh, lol..."

Lin Yuan stood at the bow. "Untie the mooring lines. Let's go, Whole Cake Island."

The Void departed from the port of Hachinosu, the Sea Wind Dial activated at full power, and the ship sliced through the sea, heading towards Whole Cake Island. Lin Yuan stood at the bow, his water glass reflecting the rising sun. The conch pendant given to him by Shira on his belt swayed gently in the wind.

"Whole Cake Island. The last piece."

(End of Chapter 93)