Months of training that had been no different from hell finally brought the success they had been hoping for.
Under the influence of the butterfly effect brought about by Maud, Luo had seen even more possibilities within the Op-Op Fruit.
He had indeed grown stronger.
The Soul Exchange surgery, which should have taken another two or three years to master, could now be used with ease.
But it still wasn't enough...
In Maud's eyes, Luo, who had only improved his Op-Op Fruit abilities, was still a weakling.
The reason was... Luo didn't know Haki.
But this kind of thing couldn't be rushed, and Maud wouldn't be taking action against Doflamingo anytime soon.
When that day finally came, it would probably be after the Old Era Great Wave.
Time passed.
The sun sank in the west, and the last strand of twilight vanished beyond the horizon.
The members of the Maud Pirates gathered along the shore where the Netherworld was anchored.
Not only them, but the members of the Heart Pirates, Fujitora, Philo, and even Kuma were there as well.
"Why are we moving so much salt?"
Jaya watched in puzzlement as the members of the Heart Pirates carried sack after sack of salt onto the Netherworld.
This was something Maud had ordered.
So after voicing her question, Jaya looked directly at Maud.
"I'll explain later."
Maud smiled at Jaya. Then, before she could react, he walked straight toward Issho.
"Uncle Issho..."
Maud suddenly stopped after speaking those words.
He had wanted to thank Issho for looking after him during this time.
But then he suddenly felt that some things didn't need to be said.
"Until we meet again."
All the words he wanted to say were condensed into four words in the end.
A smile appeared on Issho's face as