Setting out for Sabaody Archipelago!

Gecko Moria joins the "Ghost Princess Pirates".

The Ghost Princess Pirates are also part of the "Storm Grand Fleet".

Rounding up or down.

Gecko Moria was still one of Storm's subordinates.

Indeed, pirates on the high seas tend to be conciliatory and compromising.

Storm directly recruited Gecko Moria, but this fat otaku refused.

However, he suggested that Perona recruit Gecko Moria, and then Moria would agree...

One way or another.

Storm has successfully recruited another Shichibukai.

However, he did not inform Gecko Moria of the existence of the "Cross Guild".

The main reason is that Gecko Moria's strength and mentality are both too weak...

Despite his weak strength, Gecko Moria can still enhance himself by using a large number of "shadows";

However, a breakdown in mentality and a loss of willpower cannot be resolved by ordinary means.

Willpower influences Haki.

And the importance of Haki presence in the New World is self-evident.

Sand Crocodile is training diligently, gradually regaining his former strength.

But Gecko Moria...

At least until this fat otaku regains his [Haki] power.

Storm will not inform the other party of the existence of the "Cross Guild".

As for whether Gecko Moria will regain his [Haki]...

Even Storm couldn't be sure of this.

The problem of Gecko Moria was thus resolved.

"Perona, can we go now?"

Storm looked at Ghost Princess and asked directly.

"We're leaving the Thriller Bark now!"

"Leave?"

Perona blinked, looking slightly confused, before immediately turning to Gecko Moria.

"Lord Moria, are you coming with us?"

"No!"

Gecko Moria shook his head directly.

Although he had just joined Perona's "Ghost Princess Pirates," he didn't really want to work with Perona.

At least for now, Gecko Moria has another matter to attend to.

"I'm heading to Impel Down now! The corpses of those Great Pirate Impel Down... and the shadows of those prisoners! I'm bringing them all back!"

Gecko Moria still wanted to continue building his "Zombie Army".

Perona had a few minor regrets.

However, she didn't want to interfere with Gecko Moria's actions—just as Gecko Moria had generally never interfered with her life before.

"Well then, Lord Moria, farewell!"

Perona, in her spirit form, immediately shrank back into her Sweetheart Baby Bear.

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon slowly walked over.

"Gecko Moria, I hope you'll have improved somewhat by the time we meet next time."

Storm looked at Gecko Moria and offered a calm reminder.

"Anyone who doesn't even know [Haki] is just throwing their life away if they go to Wano Country."

"Snort!"

Gecko Moria withdrew his gaze from Perona, turned to glare at Storm, and snorted coldly.

"I don't need you to remind me, White Dragon!"

"I will personally avenge the blood feud between me and the Beasts Pirates!"

Storm didn't care whether Gecko Moria was telling the truth or lying.

Anyway, once we get to Wano Country, Gecko Moria's true strength will be revealed!

Storm leaped onto the head of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

Brook and Sweetheart Baby Bear had already arrived at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon's body ahead of time.

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon flapped its wings and soared into the sky above the Thriller Bark, then broke through the mist and flew towards the edge of the Devil's Triangle.

Gecko Moria watched the Blue-Eyes White Dragon gradually disappear into the mist until the white dot vanished completely before reluctantly turning his gaze away.

"Perona ..."

Gecko Moria forcibly suppressed his grief over the loss of his daughter and looked at Hogback and Absalom beside him.

"Bring me the Den Den Mushi! I want to speak with the Gorosei in person! I'm going to Impel Down!"

Shortly after the Blue-Eyes White Dragon left.

The Thriller Bark also unfurled its sails and flew towards the Calm Belt.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon gallops across the sky.

"Lord Moria..."

Perona's soul once again left her body, gazing longingly at the Thriller Bark had vanished into the distance.

But the sorrow of parting didn't last long; the anticipation of entering New World made Perona turn around.

"Lord White Dragon!"

Perona floated to Storm's side; in her spirit form, she possessed the ability to fly at will.

Where are we going now?

Upon hearing this question, Brook, who was standing nearby, immediately turned his attention to it, even though he had no eyes...

Sabaody Archipelago!

Storm answered calmly.

"There, I want to meet a remnant of the Old Era."

"The remnants of the Old Era?"

Brook couldn't help but chime in.

"Captain, are you talking about me? Oh ho ho ho!"

"It wasn't you..."

Storm almost forgot that there was an old bone next to him that was even "older" than the "Old Era".

"Silbach Rayleigh, the First Mate of the Roger Pirates, known as 'Pluton'!"

"Rayleigh ..."

Brook was lost in memories.

"Back then, there seemed to be a newcomer with that name..."

Perona wasn't interested in topics like "remnants of the Old Era" or "Pluton Rayleigh."

But she was very interested in the Sabaody Archipelago.

"Lord White Dragon!"

Perona fluttered around Storm, like a happy little butterfly.

"Is it true that the Sabaody Archipelago is a very beautiful island?"

"If you're only looking at the natural scenery, the Sabaody Archipelago is indeed very beautiful."

Storm paused for a moment, then spoke frankly.

"The Sabaody Archipelago is an island made up of Adam Tree, but it's more accurate to call it a 'tree' than an 'island'."

"All seven routes in the Paradise phase terminate at the Sabaody Archipelago, a place far more prosperous than ordinary islands."

"If there's anything you'd like to buy, the Sabaody Archipelago has it all."

The distance between the Marine Headquarters and the Sabaody Archipelago is not far.

Storm had visited the Sabaody Archipelago several times before.

Unfortunately, he was short of money at the time.

Even when they encountered a "Devil Fruit Auction" taking place on the Sabaody Archipelago.

Storm had no money in his pocket either...

Let alone bidding on Devil Fruit.

At the time, Storm wasn't even qualified to enter the auction...

To be fair...

The Sabaody Archipelago is indeed prosperous.

But that prosperity was built on countless deaths and darkness.

In some people's eyes, the Sabaody Archipelago is like paradise.

In some people's eyes, the Sabaody Archipelago is hell!

"That sounds interesting!"

Perona's eyes lit up immediately after hearing Storm's words.

"Actually, I have so many things I want to buy..."

"Yeah?"

Storm glanced at Perona and asked a very crucial question.

Do you have money?

"... money?"

Perona snapped out of her reverie about jewelry and beautiful clothes and glanced blankly at Storm.

"Aren't we pirates?"

"We don't have money, but it would be great if other people did!"

This time, it was Storm's turn to remain silent.

Gecko Moria, you've really caused a lot of harm!

Storm ground his teeth.

"Although, you're right!"

"Hehehe..."

Perona let out a burst of cheerful, bell-like laughter.

"My [Hollow-Hollow Fruit] is invincible—well, invincible against ordinary pirates!"

This was something Storm couldn't refute at all.

In the first half of the Grand Line, where almost no one understood [Haki], it was indeed difficult for any pirate to threaten Perona.

If we only consider "self-preservation ability"...

Storm felt that Perona was even stronger than Brook standing next to her.

"Captain, are you looking at me?"

Brook pretended to puff out his chest, but actually he was just sticking out his sternum.

"Yohohoho! Although my [Revive-Revive Fruit] is weak, I will definitely not let the Captain down!"

"Not just me, but also the 'Rumbar Pirates'."

Storm nodded, then added.

"Once things are settled in the Sabaody Archipelago, I will send you there to reunite with your other companions."

"Both of you need to undergo a period of special training!"

In fact.

Storm could have left Perona and Brook on Thriller Bark and had Gecko Moria take charge of their "training".

But Storm thought about it carefully.

Gecko Moria is a complete waste...

Letting a good-for-nothing teach Perona and Brook...

Storm was very worried that Perona and Brook had been delayed.

Let's send it to the Germa Kingdom first!

Bear's skill level is definitely higher than Gecko Moria's!

Hearing that there would be "special training"

Brook and Perona instantly displayed completely different attitudes.

"Yo ho ho ho! Special training? I'm really looking forward to it!"

Now that Brook has joined the Storm Pirates while retaining his position Captain of the Rumbar Pirates, he naturally craves even more improvement in his strength.

"Special training? No way! It sounds exhausting!"

Although Perona also likes the "Ghost Princess Pirates," she is naturally playful and doesn't have much of a desire or motivation to train and become stronger.

"There's no room for discussion on this, Perona."

"Storm said seriously."

"Your [Hollow-Hollow Fruit] has great potential, don't waste it."

"..."

Perona pouted.

She didn't care whether she let down the [Hollow-Hollow Fruit].

But.

Perona didn't want to disappoint Storm's high regard for her.

"Okay then..."

"Oh right, I think I forgot to introduce another person to you all."

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Storm revealed a huge gap in the back of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon he was controlling.

"He is currently the only member who is working with me."

The back of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon opened.

A loud, snoring sound, like that of a wild beast, came from inside.

Driven by curiosity, Perona immediately sneaked into the Blue-Eyes White Dragon's belly cabin to investigate.

But in the very next moment...

Ghost Princess's scream echoed from the dragon's belly cabin.

"Whitebeard!?"

Here are two updates for today.

Update tomorrow at noon.

Goodnight everyone.