Blackbeard's Blackmail?

Zou Kingdom, Whale Forest, Whale Tree Secret Chamber.

Storm, Robin, and Law gathered here.

Bepo, who has just returned to his hometown, is currently "building rapport" with the rest of the Mink Tribe and is not in the secret room for the time being.

Three Road Poneglyph were neatly arranged in front of Storm and his two companions.

Robin was working at full speed to read and translate the Ancient Script inscribed on the three red stones.

Luo stared in awe at the three massive red rocks before him.

"So, in order to reach the Laugh Tale, Laugh Tale, you must obtain the four Road Poneglyph Raftel?"

This "intelligence" was known to very few pirates across the entire ocean.

Everyone thought that finding the Laugh Tale, Raftel, would make them the Pirate King.

As for how exactly to find the Laugh Tale?

Not many people know this.

Even for Luo, this was the first time he had learned about the information related to the Red Poneglyph.

To reach the Laugh Tale, Raftel Tale, and find the "Great Treasure" left behind by the Pirate King Roger, you must collect all the information recorded on the four Red Poneglyph.

And the archaeologists who can translate Ancient Script are here.

The Road Poneglyph is also here!

Luo turned his head and stared at Storm with burning eyes.

"Captain! Now, if we find the last Road Poneglyph, we'll be able to pinpoint the exact location of Raftel, the Laugh Tale!"

Luo's unspoken meaning was very clear--

As long as the Storm Pirates reach the Laugh Tale!

Vongola Storm can become the new Pirate King!

This is something countless pirates dream of.

"Yes, that's true."

Storm nodded nonchalantly.

"Just one last road sign is needed."

"Truly worthy of being Captain!"

Luo looked at him with admiration, and then continued.

"I will then mobilize the entire power of the Totto Land to search for the whereabouts of the last piece of the Red Poneglyph!"

As a subordinate carefully cultivated by Donquixote Doflamingo.

Luo's talent is outstanding.

In the current Whole Cake Island, Storm is undoubtedly the king.

And Luo was the "chief steward" personally appointed by Storm.

Under Storm's instructions, Law has the authority to mobilize the power of all Totto Land!

"There's no need."

Storm gently patted Luo on the shoulder.

"Luo, I'll go get the last piece of the Road Poneglyph in a bit."

"Zou 'll leave the cleanup work here in your hands."

Storm meant by "closing things out" was actually bringing Zou into the Totto Land family.

If the Mink Tribe are willing.

Storm wouldn't mind moving the entire Zou to Whole Cake Island!

This can be considered as easing the burden on the Zunesha...

Upon hearing Storm's words, Luo was initially shocked, then looked over with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.

"Captain, you mean... you knew the whereabouts of the fourth Red Poneglyph all along?"

To be precise.

Storm replied casually.

"I knew the exact locations of the four Road Poneglyph from the very beginning! Zou, Totto Land, Wano Country, and -- Fish-Man Island."

"It's just that I hadn't actively looked for the Road Poneglyph before."

Upon hearing this, Luo nearly split apart on the spot.

He had already mentally prepared himself to assist Storm in becoming the Pirate King.

Little did they know that their Captain had already obtained the "ticket" to the Laugh Tale!

How can this be considered assistance?!

What's causing this inexplicable sense of frustration?

Luo opened his mouth, but in the end only managed to utter one sentence.

"Truly worthy of being Captain!"

At that moment, Robin finished her translation work and came over with several thick stacks of manuscript paper.

"Captain, all the information on the Road Poneglyph has been translated."

"Good."

Storm didn't even look at the information recorded on these papers. Instead, he put them, along with the Road Poneglyph, into the "Treasure of the King" and stored them away.

"Robin, I'm going to find the last Road Poneglyph. Do you want to come with me, or stay in Zou and wait for me to bring back the Red Stone?"

Robin thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"Although I'd love to go with the Captain to find the last piece of the Road Poneglyph, I'll stay in Zou for now. I'm really interested in this 'Millennial Kingdom'."

It is said that the Kingdom of Zou has a history of nearly a thousand years.

Looking across the entire ocean, this is an extremely rare and special situation.

Robin is indeed very interested in the Kingdom of Zou.

For example...

Robin pointed to the wall of the Whale Tree Chamber, where a badge almost as large as Poneglyph was imprinted.

"The history and significance this badge represents."

"Badge?"

Storm looked in the direction Robin indicated, then curled his lip in disapproval.

"This isn't any special badge; it's the family crest of the Kozuki Clan from Wano Country."

"The Kozuki Clan of Wano Country..."

Robin blinked, then looked at Storm with a slightly resentful expression.

"Speaking of which, Yamato is from Wano Country, isn't he?"

"Wano Country is also an ancient country with a history of nearly a thousand years."

"But when the Captain went to Wano Country before, he didn't take me with him..."

Not just Wano Country.

The name of another country also flashed through Robin's mind.

Elbaf!

Sauro should be in Elbaf right now, right?

Robin reached out a finger and gently twirled the end of her black hair.

'Should I cut my hair shorter when I go to Elbaf?'

"Cough cough, I'll definitely do it next time."

Storm said something he wasn't sure about, then waved his hand.

"Robin, Law, you two stay in Zou for a few days. I'll be leaving now."

After saying this, Storm summoned a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, rode it into the sky, and flew away.

Before parting.

Storm once again initiated a spiritual communion with Zunesha.

'Zunesha, I need to go to Fish-Man Island now.'

'Go, Vongola...'

The aged voice of Zunesha soon rang out.

This generation of Aquaman was born ten years ago.

'You knew about this too?'

Storm rode the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and flew to the side of Zunesha's head.

'Could it be that Giant Sea Kings told you?'

According to Storm, several Giant Sea Kings lurk in the deep sea.

These Giant Sea Kings are no ordinary creatures.

They not only possess enormous sizes far beyond what ordinary people can imagine, but also intelligence comparable to that of humans.

In a sense.

These Giant Sea Kings should be classified as a completely new type of intelligent life.

Just like Zunesha.

And if Storm remembers correctly.

Giant Sea Kings also possess abilities similar to telepathic communication.

Pirates with the talent of "Hear the Voice of All Things" can sometimes even overhear conversations between Giant Sea Kings.

In addition.

There seems to be some special connection between the Mermaid Princess and the Sea King.

Even though the Mermaid Princess —specifically referring to the Mermaid Princess who possesses the talents and abilities of [Poseidon, the Sea King]—has not yet been born.

The Sea King could also determine the Mermaid Princess's birth time through some unknown connection.

Zunesha also possesses the ability to "Hear the Voice of All Things," which means it has the basic conditions to communicate with the Sea King.

'No, not Giant Sea Kings, but destiny...'

"It is Ganesha," said the Zunesha slowly.

'On the day [Poseidon] was born, I clearly felt her arrival... Furthermore, in another sea, another king was born...'

When Storm first heard this, he was completely confused.

But after thinking about it carefully for a while, he found some information deep in his memory.

That was when the Roger Pirates were sailing past Fish-Man Island.

The Sea King at the time made similar judgments, and their communication was even overheard by Roger and Kozuki Oden. (Chapter 968 of the manga)

At that time, the Sea King were still looking forward to the day when the two "kings" would meet...

But Storm still doesn't know who else besides Aquaman could be called a "king".

'Forget about kings and kings.'

Storm shook his head, banishing the thought of the other king from his mind.

He rose from an ordinary marine to become Pirate Emperor, not by following some ridiculous "fate"!

'Zunesha, would you like to eat?'

'Want!'

At the Zunesha's insistence, Storm fed the old elephant some more food.

With the help of the [Eat Eat Ring], Storm can create any food he wants at will.

After the feeding event ended, Storm bid farewell to Zunesha and flew towards the initial stage of the New World.

Just as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon was about to arrive on the Red Line Continent.

Storm suddenly received an unexpected Den Den Mushi call).

"Sand Crocodile?"

Storm took out his personal Den Den Mushi and frowned as he looked at the face that was somewhat different from Crocodile's.

"No, you are not Sand Crocodile."

"Hahaha!"

A wild laugh came from the Den Den Mushi's receiver, followed by a rough male voice.

"White Dragon Emperor! The Sand Crocodile is in my hands now! Do you want to save him?"

"Marshall D. Teach, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates."

Storm calmly gave the other person's name.

"You actually defeated Crocodile?"

The other end of the Den Den Mushi.

Covered in wounds, Blackbeard Teach immediately looked around, full of questions and unease.

How did the White Dragon Emperor know his true identity before he even introduced himself?

Was the White Dragon Emperor watching from the sidelines!?

This monster!

I don't want to fight that monster right now!

"Thief, thief, hahaha!"

Blackbeard Teach gave an awkward laugh, then stated his request.

"If you want Crocodile's life, come and trade a large warship for it!"

"I'll be waiting for you on Hand Island!"

Six o'clock...

Good morning, everyone.

Goodnight, time for bed.