A Huge Pale Gold Shadow

"Are you sure everything's okay?"

"Are you sure there's no problem?"

Chopper, feeling the pirate ship rocking violently, grabbed Zoro by the neck and yelled, "I feel like I'm going to fly out!"

Normally, Xi Yan's Water Release Technique should be very stable, so why is it shaking so violently this time?

"Although it's shaking quite a bit, but..." Xi Yan, who had used Chakra to fix himself to the pirate ship, looked up at Bai Long and said, "The Water Dragon won't be destroyed, so don't worry."

As long as the Water Dragon isn't destroyed, the coating will be fine.

"That's good." Chopper breathed a sigh of relief.

Zoro:...

Not good at all; he felt a little short of breath.

"Chopper."

Zoro managed to say, "Grab my arm, not my neck."

"Okay, sure."

Upon hearing this, Chopper instinctively released his grip and flew away.

Chopper:???

Zoro:...

Seeing Chopper fly towards Perona, Zoro was immediately rendered speechless.

I told you to grab my arm, not to just let go!

Perona, with a smile, raised her hand and caught Chopper as he flew towards her, then hugged him tightly in her arms.

"I'm... I'm saved..."

"Hey, Nami!" Merry, nestled in Nico Robin's arms, looked up at Nami and called out, "Are we going to be swept far away by this weird sea current?"

Robin just said that this thing could potentially send the ship to a very, very far place.

"If we can't escape the White Dragon Current, we will indeed be teleported to a very far place," Nami said, using her ability to immobilize herself. "But the Xi Yan's Water Release Technique can carry us out, so that won't happen."

After speaking, Nami paused for a moment, then looked up at Xi Yan standing at the bow of the ship and called out, "Xi Yan, haven't you found Luffy and Sanji yet?"

"I am not the original body, so I don't know the situation over there either," Xi Yan replied.

If it's Shadow Clone that goes this time, the original body will have a chance to receive the information transmitted back by the Shadow Clone.

Unfortunately... he was just a Shadow Clone, so he couldn't see what was happening on the other side.

"Don't worry," Franky said, "Xi Yan will definitely find Luffy and Sanji."

Just then, Franky, who was lying on the bow of the ship, noticed an enormous pale golden light and shadow appear outside the Water Dragon, which looked like a giant.

And that giant's size... was at least over a hundred meters!

'What is that?' Franky wondered.

Why does it look like a giant?

Could it be that the Bald-headed Sea Monster we encountered before has caught up with us?

But that doesn't make sense, the other one isn't light gold...

'Could it be something that was swept in by this White Dragon Current?' Franky wondered to himself.

It's not impossible.

Franky then planned to tell his companions about his discovery, but before he could speak, he noticed that the pale golden shadow had vanished.

Franky:???

That's all?

The next moment...

"Boom!!"

"Xi Yan!"

"Luffy!"

"Sanji!"

Seeing the three figures rushing in from outside the Water Dragon, everyone's faces immediately lit up with surprise.

"I'm... I'm saved..." Luffy said, sticking out his tongue. "I thought I was going to die."

Sanji also looked utterly exasperated, his lips trembling.

Xi Yan also breathed a sigh of relief, and his expression gradually relaxed.

"Thank goodness you're finally back," Nami said.

"Although the process was somewhat tortuous, we're finally back," Xi Yan said.

After saying that, Xi Yan turned to look at the Shadow Clone and said, "We can break out now."

"Profound!"

The Shadow Clone nodded upon receiving the order, then activated the Water Dragon Bullet Technique and rushed out of the white dragon's path, quickly escaping the incredibly strong current and reaching a distant location.

After confirming that the pirate ship would not be taken away again, the Shadow Clone and the Water Dragon disappeared from the spot.

Once Nami could no longer see any trace of the white dragon, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Things have finally stabilized..."

Nico Robin frowned and looked at Luffy and Sanji, saying, "Why are their Water Release Technique gone?"

Upon hearing this, the others also realized what was happening.

The thin membrane that Luffy and his crew used to have is gone!

"We were swept away..." Sanji said with a grim expression, "After entering the super current, we both felt an incredibly terrifying tearing force."

"Soon afterward, the thin membrane on my body disappeared."

This is why he looked so pale; he was truly on the verge of death!

As for Luffy?

Although he was holding this guy tightly, because he was Devil Fruit User, he drank water faster than he did.

"And you two..."

"Don't worry, we're all fine," Sanji said. "Shortly after the membranes on our bodies disappeared, Xi Yan came looking for us."

Thankfully, that was the case, otherwise they would definitely have been killed by the ocean current!

"It's fortunate that you two have monstrous physiques, otherwise you would definitely have been killed by the ocean currents," Nami said.

Upon hearing Nami's words, Sanji and Luffy both showed expressions of relief.

Yes, thankfully they're strong enough...

"Ah... it feels so good to be alive..." Luffy, lying on the ground, said, "Sanji, I want to eat!"

Sanji:...

Sanji's lips twitched slightly as he listened to Luffy's words, then he said, "You really never forget about food, do you?"

"Okay, I'll go after I have a smoke."

After saying that, Sanji shakily reached into his pocket, intending to light a cigarette to calm his nerves.

But when he reached into his pocket, he realized something was wrong.

Where are my cigarettes?

Am I angry?

"Where did everything go?" Sanji asked, frowning.

"It must have been swept away by the ocean currents," Xi Yan guessed.

Being swept away by such a terrifying ocean current for so long, it's already quite fortunate that we only lost our Lighter and fire.

At least the person is still alive.

"Swept away..."

Sanji's lips twitched slightly. Why did it have to be these two things that were taken away?

After a moment of silence, Sanji stood up and said, "Never mind, let's go back to the cabin and change our clothes first."

I just went back inside to get a new Lighter and cigarettes.

While thinking, Sanji grabbed the lying Luffy and got up to walk towards the cabin.

"Hey, why are you grabbing me?"

"Of course I'm going to change my clothes, you rascal," Sanji said irritably.

The ocean currents have gotten them all messed up; how can they not change their clothes?

"Oh..."

Seeing this, Xi Yan smiled, then turned to Nami and said, "We should have been swept quite a distance away, are you alright?"

If there's a problem, he'll use Water Release Technique to propel the pirate ship forward.

As for the underwater scenery?

Compared to life, scenery is secondary.

Nami glanced at the Log Pointer in her hand instinctively, then said, "It should be fine."

Although it rushed out quite far, it shouldn't have reached the height of the Knock Up Stream, so there's no problem.

"That's good."

Xi Yan nodded, then walked to the side and sat down, saying, "That's good."

Just then, a deafening roar came from afar, startling Chopper so much that he jumped up.

"What... what's wrong now?!" Chopper asked in a terrified voice.

Did they encounter some terrifying sea monster?

No!

Nami, as if struck by a sudden realization, widened her eyes and exclaimed, "That voice..."

Why does it sound a bit like Laboon's bark?

"What's wrong? What's wrong?"

Luffy and Sanji, having changed their clothes, rushed out, asking anxiously, "What happened now?"

Let me see.

Having reached a high point on the pirate ship, Xi Yan squinted at the side and said, "That's... a group of enormous Island Whale!"

That's strange, why didn't I notice these big guys earlier?

Could it be... that the enemy just charged at us from behind the pirate ship?

It's not impossible.

"It really is Island Whale!"

Upon hearing Xi Yan's words, Nami knew she hadn't misheard; that sound was indeed the roar of Island Whale.

Brook, her body trembling, said, "Island Whale..."

Is Laboon here?

Thinking about this, Brook became somewhat excited.

"I don't know why you recognize that enormous creature, but don't you think we're moving to the side right now?" Perona said, pointing to the side.

The pirate ship has been turning around since just now.

"Really?" Chopper asked doubtfully, "I didn't feel anything."

"This shouldn't be happening normally..."

After speaking, Nami paused for a moment, then, as if she had thought of something, looked up at Xi Yan and said, "Are those Island Whale heading this way?"

"Yes."

Xi Yan nodded and said, "They are approaching us."

"That makes sense then..." Nami said, biting her lip.

"What's the meaning?"

"If there are enough Island Whale, they can cause a major ocean current," Nami said.

This is also why their pirate ship was spinning.

"Such a thing actually happened?"

When Mary saw the massive pod of Island Whale in her field of vision, Merry was completely stunned.

Can ocean currents be generated using the strength of the physical body?

Is this the power of Island Whale?

It was at this moment that the Thousand Sunny was affected by the ocean currents and was pulled into the group of Island Whale, sailing forward with them.

Seeing this, Perona frowned and asked, "Nami, what should we do?"

Being led along by so many enormous creatures... I hope nothing bad happens.

"Merry, Yang Fan!"

"Profound!"

Although she didn't know why she had to lower the sail, Merry obediently lowered the sail of the Thousand Sunny.

"Hey, hey, Nami!"

Seeing the sail lowered, Usopp exclaimed, "Why are you lowering the sail? You're not planning to go with the whale, are you?"

Although seeing the Laboon tribe was a pleasant surprise, he didn't want to hide in the sea with them.

"That's right, I'm going with them!" Nami nodded matter-of-factly.

Usopp:???

Why?

Perhaps sensing Usopp's confusion, Nami explained, "Island Whale are special fish that need to surface to breathe, so all we need to do is follow them to reach the ocean of the New World."

"Don't we need Knock Up Stream anymore?"

"If I'm not mistaken, they'll encounter Knock Up Stream soon," Nami said. "So following them is the safest bet."

Rather than slowly searching for the Knock Up Stream on her own, she preferred to go with these guys.

As for whether doing this might be dangerous...

With Xi Yan around, what kind of danger could possibly arise in the ocean?

"Then it's decided!" Luffy waved his hand and said, "Merry, let's go for them!"

"Profound!"

"We're already here..." Perona retorted.

They've already been pulled by the ocean currents into the middle of the Island Whale pods; what's the point of talking about moving forward now?

"Hey, look!" Luffy pointed to a huge whale to the side and said, "That scar... it's exactly the same as Laboon's!"

"Could he be Laboon?!"

"Is that really Laboon?!" Brook exclaimed excitedly. "I can't believe how big he's grown..."

"Hey, Laboon, it's me!"

"You two, stop talking nonsense," Usopp said. "Laboon should be in the first half of the Grand Line, how could he possibly be here?"

"And... don't forget that Laboon has grown up!"

"Its enormous size means it can't even squeeze through the holes in the Red Line."

Therefore, he didn't think that big guy would appear here.

After all... Laboon is just too big.

"But why do even the scars look so similar?" Luffy said, "Isn't it Laboon?"

This guy looks exactly like Laboon!

"No." Nami shook her head, then pointed to the side and said, "Didn't you notice that several whales have similar scars?"

"It really is..."

Why is this happening?

"Could it be that these big guys all have a habit of crashing into rocks?" Zoro wondered.

What is the purpose of doing this?

"Perhaps these are traces left from a battle with other Sea Kings," Xi Yan guessed. "Or maybe it crashed into land or rocks while swimming in the deep sea."

Only in this way could these big guys suffer injuries similar to those on Laboon.

"Hmm, maybe."

Listening to Xi Yan's explanation, Zoro nodded in deep agreement, clearly agreeing with what Xi Yan said.

Only in this way can we explain why the other person has become this way.

"Hey, it's me, Laboon!" Brook cried out, "I'm Brook from the Rumbar Pirates!"

Listen to me!

"Calm down, Brook," Usopp said, grabbing Brook who was about to rush forward. "I told you you've mistaken the whale for something else. Laboon isn't here!"

"That big guy is still at Twin Capes!"

"Not here... not here..."

Brook, who was being hugged by Usopp, seemed to understand something and lowered his head, saying, "Yes, this is Laboon's hometown..."

After speaking, Brook paused for a moment, then excitedly called out again, "Hey, are any of his relatives here?"

"Are you looking for the Little Whale that went missing from the pod fifty years ago?" Brook shouted. "Don't worry, he's living a good life in another part of the ocean!"

"I heard from Luffy that he's grown really big now, just like you guys!"

"So... so please don't worry!"

As he spoke, Brook burst into tears, his expression even more agitated than before.

"They... seem to have understood..."

Seeing the Island Whale fixing their gaze on them, Nico Robin looked surprised and said, "They're looking at us!"

"Island Whale can understand human speech!" Sanji said with a smile.

That's why Luffy was able to make that promise with Laboon.

"You keep talking about Laboon, Laboon ..." Perona, standing to the side, looked curiously at the Island Whale and asked, "What exactly is Laboon ...?"

"Ah, Laboon is the whale we encountered at the entrance to the Grand Line," Zoro explained. "He came there with Brook and the others fifty years ago."

Zoro then explained to Perona why Laboon was there, and also told her the story between Brook and Laboon.

"Wow, this story is so touching!" Perona said, her eyes brimming with tears.

They kept their promise to each other for fifty years... that's so touching!

Thinking of this, Perona burst into tears.

"Wow, Zoro, their story is so touching!"

Zoro wiped away the tears that had sprayed onto his face with a hint of helplessness, then smiled and nodded, which could be considered as agreement with Perona's words.

"Lord Moria must be waiting for me too!" Perona clenched her fist and said, "Wait for me, Lord Moria!"

No matter how much time passes, no matter how far away, she will find Lord Moria!

Luffy smiled upon hearing this, then, as if noticing something, asked in confusion, "Eh?"

Where is Brook?

He's there.

Xi Yan looked up at the Crow's Nest of the Thousand Sunny and said, "I just ran up there."

"Brook ..."

Seeing Brook take out the violin from the high place, everyone was stunned for a moment, then their eyes lit up as if they understood something.

"Yohohohoho~"

"Yo-ho yo-ho~"

"Yohohohoho~"

"Yo-ho yo-ho~"

"Binks' Sake..."

Upon hearing Brook's singing, the Straw Hat Pirates immediately burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, the enormous group of whales around them gradually approached the Thousand Sunny, their faces also displaying human-like smiles, clearly showing their great enjoyment of Brook's singing.

Then, an enormous Island Whale swam over and gently lifted the Thousand Sunny onto its head.

"Hey, he lifted us up!" Luffy, lying on the side of the ship, excitedly looked at the whale below and exclaimed, "So cool!"

"Let them take us there," Nami said with a smile. "It shouldn't be long before we reach the ocean of the New World."

"The New World..."

Looking up at Merry high above, she said expectantly, "The last stretch of sea in the Grand Line..."

"I can't wait!"

After they conquer the New World... Luffy will be the Pirate King!

Thinking of this, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

"Hey everyone, we're almost there!"

Looking up at Xi Yan in the sky, he grinned and said, "I can already see the sea."

Perhaps it won't be long before they reach the New World!

"So fast?" Usopp exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course," Xi Yan said, "Don't forget who we're traveling with!"

Traveling alongside such a massive behemoth... isn't it normal to be going fast?

A moment later...

"Boom!!"

With a deafening roar, the Thousand Sunny, along with the Island Whale, burst out of the sea and arrived at the so-called New World.

"Aww!!"

At this moment, a hundred whales roared in unison!

The Straw Hat Pirates also burst into laughter at this moment.

Hahaha~

"We've finally arrived in the New World!"

"Profound!!"

Then, Merry activated the Power of Wind, lifting the pirate ship in mid-air and sending it drifting forward.

"Hey, Laboon's family!" Usopp called out, looking down at the pod of whales, "We'll definitely tell Laboon about you when we see him!"

"That's right!" Brook cried out, "We will definitely deliver the message to Laboon's family!"

Take care, everyone!

Luffy shouted, "Thank you all for taking care of me, everyone!"

"Aww~"

Upon hearing the shouts, the Island Whale' eyes crinkled with laughter, and they let out a low growl.

Then these large creatures returned to the sea and disappeared.

"It's gone..."

Watching the disappearing Island Whale, Merry asked, "Did they go back to their home?"

As she spoke, Merry used her powers to put the pirate ship back on the open sea.

"Perhaps," Xi Yan said.

I wonder if these creatures will have their own nests like Sea Kings.

"Hey everyone, isn't this weather a bit too bad?" Chopper, looking up at the sky, said, "Thunder and lightning..."

"Because this is the New World!" Nami exclaimed. "The harshness of the environment is far more extreme than the first half of the Grand Line!"

This is one of the reasons why this place is called the pirate graveyard.

Many pirates don't even make it to the next island!

"Hey everyone, I see a ship!" Perona shouted.

"Are they pirates?"

Sanji grinned and said, "They actually came to us on their own initiative..."

Are they trying to make a name for themselves using the Straw Hat Pirates?

What a daring bunch!

"No, not pirates!" Usopp exclaimed, his eyes wide. "It's a warship!"

"Isn't this number of warships a bit excessive?"

Usopp was dumbfounded when he saw the fleet of warships surrounding them.

This is even more massive than the Buster Call we encountered before!

"They know our every move..." Nico Robin said, "Truly worthy of the Navy!"

It seems there are Navy personnel on Fish-Man Island.

Xi Yan frowned and said, "Could it be that I've been exposed?"

Otherwise, the navy wouldn't have sent so many warships to encircle and suppress them.

"Then let's chop them all down!"

Zoro drew his three weapons, his eyes turning cold, clearly ready to strike.

"There's no need for that," Xi Yan shook his head and said, "Just let Merry use her abilities to take us out."

Fighting so many warships on the open sea would be a disadvantage, so let's leave first.

"That's right, Meriko take us out!" Usopp exclaimed, clenching his fist.

How could he have forgotten about that!

Xi Yan was speechless upon hearing this. So, what exactly was this guy looking at just now?

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Chopper shouted.

Otherwise, their pirate ship would have been destroyed by the navy's cannon fire.

"There's no need for that!"

"Um?"

Everyone who heard Nami's voice was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Nami in confusion and said, "Nami, what are you saying?"

What do you mean by "it's unnecessary"?

They are currently surrounded by warships.

"Because I suspect this thing is a mirage," Nami said.

"A mirage?"

Xi Yan was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then activated his Mangekyō Sharingan at the situation in front of him, and was then rendered speechless.

Indeed... it's a mirage.

Just then, the dark clouds in the sky began to disappear, letting in the sunlight.

Then, the shadows of those warships began to disappear.

"It really is a mirage!" Perona exclaimed in surprise.

Why are there so many mirages here?

Chopper and Usopp breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "It was just a mirage!"

"Very good."

It's fine as long as it's fake.

"Don't get too excited," Nami said. "If I'm not mistaken, this area of the sea should be..."

Nami stopped speaking before she could finish, because she noticed enormous water droplets appearing in the air!

"Hey, what the hell is that?!"

Franky's eyes bulged in shock as he stared at the water droplet, which was even larger than a pirate ship.

"What kind of weather is this?!"

"Boom!!"

The next moment, a large number of water droplets appeared around the Thousand Sunny, causing the sea surface to shake violently and nearly throwing the people on board out of the water.

"This is the Mobe Jemru Sea Area," Nami cried, clinging tightly to the ship. "Also known as the Unhappy Sea Area."

"In other words, this place will experience a continuous stream of all sorts of bizarre weather events!!"

For example, that one.

Chopper was stunned as he watched the water droplets turn into giant hailstones.

"Quick, it's about to hit us!"

"Leave it to me!" Xi Yan shouted.

As soon as he finished speaking, Susanoo's pale Golden Armor appeared on Xi Yan's body, and then he picked up a spear and slashed at it!

"Clang!"

"Boom!!"

With a single strike, all the oncoming Ice Ball were shattered!

"What is this? It's so cool!" Chopper and Usopp exclaimed excitedly.

Does Xi Yan actually possess this ability?

Those who had never seen Xi Yan's ability before also showed surprise, clearly not expecting Xi Yan to have such methods.

At that moment, Franky realized what he had just seen.

After all that, it turns out it was something summoned by Xi Yan!!

"That's all I can do," Xi Yan said, looking at everyone. "Yes..."

"Hey, now's not the time for explanations," Perona said, pointing upwards. "Here we go again!"

Upon hearing this Xi Yan immediately raised his spear, intending to smash the oncoming hailstones.

But he was stunned when he saw what it was.

"Snow... an avalanche?" Xi Yan asked incredulously, "Why would an avalanche happen from the sky?"

Isn't this weather a bit outrageous?

"I told you, this is the Unhappy Sea Area!" Nami shouted. "Think of something quick!"

"Leave it to me!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Merry flew into the air, spread her arms, and shouted, "Wind Barrier!"

"Buzz~"

The next moment, an enormous wind wall appeared above the Thousand Sunny, forcefully stopping the avalanche.

Then, Merry waved her hand, throwing the avalanche into the distant sea.

"Boom!!"

"Well done, Merry!"

Hehe~

Hearing the charm of praise, he immediately smiled.

Xi Yan looked at Merry with a somewhat annoyed expression and said, "Wind Barrier..."

I don't think I told Merry the story about that broom-headed guy...

Did she come up with this move name herself?

"Hey, it's raining again!" Perona shouted.

"Rain..." Brook looked up at the sky and said, "If it's just ordinary rain..."

Before he could finish speaking, he felt the pirate ship shake violently.

Then... the pirate ship was erected.

Everyone:???

"Hey, why is the pirate ship standing upright?"

"The sea has split open!"

"The sea has split open?" Chopper exclaimed in shock. "No, isn't this a bit too outrageous?"

Wasn't it supposed to be just the weather that would change? Why is the ocean changing too?

"Hey, are we going to end up back in the deep sea...?" Brook exclaimed in shock, looking down at the ocean. "Is it possible to go back to Fish-Man Island?"

"No, that won't happen," Nico Robin said calmly. "We'll run into rocks halfway there and turn into dust in the ocean."

Usopp was dumbfounded by Nico Robin's calm demeanor.

"I'm begging you, please don't say such terrifying things so calmly..."

That's terrifying!

"Hahaha, what an interesting sea!" Luffy grinned, "Anything else interesting to come?"

"Damn it, is this the time to worry about this?" Nami roared, opening her shark-like mouth. "The most important thing is to find a way to escape!"

If they stay here, even the pirate ship will be in danger.

So... we have to break out of here!

Thinking of this, Nami shouted, "Merry, quick, get out of there!"

"Profound!"

Upon hearing Nami's words, Merry nodded, then activated her ability to lift the Thousand Sunny, quickly shooting upwards and soon escaping the split sea.

"Call..."

"We finally escaped," Usopp said with a sigh of relief.

That feeling of being crushed by the sea at any moment... it was absolutely awful!

"Now is not the time to relax!" Nami shouted. "Merry, quick, take off and move to the side!"

"Profound!"

"Yohohohoho~"

Looking at the approaching dark clouds, Brook laughed and said, "Won't we get struck by lightning flying this high?"

"How could this be? We..."

Before Usopp could finish speaking, a bolt of Inazuma struck down from the sky, hitting the Thousand Sunny directly.

"Click~"

"Boom!!"

"Brook, you jinx!!"

"Bump!"

"I'm... I'm sorry..."