Enemy of the World

"What a treacherous World Government!"

"As expected, they can't be trusted!"

Moria's tall body paced back and forth agitatedly on the deck of Thriller Bark.

This pirate ship, only of regular size, clearly couldn't withstand the repeated ravages of such a heavyweight contender.

It swayed noticeably.

In terms of sheer size alone, Moria could be considered the greatest among the Shichibukai.

Taller even than Bear.

It was just that his originally pale skin bore many burn marks.

"Fortunately, no other Shichibukai interfered."

Beside him was Absalom, one of Moria's three top monsters.

A fellow with half a tiger's face.

He stood with his arms crossed, looking somewhat cold.

"Heh, luckily Hancock went crazy over there. She actually wanted to meet that madman who killed a Celestial Dragon in public."

Moria's mouth split into a wide grin at the thought.

That willful woman, Hancock, first caused trouble mid-battle over the death of a Marine.

Claiming that Marine was supposed to be a spoil of war for her participation.

Then, because of the mad actions of that fellow named Buggy.

She very willfully left the battlefield directly.

However, what Moria hadn't expected was that even after the other party had gone to such lengths, the World Government, those spineless cowards, didn't expel him from the Shichibukai. Instead, they targeted him!

They looked down on him, Moria, so much!

The war had just ended, and they sent five Pacifistas with a Great Axe Fatty to surround and attack him!

Even more infuriating, Moria found he couldn't win!

If Absalom hadn't come to his rescue, he would have been truly finished.

Moria touched the itchy wound on his neck, his heart filled with lingering fear.

Twenty years ago, no, even ten years ago, those slow Lasers wouldn't have been able to touch me!

"Lately, the Great Sea has been even more lively than when Roger died, heh heh heh."

"The Whitebeard Pirates were completely crippled. The territory they vacated alone is enough to keep the New World in chaos for a while."

Moria's face resembled a heterochromatic bat, his red onion-like head bobbing.

"Mm," Absalom agreed.

"I heard that Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral, was also seriously injured."

"And then there's the sudden appearance of Blackbeard."

Moria felt he could once again smell the signal of a power reshuffling on the Great Sea.

The last time was when Roger died, and the time before that was when the Rocks Pirates were annihilated.

"Don't forget about that Joker."

"He's a truly insane fellow."

"The CP Organization has gone mad."

"Not only did they issue a bounty of a staggering 1.2 billion Belly, but they also branded him an Enemy of the World."

Absalom casually opened the bounty poster in his hand.

The image depicted a man in a purple suit, slightly hunched, elegantly waving at the camera.

His smile was bright and radiant.

Behind the man, only a corner of an Iron Cage was visible.

It was impossible to see who was imprisoned inside.

"Heh heh heh, but all of this is temporarily unrelated to us."

Moria raised the Vivre Card in his hand belonging to Doctor Hogback.

He gently waved it in a certain direction of the Great Sea.

This was an important guide leading them back to his base hidden within the Foggy Sea Area.

Following the Vivre Card's guidance, the darkening fog became clearly visible.

The bat-like Ship's Bow was gradually swallowed by the fog amidst the swaying.

The detestable light also dimmed.

"The atmosphere here is much more comfortable."

Returning to his lair, Moria finally relaxed his tense emotions and lay down comfortably.

Neither the Navy nor the World Government could catch him in this sea area.

Learning from the lesson of being easily invaded by the Straw Hat Pirates and Bear last time, Moria sailed his Thriller Bark directly into the depths of this sea area.

Without the guidance of a Vivre Card, he himself might not be able to find his way back.

As for other intruders.

Don't worry, his old neighbors will take good care of them.

Moria's massive body took up the entire Deck.

He mused inwardly, this time he must assemble a Zombie army sufficient to flatten the entire world before leaving!

No one could call him away!

--

"You mean Moria will return through this?"

In the dilapidated Castle, Buggy took the Vivre Card handed over by Doctor Hogback, lost in thought.

Hogback nodded, very certain.

"Unless he encounters a life-threatening situation, he will definitely return."

Hogback's certainty stemmed from Moria's ten-year habit of not moving from his spot.

Without external forces intervening, it was not easy for a person to suddenly change habits cultivated over a long period.

"Is that so? In that case, it seems we can play an interesting game."

"Mhm, it will certainly be enjoyable."

Buggy's gaze extended beyond the Castle, into the thick fog so deep that not a sliver of light could be seen.

He chuckled secretly.

"Shall I teach you how to be a qualified nightmare?"

"."

"."

Above the Castle.

The deep fog that had been flowing slowly like calm seawater.

Suddenly, a surge of turbulent waves appeared.

A faint "moo"-like cry could also be heard.

When the gray fog stopped again, it had turned into darkness.

Like the shadow of this Foggy Sea Area.

"Don't be afraid of that guy."

Moria, who was pretending to sleep on the deck, picked at his ear.

As they continued to venture deeper into the Foggy Sea Area, that colossal black shadow, connecting heaven and earth, also appeared.

"What in the world is that thing?"

Even after spending a long time in the Foggy Sea Area, Absalom still harbored fear towards this bizarre black shadow.

The fear of colossal beings was etched into human instinct.

"It's called Baku."

Moria didn't even want to lift his eyelids.

He hadn't gone on such a long trip in nearly ten years. Now that he was finally back, he naturally had to reward himself by lying down for a few months first.

"A guy who likes to make people dream. As long as you don't fear it in your heart, that guy won't bother you."

When Moria first arrived in this sea area, he had even interacted with this neighbor for a while.

He had even considered turning this guy into one of his subordinates.

Then his combat power would surely soar!

It was a pity that he couldn't catch this guy at all.

In the dense fog, it was like a Fish-Man in the sea.

"Can I really just ignore it?"

Absalom's tone was somewhat doubtful.

The black shadow seemed to form into the shape of a hand, waving, as if persuading them not to go back.

Unfortunately, Moria, who had completely relaxed upon returning home, was too lazy to even lift his eyes to look.

He lay there until Thriller Bark docked at his base.

The tall gate was shaped like a row of teeth.

It opened wide.

Seemingly welcoming the master of this place back with great enthusiasm.

The seawater inside and outside churned as they met.

Following the current, it swallowed Thriller Bark.