Deceiving Amatsuki Toki

As all the Holy Knights and Four Elders entered the New World and the situation continued to escalate, Houka finally returned to his home base—the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire.

When Rocks learned that Houka had detoured to Egghead Island, he immediately had Shiki pilot the Pluton warship toward the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire.

After all, there was nothing left in Wano Country worth their attachment.

They only wanted to see that bastard Houka as soon as possible!

Loki also needed the Ripe-Ripe Fruit ability of Houka's blood servant subordinate.

He also wanted to return to Elbaf soon and conquer that hammer, Tirei Ragnir.

He could hardly wait to become the world's largest Black Thunder Dragon Nidhogg!

He absolutely would not miss this massive war!

Within the imperial palace of the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire, Houka first met Vice Admiral Tsuru in secret and handed her some Seastone powder of one-hundred-percent purity.

There were also all sorts of small Seastone items of one-hundred-percent purity, each an exquisite little tool perfect for sneak attacks and underhanded schemes.

Tiny Seastone nails, needles... even Seastone lipstick.

If Vice Admiral Tsuru had not already become a Wash-Wash Fruit user, Houka would have wanted to give this black-haired, straight-haired military beauty a Mythical Zoan Fruit.

However, Tsuru was a highly rational and intelligent woman. Unlike Uzumaki Erza and Charlotte Linlin, she was not so easily fooled or drawn in by Houka.

Moreover, time was pressing. Their first meeting ended hastily after only a short while.

There was no chance for any subtle feelings to develop.

Tsuru now wholeheartedly wanted to return to the G-1 Branch and get back to Garp and Sengoku's side, so she could find an opportunity to make her move.

As Tsuru left, Houka instead felt an unprecedented sense of challenge from