The Thunder God Descends

Ten thousand meters above the ground.

The clouds were torn apart into long white streaks.

A black figure was plummeting at breakneck speed headfirst, arms folded across his chest in a bizarre pose.

It was Rock—Thunder God edition, forcibly launched from home—who had left less than half a day ago.

The howling wind roared in his ears, yet he looked as though he were lying in a hammock under the sun, his face full of speechless disbelief.

"Phew... I just said I wanted to 'go down and take a look around,' and the entire Kingdom of God nearly started a civil war to keep me from leaving..."

The scenes flashing through his mind made the corner of his mouth twitch.

Gan Fall had clung desperately to his thigh like an old child. "Lord God! You can't descend! It's dangerous down there!!!"

The Shandia chief had been even more outrageous, wrapping his arms around Rock's waist. "We Shandia have only just started living good lives! Don't abandon us now!!!"

That scene had been tenser than guarding a fallen kingdom's treasure.

In the end, Kai and the old village chief had spoken at the same time, with the unique gentleness and authority of elders.

"If the child wants to venture out, let him go."

"But remember to come home often."

The entire island had nodded at once. "That's right! Come home often! You have to come home often!!!"

Rock had immediately begun to wonder: Am I going out on an adventure, or getting married off???

The gale whipped his black hair wildly about as he rolled his eyes upside down in midair.

"Still, I never expected Father's blockhead of a brain... to actually let someone into his heart."

As he thought about it, his brows furrowed again.

"I clearly sensed that she was sincere toward Father... but why..."

"Why have I forgotten her name?"

He thought hard about it, but nothing came to mind.

"Forget it, forget it. I'll deal with it later."

As he continued his rapid descent, the sea drew closer and closer. Sunlight reflected across the horizon like countless glittering golden scales.

Rock folded his arms and began seriously considering his "travel route." "I've already picked my final destination in advance..."

"But before that—"

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "I'll just wander around the seas of this old era first. With my current speed, anyway..."

"There aren't many people in this era who can catch up to me. If I can't beat them, I can always run away~"

He gave a soft snort. "Uncle Kizaru is probably still somewhere 'killing time' right now. He hasn't even put on a Marine uniform yet."

Just as he leisurely planned out his future, the corner of his eye suddenly caught the shadow of an enormous ship on the sea.

It was no ordinary vessel.

Its massive hull was pulled forward by two gigantic "sea snakes."

The deck was packed with graceful figures, while a brown pirate flag fluttered from its sails.

Rock's pupils abruptly contracted.

The next second, a meaningful curve slowly formed at the corner of his lips.

"Oh~"

"What a coincidence."

The sea wind howled, and the waves rolled like white dragons.

Upon those churning waters, a magnificent warship pulled by two giant "sea snakes" sliced through the sea with overwhelming force, like a moving shadow of serpentine patterns.

It was the old era's most beloved, most mysterious, and most dangerous female pirate crew.

—The Kuja Pirates.

The deck was filled with agile female warriors, each possessing her own charm. At the bow stood two figures with entirely different kinds of allure, side by side.

One was slender and carried herself with cold pride. Her straight black hair curled slightly at the ends, and snake-shaped hoop earrings hung from her ears as she frowned faintly.

—Toritoma.

The other leaned lazily against the rail, impossible to ignore despite her relaxed posture. A cigarette rested between her lips, held lightly by her slender fingers, every movement dripping with charm.

The future owner of the world's most famous Rip-off Bar was still the soul of the pirate crew at this time.

Toritoma bit her lip lightly and could not help asking again, "Lady Shakuyaku... have you really made up your mind?"

Shakuyaku exhaled a puff of violet smoke, her eyes half-lidded and her tone casual yet certain.

"Yeah~ I've decided. I'm washing my hands of it and ending my life as a pirate."

The Kuja warriors behind her instantly erupted. "Lady Shakuyaku!!! Don't go—!!!"

"We can't bear to lose you—!!!"

"Captain, don't leave us—!!!"

"Waaah! Our faith is gone—!"

The scene resembled a massive funeral farewell.

Toritoma pressed a hand to her forehead, yet still insisted on asking rationally, "Then... where are you planning to go?"

"The Marines have been getting crazier and crazier lately. They arrest people whether they're pirates or not. If you run into them..."

Shakuyaku lightly swayed her cigarette, a dangerous and alluring smile rising on her lips. "As for that, I figured it out a long time ago."

She looked into the distance, her tone unhurried. "I'm planning to go to Hachinosu."

Toritoma's heart clenched. "H-Hachinosu!? Isn't that... Rocks Pirates territory?!"

Shakuyaku's smile did not change. "Don't worry. It'll be fine."

Toritoma cried out, "That's Rocks?! The craziest monster in the world!!!"

Shakuyaku waved a hand lightly, as if brushing away a sea breeze. "Anyway, I've made up my mind. I'm leaving the Kuja Pirates to you~"

Just as Toritoma was about to say something more, Shakuyaku suddenly froze.

Her battle instincts abruptly sounded the alarm, and her heart felt as though an invisible hand had clenched around it.

Danger! An extremely dangerous presence!!!

She whipped around!

Toritoma sharply noticed Shakuyaku's reaction and immediately looked up as well.

The next second, both their pupils shook violently.

High above them, the clouds were brutally ripped apart by a blue-white streak of lightning.

At the center of that lightning-lit rift stood a tall, upright figure, black hair flying in the wind.

He seemed to stand upon thin air, without any support.

He stood over two meters tall, the perfect lines of his muscles faintly visible.

Arcs of lightning flickered and coiled around him, bathing the entire sky in silver light.

His deep black eyes looked down upon the sea as though a god were judging all living beings.

Every member of the Kuja Pirates instantly fell silent.

They could have heard a needle drop onto the deck.

For the first time, a glimmer of both astonishment and caution flashed through Shakuyaku's eyes. That presence... that power... that face...?

Toritoma was so shocked that her voice trembled. "A-A man standing in the air?!"

"What is this... a Devil Fruit user?!!"

Amid that deathly stillness, the figure slowly lowered his head and revealed a lazy, casual smile.

Then he casually raised a hand and gave a wave. "Yo~"

His voice rumbled like subdued thunder, yet somehow carried a hint of roguishness. "Mind if I hitch a ride?"

"BOOM!!!"

The sea instantly erupted—

Screams, cries of alarm, weapons clattering to the ground, hearts skipping beats...

They burst forth one after another aboard the Kuja pirate ship!

The most dangerous all-female pirate crew of the old era was collectively stunned at that moment.

All because of a ridiculously handsome, Thunder God-level life-form who had fallen from the sky.