Above Holy Land Mariejo, a massive island hung in the sky, as though it were about to break free of the shackles of darkness.
As it continued to descend, the flames of Holy Land Mariejo reflected across the island.
The sharp wind howled, striking fear into everyone's hearts.
"What is that?!"
"Look at the sky! Why is an island falling from the air?!"
"The island is falling!"
"It's over! We're finished!"
An atmosphere of despair spread without end.
Everyone watched the enormous island steadily fall from the sky. They wanted to flee for shelter, but they had nowhere to go.
Because the entirety of Holy Land Mariejo lay within the island's impact zone.
Kizaru, who had only just broken free from Rikujōkōrō, was already looking quite disheveled.
Kizaru forced his battered body onward. By now, he was covered in burns.
He had never expected Roya to be so powerful, much less that the ability called Rikujōkōrō could stop his elemental transformation.
But when he looked at the island continuously descending from the sky—
He threw aside his usual tone. "Damn it, did that guy cause this too?!!"
After the floating island's Talisman power was removed, it began falling from the sky. The intense friction with the air caused it to become a gigantic fireball as it accelerated!
They had to stop the island from falling!
Otherwise, his entire salary for the month would definitely be deducted!
For the sake of his salary, Kizaru took a deep breath, crossed his hands, and pinched his index fingers and thumbs together.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Light flickered at Kizaru's fingertips as countless dazzling light bullets shot toward the falling island.
Every light bullet that struck the island caused a violent explosion.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The dense explosions continuously shattered the island, scattering chunks of varying sizes.
But compared to the entire floating island, those explosions were nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
His strength alone was nowhere near enough!
Just then, a man wearing a military cap arrived beside Kizaru. "Meteor Volcano!"
The newcomer was Akainu!
Akainu's fists transformed into magma, generating numerous enormous molten fists that launched toward the island in the sky!
However, with their current strength, they ultimately found it difficult to contend against such a massive island.
On the warship, Roya watched the scene before him and thought, He should be making a move now, right?
As though confirming Roya's thoughts—
In the deepest part of Holy Land Mariejo lay a place known as the Room of Flowers.
A sharp Sword Energy tore through the air.
That slash covered the sky and stretched across a thousand meters!
Everywhere the Sword Energy passed, sword winds howled with terrifying force!
The incomparably sharp Sword Energy slash locked onto the island above everyone's heads.
In an instant, it split into two, then two became four, four became eight, shifting endlessly.
In the blink of an eye, it had divided into thousands upon thousands of Sword Energy slashes, like a raging hurricane that engulfed the island!
Before that Sword Energy storm, the island was like paper, continuously ground to pieces.
In only a brief moment, the enormous island in the sky had turned into ashes that scattered into the wind.
Kizaru and Akainu of Holy Land Mariejo stared at the scene before them in shock.
They had never expected that the island they could not destroy despite all their efforts would be reduced to dust just like that!
On the ship, Roya's lips curled slightly as he watched the scene.
He reached out and stroked Hancock's beautiful hair. "It seems we weren't able to deliver our gift today, but I promise you, one day, I'll give them an even bigger 'gift.'"
Roya added, "For now, let me take you back to Amazon Lily!"
As Roya finished speaking, the system's electronic voice rang out in his mind.
[ Ding, check-in mission issued: Amazon Lily. Reward: peak Armament Haki! Time limit: three days! ]
A day had passed since they left Holy Land Mariejo.
The sky was cloudless for thousands of miles, and the sunlight was just right.
Combined with the warship's high mobility, this was undoubtedly the most relaxing journey Roya had ever experienced.
Leaning against the railing and letting the sea breeze blow against his cloak, Roya said, "Are you planning to leave?"
Fisher Tiger, standing behind Roya, replied, "I plan to return to Fish-Man Island and take a look."
"Stay safe."
Roya assumed Fisher Tiger had his own plans, so he did not try to stop him and merely offered a brief reminder.
Fisher Tiger said, "If you ever come to Fish-Man Island, you must come find me!"
"Mm."
Sensing the boldness in Fisher Tiger's voice, Roya's lips curled slightly beneath his cloak.
Watching Fisher Tiger leap into the sea and vanish in the blink of an eye, Roya returned to his room as well.
Night fell, with a bright moon and sparse stars.
By then, the warship had entered the Calm Belt.
The Calm Belt had no wind, making it extremely dangerous for ships that relied on sails for power.
Not only that, but the Calm Belt was home to a great number of Sea Kings!
The strength of these Sea Kings was generally judged by their size and length.
One thousand meters was considered average. Any vice admiral could defeat one with some time.
Three thousand meters was already quite powerful. It would take several vice admirals, or an admiral, to defeat one!
As for those five thousand meters or larger, they were basically very difficult to kill without special methods.
Because of their size, it was difficult to penetrate a Sea King's defenses.
Even admirals found such creatures troublesome!
Roya stepped out of his room and saw Hancock standing alone on the deck, looking into the hazy night.
Roya walked over to her side.
"Do you miss home?"
"Mm." Hancock looked up at Roya and said, "Ro... Roya, don't you miss home too?"
For some reason, the moment she said Roya's name, Hancock felt her face flush.
Fortunately, night had fallen. Otherwise, Hancock felt that Roya would definitely have seen the blush on her face.
"I do, and I don't."
"Why?"
"Because there's nothing worth missing."
Hearing those words, Hancock felt her nose sting.
She raised her hand and gently took hold of Roya's. "Roya, from now on, let me..."
Before Hancock could finish, a vigilant glint flashed through Roya's eyes.
His Talisman ability activated, directly dragging the warship into the sky!
The pitch-black seawater suddenly surged into enormous waves...