Island Landing, Imu Takes Action

Above the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, a massive island hung in the sky, seemingly about to break free of the shackles of darkness.

As it continued to descend, the fires of Mary Geoise reflected across the island.

The shrill howl of the wind tore through the air, 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 done for!"

An atmosphere of despair continued to spread.

Everyone stared at the enormous island falling from the sky. They wanted to flee for shelter, but they had no idea where they could run.

Because the entire Holy Land of Mary Geoise lay within the island's fall zone.

Kizaru, who had only just broken free from Rikujōkōrō, was already in a rather sorry state.

He forced himself to stand, his body covered in burns.

He had never expected Roya to be so powerful, much less that the ability called Rikujōkōrō could prevent his elementalization.

But when he looked up at the steadily descending island—

He threw aside his usual tone. "Damn it, did that guy cause this too?!"

After the floating island's talisman power was dispelled, it began falling from the sky. Friction with the air intensified as it accelerated, and the entire island had now turned into a colossal fireball!

They had to stop the island from falling!

Otherwise, all of this month's salary 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 descending island.

Each light bullet that struck the island triggered a violent explosion.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The dense explosions continuously shattered the island, sending fragments of various sizes flying everywhere.

But compared to the entire floating island, those explosions were nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

His strength alone simply was not enough!

Just then, a man wearing a military cap arrived beside Kizaru. "Meteor Volcano!"

The newcomer was none other than Akainu!

Akainu's magma-like fists produced a large number of gigantic lava fists, which he launched at the island in the sky!

However, with their current strength, they ultimately found it difficult to contend with such an enormous island.

Aboard the warship, Roya watched the scene before him and silently thought, He should make a move now, right?

As though to confirm Roya's thoughts—

Deep within the Holy Land of Mary Geoise was a place called the Room of Flowers.

A sharp sword aura tore through the air.

The slash blotted out the sky and stretched for thousands of meters!

Everywhere the sword aura passed, sword energy howled violently, terrifying beyond measure!

The incomparably sharp slash locked onto the island above everyone's heads.

In an instant, it split into two, then two became four, four became eight, endlessly transforming.

In the blink of an eye, it had divided into countless sword-energy slashes. Like a raging hurricane, they engulfed the island!

Before that storm of sword energy, the island was like paper, continuously shredded apart.

In only a few moments, the gigantic island in the sky had turned into ash that drifted away with the wind.

Kizaru and Akainu in Mary Geoise both stared at the scene before them in shock.

They had never imagined that the island they had struggled so hard to destroy would simply turn to dust like this!

On the ship, Roya's lips curled up slightly when he saw this.

He reached out and stroked Hancock's soft hair. "Looks like we didn't manage 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 first."

As Roya's words fell, an electronic system voice sounded 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 Mary Geoise.

At that moment, the sky was cloudless for thousands of miles, and the sunlight was just right.

Coupled with the warship's exceptional mobility, this was undoubtedly the most relaxed and comfortable journey Roya had ever had.

Leaning against the ship's rail and letting the sea breeze tug at his cloak, Roya spoke. "Are you planning to leave?"

Standing behind Roya, Fisher Tiger replied, "I'm planning to go back and take a look at Fish-Man Island."

"Stay safe."

Fisher Tiger presumably had his own plans, so Roya did not try to stop him and merely offered a brief reminder.

Fisher Tiger said, "If you ever come to Fish-Man Island, you have to come find me!"

"Mm."

Sensing the boldness in Fisher Tiger's voice, Roya's lips rose slightly beneath his cloak.

Watching Fisher Tiger leap into the sea and disappear 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 reached 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.

A thousand meters was considered fairly ordinary. Any vice admiral could defeat one with enough time.

Those measuring three thousand meters were already quite powerful. It would take several vice admirals, or an admiral, to defeat one!

As for those five thousand meters or larger, aside from special methods, they were basically very difficult to kill.

Because of their immense 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, gazing at the hazy night in the distance.

Roya walked over to her side.

"Do you miss home?"

"Mm." Hancock looked up at Roya and asked, "Ro... Roya, don't you miss home too?"

For some reason, the moment she called Roya's name, Hancock felt her face flush.

Fortunately, night had fallen. Otherwise, Hancock felt certain that Roya would have seen the blush on her face.

"I do, and I don't."

"Why?"

"Because there's nothing worth missing."

When Hancock heard those words, she felt a sting in her nose.

She raised her hand and gently took hold of Roya's hand. "Roya, from now on, let me..."

Before Hancock could finish speaking, a wary glint flashed through Roya's eyes.

His talisman ability activated, directly pulling the warship into the sky!

At that moment, the pitch-black sea surged with enormous waves...