Three days later. North Blue, Wilberuz Island.
Dawn landed atop a barren mountain at the rear of the island.
Jagged rocks littered the area, and the environment was harsh. Weathered boulders surrounded it on all sides, making it impossible even to overlook the scenery below.
At the deepest point of the mountaintop, between a natural barrier formed by several interlocking boulders, stood a massive structure resembling an ancient shrine.
The rock surfaces were covered in densely packed Demon-Sealing talismans inscribed with strange runes. At a glance, there were more than a thousand of them.
A massive Demon-Sealing Formation had been drawn across the ground with some kind of dark-red pigment. Its lines were complex and ancient, radiating an ominous aura. At the center of the formation, a long sword floated silently in midair.
The sword was over two meters long, with an archaic, even bizarre design. Several twisted cross patterns were carved into its sheath, which was tightly bound in layers of blood-red cord.
It was one of Dawn's objectives for this journey—Kikoku.
Dawn stepped forward, ignoring the heart-pounding sealing power around him. He reached out and effortlessly untied the seemingly sturdy crimson knots.
Then, flowing Armament Haki emerged over his arm as he gripped Kikoku's hilt.
The instant he grasped the hilt, Kikoku's blade suddenly trembled, releasing a hum that sounded almost like jubilant cheers.
With a twist of his wrist, Dawn easily drew the demon sword, still buried beneath layer upon layer of seals, from its sheath.
The blade was long and slender, its curve elegant as it glinted with icy light. Its hum became even clearer and more pleasing to the ear.
"Looks like you're looking forward to leaving this hellhole too."
Dawn smiled faintly, casually sheathed Kikoku, then stored it in his storage space.
Finally, he