At the edge of the Florian Triangle before the Red Line on the Grand Line, lead-gray fog wrapped the entire sea in a thick curtain.
Huang Zhong's fast ship cut through the fog, sailing steadily across the sea. Its added Wind Dial propulsion system made almost no sound, allowing it to slip perfectly past the pirate ships and Marine patrols that roamed these waters year-round.
Jewelry Bonney leaned over the railing, a telescope in her hand and a strip of jerky between her teeth, curiously studying the ghost ships flickering in and out of the fog. Excitement filled her little face. She had spent years racing around the Grand Line, yet had never dared enter the Florian Triangle, notorious for its eerie phenomena. Now, with Huang Zhong protecting her, she no longer had to hold back.
"Godfather, do you think there really are ghost ships in this fog that eat people?" Bonney lowered the telescope and skipped over to Huang Zhong, her round eyes brimming with curiosity.
Huang Zhong smiled and ruffled her hair, his keen gaze sweeping through the depths of the fog. Dialga's power of time allowed him to see easily through every deception within it. "They're just pirates playing tricks. Nothing to be afraid of. Though a Shichibukai named Gecko Moria did build Thriller Bark in these waters, using the Shadow-Shadow Fruit's power to plunder passing ships."
"The Shichibukai?" Bonney curled her lip in disdain. "A Shichibukai like my father? Just the World Government's dogs..."
"Ptooey, ptooey! I can't say that. Wouldn't that mean I'm insulting Papa Kuma too? Ptooey, ptooey!" Before finishing her earlier words, Bonney hurriedly covered her mouth. Huang Zhong couldn't help laughing at how adorable he was. He felt somewhat heartened; this little one was becoming more like a child.
At the mention