The massive black hull of Pluton rose from the edge of the cliff, casting a large shadow in the sunlight.
The Ancient Script on the ship's hull glowed with a dim light under the influence of Telekinesis.
The members of the Beasts Pirates looked up at the giant ship taking off, many of them gaping in astonishment.
"My God, this thing just flew up like that?"
"Lord Roy's abilities are just too monstrous..."
"Nonsense, otherwise how could he be the Heavenly Dao Emperor?"
Kaido stood at the highest point of Onigashima's port, looking up at Pluton rising into the sky.
He took a big gulp of wine, the liquid dripping down his chin and onto his bulging muscles.
The massive black hull of the Pluton Battleship moved slowly through the air, like a black fortress floating in the sky.
Roy stood on the deck of Pluton, looking down at the Onigashima that was getting smaller and smaller.
Kaido stood at the highest point of the port and waved to him.
The gesture was rough and casual, but the meaning was clear—don't forget Lao Tzu's Pluton.
"Knew."
Roy waved back, even though he knew Kaido couldn't hear him.
Hawk Eyes walked over to Roy, leaned against the gunwale, and looked at the distant horizon.
"When we get back, that little girl's training should officially begin," Hawk Eyes said.
Roy paused for a moment before realizing he was referring to Kuina.
The fighting has been so intense these past few days that he's almost forgotten he brought a little girl back from the East Blue.
"It's your responsibility now. Just make sure you don't die," Roy said.
"I don't know how to take care of children," Hawk Eyes replied, as concise as ever.
"Who gave you permission to take care of the child? I'm here to teach you swordsmanship."
Hawk Eyes didn't reply, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, leaving it unclear whether he agreed or disagreed.
Bullet came up from the lower deck, dusting off his hands:
"It's closed."
Moria and Lucci are watching; the Seastone chains have been checked, and there are no problems.
"Hmm." Roy nodded.
Tesoro floated over from the Ark Maxim, holding a list in his hand. "Boss, should we attack ' Totto Land ' this time?"
"Do nothing for now."
Roy said,
" Linlin is in our hands, and the other side of the Totto Land is leaderless."
It's still uncertain whether Katakuri can hold his own.
Let them process this internally for a while, and then we'll talk about it again once things stabilize."
"You mean—" Crocodile raised an eyebrow.
"Not now."
Roy interrupted him.
"The territory of the Totto Land is not small, and its power is not weak."
Intervening rashly will only unite them against us.
"Let them fight amongst themselves for a while before we make our move; it will be much more effective."
Crocodile and Tesoro nodded without saying anything more.
Kuma walked over and handed Roy a stack of documents.
"This is the battlefield statistics of the Beasts Pirates."
"Look, the Beasts Pirates suffered quite a few casualties, but they didn't give us the exact numbers."
Roy took the document, flipped through it, and then handed it back to Kuma.
Bullet walked over and stood beside him.
"What are the plans next?" Bullet asked.
Roy looked at the distant horizon.
"Let's study Pluton first."
Roy said,
"Master Tom has the blueprints, and now that we have the actual product, it's only a matter of time before we can replicate it."
"Then what?"
"Then study Big Mom."
Roy's lips curled up slightly.
"If the secret of the Iron Balloon could be replicated through Bloodline Transplantation, the overall combat strength of Hachinosu could at least double."
Bullet raised an eyebrow. "What about the Soul-Soul Fruit?"
Roy was silent for a moment.
"That's my second option for fruit."
Bullet glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions.
The reason why Blackbeard can acquire two Devil Fruits is not yet fully understood.
But Roy has a laboratory, scientists, and the most advanced research resources in the entire ocean.
Now we're just waiting for Blackbeard to defect.
And he has the time.
For the Pure Gold in Hachinosu's hands, time has never been an issue.
"It's time for the landscape of this ocean to change," Roy said.
Bullet grinned and patted Roy on the shoulder.
Pluton flew through the clouds toward Hachinosu, the sea breeze ruffling Roy's clothes.
Three days later, the outline of Hachinosu became increasingly clear in the distance.
At the port, the personnel who remained had already spotted Pluton's massive ship and were gathering on the dock to prepare for its arrival.
The Red Count stood atop the highest watchtower in the harbor, his blood-red eyes gazing into the distance.
A rare smile appeared on his lips.
He's back safe and sound.
And he brought back something incredible.
The people on the dock began to cheer.
Although they didn't know what Pluton was, and although they weren't clear on the extent of the battle,
But they saw it— Captain Roy was back, Bullet was back, everyone was back.
And they brought back an outrageously large black warship.
Cheers echoed over the harbor, startling the seagulls into flight.
Roy stood on the deck of Pluton, watching the approaching port of Hachinosu, a slight smile playing on his lips.
This trip to Wano Country was ultimately safe despite some close calls.
Under the control of his Telekinesis, Pluton slowly descended onto the Hachinosu Island.
When the black hull touched the sea, it splashed up a large white spray, and the water in the harbor shook violently.
The ships anchored in the harbor were rocked from side to side by the waves.
Bullet was the first to jump off the ship, his feet landing on the dock and leaving two deep footprints.
"I'm back!" Bullet's voice boomed across the harbor.
The crew members who remained gathered around, bombarding him with questions.
"Brother Bullet! What's that big black ship?!"
"Did they win?! Did they catch Big Mom?!"
"The navy has retreated?!"
Bullet's head was throbbing from the noise, and he slapped the nearest crew member on the shoulder.
"Shut up, all of you! Let Roy talk when he gets here!"
Roy floated down from the deck of Pluton and landed on the dock.
There was still blood on the corner of his mouth, and although the cut on his hand had stopped bleeding, it hadn't healed yet. Anyone could see the exhaustion in his eyes.
But his back was very straight.
"It's over."
Roy said the voice wasn't loud, but everyone on the dock could hear it clearly.
"The Navy retreated, Big Mom was captured, Pluton —here he is."
He pointed to the huge black warship in the outer harbor.
There was a moment of silence on the dock.
Then cheers erupted.
Roy walked through the cheering crowd toward the palace.
He still has a lot to do.
Pluton needs to be studied, Big Mom needs to be dealt with, Kuina's training needs to be arranged, Kaido's mass production of Pluton needs to be expedited, and the situation in Totto Land needs to be kept a close eye on.
But those are things for tomorrow.
Today—he just wants to take a shower, eat something, and then take a nap.
They fought for a full day and night; even the strongest person couldn't withstand that.
The sea breeze swept across the harbor of Hachinosu, causing the flag bearing the golden Hachinosu emblem to flutter loudly.
The Ark Maxim is anchored in the harbor, Pluton Battleship is anchored in the outer harbor.
Bullet's roar mingled with the cheers of his crew.
Roy walked back to the palace, with cheering crowds behind him and the palace gates open in front of him.
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
This adds another layer to the richness of Hachinosu.