The sea serpent sped beneath the surface at a breathtaking pace. Water roared past the barrier formed by the power of Zhulong, occasionally startling luminous deep-sea creatures into scattering.
"Wow! So fast!" Luffy lay against the edge of the barrier, his rubber face pressed to its transparent surface as he watched the underwater wonders flash past.
Ace looked somewhat uneasy. As an ability user, he felt an instinctive fear of venturing deep into the sea, even with Allen's barrier protecting him. "Where are we going?"
Allen closed his eyes, sensing the information conveyed by the conch. "The Sea Kings are taking us somewhere. Somewhere... safe."
Sabo studied the barrier carefully. "Allen, this ability..."
"Another application of the power of Zhulong," Allen explained briefly. "Since it can control light and darkness, it can naturally deflect water to form a barrier." What he did not say was that maintaining this barrier consumed an enormous amount of stamina. Without the Ark Core's constant energy support, he would have exhausted himself long ago.
Suddenly, the sea serpent leading them let out a low hum. Allen's expression sharpened. "Get ready. We're surfacing."
The sea serpent's enormous head broke through the waves and burst above the surface. The sight before them made everyone gasp.
They were in a strange stretch of sea. The water was as still as a mirror, without the slightest wind or waves, and a suffocating heaviness hung in the air. Strangest of all, a vast whirlpool stretching between sea and sky slowly revolved on the distant horizon, like a gateway to another world.
"The Calm Belt..." Dadan's voice trembled. "This is the Sea Kings' nest!"
Just as she said, enormous shadows began appearing across the surrounding sea, one after another. Dozens of Sea Kings rose from the depths. They varied in size and shape, but every one exuded an ancient, majestic presence. Their gazes converged on the little sea serpent's head, on the conch in Allen's hand.
An especially enormous turtle-shaped Sea King slowly spoke, its voice rumbling as deeply as an undersea earthquake. "Bearer of Poseidon... why have you awakened us?"
Allen took a deep breath and stepped forward. The power of Zhulong circulated on its own, allowing the Sea Kings to perceive his voice clearly. "We seek shelter. Pursuers from the World Government will arrive soon."
The Sea Kings gave resonant hums, seemingly communicating. After a long while, the turtle spoke again. "What have disputes between humans to do with us?"
Just then, Luffy suddenly stepped forward, a strange light shining in his eyes. "Because we're friends!"
An astonishing sight unfolded! The Sea Kings turned their gazes toward Luffy in unison and hummed even louder! Their humming carried surprise, confusion, and a hint of... affection?
"This voice... this presence..." A gigantic sea serpent excitedly leaned its head closer. "Could it be...?"
The conch suddenly erupted with brilliant light! A faint blue glow also rose from Luffy's body, and a wondrous resonance formed between them!
"Poseidon! It's Poseidon's will!" The Sea Kings grew excited, and the waters of the entire Calm Belt began to tremble!
Allen stared at Luffy in shock. It seemed that after their last resonance, Luffy had formed a deeper connection with the power of Poseidon. Even without the conch, he could evoke a response from the Sea Kings!
The turtle's voice became respectful. "So that is how it is... Poseidon's emissary. The Sea Kings shall honor the ancient covenant."
It turned to Allen. "Bearer of Poseidon, state your request."
Allen suppressed his shock and spoke calmly. "We need a safe hiding place, and... knowledge of the Ancient Weapons."
The Sea Kings hummed to communicate again. This time, it lasted longer, as though they were arguing over something.
At last, the turtle said slowly, "We can provide a hiding place. But knowledge of the Ancient Weapons... is too dangerous. Unless..."
Its enormous eyes turned toward Luffy. "Unless Poseidon's emissary requests it himself."
Everyone's gaze settled on Luffy. He scratched his head, looking confused. "What are you talking about? But if you need help, just ask!"
His innocent words made the Sea Kings hum with pleasure. The turtle nodded. "A pure heart... that is precisely why Poseidon chose you. Very well. We grant your request."
It turned to Allen. "Follow us. We will take you to the Sea God Altar."
The Sea Kings began moving toward the enormous whirlpool. To their surprise, only upon approaching did they discover that it was not a real whirlpool, but the entrance to a vast underwater passage!
"Hold on tight!" Allen warned everyone. The sea serpent plunged into the passage, with the other Sea Kings close behind.
Bizarre lights and colors filled the passage, as though they were traveling through a tunnel in time and space. After an unknown stretch of time, the view suddenly opened up-
They had arrived in an enormous underwater cavern! Soft natural light shone from above, illuminating the entire space. An immense altar stood in the center. Its style resembled the ancient ruins Allen had seen before, but it was older and grander. Dozens of Sea King statues stood around it, each one lifelike.
Most shocking of all, a gigantic crystal floated at the center of the altar, and sealed within it was-a living Sea King! It was even larger than the biggest Sea King outside, and it exuded a heart-pounding pressure.
"Welcome to the Sea God Altar." The turtle's voice was filled with reverence. "This is the sacred ground of all Sea Kings, and the place where Poseidon made a covenant with our kind."
Allen felt the Ark Core vibrate violently, seemingly resonating strongly with this place. The conch in his arms flew out on its own, hovering above the altar and forming an energy connection with the enormous crystal.
Countless images of light and shadow projected from the crystal, revealing ancient scenes:
A mermaid princess communicating with the Sea Kings... emissaries of the Ancient Kingdom arriving to establish a covenant... a flood sweeping across the world... the covenant being engraved into bloodlines and passed down...
"This is the truth of the power of Poseidon," the turtle explained. "Not control, but communication and understanding. The Sea Kings are not weapons, but allies."
Allen seemed to grasp something. "So the Ancient Weapons aren't..."
"Correct," the turtle continued. "The so-called Ancient Weapons are, in essence, mediums through which the Ancient Kingdom communicated with the forces of nature. The World Government distorted their true nature."
Just then, the altar suddenly shook! Cracks appeared in the crystal sealing the gigantic Sea King!
"Oh no!" the turtle cried. "The altar's energy is unstable! It has been too long since Poseidon maintained it!"
Luffy suddenly walked toward the altar and reached out to touch the crystal. Blue light erupted from his body again, resonating with the crystal!
"It's in so much pain..." Tears filled Luffy's eyes. "It's been locked up for too long..."
The conch blazed with light, pouring into the crystal together with Luffy's power! The cracks slowly began to mend!
"Poseidon's emissary is fulfilling his duty!" The Sea Kings hummed excitedly!
In a flash of inspiration, Allen poured the power of Zhulong into it as well! The powers of light and darkness fused wondrously with the power of Poseidon, accelerating the repairs!
Just then, a sudden change occurred!
A golden light flashed, and Kizaru suddenly appeared above the altar!
"What a spectacular sight~" His mouth tilted as light gathered at his fingertip. "But playtime is over~ Yasakani no Magatama~"
Countless light projectiles shot toward the altar! Their targets were Luffy and Allen!
"Oh no!" Allen wanted to stop them, but he was maintaining the repairs and could not spare himself!
At that critical instant, something astonishing happened!
All the Sea Kings let out furious hums at once! They formed a wall of flesh with their bodies, forcibly blocking Kizaru's attack!
The light projectiles exploded against the Sea Kings' thick skin, leaving charred wounds, but not one retreated!
"Get out of our sacred ground!" the turtle roared, swinging its enormous forelimb at Kizaru!
Kizaru turned into golden light and dodged, surprise showing on his face. "How scary~ So many Sea Kings~"
But he soon regained his relaxed expression. "Still~ The mission comes first~"
He aimed at Luffy again, even stronger light gathering at his fingertip. "Ame no Murakumo~"
Just as the light sword was about to shoot out, the altar's repairs were completed! The sealed gigantic Sea King abruptly opened its eyes!
They were eyes as deep as the ocean, holding ancient power and wisdom.
It did not even move. It merely glanced at Kizaru.
"Pfft-" As though struck by a heavy blow, Kizaru violently spat out blood, and his golden light instantly dispersed!
"Im... possible..." He stared at the Sea King in disbelief. "Just... one glance..."
The gigantic Sea King slowly spoke, its voice sounding directly within everyone's hearts. "Leave this place. Tell your master that the Sea Sovereign's covenant still holds."
Kizaru's expression shifted several times before he finally turned into golden light and vanished. "Truly... how scary~"
With the crisis over, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Luffy slumped to the ground, panting heavily. "So tired..."
Allen was also nearly drained. Using the power of Zhulong continuously, along with the Ark Core's energy output, had brought him close to his limit.
The turtle swam over, its tone respectful. "Emissary of Poseidon, bearer of the Torch Dragon. The Sea Kings thank you for your help."
It looked toward the enormous crystal. "Sea Emperor Neptune has awakened. The covenant shall continue once more."
The gigantic Sea King within the crystal-Sea Emperor Neptune-nodded slightly. "Young inheritors. A crisis is approaching. You must grow faster."
It looked at Allen. "Child of the Torch Dragon, you carry the hope of Uranus. But be careful. The greater the power, the heavier the responsibility."
Then it looked at Luffy. "Emissary of Poseidon, a pure heart is the most precious treasure. Do not let power blind you."
Finally, its gaze swept over everyone. "Leave. The World Government will discover this place before long. Go find other allies, other legacies."
The sea serpent took everyone aboard again and swam toward the passage. Before leaving, Allen glanced back at the Sea God Altar and Sea Emperor Neptune.
This world was far more complex and mysterious than he had imagined.
When they returned to the surface, they discovered that they were already at the edge of the Calm Belt. Merchant ships sailing normally could be seen in the distance.
"Where next?" Ace asked.
Allen took out the Ark Core. It projected a nautical chart marked with several points of light.
"To find more answers." Allen pointed to one of the lights. "Our next destination is... Loguetown."
"The Town of the Beginning and the End..." Sabo looked thoughtful.
Luffy suddenly jumped up. "I know that place! Shanks told me about it!"
As Allen looked at the light marking Loguetown on the chart, he had a premonition-
There, they would find more clues about the truth of this world.
Perhaps they would even meet some... familiar people.
A new adventure was calling.