The surging dark energy, guided by the Hero Mop, flowed like a living liquid, rolling relentlessly forward.
The darkness, which appeared in waves along the cloth strip, pulsed again and again within the conduit, as if nourishing some insect-like king deep inside.
The endless dark energy began to converge at the mop's handle.
The massive force, like a stormy sea, streamed into Koby's body.
Immediately, Koby's body trembled violently!
It was pain… and yet…
Excitement!!!
All the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit—the terrifying energy capable of covering the entire world—was rapidly converted by Koby's Hero Mop into pure, primal nourishment, which his body greedily absorbed.
In an instant!
Veins bulged across Koby's entire skin, as though countless tiny worms were crawling beneath. Coupled with his fierce expression, he looked utterly terrifying.
Franky and Brook—the ultimate shield and a harbinger of soul-piercing damage—combined their strength to knock down the recently released, still-unacquainted Shiryu in just a few moves.
If there were a ranking of the most vengeful people on the seas this year…
Akainu would probably take first place, and Shiryu would definitely be second.
...
Meanwhile, in a nearby sea area, three ships sailed side by side.
From smallest to largest, they were: the Starry Sky Pirates' Golden Merry, Buggy's Big Top, and the Red-Haired Pirates' Red Force.
On the deck of the Big Top:
"Ahahaha…"
"Long time no see, Luffy."
"I never imagined that kid holding milk would grow into someone so formidable!!!"
"That scene of you shouting your ambitions over milk… it feels like it happened just yesterday!!!"
"Ahahahahaha…!!!"
Shanks laughed wildly, clapping Luffy on the shoulder.
Luffy, embarrassed but secretly nostalgic, couldn't resist teasing back:
"What's so funny…"
"I'm about to achieve my goal!"
"After all these years, you haven't really grown much…"
"The Great Pirate, Shanks!"
"Hey!!!"
Suddenly, Buggy—split into multiple floating pieces—soared into the air, flailing his body in panic:
"You two! Go reminisce on your own ship!!! Stop messing with my navigation!!! We're heading straight for Marine Headquarters!!! Damn it!!!"
Buggy had just re-entered the Grand Line, preparing to sail into the Sabaody Archipelago.
But mid-journey, he unexpectedly ran into Kaido's ship!
To survive, Buggy ordered a full-speed retreat.
Don't underestimate Buggy's crew now.
Thanks to the Hero Academy's anti-piracy campaign, true powerhouses were rare in the first half of the Grand Line.
Many stranded pirate remnants fled the heroes, scattering into the sea.
With Buggy's Chop-Chop Fruit ability, which partially mimicked natural element manipulation, his crew had a near-invincible edge.
As a result, Buggy's reputation in the first half of the Grand Line soared, and desperate pirates flocked to him.
Now, Buggy's crew ranked among the top-tier pirates in that region.
But even at his height, Buggy knew he could never match Kaido.
Once his crew recognized the flag of the Red-Haired Pirates, panic struck—the entire ship trembled at the thought of a Yonko's wrath.
But just as they prepared to flee, the Red-Haired Pirates appeared.
As the crew braced for death and whispered last wishes, Buggy calmly ordered a full-speed approach toward Shanks' ship.
To their shock, their captain laughed and joked with the Yonko without hesitation.
They even saw Buggy grab Shanks by the collar, shaking him wildly, while Shanks only smiled in return.
From that moment, they truly understood their captain's extraordinary nature.
They witnessed, up close, a confrontation between two Yonko.
Buggy himself stood in the air, composed and unshaken—a transcendent aura that commanded respect.
After Shanks drove off Kaido, Buggy shouted again, but Shanks only lingered, welcoming his long-lost friend.
Buggy's crew skillfully followed behind Shanks, heading toward Marineford.
Soon, they encountered the Golden Merry, also bound for Marineford.
The three ships sailed together like friendly brothers.
Luffy and Shanks simultaneously boarded Buggy's ship for a historic reunion.
Everything was peaceful, calm, and untroubled.
Shanks and Buggy, like old frenemies, chatted amicably.
Then—BOOM!!!
A terrifying aura suddenly erupted from Luffy!
The massive pressure crashed down on every member of Buggy's crew, like a tidal wave of weight, slamming them to the deck.
Buggy and Shanks immediately looked toward Luffy, puzzled.
Shanks paused, his expression growing both serious and curious.
"Wha… what's happening!?"
Hoo…
Luffy didn't answer immediately. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
After a long moment, the surging pressure began to ease.
Moments later, Luffy, having fully restrained his aura, opened his eyes.
A sharp gleam of divine light shot forth like a blade through the air, striking Shanks and Buggy's eyes and forcing their pupils to shrink.
Ha…
Luffy smiled faintly, addressing the two:
"Nothing…"
"I just… accidentally broke through!"
"Brok… broke through!!?"