"Well, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that speaking of it could be dangerous."
Seeing Shiki's persistence, Beltz put on a helpless expression.
"Hmm?" Shiki grunted, frowning.
"Have you ever heard of the Lunarian tribe?"
"Lunarian tribe..." Shiki thought for a moment, then said: "I seem to recall something. Are you a person from the Kingdom of Gods?"
In the distant ancient times, it was said that the Red Line was not inhabited by Celestial Dragons, but by people from a Kingdom of Gods. The Lunarians were the residents of that land, said to possess incredible abilities.
If Beltz was a Lunarian, his actions and power could be explained. People of the Land of Gods possessed special abilities and knew many secrets of the world; it all made sense.
"No, I am not a Lunarian," Beltz shook his head. "In terms of danger, my origin is likely even higher than theirs."
"Some identities are better left unexposed. Otherwise, forget you, even Rocks would still have died."
"!" Shiki's frown deepened. He didn't understand how this suddenly looped back to Rocks.
"This world contains an 'Ultimate being.' This ultimate existence does not care about outside developments. No matter how pirates fight over territory or how many powerful pirates are born, he simply doesn't care."
"Only when specific figures appear does this 'Ultimate' take immediate action against you. Do you really think Rocks was taken down solely by Garp?"
Shiki fell into deep thought.
Back at God Valley, he hadn't been acting alongside Rocks. Initially, he was with Newgate and the others, then they split up. He had wanted to quickly reach the center to find Shakky and the treasure, but upon arrival, he found nothing but Shakky, not even a speck of gold!
The pirates on the island assumed other pirates had beaten them to it or the Marines had moved it, so they began fighting amongst themselves. At that time, he had indeed felt a powerful Haki. Before fighting Garp and Roger, Rocks seemed to have been battling something else.
But he hadn't seen Rocks since, so it wasn't until Beltz mentioned it now that he recalled that detail.
The Ultimate...?
"This world has something like that?"
"Go ask Newgate and you'll know," Beltz said. "Even if the crew disbanded, it's not like you can't exchange a word. Newgate saw him alongside Rocks back then."
"That sounds... truly interesting." Shiki bared a distinctive grin. "The Ultimate? That's a nice title. I'd like to sit in that seat myself!"
"So, let's go to Wano," Beltz said softly. "But I must state one thing beforehand: even if you find an Ancient Weapon, it absolutely does not mean you are invincible."
"Ancient Weapons do possess absolutely overwhelming power, but a weapon is just a weapon in the end."
"Jihahahaha... I like the way you talk." Seeing the pirates were finished with the looting, Shiki shouted: "All aboard! Head for Wano!"
The pirates, having filled their pockets on Hachinosu, returned to the ship laden with gold, silver, and jewelry.
Beltz and Rukia boarded as well. As the ship took flight again via Shiki's ability, Beltz walked out and asked: "Are we just leaving that island like that?"
Shiki stood at the bow, looking at the endless sky, and said without turning back: "You like it?"
"No, I just feel like leaving it behind would be a waste of those gold mines."
"I'm certainly not that wasteful," Shiki said. Just then, a massive sound echoed from behind.
Rumble...
A giant island broke through the clouds, following closely behind the great ship! Shiki had activated his ability to pull the entire Hachinosu into the sky!
The Float-Float Fruit Shiki had eaten possessed such terrifying power. In truth, fruits like the Float-Float Fruit and the Tremor-Tremor Fruit were horrifyingly powerful Paramecias in their respective domains.
The Float-Float Fruit could keep several islands suspended in the sky. If Shiki chose to stop maintaining his ability and let those islands fall in a free-fall, the impact would be catastrophic. A meteorite with a ten-kilometer diameter could cause a mass extinction; Shiki pulling massive islands into the sky and giving them a downward force was a world-ending threat.
Now, all of Hachinosu followed him. The former headquarters of the Rocks Pirates drifted toward Wano with Shiki.
After that, things remained quiet on the ship. Beltz's display of strength on Hachinosu had earned the respect—and fear—of Shiki's crew. No one challenged him further, so he and Rukia focused on learning Haki from Shiki.
The journey from Hachinosu to Wano took about four months. While Shiki wanted the Ancient Weapon, he didn't rush straight there. He often stopped to pick fights with other pirates, seemingly determined to spread his fame.
According to Shiki, weapons alone couldn't conquer the world; one needed men, and that required a reputation. If the whole world knew Shiki was the strongest, pirates would flock to him, providing the military force needed for world domination.
To Beltz, this logic made sense. The World Government commanded millions of troops; while most were weak, a larger base made it easier for elites to emerge.
A year in One Piece passed. It was now Year 1504 of the Sea Circle Calendar. During the New Year, Beltz took Rukia back to the Soul Society. Though they didn't enter the Seireitei, they went to Inuzuri and had a New Year's dinner there.
And now, they had finally reached the waters near Wano.
Wano sat atop a giant mountain, protected by a massive waterfall—a natural barrier. The World Government had tried to invade in the past, but they were stopped by a lone samurai, Shimotsuki Ryuma. Since then, no one had dared to infringe upon Wano.
Now, this group was about to enter this isolationist nation.
Boom!
The weather near Wano was abysmal, with lightning and thunder crashing through the clouds. The sea was turbulent with gale-force winds. Flying was dangerous in such storms, but fortunately, Beltz was there.
Beltz transformed into the Azure Dragon to lead the way, using his power to guide the clouds so Shiki's ship and island could advance safely. Finally, they arrived above Wano!
The Wano that the World Government struggled to enter was breached by them through the simple act of flying. Shiki's ability was so convenient it almost felt like a "cheat" for a pirate.
The land of Wano sat atop the mountain, featuring both vast territory and a large inland sea. Shiki's ship could land anywhere, but the island had to be dropped into the distant inland sea.
"Hmm? Isn't the guard a bit too lax?" Shiki looked down. "They haven't even noticed us."
Beltz looked down as well. "Centuries of peace might have numbed them, making them forget about military force."
"I hope not; that would be too boring," Shiki said.
"Hmm..." Beltz sensed an aura from a distance. "There are quite a few people ahead, and some powerful ones among them."
Shiki glanced at Beltz with surprise and released his Observation Haki. Soon, he bared a sinister grin: "Maybe Wano's masters are all down there. I'll go take a look; I'm leaving the ship to you."
"Hey!"
Before Beltz could say anything, Shiki had already jumped!
At this time, in Kuri:
Kozuki Oden had been the Daimyo of Kuri for nearly three years. He arrived in Kuri in Sea Circle Calendar 1502—the year before God Valley—tamed the criminals, and turned Kuri into a proper region of Wano.
But while reforming Kuri, Oden was always thinking of the outside world. While most Wano residents spent their lives on their own small plots of land, Oden had always been restless, yearning for the world beyond.
He was currently sitting on a roof, gazing toward the direction of the sea. He had tried to leave Wano before, but his sailing talent was near zero; he couldn't survive the voyage alone.
As he was lost in thought, a massive roar echoed from the sky.
Oden looked up to see a giant shadow, like a black cloud blocking the sun. Was it going to rain? It was sunny just a moment ago.
As Oden prepared to get down, he saw a black speck in the sky. It wasn't rain; it was a man!
"Jihahahaha...!!!"
A blonde man descended from the sky with a wild laugh: "You must be a samurai of Wano!!"
Oden's excitement surged. Seeing the descending Shiki, he immediately drew his two swords:
"Are you a pirate from the outside world?!"
"Hmm?" Shiki clicked his tongue. What was with this guy? Shouldn't he attack an invader? Why did he look excited? Was he stupid?
"Hey! I'm the one asking questions here!" Shiki spat in dissatisfaction.
"Whatever!"
Oden drew his blades and slashed directly at Shiki!
Shiki's pupils shrank, and he instantly drew his own swords!
Clang!
Double blades against double blades: Oto and Kogarashi met Ame no Habakiri and Enma. The four swords clashed, and in an instant, black lightning erupted!
Bang!
The powerful Haki explosion sent nearby onlookers flying!
"My name is Kozuki Oden! I don't know who you are, but please, let me join your crew!"
!!
Shiki was startled, then bared a dangerous smile: "Kid... you're actually quite strong. But I didn't come here to recruit."
Bang!
A powerful Haki blast forced them apart. Oden landed on the ground while Shiki hovered in the air: "Kozuki Oden... I've heard that Kozuki is the surname of the Wano royal family. What is your relationship with the King of this country?"
"Wano has no King, only a Shogun! But my relationship with the Shogun doesn't matter. I just want you to take me out of this country!"
"That's unfortunate. While I could let you join, I have no intention of going back to sea anytime soon."
Shiki said in a low voice: "If you want to join me, answer my questions."
Though Oden could be slow-witted at times, he began to realize Shiki was different from the pirates who accidentally washed up in Wano. This man had come here on purpose.
Oden's expression turned serious: "Who are you? What is your purpose in Wano?"
"Finally acting the part," Shiki grinned sinisterly. "You're likely the strongest samurai in this country! Which means if I defeat you, I've conquered this nation!"
"Try it if you think you can!"
Oden roared, leaping into the air again. His two swords swung out a massive strike like a rushing waterfall. The pure and majestic sword slash seemed ready to wash away all filth as it surged toward Shiki!
"Oden Two-Sword Style: Togen Shirataki!"
Seeing Oden's momentum, Shiki couldn't help but be startled. This guy... was no ordinary opponent!