They had heard Rolan mention before that Joy Boy, over 800 years ago, was likely a member of the Giant Race.
Even after receiving confirmation from Dorry, the shock still lingered.
That explained why Elbaf possessed the most detailed records about Joy Boy in the entire pirate world. It also made sense why Robin and the others had been welcomed so warmly with a grand banquet the moment they arrived.
Sabo muttered under his breath, disbelief clear in his voice, "You..."
"Kababababababa!"
"Giagiagiagia!"
Dorry and Brogy burst into laughter, tears forming at the corners of their eyes.
"For at least 800 years, Elbaf has waited for this day. Whether we succeed or not, we will give everything to support you."
Elbaf had already witnessed Rolan's words during the events at Marineford. They believed without doubt that he was the one foretold in their ancient prophecy.
A young man who would one day lead Elbaf against the rule of the World Government.
From that moment onward, they had waited for him and his crew to arrive, waiting for the one who would guide them back to that lost era.
Robin let out a slow breath before nodding.
"I believe that day isn't far away."
...
Wano Country, New World.
Ace and Yamato stood by the coastline. The sea breeze carried a quiet tension between them.
"Ace, set sail without worry. I'll be here in Wano, waiting for you."
Yamato held his hand tightly, her expression soft but conflicted.
Part of her wanted to keep him here, to hold onto him and forget everything else. Another part of her wanted to follow him out to sea and chase freedom together.
But she couldn't.
She was the General of Wano Country now, a role that couldn't be abandoned.
Between love and responsibility, she chose responsibility.
Ace looked at her, understanding everything without needing it to be said. He could have asked her to come with him, and she would have agreed without hesitation.
But that wasn't what he wanted for her.
"Wano needs you right now," he said quietly.
The country was still stabilizing, and too many forces were intertwined beneath the surface. One mistake could throw everything into chaos.
"A year," Ace said as he pulled her into an embrace. "At most, I'll come back and marry you."
Because of their height difference, he looked almost like he was clinging to her, but neither of them cared.
Yamato wrapped her arms around him, holding him just as tightly.
"I'll wait," she said. "No matter how long it takes."
Ace looked up at her, his eyes slightly red.
"Yamato, I..."
She didn't let him finish.
Lowering her head, she kissed him, cutting off the words before they could be spoken. If he said anything more, she knew she wouldn't be able to let him leave.
"Cough... looks like we showed up at the wrong time."
The sudden voice broke the moment.
They separated instantly, both visibly embarrassed.
Out at sea, a golden-hulled pirate ship had approached without them noticing. The flag it carried belonged to Rolan.
Standing at the bow were three figures, Enel, Kuro, and Crocodile.
Crocodile was the one who had spoken.
Ace's expression shifted as he recognized them. Yamato also stiffened slightly. These weren't people who appeared without reason.
Before either of them could ask anything, Kuro vanished from the ship and reappeared in front of them.
"We're here to retrieve something," he said.
Enel and Crocodile followed, appearing beside him almost instantly.
Enel glanced at Crocodile with a smirk.
"You're still slow."
Crocodile scoffed.
"I just don't waste energy showing off."
Kuro raised a hand, cutting off their argument before it could continue.
His gaze shifted to Yamato.
"You're the General of Wano, Yamato?"
"I am," she replied. "If you're looking for something, we've already searched the entire country thoroughly. There's nothing here we don't know about."
Kuro paused briefly before speaking again.
"What we're looking for concerns the survival of the entire world. You wouldn't have seen it. Truthfully, even we haven't."
Ace's pupils shrank slightly.
"Could it be..."
A single possibility formed in his mind.
Kuro gave a small nod.
"Is it really here?" Ace pressed.
"We're not certain," Kuro replied. "But Rolan said it's sleeping deep beneath Wano."
Ace's expression grew serious. That object had drawn the attention of countless powers across the world, yet no one had ever confirmed its location.
To think it was here all along.
Yamato frowned slightly, unable to follow the conversation.
"What exactly are you talking about?"
Kuro studied her for a moment.
Before coming here, Rolan had made it clear that Yamato could be trusted. She was one of their own, and more importantly, Ace's future wife.
After a brief pause, Kuro decided to speak openly.
"Have you heard of the ancient weapons?"
Yamato tilted her head, thinking back. She remembered Kaido mentioning them once, though never in detail.
Weapons capable of destroying the world.
Power that could reshape everything.
"Are you saying one of them is here?"
"Yes," Kuro answered. "Pluton is beneath Wano."
"Oh, so that's what you came for."
Her calm response caught Crocodile off guard.
He had spent years chasing Pluton, building his ambitions around it, yet Yamato reacted as if it were nothing more than a hidden relic.
Kuro didn't dwell on it.
"We should move," he said. "The longer we wait, the higher the chance someone interferes."
The air around them grew heavier as the reality of their objective settled in.