Chapter 219: Morning, Four Years Later
"Poneglyphs, huh…"
The blond Elder's expression turned serious. "Could Roger have gotten some kind of clue at God Valley?"
All five of them immediately thought of one name—Rocks.
Had Roger received something from that bastard?
They cursed Rocks silently. That man had caused them so much trouble—even in death.
"But now's not the time to get angry."
"Starting today, assign a CP0 unit to track Roger's movements full-time!"
"And also—keep a close watch on Ohara. Aside from the Kozuki clan in Wano, it's the only place where the world's best archaeologists are gathered. If anyone can read the Poneglyphs, it's them!"
"We cannot let Roger get in contact with anyone from Ohara. If he does, the resulting upheaval could shake the world beyond our control."
"Once the New World settles down, let Garp keep an eye on Roger."
To the Five Elders, Roger had become a growing threat.
They didn't think it was an overreaction to treat those who sought the secrets of the Void Century with the highest level of caution.
"Ohara too—it's time to round up all those who are still obsessed with the lost hundred years."
A cold glint flashed in their eyes. The time to "deal with" Ohara was approaching.
CLACK!
The office doors burst open.
The Five Elders looked over as a sweating intelligence officer rushed in and dropped to one knee.
"Elders! Blue Demon has reappeared!"
"Where?" All five narrowed their eyes. Roger was dangerous—but Blue Demon remained the biggest problem.
"In Water 7, in the first half of the Grand Line!"
"Water 7?!"
Their faces shifted dramatically.
Why would he go there? That's not just any place…
Panic flickered through their eyes.
"What did he do there? How long was he there—has it been a month?!"
"Are you idiots?! He's been in Water 7 for over a month and you're just finding out now?!"
The intelligence officer wanted to cry. At least let me finish before yelling…
After letting off steam, the Five Elders calmed down, as if reading his thoughts.
"Continue," the sword-wielding elder said.
"Yes!"
The agent reported quickly: "Just now, CP9 stationed in Water 7 reported that Blue Demon descended from the sky this morning into Dock No. 4… and, uh… scared a Marine rear admiral into unconsciousness before stealing—or rather, taking—a massive ship allegedly built to a merchant's order, made of Adam wood!"
"Then he flew off with the ship."
A stunned silence.
Scared a rear admiral into fainting.
Stole an Adam-wood ship.
Vanished for a month.
Suddenly reappears.
"'Stole,' huh?" one of the Elders scoffed.
They didn't need to hear more. Based on those keywords, they could deduce it:
The merchant had clearly been coerced into placing the order. Blue Demon had simply come to claim his ship.
This wasn't theft. It was collection.
"Dismissed," the sword elder ordered.
"Yes, sir!" The intelligence officer retreated.
Whew…
The Five Elders let out a collective breath. Meeting each other's eyes, they thought the same thing:
Blue Demon probably doesn't know the secret of Water 7.
Otherwise, just the idea of a Hades + Blue Demon combo was enough to make them despair.
Still…
Progress on Water 7's secret is too slow. Time to replace the current team.
…
Over a month later—
Luo Han and the three women returned to the New World. Because of the Penguin, they moved at a slower pace.
The New World had become chaotic.
The former Rocks Pirates had each established their own turf, but no one had fully claimed dominance.
Neither the rising Red Count nor Navy legends like Garp and Sengoku, nor even Whitebeard—who had gone to sea again—could replicate Rocks' supremacy.
In this chaotic age, Luo Han and the women began their long journey to find the Lantern Fish…
and to develop the full version of Kotoamatsukami.
…
Time passed quickly—
In the blink of an eye, four years had gone by.
Somewhere in the New World — Morning
The sea was calm—like a mirror of deep blue.
A few clouds drifted overhead.
The Penguin floated peacefully above the still water.
Inside Akatsuki 's room, on a ten-meter-wide bed, Luo Han opened his eyes in a soft embrace. A fragrant scent filled his nose, making his drowsiness fade.
Hmm… He frowned and tried to turn over—but couldn't.
He was being squished from both sides by… something.
He reached out to push them away, only to have his hands sink into softness.
"Mm…"
A soft voice broke the silence—Akatsuki stirred, feeling discomfort from her collarbone downward.
"You're awake."
She propped herself up, left arm on the bed, right pushing up her upper body.
The pressure on Luo Han lessened. He rolled to the side and lay on the soft bed, silently admiring the beautiful sight before him.
"They went out already?" Akatsuki glanced around, seeing no sign of Ellis or Sora. She grabbed a silk cloth to wipe the sweat from her body.
Still feeling sticky, she frowned.
"Go get me some seawater. I want to wash up."
She put on her clothes, didn't wait for Luo Han's reply, and walked out.
"Such a deadly view…" Luo Han muttered, putting on some shorts and flip-flops, shirtless, and following her out.
On deck, a low table was set.
Cakes and drinks filled it.
Ellis and Sora were already sitting in bikinis, eating and sipping casually.
"You guys are something else," Luo Han grumbled. "You started without us?"
"You overdid it last night," Ellis teased. "We got hungry earlier than usual. Don't mind us."
Sora chuckled. Neither slowed down.
Luo Han's face darkened. "I'm the one who 'overdid it'? I was the one doing all the work!"
"At least you had Akatsuki with you," Ellis smirked.
Ugh…
Luo Han looked embarrassed. The three women had made it a habit to use Akatsuki as an excuse to tease him—and, occasionally, to get involved themselves.
"Come on, Luo Han." Akatsuki called.
She was already standing and waiting. The discomfort was unbearable.
"Alright."
With a thought, Luo Han pulled up seawater and wrapped her in it.
As soon as the water touched her, Akatsuki nearly collapsed but forced herself to stay upright.
"Want me to help?"
"No need." She waved him off. She wanted to handle it herself.
Once she'd adapted, Luo Han summoned fresh water to rinse off and then joined the others for breakfast.
Soon, Akatsuki returned, sitting beside him. Her body, now fifteen meters tall, pressed close—there was no space otherwise.
The four ate peacefully.
It was quiet. Warm.
Luo Han felt this was the peak of life. He couldn't help but recall how it all began…
Two years ago, under a full moon, Akatsuki had turned thirty.
Her tail split into legs.
To celebrate her transformation—her coming of age—Ellis had proposed a party, just like a human's 18th birthday.
"Akatsuki , let's throw a party for your coming-of-age!"
And Akatsuki had smiled and replied, "And happy birthday to you too, Sister Ellis !"
Ellis had paused, then realized—it was also the anniversary of the day she'd eaten the Nature Spirit Fruit and gained her human form.
"Haha! Then let's celebrate together!"
She glared playfully at Luo Han. You didn't remember, did you?
Luo Han looked away, pretending not to hear.
What could he do? He couldn't even remember his own birthday.
That night, Ellis had tried to reclaim her pride at the dinner table…
But Luo Han, with his perfectly controlled body, outlasted her.
So she got herself drunk.
After the party, Luo Han returned to his room.
Just as he lay down, Ellis barged in.
Without a word, she sat on top of him, staring into his eyes.
"What's wrong? You should probably get off me first…"
He could feel the pressure—and Little Luo Han was… responding.
But Ellis didn't move. She stared. Luo Han was about to lose it—
Then she snapped out of it.
Her natural energy surged. She regained clarity. Her eyes sparkled, even in the dark.
Luo Han sighed. "You're awake. Then please… get off me and go back to your room."
Ellis didn't answer. She got up…
…and grabbed him.
Luo Han jolted. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! DON'T SQUEEZE IT!"
In his panic, he forgot to shield himself with telekinesis.
"So this is what made Aishi so happy…"
She examined it. Luo Han twitched. "I can change the size, you know!"
"Really?"
Her eyes sparkled.
Then, in a softer tone, she said, "It's been over two years since I became human. I can feel it—my human instincts are getting stronger. Every time we return to Ark Island, and I sense what you and Aishi are doing…"
"I feel a desire I've never known before—not in hundreds of years."
"I originally thought I'd just try it with someone… but I never had the chance."
(END CHAPTER)
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