The sake dragons arrived in an instant, surging onto the deck of the "Saint Monk" and lunging viciously at the Purgatory Monk and his companions, binding them tightly. At the other end, the tendrils of sake were held firmly in Vivi's grasp.
"Let us go!" Purgatory Monk's obese body twisted and thrashed, trying to break free.
Beside him, the Oni Monk and the Tengu Monk, being weaker, were already constricted by the sake dragons, unable to even speak.
"Purgatory Flame Palm!"
With a shudder of his fatty flesh, Purgatory Monk unleashed a burst of immense power. Straining against the sake dragons' hold, he slowly raised his right hand and roared. The Flame Dial in his palm erupted instantly!
BOOM!
A searing torrent of fire fanned out, completely engulfing the sake dragons.
"Gyehehehehe! Let's see how your liquor holds up against a Flame Dial!" A triumphant look spread across Purgatory Monk's face as he cackled madly. But when his gaze fell upon Nami and the others, he instantly knew something was wrong.
The three women were watching him with mocking eyes. As the flames dissipated, what met his horrified gaze were the狰狞 sake dragons, their bodies now transformed into something resembling obsidian. The fire had done absolutely no damage.
"How is this possible?!" Terror seized Purgatory Monk.
*CRACK!*
With a faint smile, Vivi clenched her right fist. The obsidian sake dragons roared and tightened their coils.
*Creeeak...*
A sickening, grinding sound filled the air.
*Pfft!*
Finally, as the faces of the three monks twisted in agony, they coughed up mouthfuls of blood and passed out. Seeing this, Vivi recalled the sake dragons.
*Thud!*
The bodies of Purgatory Monk and his men were unceremoniously dropped at her feet.
"Too weak," Vivi said, dusting her hands off, feeling a bit unsatisfied.
"Of course they are. They're just rookies who haven't even mastered Haki. Alright, job's done. Let's head back," Nami said lightly. She had Jean Bart string the three pirates together and tow them behind the Waver.
The Waver started up, and soon, they were back on the Sky Island.
*DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG!*
Suddenly, a series of powerful drumbeats echoed from above. The sound was deep, resonant, and rhythmic. It was like the beating of a giant's heart. As the drumming continued, the thunderclouds above began to flash in time with the rhythm, alternating between light and dark.
Everyone on the Sky Island soon found their own blood surging in time with the beat, their spirits stirring and their strength growing!
"What a strange feeling!"
"I feel so motivated! I'm going to do another 1,000 weighted squats!"
"Come on! I need to fight!"
Cries of excitement erupted from the black-robed monks in the training town.
Hancock gently suppressed the chaotic energy rising within her and looked up, a joyful expression blooming on her face.
"Ryuuto... He's waking up!" she whispered, wanting nothing more than to rush into the sea of lightning at that very moment.
"Hah... It's finally a success! I'm completely burned out. I just want to rest... rest..." Nearby, Crocus first showed a look of relief, but his voice grew fainter and fainter until he simply fell asleep where he stood. It was clear the old doctor had pushed himself to his absolute limit.
"Hancock, what's happening?" Nami and the others rushed over. Seeing the scene, they couldn't help but ask.
Hancock glanced upwards, and Nami and Vivi instantly understood. "Really? The Captain is waking up?" they exclaimed with excitement.
The three of them turned their gazes to the sky.
*DONG! DONG! DONG!*
The drumming grew louder. A strange phenomenon began to unfold in the heavens. Countless bolts of lightning shot out from the island clouds, and soon the entire sky above the island was filled with a brilliant golden light.
*DONG! DONG! DONG!*
As the golden light converged, the lightning itself solidified, forming a colossal golden war drum. The sky-shaking beat emanated from this very drum. It stood thousands of meters high, its surface a roiling vortex of collapsing and reforming lightning. With every thunderous beat, countless serpentine runes of light erupted from its surface, a truly extraordinary sight.
"What is that thing in the sky?!"
"I can't even think of resisting it... It's more terrifying than the wrath of the heavens!"
"I can feel a pure, killing intent coming from it!"
Everyone in the training town stared at the sky in shock. Such a display of power was beyond their comprehension. They were certain that even the stray arcs of golden lightning dancing around the war drum could easily obliterate their entire Sky Island.
*DONG!*
The mighty drumbeat boomed from ten thousand meters high, pierced through the clouds, and began to spread across the entire Grand Line, and even to the four seas. In that moment, people in every corner of the world heard it.
*Dong!*
The sound seemed to come from the edge of the world, yet it also resonated deep within their hearts.
"Was that thunder?" In Totto Land, Big Mom jolted awake from her sleep, her expression one of bewildered surprise.
"Mama, you're finally awake! Tamago, the man I sent to Fish-Man Island, was killed by Ryuuto. Should we dispatch troops to conquer the island?" Perospero, who had been waiting by her side for a long time, seized the opportunity to ask.
"Ryuuto?" Big Mom looked confused. It was the first time she had ever heard the name.
"Fish-Man Island, Mama. Your sweets!" Perospero reminded her carefully when he saw she had no recollection.
"My sweets?! Who? Who stole my sweets?!" Hearing this, Big Mom's already sour mood erupted into a furious rage. Her eyes turned bloodshot as she shrieked, her massive body thrashing about and smashing everything in the room.
"Right, I understand what you mean!" Perospero said quickly and fled the room as if his life depended on it.
Meanwhile, on Onigashima in Wano Country, Queen was staring at a pile of data with a pained expression.
"The sea level around Wano has dropped another two meters? What in the world is going on? Nearly two meters in one day? No, I can't let this continue. I have to go check it out!" With that, Queen stormed out of the room.
*Dong!*
"Where's that drumming coming from? Ulti, has the Governor-General returned yet?" Just as he stepped out, Queen ran into Ulti, who was dozing off in the main hall.
"You mean Kaido? Haven't seen him in ages," Ulti said, her eyes still drowsy as she let out a big yawn. She, too, had been woken by the drumbeat.
"Fine, you're coming with me!" A vein throbbed on Queen's forehead. He decided to take Ulti with him. Though she was willful and spoiled, her strength was undeniable.
"Huh? Where are we going?" Ulti asked, instantly appearing beside Queen like a phantom, repeating her question over and over.
At Marineford, Sengoku had already submitted his resignation. The failures of the Summit War, which resulted in massive casualties, and the death of Garp had left him with no desire to continue as Fleet Admiral. He had only one thought now: he would hunt Ryuuto to the ends of the earth and take his revenge. The world would soon learn to fear the wrath of a vengeful old man.
With the position of Fleet Admiral vacant, the Marines were plunged into intense political strife. Akainu, backed by the World Government, and Aokiji, recommended by Sengoku, became the leading candidates. High-ranking officers began to declare their allegiances. At the same time, the World Military Draft was underway, making everything exceptionally chaotic.
Aokiji sat on a rooftop, his gaze distant, lost in thought. Soon, he too heard the drumbeat. He looked up into the sky and could faintly make out a colossal war drum crackling with golden lightning.
"Why does that feel so familiar?" Aokiji murmured to himself. He slowly stood up, his eyes fixed on the spectacle in the sky, trying to discern its details.
In the Sabaody Archipelago, Rayleigh was diligently coating a pirate ship in his workshop when the sound startled him. He looked up and also saw the massive golden war drum.
"What's that kid Ryuuto up to now?" A meaningful smile played on Rayleigh's lips.
He was already aware of everything that had happened on Fish-Man Island, and it had astounded him. Something that even Roger had failed to achieve, Ryuuto had accomplished with such ease. He must have already touched upon the other side of the world's history.
"This world is far more terrifying than anyone imagines! Young pirates, carry that unquenchable thirst for freedom and press ever forward!" Rayleigh's eyes glinted behind his glasses, his expression turning to one of excitement. "That idiot Roger! Hahahahahaha... Someone has gone even further than you!"
"Perhaps..."
"Ryuuto will be the one to see the truth of the world!"
As he spoke, a trace of melancholy entered his tone. No one knew what they had seen on that final island. The so-called Void Century was nothing but a joke. A colossal joke! But what did it matter? As long as the desire for freedom existed in the world, those who came after would eventually find all the answers.
"Why am I worrying about all this? I'm just a coating mechanic trying to earn some money for booze," Rayleigh sighed heavily and returned to his work.
But Ryuuto was unaware of any of this.
*RUMBLE!*
A flash of gold crossed his vision, and his eyes snapped open. A powerful shockwave instantly radiated outwards as a peal of thunder boomed, as if welcoming his return.
"Feels like I've been asleep for a long time," Ryuuto said, shaking his head as he slowly sat up.
Beside him, the Kuidragon Zan danced excitedly before zipping back into its sheath. That drumbeat had been terrifying! It was much safer inside.
"Where am I? Judging by the layout... am I on a Sky Island?" Opening his eyes, Ryuuto looked around in confusion, finding himself in a pool of lightning nestled between island clouds.
With that thought, he floated out from the clouds.
*Zzzzzzt!*
The moment Ryuuto emerged, the vast expanse of golden lightning began to rapidly converge and surge into his body. The colossal war drum formed from pure lightning also dissolved into streams of light and flowed into him. The entire process lasted several seconds.
When all the light had vanished, Ryuuto exhaled a long breath of turbid air. "Hah... my power is back. This incredible strength feels amazing!"
But before he could revel in his newfound power, he heard cries from below.
"Ryuuto!"
"Captain!"
Not wanting to keep them waiting, Ryuuto flickered with lightning and instantly appeared on the ground. Before he could react, Hancock and Nami had attached themselves to him like two sloths, clinging to him tightly.
Only Vivi remained where she stood, seemingly waging an internal war, watching the scene with a conflicted expression, frozen in place. Jean Bart, oblivious to the drama, was simply grinning from ear to ear, overjoyed to see his captain.
"Ryuuto, you're finally awake!" Hancock had been so worried. Now, seeing him, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Captain, I missed you so much!" Nami expressed her feelings directly.
"It's alright, I'm back now," Ryuuto said with a smile, hugging them both tightly to comfort them. His eyes then fell on the conflicted Vivi and the disheveled Crocus, who was sleeping soundly. "Old man Crocus... what happened to him?"
He sent a reassuring glance toward Vivi before asking his question. After the others explained, Ryuuto finally understood that he owed his awakening entirely to Crocus's tireless efforts.
"Rest well, old friend," Ryuuto said softly, looking at the sleeping doctor. "I'll take it from here."
"Let's deal with these three as well," he said, his gaze shifting to the trio of monks being dragged by Jean Bart. It was a good opportunity to convert them all into reputation points.
Aboard the Ark Maxim, the necks of the three monks were snapped, and a series of prompts appeared in Ryuuto's mind.
[Reputation: 6,245,000!]
His reputation had soared past six million, with the vast majority coming from the citizens of Fish-Man Island. The three monks had just contributed another 22,000.
"Seeing these numbers climb really gives you a sense of security," Ryuuto thought to himself. He then turned his attention to Jean Bart. He had observed that due to Jean Bart's incredible physical prowess, he was on the verge of awakening Armament Haki after all his recent battles.
"In that case, I'll just give him Observation Haki directly," Ryuuto decided after a moment's thought.
"Redeem!" With a mental command, a stream of dark light shot into Jean Bart's body.
In an instant...
Jean Bart felt his mind flood with countless insights and experiences related to Observation Haki.