Ain interrupted their horseplay and asked about Thriller Bark: "Why is the place we're going called the Devil's Triangle? Is there a legend about devils?"
Speaking of this, Nami was no longer sleepy. The three of them looked at Hera together. Seeing their expectant eyes, Hera didn't keep them in suspense and directly shared the information she knew.
"It's said that hundreds of ships disappear here every year, and the ships that are found are all empty with no crew members. Some people have even witnessed ghost ships floating with the dead aboard." Hera lowered her voice as she spoke. Seeing everyone listening intently, she suddenly raised her voice: "It's said there are zombies and ghosts there!"
The raised voice and Hera's sudden movement startled everyone. Once they regained their composure, three pairs of hands simultaneously pushed Hera down into the bath. A pouting Nami puffed out her cheeks: "Honestly, that was terrifying!"
After a bit of splashing, Hera finally popped back up: "Alright, alright, I won't scare you anymore. Seriously though, I suspect there's something wrong with the magnetic field there. The Eternal Poses of ships that enter might become erratic, causing them to get lost. We don't need to worry; if all else fails, we can just fly. Besides, we have Nami."
"Furthermore, the zombies should have something to do with Moriah. His Shadow-Shadow Fruit can manipulate other people's shadows; those whose shadows are cut away by him turn into zombies. As for the ghosts, that should be Perona from their Pirate Crew. She has the Paramecia 'Hollow-Hollow Fruit' and can summon various ghosts."
Kuina rolled her eyes at Hera. The way Hera mentioned Perona made her sense an underlying meaning in her words, so she shot back: "Oh? So what does this Perona look like?"
Hera spoke with high spirits: "She's the Ghost Princess! It's said she dresses very cutely." Kuina continued: "So, you don't have any ideas about her?" Hera didn't notice the chill in Kuina's voice: "Of course I do! If things go smoothly, I want her to join our Marine. After all, beautiful girls with devil fruit powers are rare."
Then, Hera's mood dampened: "However, she was raised by Moriah since she was a child, so I feel like it won't be easy to recruit her. Plus, I don't know if I'll have to kill Moriah."
Kuina breathed a sigh of relief and comforted Hera: "It's fine. We don't necessarily have to kill Moriah directly. If it really doesn't work out, we can just send Perona away."
Hera nodded and hugged Kuina: "Sister Kuina is still the best, always staying by my side."
Kuina's face turned slightly red—whether from the long bath or something else—as she stroked the Hera in her arms: "Of course, my Captain, I will always stay by your side."
Ain coughed lightly, as if to remind these two that she and Nami were still there. Hera quickly scrambled out of Kuina's embrace and said: "We are a community of shared destiny. The argo has bound us together. I won't let go of any crew member. You all should prepare to stay with me forever!"
The three of them nodded. Although Hera's words were cool, her exposed body when she stood up to shout drew more of their attention. Hera also felt the chill on her body and quickly dove back into the bath.
After this little interlude, the four of them quickly finished their bath. Those with nothing to do returned to their rooms to rest, while those on night watch headed to the bridge, beginning a peaceful night.
As the argo sailed onward, mist gradually appeared around them. They had reached Thriller Bark.
Hera stopped Nami and Ain, who wanted to continue training: "We've arrived. Everyone, get ready. Don't train for the next few days; enemies could appear at any time. Nami, don't charge the argo for now either. Save your strength for emergencies."
Ain and Nami nodded. Nami was also full of anticipation for the upcoming battle, with lightning constantly dancing at her fingertips.
Hera saw Nami's anticipation: "Don't worry, there will be opportunities to fight soon."
Deep within Thriller Bark, at the base of the Thriller Bark Pirates, a man with lion-like features on his face came to report to Moriah: "Captain Moriah, a Marine fleet is sailing toward us. I don't know if they're looking for us or just passing through."
Moriah didn't take the ship to heart, but he was somewhat angry: "What? Wasn't it agreed upon when the Shichibukai pact was signed? The Marines are not allowed to interfere in Shichibukai territory. What are its characteristics? Can you tell whose vessel it is?"
Absalom quickly replied: "I don't know, but the ship is extremely fast. The flag has two clock faces on it. I don't know who it belongs to."
Hearing that it wasn't anyone famous, Moriah breathed a sigh of relief: "Fine then. This ship will be the price for offending me, Moriah. Detain the Marines on board and make them pay a ransom to get them back."
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