Throne Of Supreme

Chapter 297: Gecko Moria

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Alice threw a punch through the air, her arm suddenly stretching as her fist, wrapped in Armament Haki and reinforced by the fine Burning Heaven suit, shot forward.

Aoki raised his arm, blocking the attack effortlessly before swiftly closing the distance between them.

Alice retreated, trying to block his advance.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The sound of their clash echoed, but moments later, Aoki's fist found its mark, striking her squarely in the abdomen and sending her crashing into the side of the boat.

Aoki relaxed his stance, signaling the end of the match. "Let's stop here."

---

[Battle concluded: 130 experience points gained.]

Although the "Infinite Dragon Beasts" ability excels in completing tasks endlessly, "Nature Spirit" has its own advantage: the ability to refresh challenges repeatedly.

Alice stood up, rubbing her belly, her expression a mix of pain and astonishment. "Is this the power of a Devil Fruit? It's so strong!"

Hancock approached with a calm demeanor.

"Not all Devil Fruits are this strong," she remarked.

The Mochi-Mochi Fruit, though classified as a Paramecia type, exhibits Logia-like qualities. It allows the user to transform their body into mochi, with immense potential for growth and versatility.

Aoki turned to Alice. "How does the exquisite Burning Heaven Set feel?"

Alice's expression grew serious. "It's incredibly powerful, but it puts a lot of strain on my body. If I use it alongside my Devil Fruit ability, I'll be completely drained in no time."

Aoki nodded. "Then you'll need to train harder."

Physical stamina wasn't an issue he could solve for her—she'd need to overcome that herself through relentless practice.

As the conversation shifted, Robin stepped forward.

"Aoki, what's our next move?" she asked, her tone practical.

As the chief steward of the Burning Heaven Pirates, it was her responsibility to understand the crew's plans.

Aoki had already given this plenty of thought. He raised two fingers. "Two things. First, we need to find Zou."

Robin's expression turned thoughtful. "Zou? I've heard of it—it's connected to the Mink Tribe, isn't it?"

The rest of the crew, especially Esdeath, Kurome, and Akame, looked intrigued. For them, the existence of so many unique races was still novel.

Aoki nodded. "That's correct. Zou is the homeland of the Mink Tribe."

Robin added, "But it's said to be incredibly mysterious. Many have heard of Zou, but no one seems to know its exact location."

"That's because Zou moves," Aoki explained. "It can't be found using a Log Pose."

"Moves?" Everyone's curiosity deepened.

Aoki elaborated. "Zou is on the back of a giant elephant that's been wandering the seas for centuries. Its feet rest on the seabed, and its head reaches above the clouds. It's tens of thousands of meters tall."

Kurome blinked in disbelief. "A mythical creature carrying a city on its back? Are you sure this isn't just a legend?"

"It's very real," Aoki assured them.

Alice, meanwhile, looked ecstatic. "A giant elephant with a city on its back, inhabited by furry humans? This is going to be amazing!"

Robin asked, "What's the second thing?"

Aoki's response was simple and direct. "Killing."

"Killing?"

Everyone turned to him with raised eyebrows.

Aoki smiled faintly. "There are too many scumbags on the seas. It's time for a little cleanup. Consider it an opportunity for you all to grow stronger."

His tone turned serious. "Once your strength improves, we'll go after the BIGMOM Pirates and the Beasts Pirates—and destroy them both."

The crew understood there was more to his plan, but no one pressed him for details.

In truth, Aoki's primary objective was straightforward: to level up his "Infinite Dragon Beast" ability and accumulate more Revenge Chests.

The ideal targets were those with special abilities, but finding such individuals in the vast ocean was a daunting task.

Above the open sea, the three-masted ship soared through the sky, cutting swiftly across the clouds.

Aoki and the others stood at the bow, their eyes fixed on the horizon.

A red wall stretching between heaven and earth appeared in sight, its top vanishing above the clouds and its sides extending endlessly beyond the horizon.

"This is the Red line Continent," Aoki said calmly.

Esdeath crossed her arms, her expression filled with surprise. "How did this kind of terrain come about?"

Though she had been in this world for some time and had a basic understanding of terms like the Grand Line and the Four Seas, seeing the Red line Continent in person was something else entirely.

This didn't look like naturally formed terrain at all.

Aoki said nothing.

The existence of the Red line Continent was indeed peculiar, almost as if it had been specifically designed to structure this world, preventing it from being swallowed by the sea.

After crossing the Red line Continent, a unique island appeared in everyone's view. The entire island was made up of massive trees. Bubbles rose continuously from the surface, only to burst as soon as they surpassed the treetops.

This was the Sabaody Archipelago.

The ship in the distance descended and sailed steadily toward the island.

Alice stood before the assembled soldiers.

"First, you must return before this time tomorrow! Second, you are not allowed to reveal your identity! Do you understand?"

"Yes!" the soldiers shouted in unison.

"Go ahead!"

Alice waved her hand. The soldiers cheered and disembarked in groups of three or five.

Long sea voyages were monotonous, so reaching an island offered a rare opportunity for rest and recreation. These ordinary soldiers were largely anonymous; as long as they concealed their Burning Heaven Suits, there was little risk of their identities being exposed.

"Let's go too," Aoki said.

Once the soldiers had left, Aoki disembarked with Hancock, the sisters Akame and Kurome, Esdeath, Robin, and Alice.

Hancock glanced around cautiously. "Aoki, is this really okay?"

She clearly remembered their last time on the Sabaody Archipelago. Once Aoki's identity had been exposed, the navy's three admirals had gathered, and they had barely avoided a Buster Call.

Now, with Aoki's status even more prominent, the response from the World Government and navy would likely be far more severe.

Aoki offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry."

As they walked through the bustling streets of Sabaody, people moved about, busy with their own affairs, without sparing them a second glance.

Hancock frowned in confusion. "What's going on?"

Aoki explained, "It's just a small use of light."

Light, as part of the natural forces he could control, was relatively easy to manipulate. While he couldn't manage intricate or delicate effects, simple distortions—such as cloaking their presence—were trivial for him.

However, this effect only worked as long as everyone stayed close to him. Wandering off alone would leave them exposed.

This precaution was essential given their proximity to Mary Geoise and Marineford. If their identities were exposed here, the response from the World Government and navy would be immediate and overwhelming.

On other islands, with less oversight, such extreme measures wouldn't be necessary.

With their identities hidden, Aoki led the group through the Sabaody Archipelago. They visited the amusement park, explored bustling shopping streets, and toured various attractions without missing a single sight.

As night fell, Aoki led the group to Area 13. At the base of one of the massive trees stood Shakky's Rip off BAR, quiet and unassuming.

Aoki pushed the door open, stepping into a dimly lit interior. Despite the hour, the bar was eerily deserted.

"Welcome," came a familiar voice.

Seated in a chair, smoking and reading, was Shakky. She turned toward the door, but upon seeing who had entered, she froze. Her cigarette paused mid-air, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Aoki? Hancock? Why are you here?"

"Ms. Shakky, you're looking well," Aoki said, taking a seat as the others followed.

Shakky leaned back, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "That's all thanks to you, Aoki."

Four years had passed, and her appearance had not changed at all.

Facts had proven that the Rejuvenating Pill was indeed real!

"As long as Ms. Shakky is satisfied," Aoki smiled and asked, "What about His Majesty Rayleigh?"

Shakky checked the time: "He should be back soon."

As soon as she finished speaking, the door of the bar opened again, and a man in tattered clothes and half-white hair walked in.

Seeing the scene in the bar, Rayleigh was stunned for a moment, then returned to normal.

"Why did you come to Sabaody instead of staying in the New World to fight for territory?"

Aoki said, "Seizing territory? I'm not interested in that kind of thing!"

Rayleigh's eyes fell on Aoki, and he felt a little complicated.

He disappeared for four years, and just when he appeared, he caused such a big commotion.

He turned his eyes and scanned Esdeath and the other two.

He had never heard of these three girls before and didn't know where Aoki found them.

But there are so many strong people in this world.

It's normal that he hasn't heard of them.

Now he was more concerned with another issue.

"You didn't reveal your identity when you came here, did you?"

With their current influence, if their identities were exposed, the Navy and the World Government would soon come knocking on their door.

His retirement life would also be affected.

Although it wouldn't be a complete break, he would definitely have to go through a troublesome period of life.

Aoki said, "Please rest assured, Lord Rayleigh, I don't want to attract the Navy and the World Government."

The last time his identity was exposed, he almost attracted the Buster Call.

His principle is to kill those who should be killed, never kill innocent people indiscriminately, and try not to implicate ordinary people.

This is the bottom line he set for himself.

They are no longer human beings. If they act recklessly and do something cruel, they will soon become monsters.

Rayleigh asked, "What are you doing in the Sabaody Archipelago?"

"Because there are things to do."

Aoki asked, "I plan to join the search for ONE PIECE. Does Your Majesty One piece have any advice for me?"

Rayleigh was not surprised. "Only after finding all four historical texts of the road signs can we find the location of laugh tale."

"I know that," Aoki nodded. "And then?"

"Then you have to find someone who can interpret the historical text."

Rayleigh's eyes suddenly caught sight of Robin: "You've already found it, so there's no need to worry about it."

Aoki nodded. "And then?"

Rayleigh smiled and said, "Then, work hard!"

"No more?"

Aoki was speechless. This simple guide did not contain any useful information at all!

Rayleigh said, "As for the treasure, it's more interesting to find it yourself. I've already retired, so I won't spoil your fun."

Aoki said seriously, "In fact, if His Majesty Rayleigh is willing to tell us the location of Laugh tale, I definitely wouldn't mind."

Rayleigh also looked at him seriously: "I mind!"

Aoki: "…"

"It seems that you are determined to wait for the destined person. Is this also the reason why you know the truth of history but don't reveal it to anyone?"

Rayleigh's eyes narrowed.

Aoki's expression was calm, and his smile even grew wider.

This was a not-so-small test, and the results were quite good.

Rayleigh gradually regained his relaxed attitude.

"It seems that you do know something, so you should go and uncover the truth yourself."

They were indeed waiting for someone.

Including Roger's surrender and the beginning of the Great pirate era, it was all for that person.

Rayleigh didn't know who that person would be, but he was almost certain it wasn't Aoki.

Because that person should be from the D clan.

He specifically asked Aoki, and there was no hidden name in Aoki's name, only the word "Aoki."

Although Aoki wasn't the person they were waiting for, Aoki always gave him a feeling of transcending common sense and breaking the rules.

He couldn't see Aoki's future clearly, so he would not interfere in Aoki's affairs.

Aoki didn't dwell on this issue anymore. After chatting for a while, he said goodbye.

Everyone left the bar one after another. Aoki walked to the door and stopped again.

"I owe you a favor, is there anything I can do for you?"

Rayleigh reacted immediately.

"You're talking about Hancock, right? It was our own decision to save Hancock. It has nothing to do with you."

Shakky said: "Aoki, don't forget that Hancock is not only my fellow tribeswoman, but also my student."

"The space mark I gave you earlier should still be there, right? If you need help, just crush the wooden sign and I'll come right over."

Aoki didn't continue talking and turned away.

Shakky took out a wooden sign from her arms.

"Is this it?"

Rayleigh stared at the backs of Aoki and others as they left, wondering what they were thinking.

---

The next day.

The three-masted sailing ship slowly left the Sabaody Archipelago, and after moving some distance away, it took off into the air and flew forward quickly.

On deck.

Aoki was discussing domineering matters with Esdeath and others when suddenly wisps of fog rose up around them and quickly became thicker.

This scene immediately aroused everyone's vigilance.

A look of joy appeared on Aoki's face.

"We're finally here."

Everyone looked at him.

Aoki fiddled with the fog around him: "This is a special foggy sea area. The will is shrouded in thick fog and there is no sunlight all year round."

Hancock asked, "Is there anything special here?"

Aoki did not answer her question but changed the subject: "You know the Seven Warlords of the Sea, right?"

They all nodded.

Esdeath and the other two were also familiar with this name.

The Seven Warlords of the Sea is a special policy formulated by the World Government, which invites seven powerful or extremely famous pirates and grants them a series of privileges including legal plunder.

When necessary, the World Government has the power to forcibly summon the Seven Warlords of the Sea, but other than that, there are basically no constraints.

Simply put, the Seven Warlords of the Sea are used to check and balance pirates, with the focus being the Four Emperors.

The Seven Warlords of the Sea and the World Government are completely using each other.

If given the chance, the World Government would kill the warlord without hesitation.

Aoki said, "I heard that there is a warlord lurking in the mist."

Robin asked, "Which one?"

"Gecko Moria."

Aoki said: "Our target this time is him!"

In the original work, Hancock's generation of Warlord was actually very strong.

It is not an empty talk to use them to check and balance the Four Emperors.

However, there are also some useless people who look strong on the outside but are actually weak on the inside.

That's right, it's Gecko Moria!

He may have been very strong in the past, but since his defeat to Kaido, he has been completely useless.

Even more useless than Crocodile.