Chapter 130

……

The White Stone Island, Baldigo, upon the Grand Line.

At eighteen years old, with two long swords hanging at her left waist and her figure now taller and more slender, Kuina bid farewell to Dragon, Ivankov, Sabo, and others.

She wrapped herself in a black robe, shouldered her pack, and walked away alone.

Having reached the realm of Iron-Cutting Sword Hero, she had mastered Armament Haki and Observation Haki over the past two years—it was time to set out and find that person, to fulfill the promise made under the snow-lit night.

……

East Blue, the Ichinomichi Dojo in Shimotsuki Village.

At sixteen, Sanji had just, in a duel with his Master Koushirou, unleashed his Three-Sword Style and broken through the Sword Posture realm by inventing Oni Slash, achieving the Sword Intention realm!

But he knew well.

This was still far from enough.

To catch up to Kuina, to catch up to that person, this was nowhere near enough!

He must train even harder, even more desperately!

……

East Blue.

Nami, having left Cocoyasi Village, had earned the nickname "Little Thief Cat" across several islands in the East Blue; whenever she heard others discussing the nameless ship and the legend of the traveler Luo En, a bright smile would spread across her face.

……

Alabasta, due to Luo En's interference, had delayed Crocodile's plan by a year, but it was still carried out.

At the start of Sea Year 1517, the Dancing Powder incident erupted fully in Alabasta, triggering a rebellion, and the entire nation fell under the control of the underground emperor, Crocodile.

At thirteen, Princess Vivi learned from her father, Cobra, that all of this was Crocodile's conspiracy; instantly, her mind flashed back to that night three years prior, recalling the mysterious boy who had stolen the historical stone tablet and foretold Alabasta's current state.

Perhaps because the memory was too vivid.

The voice, face, and words of that mysterious boy were carved into Princess Vivi's heart as if with a knife.

"First, do not trust Crocodile."

"Second, if this nation reaches great peril, tell Crocodile that I took the stone tablet."

Is this a time of great peril?

Vivi did not know.

"Third, if you ever meet a guy named Luffy, tell him I'll be waiting for him in the New World."

Who is Luffy?

Who… exactly was he?

Thirteen-year-old Princess Vivi stood in the courtyard of the Spirit Altar where she had first met him, gazing up at the bright moon in the night sky, wondering inwardly.

If it were him… could he save this nation?

…………

North Blue.

Above the night, stars glittered; the sea's waves churned silently, and a luminous vessel sailed across the boundless ocean.

On deck.

Seventeen years old, his features now sharply defined, his face as finely chiseled as if carved by a blade, standing 1.95 meters tall with a lean, powerful build, Luo En leaned against the railing, gazing up at the star-strewn sky, letting the gentle sea breeze brush through his hair.

"System, list my current stats."

【Okay】

【Host, Luo En

Age: 17.

Vitality: 3167.

Transparent World: lv4.

Sun Breathing Technique mastery: 100%.

Swordsmanship: Iron-Cutting Realm (Mastered)

Ultimate Force Intention: lv3.

Ultimate Technique: Ascension Nuclear Kick—lv2.

Weapon: Great Sword of the Twenty-One—Lei Qie.

Great Sword of the Twenty-One—Kuroi Mizu.

Permanent buff: True Meaning of a Thousand Forgings (binding…)

Armament Haki: lv6 (Stage Two)

Observation Haki: lv5 (Stage Two)

King's Haki: lv3 (Stage One)

Shave: lv10.

Moon Step: lv10.

Lan Jiao: lv10.

Special Skills: Mechanical Mastery, Navigation Mastery, Language Mastery, Healing Art, Purification Art.

Special Artifact: King's Treasure, Infinite Flask.

Special Item: Devil Fruit Copy Card, Senzu Bean…】

Luo En gazed at the stat panel before him and sighed softly.

Though he had grown significantly stronger over the past one or two years,

the speed and magnitude of his power growth had clearly slowed; even with the gravity chamber's aid, increasing his vitality through training had become extremely difficult.

The rewards from signing in on ordinary islands are almost always only 10 HP points, with no other bonuses.

"At this rate, it will probably take several more years to reach the strength needed to defeat Kizaru."

Luo En gazed up at the starry sky, thinking to himself.

And in three years, the plot will begin.

Most islands in the East Sea, South Sea, and West Sea have already been signed in on; after finishing the signing in on all islands of the North Sea, will I next head for the Grand Line and the New World…?

Islands tied to the original plot have a high chance of yielding bonus rewards, while ordinary islands usually grant only HP points.

This is the conclusion Luo En reached after so many sign-ins.

Compared to the Four Seas, some famous islands and locations in the Grand Line and the New World should grant him considerable additional gains.

For example, Amazon Lily, Fish-Man Island, Punk Hazard, Dressrosa surrounded by giant rocks, Zou, and Wano Country…

"What are you thinking about, our captain?"

Luo Bin's voice sounded ahead of him.

Luo En turned his head and saw Luo Bin walking toward him, wearing white denim shorts and a green-and-white striped T-shirt, her long legs moving gracefully.

Compared to when he first met her, Luo Bin's skin had changed from wheat-colored to Bai Xi, making her even more beautiful and captivating.

"Here."

Luo Bin, standing before him, handed Luo En a glass of milk.

Luo En took it.

"Thank you."

Luo Bin smiled with crinkled eyes, sipped her own milk, and leaned back against the railing beside him.

On the deck beneath the starlight and moonlight, the two leaned back against the railing, shoulders touching.

"Has it already been nearly three years…? Time really flies."

Luo Bin sighed.

"Mm."

Luo En took a sip of milk,

"Back in Alabasta, I told you I'd take you on a journey, to seek the truth of history together."

"I haven't forgotten those words. After we finish touring the North Sea, we'll set out properly to find the Poneglyphs."

"Are we going back to the Grand Line?"

Luo Bin whispered.

"Mm."

"The Poneglyphs are taboo to the World Government; the Marines won't let them go unattended."

Luo Bin lifted her head, gazing at the star-strewn sky, "If there truly are four red Poneglyphs serving as markers to Laugh Tale, they're likely held by the Four Emperors and other powerful factions in the New World. To take them from them will inevitably mean clashing with those mighty forces… Just thinking about it feels impossible."