Shiki was dead.
But even with his fall, the problems he left behind did not vanish.
The countless islands that had once floated sovereignly in the sky lost their support in an instant and began plummeting toward Logue Town, as if the very heavens had decided to crush the cradle of the Pirate Era.
The largest landmass had already been shredded by Luffy's punch. The debris from the main island streaked across the sky like a meteor shower.
The spectacle was grandiose, a vision that could make any poet weep in wonder. But no one in that moment wanted to admire the beauty — for this was not a painting, it was a sentence of death.
---
"LUFFY!!!"
Zoro's roar echoed like thunder, his hand already gripping the hilt of his katana.
Cut an entire island? Insane. Yet deep down, he knew that with his current skill, it was possible. The problem was that cutting just one wasn't enough — there were over a dozen islands above them. And if even a single rock of that size reached the ground, Logue Town would be obliterated.
Zoro hesitated, muscles tense, ready to risk his life on an impossible strike.
But before he could act, Luffy moved.
---
The captain grabbed something at his waist: the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
A strange gleam passed through his eyes as he chewed without hesitation. His body twisted for a moment, and then a new force surged through his veins.
The Paramecia — Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
A power that, in Shiki's hands, had dominated the skies for decades.
Without a second thought, Luffy leapt, and instantly, a silver flash tore through the heavens.
---
The falling landmasses halted.
One by one, as if grasped by invisible hands, the islands froze midair. The thunderous sound of rocks shattering ceased, replaced by a heavy silence, broken only by the distant echo of waves.
Even the massive island, which had been pulverized into dozens of fragments by Luffy's own fist, now hovered in the sky, suspended in thousands of pieces glinting under the moonlight.
It was as if fallen stars had been captured and held above the town.
---
"It's… floating."
Zoro's voice was hoarse, laced with disbelief.
He lifted his eyes and saw Luffy hovering alone against the sky, supported only by the power of the new fruit. There was no white glow of Nika.
And even at that height, Luffy seemed to be panting. Beads of sweat ran down his forehead.
"It's kinda… tiring," he muttered through gritted teeth. "I just ate this thing and already have to push to the limit."
Shiki had needed decades to master that power, awakening it to the point of controlling entire islands like chess pieces. Luffy, still raw, could barely sustain the weight of so many colossal masses at once.
But the impossible had always been the natural territory of the future Pirate King.
With a growl, he retrieved an Awakening Fruit from his inventory and immediately consumed it.
Luffy's body trembled. Then, in a snap, everything felt natural.
The islands were no longer burdens. They moved with him, as extensions of his own body.
A smile formed on his lips.
"Suddenly… it's way easier."
---
He lowered his gaze toward the execution platform. The same place where Gol D. Roger had laughed before being killed, where his own journey had begun. And now, there lay Shiki, defeated and dead, before that same platform.
It was symbolic. A stage where legends were born and died.
Luffy clenched his fists.
"Time to clear the battlefield."
Crouching, he pressed his palm against the ground.
"Planetary Devastation!!!"
The world roared.
---
The ground of the square trembled violently, cracking into chasms that swallowed stones and buildings. Massive blocks of earth rose, as if pulled by invisible strings, slowly ascending toward the sky.
The suspended islands exploded into hundreds of pieces, converging on a single point: the inert body of the Golden Lion.
In an instant, a colossal sphere began forming high in the sky. Blocks of stone, island debris — all merged, compressing around Shiki's corpse.
When the process ended, something magnificent shone above Logue Town.
A moon.
Not the real moon, but an artificial sphere, smooth and colossal, over a thousand meters in diameter. An eternal tombstone for the Golden Lion.
Zoro stared wide-eyed.
"This… is insane."
Luffy landed beside him, smiling.
"Fun, isn't it?"
The swordsman could only take a deep breath, speechless.
---
Suddenly, Uta's eyes sparkled.
As if a star had ignited within her, the young singer felt a wave of inspiration so strong that she could barely breathe.
"Luffy…" she whispered, almost in a trance. "You really are my lucky star!"
Without hesitation, she spun on her heels and ran back to the café. Her hands trembled with excitement as she pulled out a worn notepad and pen from her pocket. She knocked over a chair as she sat and began scribbling furiously. Every note that emerged was a flame, every word a comet.
She could not waste this moment. A song was being born — and like all her most memorable songs, Luffy was the spark that started it.
---
Baratie Sea Restaurant
A shout rang out along with the crash of a kick that sent a massive pirate flying through the windows of the restaurant and into the sea.
Sanji ran a hand through his blonde hair and exhaled, the cigarette dangling from the corner of his lips.
"Ugh… I just finished frying the lunch fish, and now I have to kick these damn monkeys."
The Baratie dining hall was in chaos. Pirates ran in all directions, but the sea cooks did not hold back. Armed with pans and kitchen knives, they defended the restaurant with the ferocity of veteran warriors.
Even Zeff, the one-legged head chef, had joined the fight, spinning his leg like a cannon.
"Anyone who messes with the Baratie, messes with me, you scum of the sea!"
Outside, on the Going Merry's deck, Brook watched calmly, swinging a bony leg while sipping cold coffee.
"Yohohoho… this place truly is peculiar. A restaurant in the middle of the ocean, defended by cooks who kick harder than armed sailors… Ah, what a delightful spectacle."
Sanji turned, furious, his face twisted.
"BROOK! What the hell are you doing sitting there?! Come help, you blasted skeleton!"
Brook rose slowly, adjusted his tie, and replied with all the elegance he could muster:
"My apologies, my bones grew numb waiting. But if you wish, I can… bring terror."
The cooks widened their eyes in shock.
"A talking skeleton!?"
Zeff chuckled quietly, arms crossed.
"If he's Sanji's friend, he's bound to be trouble. But, hm… skeletons that walk and talk… what an interesting world."
Brook bowed, one skeletal hand on his chest.
"I am no illusion, gentlemen. I am a man returned from death thanks to the power of a Devil Fruit. And, modestly, also a first-rate musician."
The cooks exchanged silent glances… then erupted in applause and laughter.
"HAH! Then you are welcome in our kitchen!"
Even Paddy, usually scowling, huffed, holding his bazooka as he glanced at Sanji.
"Well… I won't lie, blondie. It's weird seeing you back with a talking skeleton… but how can I say this? Welcome back, Sanji."
Sanji exhaled smoke through his nose, feigning indifference.
"Tch… you guys haven't changed a bit, you old geezers."
---
Syrup Village — West Rob
On the silent coast, Chopper held a makeshift branch like a spear, eyes wide and alert on the dark horizon.
"Usopp… will the enemy really come?"
Usopp trembled slightly but puffed out his chest proudly.
"Of course they will! This is the hometown of the brave sea warrior, Captain Usopp! If the Golden Lion wants to destroy the East Blue, he wouldn't dare ignore this place!"
They stood firm, watching the sea for hours. From sunset to moonrise, no ships appeared. Only the sound of waves breaking on rocks and the rustle of wind.
Finally, Usopp slapped his palm theatrically, as if he had a revelation.
"I've got it! That's why, Chopper! They didn't come because they're scared of my legendary reputation!"
"L-legendary reputation…?"
"Exactly! See, they only have fifty pirates, but I… I have no less than eighty million loyal subordinates in this village!"
"W-WHAT?! Eighty million!?" Chopper nearly fainted.
Usopp lifted his chin proudly.
"That's right! If you want, I'll introduce you to them all. Come with me, I'll show you how my troops treat me as a hero!"
And without waiting for an answer, he marched off grandly, Chopper running after him, confused but slowly starting to believe.
---
Cocoyasi Village
Here, instead of enemies, there were only laughter and music.
The villagers had organized a grand feast to celebrate Nami and Nojiko's return. Makeshift tables were laden with fresh fish, fruits, and barrels of drink. Children ran between adults, and lanterns lit the simple streets.
Amid the warm embraces, a nosy old aunt couldn't resist asking:
"Nami! Why is your belly so small? Hasn't the baby grown yet?"
An awkward silence fell. Nami's face turned tomato-red.
"W-WHAT!? W-what are you saying!?"
Nojiko laughed loudly, almost spitting out her drink.
"Ah, Auntie… only Luffy can answer that, right, Nami?"
"NOJIKO!!!" Nami exploded, shaking her sister by the arm.
The villagers just laughed even harder, raising their glasses and celebrating, completely ignoring the embarrassment.
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."