Drake was completely unaware of the new magic Lucy had developed.
However, Drake could tell it was based on his own Elfman Unification magic. No wonder Lucy had often sought his advice on such matters.
Compared to his own Elfman Unification, Lucy's Spirit Unification was no less powerful, and this magic still had room for improvement.
Drake eagerly anticipated what it would be like if Lucy could achieve unification with two or even more spirits.
It was just a shame that this magic's first target was a drug-crazed lunatic, which felt like a bit of a waste.
Lucy also realized she might have been overreacting. Who would have thought the seemingly terrifying Hody Jones would be so easily defeated?
The potent drug was indeed a powerful item, with each dose doubling one's strength.
But Drake could guess that it granted power by burning one's potential and life force, making it impossible to gain infinite strength by consuming more.
Putting aside whether the human body could withstand the rampaging power, a person's life itself had limits. Even burning it all to ashes would yield only a finite amount of strength.
Dark arts are dark arts; they cannot make one truly stronger.
Compared to the strength Lucy gained through her wisdom and the bond with her spirits, the potent drug was far inferior.
Thus, Hody Jones lost as expected. After being hit by the water vortex, he spiraled upwards and crashed directly into the Hard-Shell Tower, which had been protecting and confining Shirahoshi.
Even that Hard-Shell Tower, capable of withstanding attacks from giant weapons, shattered. All of Hody Jones's ambitions were thus crushed.
As for the cleanup, Fairy Tail didn't need to worry. Neptune, having rescued the three princes, arrived shortly and imprisoned all the New Fish-Man Pirates who had lost their ability to resist.
With Vander Decken eliminated by Hody Jones, Fairy Tail's mission was effectively complete.
As for Hody Jones, there was no need to worry about him. Even if Neptune and the others were foolish enough to let him go, having consumed so much potent drug, he wouldn't live much longer.
Drake and his group didn't concern themselves with the aftermath. After symbolically taking a few distinctive treasures from Ryugu Castle's vault as payment, they continued their journey on Fish-Man Island.
To Drake's surprise, Shirahoshi appeared as they were leaving. She even said she wanted to become a mature and strong Merfolk like Aquarius.
Drake looked at Lucy with an expression of disbelief. During this time, Lucy and the others had indeed been with Shirahoshi, but when had their relationship developed to this point?
Shirahoshi wanted to emulate Aquarius!!! Drake nervously glanced at Neptune, thinking it was best not to tell them his daughter might have been negatively influenced.
Boarding an ascending sea current, Drake and his group left Fish-Man Island and returned to the sea.
Although the Sun Tree Eve did transmit sunlight to the deep sea, for some reason, the sunlight felt entirely different on the surface.
Perhaps this was why Fish-Men and Merfolk dreamed of coming to the surface.
Drake stretched his limbs and summoned Azure Bird.
On Fish-Man Island, Drake had received a prophecy from Madam Shyarly: he would fight the Five Elders.
Drake wasn't particularly surprised, as he had already planned to visit Egghead.
The small piece of Mother Seed obtained from the Marine Science Unit's ship had directly evolved Drake's abilities. It was only natural that Drake would be interested in the Mother Seed itself on Egghead and in Vegapunk, who created it.
However, Egghead's location was a secret within the Navy. In the original story, Bonney had to infiltrate Mary Geoise to obtain Egghead's exact location.
This only highlighted the Straw Hat Pirates' incredible luck. Upon arriving in the New World, they could stumble into Punk Hazard, a place even the Log Pose couldn't find. After leaving Wano Country, they could go to Egghead. It could only be said that the protagonist's halo guided them.
Drake didn't believe he possessed such luck, but he had his own methods for finding Egghead.
Drake had initially intended to rely on his own efforts. He had dismantled various instruments from the Marine Science Unit's ship, hoping to find navigational logs or clues to locate Egghead.
However, after dismantling these unknown machines, Drake discovered they had all crumbled into dust.
Drake was certain he hadn't been so rough during the dismantling process as to cause such destruction.
Therefore, it was likely that Vegapunk or the World Government had pre-installed self-destruct devices within them.
After all, given that it involved the World Government's highest-level secrets, such preventative measures were not surprising.
Although this path was blocked, Drake still had Plan B. Thus, Drake had already contacted his associates via Den Den Mushi since arriving at Fish-Man Island.
Among Drake's acquaintances, there was indeed someone who knew the location of Egghead: the former Shichibukai, Bartholomew Kuma.
Kuma had spent a considerable amount of time on Egghead as one of Vegapunk's experimental subjects until Drake accepted his daughter Bonney's request, freeing him from the World Government's control.
Although Drake claimed it was just business, Kuma had always regarded Drake as a benefactor. Therefore, when Drake contacted him seeking Egghead's location, he readily agreed to help.
Another reason was that Vegapunk was also Kuma's friend. Kuma knew that Vegapunk was not a bad person, merely exploited by the World Government.
Kuma didn't want his friend or his inventions to remain under the World Government's control, so he didn't make it difficult for Drake to go to Egghead.
However, there were no precise navigation methods in this world. Sailing on the sea relied on Log Poses or Eternal Poses.
Therefore, Drake and Kuma agreed to meet on an island in the New World. Drake had already contacted Kuma, and he had arrived.
Kuma's speed was undeniable. Soon, Drake reached the designated island.
In a church, Drake saw Kuma sitting in a chair, holding a Bible and praying.
Drake sat beside him and said, "Sorry, I stayed a bit longer on Fish-Man Island. You must have waited."
Kuma replied in a gentle voice, "All the time I have now is thanks to you, Mr. Drake. Spending it for you is never a waste."
Drake smiled and said, "I've said it so many times, it was just to complete Bonney's request.
Speaking of which, I haven't heard any news from you since then. How is it, has the World Government caused you any trouble?"
Kuma said, "There have been some CP agents who sought us out, but it wasn't much trouble."
As he spoke, Kuma revealed a hint of the aura befitting a great pirate known by the title "Tyrant." Kuma was a top-tier powerhouse in this world, and it wasn't easy for the World Government to cause him trouble.
Kuma looked at Drake and said, "However, the World Government will not treat your actions with the same leniency they showed me. Have you truly made up your mind?"
Drake smiled nonchalantly and said, "I've offended the World Government more than once anyway. What's one more time?"
Kuma naturally understood what Drake meant. Clearly, Drake didn't take the World Government seriously at all.
Kuma stood up and said, "Then let's proceed. I will use my ability to send you there!"
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