Though the "Divine Council," each harboring their own ulterior motives, argued fiercely, they ultimately failed to devise a practical solution.
However, they did manage to establish a new core directive...
They absolutely could not allow this man who called himself "The End" to expand his influence unchecked within the Great Kingdom!
Though they ruled the Great Kingdom with brutality, they were not fools like the Celestial Dragons. On the contrary, they were highly intelligent—aware that under such rule, the emergence of a unifying rebel leader would inevitably...
Lead to the collapse of the Great Kingdom.
This was their shrewdness.
As long as no leader emerged, no matter how much the common people complained, it would be futile.
Thus, they could continue enjoying their privileged lives.
So, despite the various grudges and unsavory conflicts among the races within the Divine Council, they ultimately reached a consensus.
In this regard alone, they were leagues above the Celestial Dragons.
Meanwhile, the rulers of the Lunarian Race, upon returning to their territory within God's Nation, convened another meeting.
They had never disclosed to the others that a squad of Lunarians from the Great Kingdom's guard, sent to Angel Island to eliminate remnants, had vanished without a trace.
One reason was that they didn't want to give the other races more gossip material.
The other was that the perpetrator remained unidentified, and they preferred to keep the matter under wraps.
Now, however, Michael's appearance had given the Lunarians a target.
After all, prior to this, they had never encountered an opponent bold enough—and capable enough—to kill so many Lunarians.
Though they hadn't found concrete links between the two incidents... their suspicions alone were sufficient.
For countless years before this, no one had ever managed to wipe out an entire group of Lunarians—without a single survivor escaping.
Yet, within just over a month, these two incidents had occurred in succession, forcing them to suspect the worst.
"This man who calls himself 'The End' and possesses three pairs of pure white Wings... We must find him and investigate thoroughly to determine whether he truly is a lost subspecies of the Lunarian Race... If so, we must do everything to recruit him! Once he becomes one of the Lunarian Race... even the other races in the Divine Council will be utterly crushed beneath our feet! From this day forward, the Great Kingdom will become the sole domain of the Lunarian Race!"
The elderly members of the Lunarian Race exchanged glances, their eyes alight with excitement.
Though they had just vehemently denied the existence of any Lunarian subspecies... what was said aloud and the actual truth could hardly be the same, could it?
"You're absolutely right... I believe there's a high probability he truly is a Lunarian subspecies."
"The Devil Fruit Encyclopedia does list fruits that can grant wings... but I've never heard of any that bestow three pairs."
"This would be the best possible outcome..."
"Now it's just a matter of whether this 'The End' fellow has the sense to recognize his place."
...
"We've been drifting at sea for days now," Michael leaned against the mast, tilting his head to look at Donquixote.
"You never told me you got seasick this badly."
"Ugh!! Don't mind me! I'll be fine soon!"
"You've been saying that since the first hour we boarded."
Michael sighed.
Seasickness was practically unheard of in the Great Age of Pirates eight hundred years later, when sea levels had risen drastically.
After all... without ships, mobility was nearly impossible.
But in this era, land still dominated the world.
So seasickness wasn't that unusual...
Perhaps he'd overreacted.
Still, being seasick for days on end definitely made Donquixote the GOAT of seasickness.
It was downright absurd.
Though his Holy light had recovered, its nature remained unchanged.
So he couldn't help alleviate Donquixote's symptoms.
And all of this gave Michael the feeling... as if his Devil Fruit... was waiting for something.
Waiting for a turning point.
Or perhaps a pivotal moment of fate.
"Ugh, sailing is absolutely the most torturous experience in the world," Donquixote groaned after emptying his stomach, barely managing to sit up on the deck.
"Ever since I discovered my seasickness, I've always wondered... why did Dressrosa have to be surrounded by sea?"
At this time, Dressrosa was still part of the Great Kingdom, situated on the edge of the vast continent.
Its coastal location made it a thriving trade port.
This geographical advantage was a major reason for Dressrosa's prosperity.
"Look at you... even those two kids are handling it better than you," Michael pointed at Toki, who was carrying Lily on her back and jumping around energetically.
"Since there's nothing left to vomit, you might as well talk to me and distract yourself."
As he spoke, he adjusted the fiery red fox fur scarf around his neck.
"Seriously, that thing around your neck doesn't match your outfit at all."
"Mind your own business, this is a gift from my daughter." Michael rolled his eyes. "Did I ask you to talk about this? I wanted to discuss serious matters... like what kind of person your rebellion leader really is."
"What kind of person?" Donquixote sighed. "What if I told you our leader is an overly naive optimist who's always grinning like an idiot? Would you believe me?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Michael spread his hands helplessly. "There are actually a few people like that back in my hometown..."
"A few..." Donquixote's lips twitched before he let out a long sigh. "Seems like your hometown life was quite colorful too... though all of it was destroyed by the Lunarian Race!"
Hearing this, Michael realized Donquixote had misunderstood, thinking he meant the destroyed city of Angelia...
But let the misunderstanding be.
At least he wouldn't have to explain time travel.
"Let's not dwell on the past." Michael steered the conversation away. "So what's our next move? Or are you waiting for something?"
"Of course we're waiting." Donquixote gazed into the distance. "It should be about time now... Oh! There it is!"
Michael looked up as directed.
A rainbow bridge was extending toward them.
Only then did he notice...
This direction led to Elbaf!