As the crew arrived on the giant elephant, Roger and his companions finally understood why the Life Card alone was necessary to reach Zou. This massive living island moved with purpose—it wasn't stationary.
"So... how do we get up there?" Fang Yi asked, bewildered. Everyone else shared the same question.
Kozuki Oden stroked his chin: "I recall Nekomamushi and Inuarashi saying Zou is atop the elephant. But how to climb up?"
"We'll just pull alongside and see," Jaba suggested.
Fang Yi smirked at Jaba's phrasing—reminded of someone whose devil-fruit ability always pulled him nearer.
Once they approached, the elephant was revealed to be so vast that its skin folds formed natural climbing holds—anyone in decent shape could ascend. But Fang Yi and Shanks let Buggy carry them effortlessly by flight.
Upon reaching the elephant's back, they discovered a bustling city. They showed Neko and Inu's letters to Prince Ryugu, head of the Mokomo Fleece tribe, who welcomed them warmly. His people greeted them with happy squeaks and affectionate nudges—an experience Fang Yi wasn't used to.
During the walk toward the whale‑shaped tree at the city's center, Fang Yi noticed Roger frowning deeply, clearly troubled. Oden also seemed unsettled.
"Captain, you okay?" Fang Yi asked quietly.
"You too, Oden…" Shanks chimed in.
Oden shook his head. "It's nothing—but I can't feel at peace."
Roger added: "It's as if the elephant's attention is fixed on us."
Fang Yi knew why—by climbing onto it, they'd awakened the elephant (symbolically called the "Elephant King"), punished to wander the seas forever.
They pressed on, entering a cave to find the final Road Poneglyph. Inside—along with the red glyph inscription—was a crest identical to Oden's clan symbol.
"So the myth about Wano and the Fleece tribe being kin... is real," Oden murmured gravely.
Using his system, Fang Yi quickly copied the glyph and handed it to Rayleigh. His task was complete. Now came the decision.
Should he join Roger in setting foot on the final island… or wait until he captains his crew? Though Roger's health seemed stable, he'd soon become the Pirate King—and then the crew might disband. And when Roger reached Laugh Tale, entry would be restricted to Life Card bearers.
Fang Yi mulled it over. In the end, he decided to go with Roger, knowing he might never return. He had no interest in the supposed Great Treasure; what he craved was simply exploring the world at his own pace. And one day, perhaps invite Buggy to seek Sky Island's gold with him.
When the crew arrived in a small Wano town, Roger finally addressed him:
"Yi-ge, I won't be bringing you three with me this time."
Fang Yi smirked faintly: "So that was why Shanks wasn't there... Captain planned it."
Crocus grinned and teased: "Buggy happened to be 'sick'. Rogers left you two to take care of him."
Fang Yi bit his lip in mock indignation, realizing Crocus had knocked Buggy out earlier, so he couldn't come ashore.
"Captain—I understand. But... I might never return on my own," Fang Yi said earnestly.
Roger laughed heartily. "Yeah, I heard Shanks say he's joining your ship someday!"
Fang Yi shrugged. "Exactly. I'm not chasing some big treasure—and with you already world-famous... no one will care where else I've been. If I join later, they may deny that I know how to reach the final island. I'm more excited about the place, not the loot."
Roger let the words hang a moment. Then he chuckled: "As expected of little Yi-ge!"
Oden grinned and gave a thumbs‑up. Though Fang Yi felt foolish, he didn't bother explaining—just asked once more if he could come ashore now. Roger still smiled and refused, as if expecting something.
With that, Fang Yi returned to the ship to care for Buggy, who pretended to be dying when Roger left. Shanks stayed to help—Buggy survived the ruse and immediately demanded to go exploring, much to Fang Yi's mock horror.
With Buggy recovering, Fang Yi changed course—he began recruiting new crew members. With Shanks and Barrett already onboard, he needed:
A strong cook (preferably like Sanji, but cooking > fighting was fine),
A skilled shipwright (he eyed Tom, the shipbuilder, to lure him aboard),
A good navigator (he could fill in temporarily),
And of course, another ship.
He knew Oro Jackson was legendary—but to own a duplicate, he'd have to find some way to secure Adam wood. That meant returning someday to Sky Island, perhaps recruiting a trusted crew to eat that Goro Goro no Mi before Enel does!
With these plans laid still, the ship sailed off, strong in spirit, toward the next unknown horizon.