Ten thousand meters above the sea, an island was moving toward the first half of the Grand Line.
Reddy sat at the edge of the island, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds, lost in thought.
Securing Punk Hazard was undoubtedly a massive gain.
Researchers like Beal were experts in the study of the Bloodline Factor. Though they might not have any outstanding achievements to their name, each of them possessed deep knowledge in this field.
Especially after he had revealed the genetic concept map.
With these researchers, the production line could now be established, allowing the creation of enough clone soldiers to protect Punk Hazard.
"You're slacking off!"
Bonney's voice, filled with disdain, sounded behind Reddy.
Reddy turned his head.
Bonney stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him with a look of disgust. "When are you going to let me go?"
"At least six months."
Reddy answered without hesitation.
Bonney froze.
He's really going to let me leave?
Reddy continued to gaze at the sky and clouds, pondering his own matters.
This concerned Kuma, the infinite gene donor, and was also a celebration of his first collaboration with Vegapunk. He didn't want anything to happen to Bonney.
At the very least, during the six-month stabilization period—until it was confirmed that Bonney's genes had been perfectly supplemented—he wouldn't let her go.
Where Bonney would go after leaving was of no concern to Reddy.
Everyone had the right to choose their own path.
Moreover, after Bonney's genes were perfectly supplemented, her genetic rating had reached LV12, giving this little girl more than enough ability to handle any challenge.
Bonney didn't believe him but couldn't find any evidence. She could only kick a pebble at her feet in frustration before running off.
...
"Finally, we're here!"
Reddy stood at the edge of the island, looking down at the sea shrouded in thick fog.
The Florian Triangle!
After seizing Punk Hazard, Thriller Bark was undoubtedly the most convenient destination, with no close second.
The abilities of the Ghost Princess Perona's Hollow-Hollow Fruit were, to a certain extent, a complete cheat.
The Negative Hollows could make targets so depressed they lost all will to fight.
In the original story, Perona alone had defeated the three strongest members of the Straw Hat crew.
Even in the later stages, where Haki beyond a certain level could negate Devil Fruit abilities, the Hollow-Hollow Fruit still held its own.
Aside from top-tier monsters like Kaido, 99.99% of people would still be affected by the Negative Hollows.
And in battles between strong opponents, the scales of victory could tip in an instant.
The island slowly descended, soon disappearing into the thick fog.
The light inside the fog was dim, visibility extremely low.
From his high vantage point, Reddy looked down at the sea below, spotting numerous shipwrecks that made the area even more eerie.
Thriller Bark, known as the world's largest pirate ship, was the size of a small town.
After descending to a certain altitude, the island changed course and began moving horizontally.
Before long, a massive shadow appeared in Reddy's field of vision.
Reddy stood up.
Gradually, the shadow grew clearer, revealing the outline of an island.
Reddy snapped his fingers.
Five clones suddenly appeared behind him.
The clone modeled after Blueno opened a door, and Reddy stepped through with the five clones.
...
"Perona, come out!"
Perona lay sprawled on her bed, kicking her legs in the air, completely ignoring Moria's increasingly frantic calls.
Kumacy stood by the bed, glancing at the door before looking back at Perona, who remained motionless on the bed, wishing it could speak out of anxiety.
The shouting outside gradually faded.
Kumacy looked at Perona, then stealthily moved toward the door to open it, only to be caught by Perona and stubbornly blocked.
"Don't you dare!"
Perona sulked on the bed, muttering complaints. "Stupid Hogback, stupid Moria-sama, and stupid Absalom!"
Kumacy obediently lowered its hands and sat back on the couch, resigning itself to being a quiet doll.
Once it settled down, Perona grew displeased again and turned to pick a fight.
"Kumacy…"
Perona had just called its name when she suddenly froze.
Through the window, she spotted a massive shadow in the distance.
"What's that?"
Perona jumped off the bed and rushed to the window, looking up.
Soon, the shadow grew larger, gradually hovering over the castle.
Perona's face filled with shock. "An… an island floating in the sky?"
Behind her, Kumacy spun in circles, desperate to see what was outside, but Perona had taken up the entire window, and it didn't dare push past her.
"Moria-sama… Hmph, I refuse to tell him."
Perona briefly considered rushing to inform Moria, but the thought of what he and Hogback had done reignited her temper. She jumped back onto the bed and sulked.
Kumacy hurried to the window, saw the approaching island, and immediately turned to warn Moria.
"Kumacy, you are NOT to tell Moria-sama!"
Perona had already come up with a flawless plan. Seeing Kumacy about to alert Moria, she immediately stopped it.
"Moria-sama still thinks I'm just a spoiled little brat!"
Perona proudly boasted her scheme to Kumacy. "Hmph, once Moria-sama is in danger, I'll swoop in and save him… Horohorohorohoro!"
Pleased with herself, Perona mentally patted herself on the back for her brilliance.
Was there anyone in the world who could resist the Negative Hollows?
Of course not!
The more she thought about it, the more she admired her flawless plan. She rushed back to the window, leaning on the sill, eagerly waiting for the people from the flying island to attack the castle.
The island stopped moving once it was directly above the castle, remaining hidden in the thick fog.
At this height, unless someone looked carefully, it would be nearly impossible to notice an island floating in the sky.
Perona was baffled.
Why wasn't it descending further?
Could it be…
Perona quickly looked down below the island.
Nothing was happening.
The zombies scattered throughout Thriller Bark hadn't raised any alarms.
It was as if the island was just a giant sightseeing ship, here only to observe Thriller Bark.
Perona's mind flooded with questions.
Soon after, the floor suddenly shook violently.
Perona gasped, quickly grabbing the windowsill to steady herself.
"Moria-sama…"
She forced herself to stay calm, but cold sweat instantly broke out on her forehead.
Kumacy spun around anxiously, looking at Perona expectantly.
"There's no way Moria-sama could be defeated!"
Perona anxiously jumped onto the bed. Soon, her spirit separated from her body, floating in midair as she gave Kumacy an order before sinking through the floor.
"Kumacy, protect my body!"