After sailing for some time, the group returned with mixed emotions to this stretch of sea known for its brutal weather—the waters around Wano Country.
Standing at the bow, Leno looked out at the familiar scenery before suddenly turning toward the little rabbit girl, who was staring around with fresh curiosity. Smiling, he encouraged her,
"Carrot, you're the main force in this operation, so do your best!"
"Eh?!"
Caught off guard by being handed such an important role, Carrot nearly bit her own tongue. Both rabbit ears shot straight up instantly, her face filled with shock and helpless confusion.
She had originally thought she would just tag along behind everyone and broaden her horizons a little. Who would've thought such a heavy responsibility would suddenly fall on her?
Under the encouraging gazes of the others, the little rabbit slowly shuffled over to Leno's side and asked in a nervous voice,
"Brother Leno, what do you need me to do?"
"Don't worry." Seeing how cautious she looked, Leno smiled softly and reached out to pat her little head. "We just need to use your ability, that's all."
"Hehe... so that's all it is~"
The moment her head was patted, the little rabbit immediately put on a blissful expression. Then, full of renewed energy, she waved her tiny fist and declared,
"Leave it to me, Brother Leno~"
"Mm."
Leno nodded with a smile, then cast a meaningful glance toward the top of the waterfall before quickly steering the ship around the island.
Not long after, the group arrived at the rear side of Wano Country.
Looking at the towering wall before them, Leno slowly guided the ship closer while calling out to the little rabbit.
"Carrot, get ready to open the door. We're going to take a little tour beneath Wano."
"Okay! ...Huh?"
Almost on instinct, Carrot was about to use her ability the moment she heard his order, but then she paused and reacted.
She looked at Leno in surprise and asked tentatively,
"B-Brother Leno... isn't it all just dirt down there? What's there to see?"
"Be good. Don't ask too many questions."
Leno gently stroked one of her rabbit ears as his burning gaze turned downward.
"What we're looking for is down below."
"Oh... okay then~"
Carrot obediently removed the Seastone accessory she was wearing, loosened up a little, and with a thought, an arched doorway appeared before everyone.
As the door opened, the group entered one after another. After putting the Gale into his inventory, Leno also stepped into the passageway.
The moment he closed the door behind him, a string of astonished cries immediately rang out from ahead.
"Whoa... the Door-Door Fruit really is incredible~"
"Are we moving through dirt right now?"
"T-This is amazing~"
"Carrot, you're incredible~"
"We've gone into the sky, we've gone into the deep sea, and now we've even been underground!"
"..."
Under the barrage of praise, the little rabbit quickly lost herself in the moment, unconsciously scratching the back of her head and grinning foolishly in place.
Did this mean everyone really acknowledged her now? She was so happy!
Leno casually looked around this strange space, then strode over to her and flicked her forehead without warning.
"Still getting carried away? Don't forget what our goal is this time."
"Ah~!"
Carrot cried out in pain and quickly covered her forehead. Even the rabbit ears twitching above her head drooped instantly.
The little girl shot Leno a wronged look, then obediently moved to the front to lead the way.
After passing through the dim layers of earth, a stretch of deep blue suddenly appeared ahead.
They had reached seawater.
This time, since everyone had mentally prepared themselves, they didn't make a huge fuss—but their eyes still couldn't help darting around everywhere.
It felt completely different from diving underwater with coating.
In the former case, you could clearly feel that you were in the sea.
But now, it was as though they were completely sealed off from another world. They could see it, but beyond that, they felt absolutely nothing.
Under Carrot's lead, the group traveled all the way through, thoroughly satisfying their desire to explore.
And it was only then that everyone noticed Carrot, who had been leading the way up front, was now drenched in sweat.
Leno reached out and gently placed a hand on the little girl's back, asking in a soft voice,
"How is it, Carrot? Can you still keep going?"
"I-I'm fine, Brother Leno... I can still do it!"
Carrot wiped the sweat from her forehead, slightly out of breath. Though she forced a smile onto her face, her voice was unwaveringly firm.
All this time, she had always been the one receiving everyone's care. She had never really contributed anything for the group before.
Now that she had finally gotten a chance, she absolutely had to perform well.
The little rabbit secretly cheered herself on in her heart.
As the group continued moving underground, Carrot's body had already begun to stagger.
Leno, feeling a little heartache, stepped forward to support her, just about to comfort her a little—
When, from the corner of his eye, he spotted a massive hollow cavity appear in the dim darkness ahead.
His spirits immediately lifted.
Lowering his head, he looked at the little rabbit with affection and said in a gentle yet excited voice,
"Carrot, you were amazing. We're here!"
"?!!!"
Hearing that, the exhausted Carrot instantly raised her head and looked ahead with excitement.
Had they finally found it?!
After observing for a few moments, she looked up again uncertainly and asked,
"Brother Leno... is what we're looking for really in there?"
Leno smiled gently, rubbed her little head hard, then lifted his chin.
"Go take a look, and you'll find out~"
"Mm!"
Carrot clenched her teeth and squeezed out the very last of her strength, bringing everyone into the hollow space.
As soon as a door opened, the little girl completely collapsed limply into Leno's arms.
Leno picked her up and stepped out, arriving in the vast dim chamber.
The rest of the crew followed behind one after another and quickly gathered around him, looking worriedly at the little rabbit in his arms.
This time, she had truly pushed herself to the limit.
She had worked so hard that she had collapsed from sheer exhaustion...
No one had expected that the little girl who usually served as the crew's source of laughter would possess such strong willpower.
Without even realizing it, the way everyone looked at her had subtly changed.
Leno handed Carrot over to Kaya, then released the Gale.
After settling the little rabbit properly, he finally turned his attention to examining the sealed chamber with Observation Haki.
A moment later, the group saw streaks of electricity flicker occasionally through the darkness around them, and clusters of massive torches suddenly burst into flame.
As the chamber lit up—
The moment everyone clearly saw the enormous object at the center, every last one of them sucked in a sharp breath!
A colossal warship, estimated to be nearly a thousand meters long, appeared before their eyes without warning.
Under the firelight, its surface gleamed with dazzling metallic luster.
The hull resembled a giant metallic bird spreading its wings. Its streamlined deck extended from the bow toward the rear, gradually narrowing into sharp tail fins.
And only when they got closer did they realize the surface of the ship was covered in irregular hexagonal armor plating, the edges jagged like a stretched-out honeycomb.
After the sound of people swallowing their saliva faded, waves of shocked exclamations erupted one after another.
"M-My god... it's huge!"
"So this is Pluton?!!!"
"This is way too cool!"
(For reference, a modern aircraft carrier is only around 300-plus meters long. Considering the giants of the Great Kingdom from over 800 years ago, as well as Noah's size, the author felt a thousand-meter-long ship was just right~)