One day later, the Straw Hat crew began their pre-battle training on the western coast of Amazon Lily.
Under the immense pressure of the impending final battle against the Marines, everyone's potential erupted wildly.
Rayleigh was teaching everyone the specific applications of Haki.
Under the guidance of an experience Haki user, the Straw Hat members who had already awakened their respective Haki types saw their proficiency rapidly improve.
Meanwhile, Hancock hid in the shade of a distant tree, silently watching Luffy train.
...
Two days later, during his sparring session with Rayleigh, Luffy awakened the Future Sight ability of Observation Haki and simultaneously developed his Gear Fourth: Snakeman.
Usopp also became more proficient in using his Future Sight.
Using his new abilities, Franky created Homie assistants for all the crew members who needed support.
Chopper obtained a thunder glove that could freely change size.
Brook's sword hilt was equipped with a steam device that provided unlimited water vapor, making his Underworld powers easier to use.
Robin gained a flame warrior Homie who primarily helped block close-range enemies.
Usopp's slingshot was imbued with a soul, making it more lethal and accurate, and it could transform into various shapes for self-protection when not in use.
Furthermore, Franky modified his steel body using contents from Vegapunk's Technology Compendium combined with the characteristics of soul power.
The monster trio stated they didn't need Homies and instead focused on strengthening themselves.
...
Three days later, Zoro could already use his Conqueror's Haki with ease.
Sanji developed his Observation Haki to an advanced level to sense the precise locations of all the women on the island, he essentially gained a full-map female detection function!
Naturally, his overall Observation Haki sensitivity also improved significantly.
On the same day, the Pirate Empress set sail for Marineford, though the image of a certain straw-hat-wearing kid remained deeply etched in her heart.
Apart from eating vigorously to accumulate energy, Luffy spent all his time training in Advanced Conqueror's Haki and his Devil Fruit abilities.
According to The Fruit Development Manual that Ray had given him, there should be a higher gear he could develop.
But he still had no clues.
Gear Fifth was mysterious—the book didn't describe the specific development method in detail.
It only mentioned it was related to mindset.
This really stumped Luffy, since for him... mindset was such an abstract concept.
...
On the fourth day, the Straw Hat crew still hadn't seen Ray return.
So, they began their pre-battle rest, preparing to head to Marineford the next day.
Meanwhile, in a dark space, Ray asked the system with growing impatience.
"Jaken, it's already the fourth day. Why haven't we returned yet?"
Jaken replied nervously, "Lord Sesshomaru, the weapon that destroyed the island probably disrupted space. It erased the spatial anchor this old slave left behind. But don't worry, i will soon find the teleportation point to the one piece world."
"Hmm... Make it quick." Ray sighed helplessly, continuing to drift through the pitch-black space-time tunnel.
After an unknown period, Ray sighed again in the dark space, clearly frustrated.
However, he had reached one conclusion.
Since Uranus could erase spatial anchors, did that mean its attack actually created new space in the pirate world?
Only space can annihilate space.
There was another point that could confirm Ray's speculation: why did the sea level not drop but instead rise after the island was destroyed, leaving a deep crater in its place?
Logically, seawater should have flowed into the black hole, causing a global drop in sea levels.
But now that it had risen, only one explanation made sense.
It was like throwing a building block into a cup of water.
The world of One Piece was like that cup of water, and the attack from Uranus was akin to throwing an external substance into it.
Imu's power was somewhat eerie.
According to the original storyline of One Piece, during the great war 800 years ago, every time the Ancient Weapon Uranus was used, it caused the sea level to rise.
Did this mean Uranus's power came from outside the world of One Piece? If so, it would be best not to directly confront that attack when facing Imu next time.
After ten thousand years of training in his previous life, Ray understood this clearly.
Cosmic-level power was far too peculiar.
"Jaken, have you found it yet?"
Jaken's soul, as the system controller, was growing anxious.
He was terrified of Sesshomaru's anger, even though he had served him for ten thousand years.
'If only I had placed the spatial marker outside that beam of light. Ah, what a stupid mistake.'
Fortunately, Ray didn't press him further.
Jaken's system power continued to operate, diligently searching for the coordinates of the world of One Piece.
...
On the same day, in the world of One Piece, Impel Down Level 6.
A large red-nosed man, bound by chains and Seastone cuffs, opened his eyes.
Buggy felt like cursing.
He never expected that bastard Magellan would throw him directly into Level 6.
With his entire body restrained by Seastone, how could he possibly save Ace now?
"Ah, I shouldn't have been so impulsive back then."
"Hmph, who told you to confidently deliver yourself to them?" Beside Buggy, a blue-skinned fish-man named Jinbe responded with a mocking smile.
"Jinbe, we're in the same boat. You, a Shichibukai, ended up imprisoned by the Marines. You're no better off than I am."
Jinbe retorted irritably, "I was punished because I refused to fight against Whitebeard and the others. Let's change the subject. Ace was transferred to Marineford long ago. How do you plan to escape?"
Hearing this, Buggy stared dejectedly at the ceiling. "What can I do? Leave it to fate, I guess."
"Pfft—" A derisive snort came from the neighboring cell, making Buggy's blood boil.
"Crocodile, you fucking loser, you have no right to laugh at me!"
"Hmph, at least I wouldn't willingly deliver myself to the Marines."
"You!!!!"
Click—
Just as Buggy was about to erupt in fury, the prison gate between Levels 5 and 6 suddenly swung open, followed by heavy footsteps.
Everyone knew—the Jailer Beasts had arrived again.
These brutes came daily to torment them, ensuring their physical strength remained at its absolute lowest.
Buggy and Jinbe exchanged helpless glances.
Fuck, they were about to get beaten again, and the beasts always targeted the two of them specifically.
The footsteps halted right outside their cell door.
A five-meter-tall, snot-nosed bull monster wearing a massive cloak—the Minotaurus—stood at the entrance to Buggy and Jinbe's cell.
Then, it retrieved a key from its waist and slowly stepped inside.
...
Half an hour later, the Seastone chains on Buggy, Jinbe, and Crocodile were removed.
The three stood in the corridor of Level 6, their faces frozen in astonishment for a long time.
Crocodile's reaction was especially spectacular.
"You three have truly impressed me. Mr. 2, Mr. 3, Miss Goldenweek."
Upon hearing this, the person who had used his candle powers to create keys and unlock the chains—Galdino—immediately retorted.
"Former boss, we no longer use those codenames now."
Returning to his human form from his bull monster state, Bentham placed his hands on his hips and spoke confidently.
"We are now an subbordinate member of the Straw Hat Pirates, with boundless prospects ahead!"
"NANII?!" Crocodile and Buggy simultaneously exclaimed in shock.
"You've joined the Straw Hat crew?"
Even Jinbe's jaw dropped. "That pirate crew where Ray is?"
Seeing their reactions, Marianne chuckled. "Yes, it was Ray-sama who sent us to rescue you."
Bentham, Marianne, and Galdino now wore triumphant expressions.
The feeling of following the right leader was truly satisfying!
These three individuals before them had once been figures beyond their reach, yet today they could speak as equals.
Buggy, upon learning that Ray had sent them to save him, felt deeply annoyed!
"Damn it, I owe Ray another favor. But how did he know I was imprisoned?"
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