Everyone on the crew knew very well that Ha Shiro's strength far surpassed theirs. Sure, he teased them constantly and treated them like unruly kids most of the time, but when things got serious, he was solid—utterly reliable.If Ha Shiro said he'd handle something, there was basically no chance of a mistake.
"Deploy the web. Spread it wide!"
Ha Shiro snapped his fingers, and an explosion of shimmering hair shot outward in all directions. Countless strands unfurled and wove together in midair, forming a massive net that blanketed nearly a hundred meters around them. Not even a single corner was left uncovered; his hair rooted itself into cracks, curled around trees, and suspended itself over empty air.
And among the many things his sensory net brushed across… Ha Shiro noticed a peculiar presence.
The spirit of the Going Merry—a tiny, shy creature peeking curiously from behind the ship's mast.
Ha Shiro saw it, recognized it instantly, and simply smiled.He didn't call out or disturb it. Just one glance, and he let it be.
The night passed safely under his watch.
Only then did Ha Shiro finally exhale in relief.
The Next Morning
"Wait… the Merry is repaired?!"
Gasps erupted.
Just yesterday, the ship had been an absolute wreck—barely floating, patched in every place imaginable. Yet now it looked renewed, almost as if it had been tenderly restored by unseen hands in the dark.
Ha Shiro knew perfectly well what had happened.But he said nothing.
"Giant Susanoo — First Form!"
His voice boomed. Hair surged outward from his body, forming a colossal humanoid shell of shimmering black strands. With one casual motion, the giant construct scooped up the Merry from the shore and gently lowered it back into the sea of clouds.
"That's amazing!"Luffy's eyes sparkled brightly, thrilled like a child seeing fireworks.
"Alright!" Luffy grinned. "Then let's split up. We'll go look for the gold, and the Merry will be in your hands, Ha Shiro!"
"I'd like to go as well," Robin said, raising her hand calmly. Her gaze hinted at her true interest—the ancient text rumored to be nearby.
"No."Ha Shiro wrapped an arm around her waist before she could step forward. "Sanji, you go. They can protect you. But Robin stays with me."
"Ha Shiro…" Robin blinked, surprised.
"I can't protect you if you go with them," he said firmly. "Stay with me."
She hesitated, clearly torn, but nodded at the seriousness in his voice.
"Okay then!" Luffy announced. "Sanji, Zoro, Chopper—let's move out!"
The three immediately rushed off to begin their treasure hunt.
Meanwhile, farther on the island, the Skypiean warriors and priests were preparing for war. That alone was enough reason for Ha Shiro to keep Robin close.
Robin's Frustration
"Ha Shiro… why?"Robin asked softly, though irritation simmered beneath her calm tone. "Why won't you let me go? You know how important historical texts are to me."
Ha Shiro's expression gentled.
"I just don't want you getting hurt. Not even a scratch."
Robin blinked, her annoyance melting."…I see."
"When they find the site, we'll go together," he promised. "It'll be the same."
She exhaled, a reluctant but accepting sigh.
A Sudden Attack
"Huh? Usopp—look out!"
A piercing crack split the air—electricity shrieking like a demon.
"Gyaaaaaah!!"
Usopp collapsed instantly, smoke rising from his charred body.
"So fast!"Ha Shiro reacted immediately, dragging Robin and Nami behind him and forming a barrier of hair armor around them.
An elderly Sky Knight stumbled forward, trembling."Anilu… Why are you here?!"
"Usopp!!" Nami screamed.
"Robin," Ha Shiro murmured, "fall back. Don't attack. Protect Nami."
His hair surged, wrapping around all three women like a protective cocoon.
He stepped forward.
"You have three seconds to withdraw.If you make a single hostile move—I will kill you."
Anilu raised an eyebrow, amused."Oh? And how exactly do you intend to kill a god?"
Lightning gathered at his fingertip.
"Thunder Finger!"
Ha Shiro's hand flickered.
"Finger Gun!"
Their fingers collided with a deafening crack.The impact shattered the hair armor on Ha Shiro's arm—but he held firm.
"So," Ha Shiro murmured, shaking off the sparks, "talking won't get us anywhere."
His aura surged.
"Awakening Ability — Savage Growth!"
Hair flared upward like a volcanic eruption.Pressure crushed the air around him.His muscles bulged, veins pulsing violently, and his entire body grew taller and thicker, radiating raw, primal power.
This was Ha Shiro's awakened form—Savage Growth, inspired by a wild, feral transformation.
"Oh?" Anilu tilted his head. "Impressive.One hundred thousand volts—Thunder Dragon!"
A giant dragon of lightning roared toward Ha Shiro.
"This?"Ha Shiro raised a single hand.
His black-haired palm clenched.
The thunder dragon shattered like brittle glass.
"What?"For the first time, Anilu's expression twisted with genuine shock.
"Million volts!—"
"Where are you aiming?"Ha Shiro vanished in an instant using Soru.
He reappeared behind Anilu and slapped him across the sky.
Ha Shiro Gives Instructions
"Nami, Robin—stay here," Ha Shiro ordered without turning around. His voice was low, strained. "If I don't return in five minutes, leave immediately."
He didn't dare let them see his awakened expression too closely.
In the next heartbeat, he was gone—chasing after Anilu's falling form.
The Battle Intensifies
"Damn you!" Anilu roared, standing shakily. "Ten million volts—Lightning Strike!"
A colossal thunderbolt crashed down from above.
"Hmph."Ha Shiro leapt upward.
"Tempest Kick — Lightning Splitter!"
His kick released a massive blade of compressed wind, cleaving the thunderbolt in half.
He descended like a meteor.
"Finger Gun — Vacuum Break!"
"Finger Gun — Needle Burst!"
A storm of piercing thrusts erupted from his fingers, turning the battlefield into a whirlwind of invisible projectiles. Every direction Anilu moved, Ha Shiro's attacks were already there.
Anilu shifted into lightning and bolted away.
"Too slow."Ha Shiro appeared in front of him, suffocating pressure radiating outward.
Anilu's instincts screamed.
"If you don't dodge… you die."
Panic flashed in Anilu's eyes.
"Hairless Series — Black Flame Burst Fist!!"
Ha Shiro's long hair shrank abruptly—half of it burned away as the technique absorbed its power.
Black fire gathered around his fist, dense enough to distort the air.
He punched.
The island split open.A massive rift carved itself through the earth.
Anilu?Nowhere in sight.
"Tch. Escaped?"Ha Shiro clicked his tongue. "Damn it."
Even so… he sensed he'd clipped Anilu at least once.
The entire battle had lasted under three minutes.
Anilu's Retaliation
Far away, Anilu materialized on his throne—collapsed and gasping.A gaping hole pierced his waist, blood pouring out.
"Y-You…" he wheezed. "Just wait… Once the plan begins… I'll erase this entire sky island!!"
Snarling, he shocked himself repeatedly, cauterizing his wound with raw electricity.His next targets: everyone on the island—including the Straw Hats.
But above all…
His primary target had become Ha Shiro.
Ha Shiro's Return
Ha Shiro staggered back to the ship, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He collapsed gently into Nami's arms.
"Ugh… damn it… Let him get away…" he groaned, coughing up blood.
"Don't talk!"Nami's eyes filled with panic as she saw the scorched marks across his body."It's not your fault. Are you alright? Does it hurt?"
"I'm fine… Just need… a moment."He forced a weak smile.
A few strands of his hair—now stark white—fell from his shoulder.
He pretended not to notice.But the women did.
Robin leaned closer, voice soft with worry."That technique earlier… it drained your life force, didn't it?"
Ha Shiro didn't answer.He simply activated his power again, hiding the white strands.
Nami's eyes widened."W-Wait—was that really the cost?! Your hair—your body—"
"And your long hair… it's half as long as before."Robin's expression hardened with concern."That alone makes it obvious."
Ha Shiro smiled weakly.
"For you two… it's nothing."