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Within the ruins of the city castle that had collapsed with a thunderous bang…
"Is my head still there?"
Safely lowered to the ground by a gust of wind, Brook looked around at the surrounding wreckage.
"Oh! It's still here. That scared me to death, oh, right, I'm already dead, yohoho!"
After frantically feeling around his skull and confirming that he was still "alive," Brook was just about to crack another skeleton joke when laughter suddenly echoed from nearby ahead of him.
"Yohohoho!"
Looking up, he discovered that another mass of ice had fallen here together with him.
Inside the ice, the zombie swordsman, wielding the black blade, was laughing in exactly the same way as him.
At this moment, the "salt snow" was still drifting down from the sky.
Some of it naturally fell into the other party's mouth.
"!!!"
Brook's eyes widened in disbelief as he naturally knew what that meant.
"So you succeeded after all."
Yet the words spoken by the zombie named 'Ryuma' were unexpectedly calm.
Inside his mouth, Brook's shadow was slowly leaving his body.
"However, may I ask rather presumptuously… what is the name of the man above?"
His voice became deep and sharp, like a peerlessly tempered blade. Even his words themselves seemed to carry the ringing sound of steel.
In a vague, indescribable way, Brook could sense it. The one speaking to him now was no longer his shadow. It was the lingering consciousness of this body's original owner. He was the man known as Shimotsuki Ryuma, the world's strongest great swordsman.
"I don't know the full details myself, but as far as I know, his name is Shinryu."
So Brook answered softly.
"Shinryu…"
Shimotsuki Ryuma murmured the name.
"Are there many people like him out on the sea?"
"I can't really say for sure, but…"
Having stayed within the Florian Triangle for many years, Brook naturally knew little about the outside world. However, recalling the information he had learned from the stray news gull that once wandered in, as well as the whispers exchanged among the zombies earlier…
"Powerhouses like Lord Shinryu likely number at least twelve within his organization. There should be even more across the seas, right?"
Brook guessed.
"Is that so?"
Hearing that, Shimotsuki Ryuma smiled faintly.
"So in this era, there are truly that many powerful warriors worthy of a dual?"
His voice carried both battle intent and loneliness. He did not seem to care that Gecko Moria had desecrated his corpse, or perhaps he had even welcomed it.
For a swordsman, being able to wield the blade once more was already enough.
"Unfortunately, your shadow was too weak."
"Ah, sorry about that."
As the words fell, Brook watched the shadow inside Ryuma's mouth completely fly out and land at his feet.
"It… it's back!"
After several years, the return of his shadow nearly moved Brook to tears, well, he had no tears to shed. He excitedly jumped around several times. Only after confirming that his shadow really was mimicking his movements instead of drawing a sword and attacking him did he finally calm down.
And then…
"But Moria's power hasn't been released… which means he's still alive, right?"
Brook immediately realized this.
His gaze turned upward.
There in the sky…
Amid roaring winds and thunder, Shinryu floated across the heavens, flame clouds coiling around his body while his enormous blade-like tail swayed behind him.
"Mm, judging by Lord Shinryu's appearance, it doesn't seem like he needs my help."
Brook quickly confirmed that fact.
So…
"The fact that he didn't destroy that corpse must mean he has a reason for it…"
Brook turned to look at Shimotsuki Ryuma's corpse and quickly thought of something he could do.
"In that case, I'll help guard the body for him for now."
And at that very moment…
"Though your strength has declined, your vitality is still quite tenacious."
High above the heavens, Shinryu slowly drifted through the air while looking down below.
Naturally, he could also sense that Moria had not died.
But right then...
"Fragment Bats!"
From within the ruins below, countless bats formed from shattered shadows surged toward Shinryu.
Yet Shinryu did not even move.
BOOOOM!
Thunder exploded before him and descended instantly, blasting the swarm of shadow bats apart in a single strike.
But at the very moment the bat swarm was blasted apart, it transformed into a mass of black mist that suddenly scattered everywhere.
Clearly, from the very beginning, they had never been released to injure Shinryu, but rather to block his line of sight.
And that was indeed the case.
"Hah… hah…"
At this moment, within the ruins...
Gecko Moria coughed blood from his mouth. His chest had been completely crushed inward by that punch earlier, leaving behind a gaping cavity.
Most of his massive body was wrapped in shadows to conceal his movements, while his trembling hands supported themselves against the surrounding boulders as he staggered forward.
"Monster… monster… I have to escape… I… I can't die here…"
It was obvious that Moria no longer possessed even the slightest battle intent.
The zombie legion he had spent nearly ten years preparing had been annihilated in an instant.
With just a single strike, he had already been heavily wounded.
The pain surging through his body and his fear of death had completely replaced the fury he once felt.
"I can't die… I have to survive… no matter what… cough cough…"
Even though his eyes were already turning pale and his consciousness was gradually becoming hazy, he still forced himself onward.
He had to flee, no matter what.
But at this moment...
BOOM!
Thunder roared across the sky.
And as Moria struggled to walk across the ground, the flickering lightning briefly illuminated the enormous shadow beneath him, revealing the silhouette of a half-dragon, half-human figure looming above it.
"…"
Moria subconsciously raised his head.
And through the thick fog, he saw that figure gazing down at him with vertical dragon-like pupils.
That overwhelming pressure nearly suffocated him.
"Am… am I going to die?"
That thought surfaced in his heart.
But right then...
"Lord Moria! You monster, stay away from Lord Moria!" A sharp voice suddenly rang out.
In the next instant, Moria saw a group of ghosts rush toward Shinryu before exploding.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Violent shockwaves spread outward. Then Moria saw a figure appear in front of him.
"Lord Moria!" It was a young girl floating in the air, wearing a crown, sporting twin ponytails, and holding an umbrella.
"Perona…"
Light returned to Moria's clouded eyes for the first time.
"Lord Moria, your injuries…"
At this moment, the last of the three monsters of the island, the "Ghost Princess" Perona, covered her mouth upon seeing the horrifying wounds covering Moria's body.
She had absolutely no idea what had happened.
Earlier, she had been asleep, only to be awakened by the enormous storm and tremors.
After waking up and using her abilities to investigate the surroundings, she discovered that the entirety of Thriller Bark had been completely transformed. Everywhere were massive craters left by lightning strikes. All the zombies had been instantly wiped out by the falling salt snow. Ice and magma scars covered the island.
Only now, after seeing Moria's miserable state, did she vaguely understand the situation.
"That guy… I remember seeing him in the newspapers. He's Shinryu of the Twelve Zodiac?"
Perona took a deep breath.
"Lord Moria…" Her voice trembled, yet remained firm.
"You go first. I-I'll hold him back for you."
After saying that, she did not wait for Moria's reply and decisively turned toward Shinryu.
[Devil Fruit user 'Perona' detected]
[Confirmed Devil Fruit: Paramecia-type · Hollow-Hollow Fruit. Currently being analyzed and stored within the 'Devil Fruit Encyclopedia']
[Devil Fruit Ability ... Can summon spirit entities that affect the emotions of others and create shockwaves]
[Effects by Level]
[LV3: Gains all basic Devil Fruit effects. Can summon incorporeal spirit entities. Spirits share vision with the user. Spirits cannot physically touch living beings or matter, and may only interact with other 'soul constructs.' Spirits can inflict 'negative emotions' upon targets. Requires 400,000,000 Beli to unlock]
[LV4: Deepened Devil Fruit development. Enhances the energy within souls. Spirits may self-detonate to create shockwaves. The user may also project their own soul outside their body as a clone. Spirit size can be controlled. Requires 1,200,000,000 Beli to unlock]
[LV5: Devil Fruit Awakening · Soul Impact. Can generate even more spirit entities within the surrounding environment. Spirits may move far away from the user. The user's attacks directly affect the target's emotions and soul, causing a 'Soul Chaos' effect. Requires 5.5 billion Beli to unlock]
[Analysis Progress: 0%]
As the voice of the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia echoed in his ears, Shinryu calmly looked toward the young girl before him.
"Oh? Instead of running away, you're actually approaching me willingly?" Shinryu looked at Perona.
"You'll die, you know."
"S-Shut up!"
At this moment, Perona's entire body was trembling.
She naturally knew who the man before her was, a monster with a bounty of 2.53 billion Beli, one of the top officers of the Twelve Zodiac.
In fact, when the World Government had issued its "special order" to the Warlords, she had even advised Gecko Moria not to provoke the Twelve Zodiac.
That was simply too dangerous.
But clearly...
Now, she no longer had a choice.
"You're not allowed to chase Lord Moria, Negative Ghosts… ah, what's with this wind?!"
Watching this scene, Shinryu waited for the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia to finish analyzing Perona's Devil Fruit while inwardly feeling somewhat emotional.
Gekko Moria certainly had many problems, but the loyalty his subordinates showed toward him was something rarely seen in the world of pirates.
Or rather, to be more precise...
After all, Moria had once been among those who "awakened to their ambitions" in Loguetown during Gol D. Roger's execution.
Even though he had become what he was today, there was perhaps still some unique charisma left within his humanity.
And at this very moment...
"Pero… na…"
Watching Perona above, desperately sending ghosts toward Shinryu only to nearly be blown away by violent winds...
Moria's outstretched hand trembled slightly.
But in the end, he still gritted his teeth and turned away to leave.
His steps staggered, and his already-clouded thoughts became even more dazed.
And in a trance...
Shua!
It was as though he could hear the sound of the sea beside his ears.
Along with familiar yet distant voices.
"The samurai of Ringo, follow Lord Moria! Repel the Beasts Pirates and protect our homeland!"
"Lord Moria, defeat Kaido!"
"Don't worry! We're the Moonlight Pirates! Captain Moria is a man destined to become Pirate King sooner or later!"
"Hehshishishi! Don't judge by appearances, I'm technically part of the Kozuki Clan too, I just grew up overseas!"
"Of course we trust you! You're someone who even knows the Kozuki Clan's inherited writings, stonecraft techniques, and those ancient legends, that's exactly why we chose to follow you!"
"Hey, hey! Once we win this battle, let's throw a banquet! Invite all the courtesans too!"
And so, at this moment, blade light seemed to flash before Moria's eyes.
Clang!
That was the sound of the kanabo named Hassaikai colliding against the great sword named Moonlight-Maru.
And then, finally...
Crack!
The crisp sound of a blade breaking.
"Lord Moria! Run!"
"I'll hold them off for you, Lord Moria!"
"You must survive, Lord Moria!"
"Only you can defeat Kaido! Please abandon us and escape!"
Yes.
After that crushing defeat, there was no longer any "Kozuki Moria" in the world, only "Gecko Moria."
Everyone believed that the overseas member of the Kozuki Clan, the hero who confronted Kaido, had died in that battle.
But no one would ever know...
At the very end of that battle, the defeated hero had chosen to flee under the protection of his comrades.
One after another, his companions died before his eyes in order to protect him.
It was a memory so painful that even recalling it brought unbearable agony.
But...
"What the hell…" Moria muttered softly.
The scenes within his memories seemed to overlap with reality at this moment.
Just like in the past, companions he believed he would never lose were easily taken from him before his eyes.
Just like in the past, it was once again his companions buying time for him to escape.
"A pathetic fantasy born from running away from reality… and yet you actually treated it as real?"
Shinryu's earlier words now struck him like a gravity-powered slap across the face.
It felt as though his mind had suddenly cleared.
Yeah.
That zombie legion, becoming Pirate King, the title of Warlord...
They were all just fantasies created to escape reality.
If you really thought about it...
"Hasn't absolutely nothing changed?"
Moria stopped walking and turned around.
He saw the scattered rubble, the countless grotesque corpses, the barren island, and the perpetual fog surrounding it.
Only then did he suddenly realize just how dark and rotten this place truly was.
Back when he had stood in Loguetown, watching that man's execution and deciding to set sail…
He had never imagined that he would one day end up living in a place like this.
And so, a moment later...
"Hm?"
[Successfully analyzed the 'Hollow-Hollow Fruit.' Current Level: LV1]
As that notification echoed beside his ears, Shinryu casually manipulated the raging winds to restrain Perona in place.
At the same time, he sensed a certain change below him.
And then...
Thud! Thud!
Accompanied by heavy footsteps, the blood-covered Gecko Moria walked out from the ruins.
"Hey, Shinryu, I'm over here."
He raised his head and looked toward Shinryu in the sky.
"L-Lord Moria! Didn't I tell you to escape?! Your body..."
Seeing the horrifying wounds covering Moria's body, Perona cried out anxiously.
"Shut up, Perona!"
But Moria's furious roar interrupted her.
"This enemy was brought here by me, so naturally I'm the one who should deal with him!"
After saying that, Moria looked back toward Shinryu.
"The captain of the Moonlight Pirates is still standing right here, bastard. Don't think you can lay a hand on my subordinates."
Hearing those words, Shinryu glanced at Moria with slight surprise.
And then he noticed...
Moria's body was still obese. His movements were still sluggish.
Yet from within him, an invisible aura now seemed to radiate outward.
And his eyes had become incomparably sharp.
Those were the eyes of someone who had found his resolve.
BZZZZ!
From beneath Moria, the pitch-black shadow known as "Shadow Asgard" rose upward.
But this time, it did not remain beside Moria to protect him, nor did it rush toward Shinryu.
Quite the opposite.
This time, it slowly condensed into a sphere of shadow, and then...
Before Shinryu's astonished gaze, Moria grabbed it and shoved it directly into his mouth.
Crunch!
He bit down on it and swallowed it whole.
[Paramecia · Shadow-Shadow Fruit]
[LV5: Devil Fruit Awakening · Shadow Gathering Place ... Can consume all shadows within the surrounding area to obtain immense power, physical strength, and corresponding combat skills. However, the more shadows consumed, the greater the mental control required; otherwise, the ability will spiral out of control]
[The user may also choose to consume their own shadow, gaining power equivalent to the shadows of 200 people. Because it is the user's own shadow, not only will it not go out of control, but the user can perfectly manipulate the shadow's power and freely reshape it at will. However, because the user loses their shadow, they will become vulnerable to sunlight]
Seeing this, Shinryu was not particularly surprised.
From the moment he first saw Moria, he had already realized that this guy had developed his Devil Fruit to the stage of Awakening. That was hardly strange, after all, Moria had once been a top-tier pirate capable of clashing against Kaido.
Even after falling into decadence, he was still one of the Seven Warlords.
What truly surprised Shinryu was this:
In the original story, Moria had chosen to absorb the shadows of one thousand people, gaining the power to shatter an island with a single punch, only to ultimately lose control and be defeated by Monkey D. Luffy.
But now…
What he had consumed was his own shadow.
The meaning behind that choice was crystal clear.
At last, he had chosen to trust in his own power instead of relying on others to fight for him.
"Now that looks a little more respectable."
Shinryu nodded in approval.
The next moment, his figure slowly descended to the ground.
Within the pouring "white snow," the two stood facing one another.
BZZZZ!
Moria lightly raised his hand.
Within it, a pitch-black shadow greatsword slowly materialized.
[Shadow · Moonlight-Maru]
And the instant the blade entered his grasp, the Haki that Moria had not used for a very long time slowly began wrapping around it once more.
BZZZZ!
BZZZZ!
The blade continuously hummed like the cry of a dragon.
"My sword style is called the Moonlight Style, a swordsmanship created specifically for slaying dragons."
Moria took a deep breath while tightly gripping the enormous black blade.
"Well, isn't that convenient? My codename just happens to be Dragon."
At that moment, Shinryu smiled faintly.
He also slowly raised his hand.
BOOOOM!
Roaring lightning descended into his grasp, transforming into a spear.
And upon that spear...
Frost, magma, raging wind, and smoke continuously flowed and shifted around one another.
"Still, I don't think you can kill me."
"You won't know until you try!"
The instant those words fell, both figures exploded toward one another simultaneously.
"Moonlight Style · Dragon-Breaking Slash!"
"Scarlet Dragon · Spear of Heaven!"
(End of Chapter)