A few days later, the golden ship departed to search for the Elephant Lord—Zunesha—while the Pluton warship remained behind, undergoing extensive reconstruction under Vegapunk's supervision.
The Pluton was being equipped with advanced lightning storage systems and aerial propulsion mechanisms. Its exterior was being reinforced with gold plating, giving it both overwhelming power and a majestic appearance worthy of being the next flagship of the Hell Pirates—a floating fortress of science and luxury.
Vampire Shakky held the Vivre card obtained from the Mink girl, Korra, and once again served as navigator, guiding the golden vessel through the unpredictable New World.
Zunesha, the colossal elephant carrying Zou on its back, wandered endlessly through the far reaches of the sea. Though enormous, it deliberately avoided islands and shipping routes, spending centuries in the harshest, most desolate parts of the New World. Even with its impossible size, few had ever laid eyes upon it.
"Dr. Vegapunk said Zunesha defies all logic," said Hiruba, peering through his scope. "A body over thirty thousand meters tall—how heavy must that be? Its bones must be tougher than the Supreme Grade Blades themselves! Korra said that on its back, ten thousand meters above sea level, the island stays evergreen year-round. Not a trace of snow. The climate's perfect for life!"
Fisher Tiger folded his arms, grinning wryly. "An elephant that big… if it wandered near Doragonzo Island, it'd flatten Sky Island by accident. One kick could crush the Red Line. If it went near Fishman Island, it'd probably stomp it flat without noticing!"
Despite his teasing tone, Tiger couldn't help but marvel at the thought. He'd once considered himself strong enough to scale the Red Line, but the Mink Tribe could freely climb Zunesha's moving body—a height even greater than the world's greatest continent. Their agility and strength were extraordinary.
Shakky smirked. "I wonder how much blood I could take from it before it noticed."
Crocus eyes brightened immediately. "And if I draw ten tons of blood, imagine the medical samples we could study!"
Beside him stood Poison Master Tia, once known as the Golden Silkworm, an infamous pirate with a bounty exceeding five hundred million berries. After acquiring the Mythical Zoan—Great Nyudo form—from Brook, she could freely shift between human and hybrid states. The two medics had become inseparable, their strange affection bordering on comical.
Brook could only sigh inwardly. Human-insect love, huh? Well… love finds its way everywhere.
"Don't even think about touching Lord Zunesha!" Korra suddenly shouted, face pale with alarm. "You promised not to harm him!"
"The shadow of the Elephant Lord would make a fine soldier," Abefu, murmured absently.
Memory Seahorse tilted his head. "If we could store its memories, we could make it fly."
"Enough," Brook said sharply, before the Mink girl could burst into tears. "Don't frighten her. I have no intention of harming the Minks or Zunesha. Don't you know one of my titles? 'The Kind Reaper.'"
His smile was faint, gentle—though his pale complexion and cold aura hardly inspired warmth.
Korra wiped her eyes, trying to believe him. "Then… Captain Brook, I trust you. Please don't bring harm to Zou or Lord Zunesha."
Brook nodded once, the weight of command behind his calm. "You have my word."
Still, as he looked at the trembling girl, he couldn't help but think ahead. Zou's red Poneglyph—the last one he needed. He had already gathered three of the four Road Poneglyphs. Leaving one behind felt… incomplete.
Yet taking it by force would mean fighting the Minks—a proud and fiercely loyal race. Brook tapped his sword's hilt thoughtfully. That would be troublesome.
Then his gaze shifted to Kozuki Oden, who stood quietly near the railing.
A small, knowing smile touched Brook's lips.
Perhaps… this young man can open the way instead.
-------------
Brook realized that after taking Kozuki Oden as his disciple, he had barely taught him personally. Instead, he had left Oden's training to Redfield and Newgate while providing a wealth of advanced methods and materials. Still, Brook couldn't deny that he'd benefited immensely from this "cheap apprentice" of his.
Through Oden, the Hell Pirates had gained much: the Ripe-Ripe Fruit, the Ripple-Ripple Fruit, two of the Kitetsu blades, Pluton, and even the red Poneglyph of Wano.
Now, Brook planned to make use of Oden's status once more. The Mink Tribe of Zou had guarded their red Poneglyph for centuries—ever since it was entrusted to them by the Kozuki family. Having the heir of that very family reclaim it wouldn't be theft. It was simply retrieving what rightfully belonged to them.
As he thought this over, Brook's grin widened, and he looked at Oden warmly. Good disciple, he mused. I'll find you a fine Mink wife while we're at it.
"Oden," Brook called out, interrupting an arm-wrestling match between Oden and Kaido. "When we reach Zou, you'll declare your identity as the heir of the Kozuki clan and retrieve the red stone your ancestors left behind. You're the Daimyo of Wano and the family's rightful successor. Make your ancestors proud!"
"Yes, Master!" Oden answered without hesitation. His Conqueror's Haki crackled faintly as he saluted. Since following Brook, he had grown immeasurably stronger—and more devoted. The man who dared challenge the World Government and slay Celestial Dragons had become his idol.
Brook chuckled. Serve me well, Oden. You may age, but I won't. Not when I hold pure gold.
With pure gold in his possession, Brook's lifespan rivaled that of Imu himself. At this point, only two beings could possibly threaten him—Imu and Rocks. Even then, their odds were uncertain. Brook had stacked the power of countless admiral-level souls; even if Rocks held the advantage, Brook could still escape alive.
··
The Hell Pirates' chief intelligence officer, Antonio, hurried aboard the deck.
"Captain Brook! Our agents Moore Thomas, and Umid have established contact with the Celestial Dragons' auction network on Sabaody. The director of the Human Auction House has been informed about the existence of pure gold. He'll likely report it to his masters soon."
Brook's grin grew sharper. "Excellent work. For now, make it clear—we're only interested in the top-tier Logia fruits: the Magma-Magma, Glint-Glint, and Ice-Ice. Refuse everything else."
Antonio hesitated. "Captain… are you sure they'll trade with us? You've killed plenty of their kind. Wouldn't selling Devil Fruits to the Hell Pirates be the same as arming their enemies?"
"Yohohoho~," Brook laughed softly, his tone darkly amused. "Never underestimate the greed of men who fear death. The Celestial Dragons are no different. Especially the old ones—they'd trade anything to extend their lives just a little longer."
He looked out toward the horizon, his eyes cold. "Power means nothing if you're dead. And those nobles understand that better than anyone."
Antonio nodded slowly, impressed. "So that's what you meant by 'understanding human nature.' It's more efficient than brute force."
Brook's smile lingered. "Indeed. And if word of pure gold spreads among the nineteen Celestial Dragon families, they'll turn on each other soon enough. Who deserves immortality? Who gets left to rot? That's when things get interesting."
Antonio's eyes widened. "You mean to start a civil war among them?"
Brook chuckled again, the sound echoing like bones rattling. "Maybe. I'll trade them a small amount of pure gold, enough to drive them mad with envy. Once the deal is done, I'll leak the truth. Greed will do the rest."
He paused, his voice lowering to a whisper. "But we must never offer too much. If they realize how limited their control truly is, they'll unite against us. That's why balance is key."
Antonio exhaled, half in awe, half in fear. "So even if they get the gold, they'll destroy themselves fighting over it. And in the end, it all returns to you."
"Exactly," Brook said. "We trade gold for power, then use that power to take everything back. Let the nobles guard their own destruction for me."
He raised his glass lazily, smiling to himself. "The Celestial Dragons always believed they stood above the world. Let's see how long they last when their immortality is on the line."
Antonio hesitated for a moment, then added, "There's something else, Captain. Our spies report that Rocks has met a girl from the D clan. But after that, she vanished. No one's seen her since."
Brook's expression sharpened immediately. "A woman from the D clan? What's her name?"
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