After being stunned into silence for several seconds, Brook asked with obvious uncertainty, "Eh? Aren't you afraid of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
Jerry's expression grew more serious as he explained, "The Seven Warlords aren't all created equal. As for Moria, he was indeed quite formidable in the past, but that may no longer be the case."
The others didn't know much about Gecko Moria's current state, so after hearing Jerry's confident assessment, they didn't question his judgment.
Jerry's lips curved into a slight smile as he continued while the moment was right. "That settles it then. We'll act immediately. I can sense that the island isn't far from our current position."
"Understood!" Skull and the others responded with enthusiasm.
Brook opened his mouth as if to protest further, but Jerry didn't give him the chance to continue refusing their help. He stood up and walked to the ship's side, beginning to manipulate the surrounding seawater so that both ships would dive beneath the surface together.
"Incredible! What is this? Are we actually traveling underwater?" Brook exclaimed in amazement.
"Yep! Jerry can manipulate ocean currents," Skull explained proudly.
Seeing the seawater and fish swimming just outside their protective barrier, with not a single drop entering their boats, Brook's jaw would have dropped if his skeletal features allowed for such an expression.
This was unlike anything he had ever witnessed before. After a short underwater journey, their ships surfaced once again. Looking around, Brook realized with a mixture of dread and determination that they had truly arrived at the place where he had experienced his worst nightmare.
Thriller Bark was a massive structure that had been floating within the Florian Triangle for more than eight years. Its true nature was that of a colossal three-masted sailing ship originally from the West Sea, now converted into what could only be described as a floating island of horrors.
Known as the largest pirate ship in the world, it belonged to Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. The entire structure was divided into two distinct sections: an outer wall and the inner island proper.
The wall formed a perfect circle with the main island at its center, creating an enclosed internal sea that served as both a barrier and a trap. To enter from the outside, visitors would normally need to pass through gaps in the wall and cross the internal waters before finally reaching Thriller Bark's main landmass.
However, Jerry had skillfully maneuvered both ships to completely bypass the outer wall by traveling underwater, bringing them directly to the shores of the nightmarish island itself.
"That was truly amazing," Brook admitted, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "But I still don't want to drag you all into danger on my account."
He paused, seeming to gather his resolve. "Besides, now that I lack a shadow, I won't be able to stay with your group without exposing our purpose and whereabouts to Moria's forces. I should go ahead on my own."
Having made his decision, Brook suddenly leaped from their boat with surprising agility. Using a technique that allowed him to run across the water's surface, he began making his way toward the far side of the island.
"Hey! Wait, it's fine!" Deuce called out, reaching out his hand in an attempt to stop the skeleton musician.
Several crew members looked at each other with concern, but before anyone could finish their protests, Brook had already disappeared into the mist surrounding the island's perimeter.
Skull appeared particularly worried about Brook's solo mission. After all, the fact that his shadow had been stolen proved he had already failed here once before. With obvious concern, Skull suggested, "Boss Jerry, why don't you follow him? We can approach from the front entrance, and it would work perfectly if you and Brook infiltrate from the opposite side."
"Alright, but you all be careful," Jerry agreed, recognizing the tactical advantage of a two-pronged approach.
After giving his warning, Jerry employed his water-walking technique to pursue Brook, gliding across the dark waters with impressive speed.
Jerry was confident that since Skull knew about Moria's reputation, he should also be familiar with the abilities and general situation of the Warlord's subordinates.
However, Jerry had overlooked one crucial detail. Moria's current crew consisted primarily of individuals he had recruited after becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. His previous crew had been completely annihilated years ago when they foolishly challenged Kaido in the New World.
Thanks to his protected status as a Warlord, none of Moria's current subordinates had active bounties placed on their heads. Combined with his tendency to remain isolated on Thriller Bark, very little reliable information about his forces circulated in the outside world.
"Well then, I suppose we should head onto the island together," Deuce said, looking toward the fog-shrouded landmass with a voice that wasn't entirely steady.
"Yeah! Adventure time!" Ace and Carrot cheered in unison, their excitement a stark contrast to Deuce's obvious apprehension.
The group of five people and one lynx disembarked from their vessel and set foot on Thriller Bark's cursed soil. From their landing point, they could see an imposing mansion looming in the distance through the perpetual mist. The path leading inland consisted of a downward staircase flanked by high brick walls that seemed to close in around them as they descended.
The crew didn't hesitate, as there appeared to be only one route available to them. They began walking down the ancient stone steps, their footsteps echoing ominously in the stillness.
"Why are there so many skeletons scattered around down here?" Carrot asked with curiosity rather than fear.
"This is Thriller Bark, after all," Carina replied, quickly pulling Carrot and Kotatsu closer to her. "Stay near me, and let's stick together."
"Don't worry, Sister Carina! I'll protect you," Carrot declared with youthful confidence.
Upon reaching the bottom of the staircase, Deuce shuddered visibly at the sight of countless skeletal remains littering the ground around them. The bones appeared to be from various creatures and were in different stages of decay.
"Something's approaching from up ahead," Skull observed, his attention focused straight ahead rather than on the grisly remains at their feet.
Through the darkness, they could make out a large shape slowly moving toward them.
"What is that thing?!" Carina exclaimed.
"A three-headed dog of hell? But it looks injured," Deuce noted, observing the numerous bandages wrapped around the creature's massive form.
"So cool! Wait... why does one of those heads look like a fox?" Carrot said, her eyes sparkling with fascination.
As the towering animal limped closer, its multiple bandages clearly visible, both Carrot and Skull called out in amazement. Even Ace took two excited steps forward before noticing that something seemed distinctly off about this legendary creature.
"Woof! Woof! Kyuu!" the creature barked, but the sounds were inconsistent and strange.
"Hey, that voice doesn't sound right. Is that actually a real fox head?" Ace asked, his confidence unshaken despite the bizarre nature of what they were witnessing.
The momentary joy the crew had felt at potentially discovering a legendary creature was instantly dampened by this unsettling revelation.
Whether it was displeased by their rude staring or simply following its duty as a guardian, the three-headed creature adopted a menacing posture. After releasing a low, threatening growl, it suddenly lunged toward Ace with surprising speed.
"Meow!" Kotatsu didn't appear intimidated in the least and responded with his own warning roar.
Ace, who had extensive experience dealing with all manner of wild animals, calmly extended his right hand and projected his overwhelming presence.
The originally ferocious three-headed dog suddenly felt an incredibly sharp and breathtaking aura emanating from the young man before it. The overwhelming force of Ace's Conqueror's Haki caused the creature to brake involuntarily and sit down obediently on the ground, its aggressive posture completely abandoned.
At that precise moment, none of the crew members noticed a translucent ghost materializing silently on the wall above their heads. The spectral entity observed them briefly before disappearing back into the stone structure.
Ace approached the now-subdued creature and gave it a friendly pat. "Alright, let's go. You can lead the way for us."
His expression shifted to something more threatening as he added, "But if you have any ulterior motives and deliberately try to lead us into a trap, I'll turn you into the world's largest hot dog."
To emphasize his point, Ace ignited flames in his hands. Despite maintaining a smile on his face, a small trail of saliva appeared at the corner of his mouth as he contemplated the culinary possibilities.
The three-headed dog quickly scrambled to its feet, turned around, and began leading the way down the path. If it had been capable of human thought, it might have reflected that while it wasn't human, this fire-wielding pirate was truly savage.
The group proceeded to follow their unusual guide along the island's pathways. Although they had acquired a guide, there weren't actually many routes available on Thriller Bark. Since the only significant structures were located near the central mansion, they walked with clear purpose toward their obvious destination.
Inside the mansion's main hall, three of Moria's most trusted subordinates had gathered for an urgent meeting.
Perona, whose appearance featured distinctive pink twin-tails and a gothic lolita fashion style, addressed her friends with obvious concern. "There are pirates approaching the island, but they're not the usual rabble we've been monitoring."
"Oh? Do you know what kind of pirates we're dealing with?" Absalom inquired, his grotesque appearance made even more unsettling by his tall round hat, long windbreaker, and lion-like facial features.
"It appears to be Fire Fist Ace accompanied by several other pirates," Perona reported with a mixture of interest and apprehension.
Upon hearing this information, Absalom didn't seem particularly concerned. He responded with a sinister smile, "Heh, whoever they are, let's send our subordinates out to give them a proper welcome. Also, have the zombies wake up Master Moria."
"If we can capture them without too much trouble, the master will be extremely pleased. Fosfosfosfos!"
Dr. Hogback, whose round body was encased in mesh tights, gloves, sunglasses, and a flowing cape, added his own disturbing laughter to the conversation.
"Horohorohoro! Let's prepare a very special welcome ceremony for our unexpected guests," Perona declared, her laughter no less unsettling than her friends'.
After finalizing their plans, the three subordinates dispersed to make their individual preparations. They were all thoroughly experienced in the art of greeting uninvited pirates who dared to set foot on Thriller Bark.