At dawn the next day, the deserted Amigasa Village suddenly came alive with hushed conversations and strategic planning.
"Based on all the intelligence we've gathered over the past few days—and especially last night's reconnaissance—we can confirm that the Beast Pirates recalled their external forces in advance," Skull reported with characteristic precision. "After all, they figured out our destination some time ago."
After hearing this assessment, Deuce pondered for a moment and nodded thoughtfully. "That's not particularly surprising. We didn't exactly keep our intentions secret while we were at sea. We only switched to underwater travel for the final approach."
"Doesn't matter! We're as ready as we'll ever be anyway," Ace declared, stretching his arms and legs with obvious impatience. "Let's do this tonight!"
"Absolutely!" Cavendish agreed enthusiastically, twirling a rose between his fingers before placing it between his teeth with theatrical flair. "We have all the basic information we need. Now it's time to focus the world's attention on my magnificent performance!"
Brook casually strummed a guitar he had acquired from somewhere, letting pleasant music flow from his skeletal fingertips. He looked up with obvious excitement and called out: "Yohohoho! Let's get rid of these villains quickly! I want to meet the beautiful ladies of this country and experience those famous hot spring baths I've heard so much about..."
"WHAM!" Carina's fist connected solidly with Brook's skull. "You perverted skeleton! Are you seriously daydreaming about that right now?"
On the other side of their makeshift camp, Carrot scratched her head and seemed lost in thought for several long moments before speaking up: "Brother Jerry, Sister Wanda and Duke Inuarashi are also on their way to help us!"
She hesitated briefly before continuing: "However, they advised us not to be too impulsive. It's less than two years until the prophesied time. By then..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Jerry interrupted with a dismissive wave of his hand: "Carrot, if you get the chance, tell them that what matters now is believing in science and rational planning. Their mystical approach is completely outdated."
"Besides," he continued with a knowing smile, "the fact that they were able to set out to support us as soon as they received your message proves they still have hope burning in their hearts. So why should we worry about some ancient prophecy?"
After Skull had shared his detailed intelligence reports, everyone understood that the so-called prophecy had originally been left by Kozuki Oden's wife, Kozuki Toki, before her death. They also knew it had become a source of hope buried deep in the hearts of many Wano citizens over the past two decades.
However, the members of the Black Star Pirates didn't pay excessive attention to such metaphysical concepts.
As a well-traveled pirate crew, Deuce and his companions had encountered many similar situations during their adventures and had witnessed the dramatic shattering of countless false prophecies and misplaced faith.
Therefore, none of them felt compelled to comment on the oral tradition that was believed by so many people here, nor would it influence their determination to act according to their own judgment and principles.
"The bright moon does not know if this wish will be fulfilled," Carrot began reciting, blinking thoughtfully as she murmured the prophecy left by Kozuki Toki. "After twenty years of moonlit nights, when nine shadows fall from the sky, you will witness the dazzling dawn."
Then she looked around their group with suddenly sparkling eyes and shouted with growing excitement: "Wait—that's talking about us, isn't it? Brother Jerry, there are nine of us too!"
Hearing this revelation, Tama—who had been pinching her cheeks and trying to shape rice into dumplings—excitedly began counting all the people present. Then she jumped up with pure joy: "Sister Carrot! Could it be... am I also destined to be a legendary hero?!"
"Of course you are! Including you, there are exactly nine of us!" Carrot confirmed without the slightest hesitation.
Seeing that Carrot and Tama had quickly fallen into infectious excitement, Jerry and the others exchanged amused glances and gentle smiles.
Cavendish and Brook considered the implications for a moment before becoming visibly excited themselves. Perhaps they understood deep down that this interpretation was probably incorrect—after all, they were conveniently ignoring the "twenty years" part of the prophecy. However, the desire to participate in something legendary and heroic was apparently a common weakness among humans.
Witnessing the crew's escalating enthusiasm, Ace and the others joined the animated discussion, and the atmosphere became wonderfully heated with anticipation.
Jerry, knowing perfectly well that they were definitely mistaken about the prophecy's true meaning, chose not to bother correcting them. It wouldn't affect their tactical plans anyway, so why not simply go with the flow and enjoy this rare moment of genuine relaxation before battle?
The sun set gradually, and deep night fell quietly across the landscape.
On the ocean, the Black Nova cut through the wind and waves as it carried everyone rapidly toward their destination.
"Wow, a full moon on the exact night we planned this assault? What an incredible coincidence," Jerry couldn't help but exclaim in amazement as he looked up at the gradually darkening sky.
Ace belatedly noticed the bright full moon hanging high above them and seemed slightly startled by the timing: "Yeah... could it be that we really are the people mentioned in the prophecy?"
"Haha, I almost believed what you just said," Jerry replied with obvious amusement, waving his hands dismissively.
He understood perfectly that their decision to launch this operation on the night of the full moon was no accident whatsoever—it was the result of Deuce's careful planning and meticulous tactical calculations.
Everyone already possessed a thorough understanding of the Mink Tribe's supernatural abilities and their connection to lunar cycles.
Even though Deuce had participated in developing experimental medicine that could enable Minks to achieve Sulong transformation without requiring moonlight—and despite having no intention of relying on or waiting for additional Mink reinforcements—their navigator always planned ahead comprehensively. He certainly wouldn't ignore such favorable conditions that could be obtained without any additional effort or risk.
"Tama, if you're coming with us, you absolutely must stay on Kotatsu's back at all times," Carina reminded the young girl tirelessly, looking at her with obvious protective concern. "And of course, I'll be staying close to both of you."
Ever since Carrot had connected their group to the ancient prophecy, Tama had been tremendously excited and had insisted on accompanying them to Onigashima. Jerry, Ace, and the others had made no attempt to dissuade her from this decision.
Considering that her mysterious guardian—who she had mentioned but whom none of them had ever actually met—hadn't been seen for quite some time, the rest of the crew had raised no objections to her participation.
"Okay, Sister Carina!" Tama agreed obediently. She certainly understood the tremendous danger this mission would entail, but she had made the conscious choice not to back down from supporting her friends.
"Listen up, everyone," Jerry announced as he scanned the horizon ahead. "We're about to reach Onigashima, and it looks like the other side is rolling out the red carpet to welcome us. Get ready for action."
Following Jerry's warning, everyone looked toward the island that was gradually becoming visible at the edge of their sight. The landmass was shaped like a massive skull, living up to its fearsome reputation, and their expressions grew appropriately serious.
Carrot leaped down from the crow's nest and reported to the group in a grave tone: "Brother Jerry's assessment is completely accurate. From what I could observe, there are at least several thousand enemy combatants gathered along the island's shoreline."
Deuce rubbed his chin thoughtfully and offered his tactical analysis: "Well, it seems the other side fully understands Jerry's water-based abilities. They chose not to carelessly position the battlefield on the ocean, but instead selected the island itself for our confrontation."
"That's only logical, right?" Ace interjected while casually picking his nose.
Skull raised his right hand and patted Jerry encouragingly on the shoulder: "Boss Jerry, it's all up to you from here on out!"
"No problem at all," Jerry replied with absolute confidence, nodding decisively. "I'll go first to announce our arrival, and you guys follow behind me!"
With that declaration, Jerry stretched his body to its full length, launched himself from the deck of the Black Nova, and shot toward Onigashima like a human arrow cutting through the night air.
A few seconds later, his powerful voice floated on the wind and echoed dramatically across the dark waters between the ship and the fortress island.
"Beast Pirates! Your challengers have arrived—let's fight!"
The sound of his battle cry carried across the waves with the force of absolute determination, announcing to Kaido and his entire organization that the Black Star Pirates had come to settle their unfinished business once and for all.
The war for Wano Country's freedom was about to begin in earnest, and this time, there would be no retreating until their promise to little Tama had been completely fulfilled.