After helping Shirahoshi master her powers, Ace accompanied Robin to the Sea Forest to examine the Poneglyph.
"As expected, it's Joy Boy's apology to the mermaid princess," Ace said calmly, even before Robin had finished reading it.
Robin turned to Ace, her expression one of disbelief.
"Ace, do you understand the Poneglyphs?" she asked.
Ace shook his head with a slight smile.
"No, I can't read this kind of text," he admitted. "But I can hear the sound of the Poneglyph."
Ace's lips curled into a smirk as he stared at the ancient stone.
The power to "listen to the voice of all things" was truly remarkable—it even allowed him to perceive the essence of the Poneglyph.
"While I can't read the ancient script, I can sense the general meaning of the text through this ability. However, if we want an accurate interpretation, that's where your expertise comes in, Robin."
Ace chuckled lightly.
"After all, even Roger, who possessed this power, needed Oden to interpret the Poneglyphs. That's why he asked Whitebeard to let Oden join his crew."
---
Hearing this, Rayleigh's eyes widened slightly in astonishment.
"Ace... you've awakened the ability to listen to the voice of all things?"
Ace nodded.
"I awakened it while helping Shirahoshi master the power of 'Poseidon.' It really is an extraordinary ability," he said with a warm smile.
Ace couldn't shake the feeling that this power was more significant than it seemed.
Though it currently only allowed him to communicate with his surroundings in a rudimentary way, he was confident that, with time and mastery, he would uncover its full potential.
"Is that so..." Rayleigh murmured, his expression softening into a nostalgic smile.
Traveling with Ace often reminded him of his adventures with the Roger Pirates. The parallels were undeniable, yet the circumstances were entirely different.
"Back then, we sailed in the wrong era," he thought wistfully. "But now... now the era has truly arrived."
Rayleigh gazed at Ace, a faint glimmer of hope and excitement in his eyes.
---
Ace turned back to Robin as she finished interpreting the Poneglyph.
"Let's go. There's nothing here of real significance to us," he said nonchalantly.
To Ace, Joy Boy was simply a figure of history, a remnant of a time long past. Whatever plans or "cards" Joy Boy had left behind were of no concern to him.
"The 'Nika' of this era is my brother, Monkey D. Luffy,"
If the powers of the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika—Luffy's Devil Fruit—contained any lingering schemes from Joy Boy's time, Ace was determined to eject or suppress them using the abilities of the Paw-Paw Fruit.
"Whatever world Joy Boy may have envisioned doesn't matter. The future will be shaped by my will. That's my resolve, and that's my confidence,"
Robin nodded silently, her gaze fixed on Ace's back as they began walking toward the Ryugu Palace.
---
As they moved, Rayleigh suddenly broke the silence.
"Robin, may I ask you something?" he said with a curious tone.
Robin turned her head slightly, her eyes shimmering with understanding.
"You're wondering why I've never asked you about the contents of the Poneglyphs, right?"
Rayleigh nodded.
"You've visited Sky Island and seen the inscription Roger left behind. You know that all Poneglyphs point to Raftel. And as someone who's been to the Final Island, I know the truth behind the Poneglyphs.
Ace has no interest in Raftel or its secrets—he wants to create a new world, not follow an old path.
But you, Robin... you've been searching for the true history your whole life. So why haven't you asked me about the Poneglyphs?"
---
Robin's gaze softened, and her voice carried a wistful tone as she began to speak.
"I was born in Ohara, where the pursuit of the true history was our greatest passion. That pursuit cost us everything.
The World Government wiped out my homeland with a Buster Call, and if it weren't for Saul—and Kuzan letting me go—I would have died that day too."
Her eyes glistened with memories, but there was no trace of the despair she once felt.
"I became a fugitive, with a bounty of 79 million on my head. As a child, that bounty was suffocating—it stripped me of hope, left me in pain.
In those dark times, the search for the true history became my sole obsession. It was all I had."
Robin paused, her expression softening as her gaze returned to Ace.
"But Ace saved me from that despair. Now, I'm not the person I was back then.
Interpreting the Poneglyphs is only meaningful if it's in service to Ace's vision of the world."
---
Rayleigh listened quietly, a knowing smile forming at the corner of his lips.
As Robin fell in step behind Ace, Rayleigh and Shakky followed closely behind.
"I see," Rayleigh murmured. "This really is a new era."
---
After addressing all of Shirahoshi's challenges and examining the historical text, the journey to Fish-Man Island came to a close.
In gratitude, King Neptune hosted a grand banquet at the Ryugu Palace.
Ace thoroughly enjoyed the unique delicacies and fine wines of the Ryugu Kingdom, his satisfaction evident amidst the joyous laughter and celebration.
Thus, the crew's time on Fish-Man Island concluded.
Upon entering the New World, the extreme instability of the magnetic field caused the recording pointer to operate at an accelerated pace. It now takes only half a day to record the magnetic field of an island.
Additionally, because of this instability, it became necessary to use a specialized recording pointer designed specifically for the New World.
The needle plate contains three route pointers, each pointing to a different island. Pirates can choose the safest route, which corresponds to the most stable pointer.
Ace and his crew chose the route leading to Dressrosa to rendezvous with Kuzan, Issho, and others.
From there, their next objective is Onigashima, where they plan to face the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates.
A new day of sailing has begun.
"Ace-sama..."
Shirahoshi stood before Ace, her eyes brimming with tears, reluctant to part ways.
"I've given you the Devil Fruit factor of the Paw-Paw Fruit. When you've fully mastered the power of Poseidon, come and join us," Ace said with a kind smile.
Though Shirahoshi had awakened the full potential of Poseidon's power, she still needed extensive practice to completely control and command all the Sea Kings. Testing revealed that the deep sea provided the ideal environment for her training.
Furthermore, Shirahoshi's large size posed challenges if she were to travel with the crew. This issue, however, had a solution.
There were Devil Fruits that could shrink one's body size. Once such a fruit was obtained, Shirahoshi could sail with them in a manageable form.
Still, mastering Poseidon's power required her to remain in the deep sea for now. At just 15 years old, Shirahoshi had plenty of training ahead of her to become a true Poseidon.
To support her, Ace gave Shirahoshi a charm infused with a small Realm of Comprehension. This charm would accelerate her growth and understanding. He also handed her a charm pouch containing the Devil Fruit factor of the Paw-Paw Fruit, preconfigured with Ace's ability.
By activating this power, Shirahoshi could instantly teleport to Ace's side.
For regular communication, Ace gifted Shirahoshi a Den Den Mushi influenced by the Realm of Comprehension. With it, Shirahoshi could contact Ace from anywhere in the world.
---
"Yes, Ace-sama! I will do my best," Shirahoshi replied with determination, nodding firmly.
She understood that her powers still had great potential for growth. While she had awakened her abilities, the range she could influence was currently limited to the surrounding seas. To affect Sea Kings across the entire ocean, she needed continuous training.
Only by fully mastering her abilities could she truly assist Ace in achieving his goals.
---
"Jinbei, if anything happens, contact me immediately," Ace instructed, turning to the Fish-Man warrior.
"You can count on me, Ace-san. If the unexpected occurs, I'll do whatever it takes to buy enough time to activate the Devil Fruit ability," Jinbei assured him.
Since the Flame Emperor incident, Jinbei had gained clarity: as long as the Fish-Man and Mermaid tribes followed the World Government, they would never live freely on the sea. Their best hope lay with Ace.
For now, Jinbei's primary task was to protect Shirahoshi and support her growth. Poseidon's power was crucial to Ace's plans.
---
Ace nodded.
"Shirahoshi is well-protected here," he said. "Not only can she summon the giant Sea Kings to defend her, but she also has the ability of the Paw-Paw Fruit. With that, she can instantly return to me if necessary."
Thanks to the Realm of Comprehension's effects, not even a "king-level" opponent could prevent Shirahoshi from reuniting with Ace in an emergency. Jinbei's presence was merely an additional safeguard.
With Ace's preparations, combined with Jinbei's unmatched strength in the sea—surpassing even the Four Emperors—they were well-equipped to handle any potential threats.
---
"Ace, thank you for everything. The mermaids will always stand with you," Neptune said sincerely, joined by the three princes of the Ryugu Kingdom, Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi.
Ace responded with a warm smile, acknowledging their loyalty.
---
With their departure imminent, the Entei Pirates made final preparations to set sail.
Standing on the deck of the newly coated 'Going Merry', Ace raised his voice.
"Set sail!"
The crew cheered as their journey continued into the vast, uncharted waters of the New World.
---
Dressrosa
After dealing with Doflamingo and the Donquixote Family, Rebecca ascended as the queen of Dressrosa.
However, most governmental responsibilities remained in the capable hands of her grandfather Riku. Rebecca primarily served as a spokesperson for the Entei Pirates in Dressrosa.
Following the kingdom's public announcement of joining the Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet, the World Government remained conspicuously silent. This lack of response from the World Government reassured King Riku but also emphasized the growing power and influence of the Entei Pirates.
The member nations of the World Government are its foundation, and Dressrosa's public alignment with the Entei Pirates undermined this structure. Yet, the World Government was unable to retaliate, showing their caution toward the Entei Pirates' rising dominance.
King Riku, however, understood that this uneasy peace was only temporary.
The World Government would eventually act against the Entei Pirates, who had shaken its very foundation. The Entei Pirates—responsible for the infamous Flame Emperor Incident and now in control of Dressrosa—were unlikely to stop their momentum.
Two dominant forces on the sea were inevitably headed toward conflict.
As part of the Entei Pirates' alliance, Dressrosa had no choice but to continue strengthening itself, preparing for the final war that seemed destined to come.
---
"Your Majesty, Mr. Kuzan and Mr. Issho request an audience," a palace guard announced respectfully, approaching Rebecca on her throne.
"Please escort them in," Rebecca replied, promptly straightening her posture.
Though she represented the Entei Pirates in Dressrosa, both Kuzan and Issho always treated her with great respect. They patiently awaited her summons during each meeting, affording her and Dressrosa's royal family considerable dignity.
Understanding this, Rebecca made sure to reciprocate their courtesy.
Both she and King Riku were well aware that Dressrosa's regained peace and prosperity were due to one man:
Entei!
---
"Your Majesty," Kuzan and Issho greeted as they entered the room, offering a slight bow.
As high-ranking members of the Entei Pirates, they extended proper courtesies to the royal family of Dressrosa, but their deference was limited to formalities. In reality, their positions carried far greater authority.
"Mr. Kuzan, Mr. Issho, please be seated," Rebecca said politely, rising to welcome them.
Kuzan and Issho obliged, taking their seats without hesitation.
---
"What brings you both here this time?" Rebecca asked.
"Captain will be arriving soon," Kuzan replied bluntly.
Rebecca and King Riku froze, their pupils contracting in shock.
Was he finally coming to Dressrosa?