Destroy the World Government. Overthrow the Celestial Dragons.
This was something Hancock and her sisters had never dared to think about—let alone attempt.
Because the Celestial Dragons were the so-called "gods" of this world, the descendants of the creators, beings no one in the Grand Line could defy.
And yet, the man standing before them was asking if they wanted to join him in waging war against "heaven" itself.
If anyone else had said these words, they wouldn't have even bothered to listen.
But coming from him, the meaning and weight behind them were entirely different.
Because this was the man who had already attacked Mary Geoise. The man who, not long ago, personally executed Celestial Dragons!
Hancock's expression grew serious as her gaze locked onto Ron. "Can you tell me more details?"
While Ron and Hancock were discussing the terms of their alliance, news of his latest bounty had just been released.
His bounty had skyrocketed from 1,207,400,000 Berries to 2,570,000,000 Berries, sending shockwaves across the seas!
Meanwhile, the Straw Hat Pirates had left Alabasta and arrived at Jaya Island, where Luffy encountered Marshall D. Teach, the infamous Blackbeard, who was actively hunting pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million Berries.
At this point, neither of them knew each other's identities. Their first encounter led to minor friction and conflict, almost escalating into a fight.
Shortly after, the Straw Hats rode the Knock Up Stream to Skypiea. Six years after Ron's visit to the Sky Island, the people of the Blue Sea once again set foot on this land.
Just like in the original timeline, Luffy and his crew soon found themselves at odds with the self-proclaimed "God" of Skypiea, Enel, a man who ruled the sky with absolute tyranny.
After defeating several of Enel's priests, the Straw Hats climbed the giant beanstalk leading to Upper Yard, where they finally came face-to-face with him.
Standing there, surrounded by arcs of crackling lightning, Enel exuded an overwhelming presence. His ability to read minds sent chills down their spines.
Usopp, Nami, and Chopper all instinctively felt that this was an enemy far beyond their ability to handle.
Holding his golden staff, Enel didn't immediately attack them. Instead, he asked a question that caught them completely off guard.
"Do you people... know of a traveler named Ron?"
The Straw Hats were stunned.
"Of course I do! He's my friend!" Luffy clenched his fists and took a combat stance, his eyes fixed on Enel. "What do you want with Ron?!"
Hearing this, Enel narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What do I want...? Naturally, I want to find him and have a rematch!"
The Straw Hats were completely taken aback.
Enel reached up and pointed at his chest, where a long, jagged scar stretched across his torso.
"This wound... is that bastard's handiwork."
The moment they heard this, the Straw Hats' gazes fell upon the scar.
And in unison, their jaws dropped.
Usopp and Chopper were utterly dumbfounded.
Nami's face was full of shock. "So... you're saying Ron had already been to this Sky Island before?!"
Zoro, wearing his headband, fixed his gaze on the long, jagged scar that slithered across Enel's chest like a bolt of lightning. "That definitely looks like that guy's swordsmanship."
"How many insane things has that guy done already? Has he traveled across the entire sea?"
Sanji wiped away a drop of cold sweat from his forehead.
From Loguetown to Reverse Mountain, from Alabasta... No matter where they went on their journey, they would always find traces of that guy's past—his legendary feats and widely spread tales.
And now, even here, on an island floating ten thousand meters above the sea, Ron had left his mark!
Enel's sharp gaze locked onto Luffy. "You said that Ron is your friend?"
"Damn right!" Luffy responded without hesitation.
Usopp and Chopper looked at him with tears in their eyes. "You're just throwing fuel onto the fire, you idiot!"
Zoro and Sanji had already readied themselves for battle, their eyes fixed on Enel.
However, what happened next took them all by surprise.
"If he's your friend, then you should be able to see him again, right?"
Enel narrowed his eyes and continued, "Boy, I can give up on destroying this island... as long as you take me to him."
Nami blinked in confusion. Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper were also stunned.
"You... What are you talking about? You're not going to fight us?"
Luffy tilted his head, puzzled.
"Compared to destroying this island, I want to fight that man again."
Enel's eyes gleamed as he spoke, his voice carrying an unusual excitement. "Over the years, my strength has improved significantly. If I meet him again, the victor will surely be me!"
"That's a bold claim," Nami folded her arms. "Ron is ridiculously strong!"
"Nami," Usopp gave her a side glance. "You're not exactly Ron's sidekick, so what are you getting so smug about?"
An enraged Nami punched Usopp, sending him flying.
"Shut up! That's none of your business!"
Chopper shivered as he watched her. "Nami... is terrifying."
Luffy exchanged glances with Zoro and Sanji. Zoro and Sanji both nodded at him.
Luffy then turned back to Enel, grinning widely.
"If you're not planning to destroy this island or hurt its people anymore, then fine, I'll take you with us."
And so, Enel left Sky Island alongside the Straw Hat crew.
He temporarily stayed aboard Going Merry, but he never bothered to fight.
According to him, "The opponents you run into are too weak. Not even worth my time."
Before long, they arrived at Water 7.
Here, they met the shipwright Franky.
However, unlike in the original timeline, the disguised shipwrights—Lucci and his CP9 team—had already left Water 7 upon hearing news of the Ancient Weapon, Pluton. They had instead been dispatched to Alabasta to investigate.
Without any major conflicts, the Straw Hats exchanged the gold they had brought from Sky Island for berries and purchased several logs of the legendary Adam Wood.
After receiving an invitation from Luffy, Franky agreed to join the crew.
Using his skills, he personally designed and built them a brand-new ship.
With a new vessel and a new crew member, the Straw Hats soon left Water 7, sailing towards the Florian Triangle.
It was there that they encountered the skeleton musician, Brook, and found themselves in conflict with one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Gecko Moria.
At the same time, elsewhere in the world...
Ace had finally found Blackbeard on an isolated island.
The curtain of the Summit War was slowly being drawn.
This battle was inevitable.
[Sealed Tenseigan: Activation Conditions Met. Would You Like to Activate?]
On a remote, quiet, uninhabited island near Amazon Lily...
A sudden, overwhelming surge of energy erupted!
A dazzling pillar of light shot into the sky, piercing through the clouds and illuminating the heavens.
Suspended within the brilliant beam of energy, Ron's body radiated an aura of unfathomable power, his form wrapped in a strange, mystical green glow.
Ron slowly opened his eyes.
A soft blue radiance swirled within his pupils, but deep in his irises lay an unfathomable abyss of darkness—one that reflected both the destruction and rebirth of the world itself.
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