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New World, Lodestar Island.
This was the last stop on the Grand Line that could be reached normally. Once here, the Log Pose would lose its function, and the subsequent journey would have to be explored by the pirates themselves.
More than thirty years ago, the Roger Pirates first arrived at Lodestar Island. Before that, no one had ever reached it due to the harsh sailing conditions.
It wasn't until after Roger's death that strong individuals began to arrive at Lodestar Island. However, the pirates still had no clue about the next stop, Laugh Tale.
The only clue was the Road Poneglyphs.
Amidst towering waves, the Groudon surfed, diving rapidly toward the sea surface, then surging up abruptly after plunging into the water, only to be lifted by the waves once again.
It was like riding a roller coaster.
Even with the ship's sturdy build, there was always the possibility of it being destroyed and everyone perishing.
"Ugh~ I never want to come here again!"
Daichi clutched the ship's rail, his face pale.
No one told him the waves would be this big!
Along the way, they encountered various extreme weather conditions—giant waterfalls, terraced sea areas, lightning storms.
The New World's environment was already bad, but the closer they got to Lodestar Island, the more frequent and dangerous the environmental changes in the surrounding sea became. Sometimes, it would switch within less than half an hour.
After an unknown period of sailing, the wind and waves finally subsided. The sea returned to calm.
"We survived!"
The crew lay exhausted on the deck, too tired to move.
Their rest didn't last too long.
"Hey, come and look!"
"What?"
Following the shouts, everyone got up and looked forward. On the shimmering sea, an island with a resort-like atmosphere appeared in their sight.
"We found it!"
The navigator compared it with the Log Pose. All three pointers pointed to the island ahead, confirming its identity.
The final stop—Lodestar Island.
Daichi also stood up, looking at the beautiful island ahead, especially the beach and coastline surrounding it. A smile spread across his face.
"Lads, bring the ship closer!"
"Oh oh oh!"
The seawater was incredibly clear, allowing a clear view of the colorful coral reefs and schools of fish below. The Groudon sailed above it as if it were floating in the air.
Everyone's tense nerves relaxed.
Upon reaching the shallow water, the Groudon dropped anchor. The crew, having changed into swimsuits, eagerly leaped from the deck.
"Splash!"
Water splashed.
This excellent beach environment was perfect for a vacation.
Daichi came to the beach and looked inland.
His Observation Haki spread inland.
"Hmm, no one here."
In his perception, there were only some scattered beast auras on the island. It seemed they were the first to arrive.
At this point, various forces were still fighting each other to contend for the Road Poneglyphs, while he, after leaving Punk Hazard, headed straight for this final stop without any detours.
Now, he just needed to wait.
Before long, the strong individuals who wanted to contend for the Pirate King's throne would arrive at this island one after another.
"Speed, go to the most conspicuous place on the island and plant our Groudon Company flag. This island now belongs to us!"
"Understood!"
Speed teleported away with the flag.
Daichi looked at his playing subordinates.
"I'll give you an hour to rest, then you'll go clear mountains and cut trees, find a flat area by the sea, and build a resort!"
"Ah, ah, ah, why like this!"
His subordinates groaned.
The wicked landlord—all he knew was building houses.
Daichi's brow furrowed.
"Hmm, any objections?"
"None!"
His subordinates quickly shook their heads.
"Daichi-sama, what are you doing?"
"Me?"
Daichi glanced at Kikara.
His secretary, dragging a large box, immediately pulled out a pile of vacation items: a parasol, a beach chair, a folding dining table, and even tea-making tools and snacks.
The rest area was quickly set up.
"Of course, I need to take a vacation and rest."
Under his subordinates' questioning gazes, Daichi lay on the beach chair, put on his sunglasses, and leisurely took a sip of juice.
Heh, isn't being a captain all about enjoyment?
"Kikara."
"Please wait, Daichi-sama."
Kikara took out a piece of intelligence.
When Daichi-sama was relaxed, she needed to report the latest happenings.
"Not long ago, the Flying Pirates and the Worst Generation had an intense battle on Winner Island. Ultimately, Trafalgar Law defeated Golden Lion Shiki, and the Flying Pirates were defeated and disbanded."
"Hmm."
Daichi nodded slightly.
Kikara was a little surprised.
"You don't seem surprised?"
"Haha, nothing surprising. Don't underestimate the speed at which young people grow."
Daichi smiled.
Even if he didn't interfere, Law could now have a bounty level of 3 billion, making him arguably the strongest tier below the Yonko.
It was hard to say about the other Yonko, but against an aging Golden Lion, he definitely had a chance of winning—and not a small one.
Moreover, these young newcomers still had room for evolution!
"Anything else interesting?"
"Yes, Straw Hat Luffy just defeated the Golden Emperor Tesoro. Judging by their route, they seem to want to go to Elbaf. Do you need to intervene?"
"Hmm, no need."
Daichi waved his hand.
All forces had already begun to move. They'd converge on Lodestar Island in at most a month, and the Straw Hat was no exception.
Even if they gathered all four Road Poneglyphs, Lodestar Island would still be the starting point.
Just wait.
"There's one more thing."
Kikara whispered. "Intelligence from the Groudon Company indicates that the Red Hair Pirates returned to the New World not long ago. Their whereabouts are currently unknown, but they also seem to be planning to contend for the great treasure."
"Red Hair, huh."
Daichi's lips twisted into a smirk.
Good, good, good!
The final round had already begun. It wasn't surprising that Red Hair would join the fun. Although Red Hair was a crew member of the Pirate King, he, like Buggy the Clown, had never been to Laugh Tale, so he had this need.
Furthermore, from Red Hair's perspective, even if he couldn't find the great treasure himself, he could escort Straw Hat Luffy.
After all, he'd long bet his left arm on Luffy. At this point, how could he question his choice back then?
"Tell Kaido this news."
"Yes!"
Daichi was all smiles.
He was just thinking that Kaido had been recuperating in Wano Country for decades and was finally coming out. How could he not have a powerful opponent?
Red Hair was undoubtedly a great opponent!
Red Hair would be handled by Kaido, and he'd take care of Straw Hat Luffy.
Meanwhile, on Winner Island.
After the fierce battle, the island was in ruins.
More than a dozen ship wrecks were scattered along the coast, including the Flying Pirates' flagship.
"Captain, I found it!"
Bepo rushed excitedly to Law, holding a rubbing.
"It's a Road Poneglyph!"
"Sure enough!"
Law took the rubbing, relieved.
There were only four Road Poneglyphs. According to outside speculation, Kaido and Big Mom each held one, greatly restricting others from obtaining them.
But there was more than one way to obtain a Road Poneglyph than just challenging Kaido and Big Mom, because there were more than four rubbings of the Road Poneglyphs!
Back then, Roger had gathered all four Road Poneglyph rubbings, and these four rubbings eventually disappeared without a trace. No one knew where they went.
Over 800 years, many rubbings of the historical Poneglyphs had survived, including the Road Poneglyphs.
And this particular Road Poneglyph rubbing was very likely the one that appeared on Hachinosu Island a year ago, eventually obtained by Golden Lion Shiki.
Law put away the rubbing and stood up to look at his crew.
There was no time to rest. Acting quickly to seize the initiative was the most important thing. One step too slow, and the great treasure could fall into someone else's hands!
"Lads, let's go!"
"Oh oh oh!"