That evening, the Straw Hat Pirates returned to the Going Merry one after another, their spirits was high after the successful haul.
However, Merry was nowhere to be found.
The ship spirit had vanished before they even stepped on deck.
He wasn't ready to meet everyone yet.
If it took him half a day just to dress up to meet Zoro and Ray, facing the whole chaotic crew might require two or three days of mental and physical preparation.
As for the demonic power Merry needed, Ray would occasionally release a subtle pulse into the ship's hull, feeding the spirit without alerting the others.
...
The Next Day.
Escorted by Conis and her father Pagaya, the Straw Hat Pirates successfully reached the exit of Sky Island aboard the Going Merry.
"The Edge of the Sky!" Usopp exclaimed, looking out at the precipice where the clouds dropped away into nothingness.
"Ah, this name is really straightforward."
The others felt deeply moved. They had experienced too much during this short period.
"Finally... we're returning to the Grand Line."
A new adventure was about to begin.
But unlike before coming to Sky Island, everyone felt a new, steel-core confidence.
Their strength had improved by leaps and bounds.
Even if they encountered a Shichibukai like Crocodile again, they were certain they could handle it without relying entirely on Ray.
"I wonder what kind of enemies we'll meet next," Sanji mused casually, lighting a cigarette.
Chopper blinked. "Why does it have to be enemies?"
Hearing Chopper's innocent question, everyone paused, realizing the shift in their mindset.
Since setting sail, they had been fighting constantly.
They had subconsciously assumed that every new island meant a new boss battle.
Nami shook her head, sighing. "I wonder which fool has such bad luck to attract trouble everywhere he goes."
The others all agreed it was obvious.
Every gaze focused on the straw-hatted boy sitting on the Going Merry's sheep figurehead, laughing at the clouds.
Zoro crossed his arms while smirking. "Just accept it. With a captain like this, we'll definitely have endless fights ahead."
Everyone nodded in resigned agreement.
At the same time, they had new appreciation for Ray's brutal "performance art" training in the Demon Realm.
On this vast ocean, strength was the only currency that mattered!
Just then, Conis waved from her waver.
"We're about to descend! Get ready, everyone!"
"I hope we meet again! Hesso!"
The Straw Hat Pirates waved back frantically, shouting their thanks.
Luffy stood at the bow, unable to contain his excitement.
He threw his arms wide.
"EVERYONE! GET READY TO GO DOWN TO THE SEA!"
"YEAH!!!"
Hearing this, Ray's mouth corner twitched slightly. 'Go down to the sea? What kind of phrasing is that?'
But his mind was elsewhere, calculating the situation awaiting them below.
Since he joined the crew, too many variables had changed from the original storyline.
Major events in the world would undoubtedly undergo earth-shaking shifts.
However, at this moment, a more immediate crisis was waiting for them.
"AHHHHH!!!!"
"Why are we falling straight down?!"
"Is this what 'descending' means?!"
"FROM 7,000 METERS HIGH?!"
Amid everyone's screams, the Going Merry tipped over the edge, plummeting straight down toward the blue expanse of the Grand Line below.
Seeing this from above, Conis raised her whistle to call the Sky Island specialty—Octopus Balloon Delivery—when something changed beneath the ship.
BOOM.
Chouchou suddenly transformed.
His body expanded explosively into a massive white dog demon.
He easily caught the much smaller Going Merry on his broad back, supporting the hull with gentle strength.
Then, extending his Demonic Power, he flew steadily downward.
Conis and Pagaya gasped in astonishment.
"They're really amazing..."
"I really want to know what kind of adventures they'll create next."
...
Thanks to Chouchou's help, the Going Merry didn't deviate from the Log Pose's course or shatter on impact.
In just two hours, they safely splashed down onto the waves of the Grand Line.
Luffy cheered for Chouchou's awesomeness, while Nami and Robin patted his head as a reward.
Sanji casually tossed him two massive bones from Sky Island animals—crisper and more fragrant than anything in the Blue Sea.
Then, under Nami's direction, the ship turned toward the next island guided by the Log Pose.
While the crew entered rest mode, Ray sat near the stern, organizing his thoughts.
He needed to assess the current state of the crew and himself.
First, his own status.
[Current Fusion Rate: 65% (increased by 5% in the Inuyasha world)]
[Attack Skills: Poison Flower Claw, Light Whip, Azure Dragon Break, Meido Zangetsuha (Full Moon), Demonic Power manipulation, Armament Haki, Conqueror's Haki, Demon Transformation.]
[Support Skills: High-speed movement, Observation Haki, Enhanced Senses, Tenseiga (Healing/Resurrection), rapid regeneration.]
[Demonic Power Control: Retains rationality after transformation.]
[Weapons: Tokijin, Tenseiga.]
Currently, using only his Haki and physical stats, he could confront Vice Admirals like Tokikake and Momousagi head-on.
If he added his Demonic Power, he could engage Admirals.
However, who was the stronger one remained unknown.
The "top tier" of this world—Yonko, Admirals, Legends like Roger and Rocks—varied in power.
When the gap between the weak and the strong was this vast, distinguishing the nuances at the top required firsthand experience.
But Ray could guarantee one thing: he definitely possessed the ability to fight against an Admiral.
Moreover, with the significantly enhanced Straw Hat Pirates joining forces, they could confront an Admiral together without being instantly wiped out.
After three months in the Demon Realm, the crew's strength had improved, but the most crucial enhancement was their momentum.
Having witnessed terrifying Great Demons like the Panther King, even the "Cowardly Trio"—Usopp, Nami, and Chopper—now possessed the courage to stand their ground against overwhelming pressure.
When the group inevitably encountered Aokiji, they wouldn't suffer a drop in combat power due to fear.
Future improvements should focus on enhancing their Haki.
With continued training, Luffy would likely master Gear Fourth smoothly.
By then, the Straw Hat Pirates could truly be called the Fifth Emperor of the Sea.
A real Fifth Emperor on par with the Yonko, not the overhyped rookie crew from the original story that Kaido one-shot into unconsciousness like a clown.
Thinking of clowns, a strange figure flashed through Ray's mind.
'Buggy... he also said he wanted to become a Yonko. How is he doing now?'
…
Meanwhile, on Jaya Island (Mock Town).
The atmosphere was heavy, suffocating.
Even the native birds had gone silent.
Both the island's residents and the violent pirates kept their distance, leaving the central square empty save for two men with imposing auras.
One man wore a pink feather coat resembling a flamingo, cropped pants, and pointed leather shoes.
He had short golden hair and sported red sunglasses that hid his eyes. Donquixote Doflamingo.
The other man wore a white captain's coat draped over his shoulders like a cape, with his name emblazoned in massive red letters on the back.
His face was painted with thick makeup, centered around a big red nose. Buggy the Clown.
Whispers rippled through the hiding spectators.
"Oh my god... Buggy the Clown! Bounty 300 million Belly! Rumor has it he's the World Government's designated next Shichibukai!"
"And his method of becoming a Shichibukai is to defeat any current member to prove his worth."
"The one staring him down is Donquixote Doflamingo! One of the current Seven Warlords with a frozen bounty of 340 million!"
"Are they going to fight?!"
"Can we really witness such a clash of titans?!"
----------
Buggy is always aura farming on this fic!