Three Days Later.
The Going Merry cut smoothly through the calm waves, following the Log Pose's unwavering needle.
According to the plot Ray remembered, the next uninhabited island would be the stage for their first encounter with an enemy the original Straw Hat Pirates were completely powerless against:
Admiral Aokiji.
The stable weather indicated that an island was very close.
No matter what, they had to land. Restocking food and water was one reason.
Showing their strength to the Marines was another.
For the past two days, Ray hadn't required the crew to train, letting them rest peacefully.
Robin, Zoro, and Sanji all noticed the unusual behavior from Ray.
Their instincts, honed in the Demon Realm, told them the same thing: When Ray asks everyone to rest, it means a battle is coming.
As for the Foxy Pirates? They were still trailing one kilometer behind, blissfully unaware.
Robin, Zoro, and the others would occasionally spare a second to mourn for them.
...
Currently, Luffy was draped over the railing while groaning.
"So boring! I want to go explore an island!"
"Me too!" Usopp agreed beside him.
As long as the island wasn't dangerous, he was always enthusiastic.
Of course, even if there was a little danger, the current Usopp puffed out his chest and claimed he wasn't afraid.
Recently, Usopp had upgraded both his and Nami's weapons using the marvelous Dials from Sky Island.
Moreover, in the two weeks since they left the clouds, everyone had thoroughly absorbed the gains from the Inuyasha world.
Their strength had risen yet again.
Just then, Robin called out from the observation deck.
"There's a small island ahead. Luffy, let's prepare to land."
"Finally! An adventure!" Luffy jumped up, energized. "Everyone, prepare to drop anchor... Wait."
Luffy froze.
Beside him, Zoro's hand flew to his swords, and Sanji's cigarette almost fell from his lips.
Their eyes flashed with the intensity of Haki as they all entered a state of high alert.
"Hey, cook," Zoro growled, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "There's a really strong guy on that island. Don't embarrass us later."
Sanji immediately retorted, "You should make sure you're not the first one to get knocked out, Moss Head. If a real fight breaks out, I won't have time to protect you! My heart belongs only to Nami-swan and Robin-chwan!"
With that, Sanji dropped his tense stance and scurried over to the ladies with a fawning expression, though his eyes remained sharp.
Luffy's expression turned serious; he had completely lost his playful mood.
Ray walked to the bow of the ship, joining them.
Luffy took a deep breath and looked at Ray.
"Ray... the aura of this guy on the island is much stronger than those dominant yokai from the Monster Mountain Range."
Ray nodded. "He is."
After all, it was Aokiji.
If placed in the Inuyasha world, he would undoubtedly be a top-tier Great Demon.
Zoro, hand tight on Wado Ichimonji, posed the crucial question.
"Later... will you watch us fight, or will you join us?"
For Zoro, the answer was the ultimate measure of the opponent's strength.
Ray didn't hesitate. "I'll take him head-on. You all provide support from the sides."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned grim.
Sanji stopped fawning.
Zoro tied his bandana tight.
Luffy went to the kitchen and strapped two large meat bones to his back for emergency energy.
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper puffed out their chests shakily.
"We're not scared! We've been through worse!"
Clatter.
Nami and Usopp accidentally dropped the Clima-Tact and giant slingshot while trying to draw them.
Chopper clung to Robin's leg, shouting that he would protect her, though he was shaking like a leaf.
Everyone understood that any powerful individual encountered at this stage couldn't be a friend.
And one of this enemy's targets was undoubtedly Robin.
Robin's chest heaved; she was the most affected.
Unconsciously, she moved behind Ray. "Ray... have the Marines arrived so soon?"
Although she had prepared herself to face the Marines alongside her companions, when the moment arrived, the guilt surged back.
It was because of her that they were facing an Admiral.
Ray sighed, his voice low. "Stop hesitating, or I'll be very disappointed. Trust us, and trust yourself."
After hearing these brief words, Robin fell silent.
Then, that captivating, sincere smile returned.
She nodded slowly, the Haki within her beginning to stir.
...
On the Island.
As they made landfall, the "Cowardly Trio" wore expressions of grim determination.
Usopp took two deep breaths and was the first to jump onto the sand.
"Robin! Captain Usopp will pro... tect you! Stay... close... to me~~!"
Though his voice trembled, the resolve behind it was steel.
This was the conviction the Straw Hat Pirates held: No one takes our nakama.
Once ashore, the trio actively positioned Robin in the center of their formation.
Though the scene appeared comical—three trembling figures guarding a dangerous assassin—it solidified Robin's determination.
Just then, Usopp frowned.
"Wait... there are many ordinary people on this island. What should we do? Luffy?"
Luffy had sensed them too.
He responded instantly. "We absolutely must not harm the civilians!"
"But how?" Chopper worried. "When fighting a monster of this level, the whole island will be the battlefield. We can't protect them."
Luffy pressed his fingers hard against his temples, his face contorted in concentration.
Finally, he spoke.
"Then we'll protect them and get them to safety first, before fighting with all our might."
Ray remained silent.
He wouldn't interfere.
At first glance, the decision seemed reckless, putting them at a disadvantage before the battle even began.
But this was Luffy's charm.
If he abandoned civilians to fight, he wouldn't be Luffy.
...
Half an hour later.
Ray and the crew arrived at a large clearing.
In front of a massive rock at the center sat a tall, lanky man.
He wore white suit pants, a white vest, and a dark blue shirt.
A green sleep mask was pushed up on his forehead.
He lay on his side, appearing completely relaxed, yet his presence was suffocating.
His gaze fixed on Ray and the others as they emerged from the trees.
"Arara... After docking, you came straight toward my location with clear purpose," the man drawled lazily.
"If it's not a Devil Fruit ability... then it must be Observation Haki. Scary."
As he said this, Aokiji sat up cross-legged and exhaled a breath of cold air that froze the moisture in front of him.
"Everyone looks like they came here to fight me. Can't we resolve this peacefully?"