Loki stared at Joy Boy in utter disbelief.
It wasn't Joy Boy's massive size that shocked him, it was the fact that he had stepped out of the sea with such ease.
Loki had assumed Joy Boy had used some special ability to shield himself from the seawater. Instead, Joy Boy's actions completely overturned the long accepted belief that all Devil Fruit users were powerless against the sea.
The moment he realized Joy Boy could move freely through seawater, Loki could no longer contain himself.
"Why can you move in seawater? How did you do it? Tell me!"
Loki had always been proud to the point of arrogance.
After obtaining the Sun God Apollo Fruit and inheriting the bloodline of the ancient Giants, he genuinely believed he was the one chosen by fate, the only person worthy of being called a true god.
A god should be flawless.
A god should never have weaknesses.
Yet the sea remained an unavoidable restraint, something that disgusted him more than anything else.
Now that he had witnessed another Devil Fruit user completely ignore that weakness, he nearly broke free from Joy Boy's grip in his excitement.
Seeing Loki's impatience, Joy Boy's eyes narrowed slightly as an idea formed in his mind.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"So, you really want to know. Unfortunately, this happens to be one of my greatest secrets. Why would I tell you so easily?"
Loki's expression stiffened.
Joy Boy continued leisurely,
"Of course, it isn't impossible for me to tell you. But first, you have to fight your way to Mary Geoise alongside me."
Loki frowned.
"I already agreed to that when you released me. Do you think I'd break my word?"
"Not necessarily. Someone as proud as you wouldn't willingly go back on a promise. But your behavior leaves much to be desired. During the battle earlier, you paid no attention to your allies. If you're going to stand beside me, that has to change."
"Tch."
Loki clicked his tongue.
"You expect me to cooperate with those people? You're asking far too much."
Joy Boy remained completely unhurried.
Still holding Loki firmly in his palm, he simply watched him with an amused smile.
After several moments of silence, Loki suddenly smiled as well.
Lifting his chin proudly, he said,
"You're not the only Devil Fruit user who isn't afraid of the sea. Isn't your greatest enemy, Fleet Admiral Black Dragon, the same? What's stopping me from going to him instead?"
Hearing that, Joy Boy couldn't help laughing.
He even raised a hand to cover his mouth, pretending to suppress it.
Loki's expression darkened.
"What are you laughing at?"
Joy Boy stopped pretending.
A loud burst of laughter echoed across the battlefield.
Droplets of saliva flew from his enormous mouth, splashing over Loki's head before instantly evaporating against the blazing flames surrounding his hair.
Loki finally lost his patience.
His Devil Fruit ability erupted.
His entire body ignited with brilliant crimson and golden flames.
The blazing Sun Flames scorched Joy Boy's palm.
Joy Boy merely narrowed his eyes.
He made no attempt to release Loki, allowing his hand to redden beneath the intense heat before speaking again.
"I just find your idea ridiculous."
"You've never even met Tenryu. What makes you think you understand him?"
"Let me give you some advice. If you approached him with the same attitude you've shown me, he'd kill you without hesitation."
"And your death..."
Joy Boy's smile disappeared.
"...would be miserable."
"Knowing his methods, I doubt even your Giant head would remain attached to your body."
Loki's expression immediately changed.
"Why are you so certain I'd lose to him?"
Joy Boy chuckled.
"Confidence is admirable."
"But excessive confidence becomes arrogance."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Besides, you still don't truly understand Tenryu's abilities."
Loki snorted.
"Everyone already knows his Devil Fruit. He's nothing more than a Logia user with the Dark Dark Fruit."
"My Devil Fruit is the strongest."
"The light of the sun will erase all darkness."
"That's an impressive speech," Joy Boy replied with a grin.
"But I don't think that light has much to do with you."
"Stop talking in circles. What exactly are you trying to say?"
Joy Boy tilted his head slightly.
"What I'm saying is that the Dark Dark Fruit possesses an exceptionally terrifying power."
"It can steal the Devil Fruit abilities of other users."
"Throughout the years, Tenryu has taken countless powerful abilities for himself."
"He isn't merely a Devil Fruit user."
"He possesses multiple Devil Fruit powers."
"If he learns that you possess the Apollo Fruit, he certainly won't let you keep it."
Loki's pupils contracted.
"Impossible."
"No Devil Fruit could have that kind of ability."
Joy Boy smiled faintly.
"Nothing is impossible."
"Since we're discussing it, I might as well tell you one more secret."
"I know why Tenryu isn't affected by the sea despite being a Devil Fruit user."
Loki immediately leaned forward.
"What is it?"
"It's simple."
"He carries a blade known as the Demon Blade Muramasa."
"It is one of the Supreme Grade Blades."
"Anyone acknowledged by Muramasa is no longer restrained by either the sea or Seastone."
As he spoke, Joy Boy subconsciously placed a hand over his abdomen.
Although he now possessed a different body, memories from eight hundred years ago remained vivid.
Whenever he recalled the slash delivered by Cassilias, a faint ache still seemed to linger in that spot.
That single strike had all but secured the Celestial Dragons' victory.
Remembering it caused a rare trace of irritation to appear across Joy Boy's face.
Loki paid no attention to the subtle change.
His thoughts were fixed elsewhere.
"Then how does someone earn Muramasa's recognition?"
Joy Boy answered without hesitation.
"First..."
"You must possess the bloodline of the Figarland Family."
Silence followed.
Loki's expression froze.
That single requirement shattered every hope he had entertained.
Without that bloodline, there was no possibility.
The only way to meet such a condition would be to be born again.
After remaining silent for a long while, Loki lowered his head.
Joy Boy seized the opportunity.
"So standing with me is your best option."
"This isn't simply about honoring your promise."
"It's about your own survival."
"Tenryu will never tolerate someone like you."
"Only I can truly accept you."
"Do you understand, Loki?"
As his final words fell, Joy Boy let out a thunderous roar.
The overwhelming sound shook the heavens, scattering the clouds overhead.
Far away, Pedro watched with tears streaming down his face.
Standing atop Dorry's shoulder, he gazed at Joy Boy's towering giant form with reverence.
"This is the greatness of Lord Joy Boy."
"He is the true Sun God."
Ever since following Joy Boy, Pedro's faith had grown beyond simple loyalty.
He now worshipped him with complete devotion.
Dorry, however, had not reached that level of admiration.
Hearing Pedro's emotional declaration, the giant involuntarily shivered.
He quietly thought to himself,
"Why does Pedro sound so strangely obsessed?"