Two days later, on Thriller Bark, Gecko Moria's gigantic ship, an unexpected encounter takes place. Bartholomew Kuma, one of the most powerful Warlords, stands in Moria's castle. The Straw Hats, unaware of the danger, explore the island, but attention is focused on this tense exchange.
"The successor to Crocodile's seat has been chosen," announces Kuma, his voice calm yet imposing. "His name is Marshall D. Teach, better known as Blackbeard."
Moria, gazing out the window, shrugs. "So what?" he says, his shrill voice betraying his indifference.
"The news doesn't reach this foggy sea," replies Kuma, arms crossed. "Teach has proven his worth, but that's not all. The World Government is concerned. After the incident at Enies Lobby, they are closely monitoring the Straw Hats. Their journey from Water 7 and Fish-Man Island has led them here."
Moria furrows his brow, perplexed. "And?"
"They don't want another Warlord to fall to the Straw Hats," declares Kuma, provoking Moria's fury.
"What are you implying?! That I will lose to these kids?!" Moria roars, grabbing Kuma by the collar.
Kuma, impassive, pushes his hand away. "The government didn't take into account your defeat to a curse, given their power. But this time, it's different."
Moria, trembling with rage, spits out, "Are you saying I'm weak?!"
"There's something the government fears even more than the Straw Hats," continues Kuma, his grave tone capturing Moria's attention. "Do you know what it is?"
A sneering smile forms on Moria's face. "Yes... That another pirate like Gojo D. Satoru emerges. The pirate most hated by the government! Kishishishi!"
Kuma nods. "Exactly. The youngest Yonko, the one with the greatest potential. But it's not just his power they fear. He's stirring once again."
Moria bursts into laughter, listing Gojo's exploits with a perverse admiration. "The intrusion at Mariejois, the battle against Admiral Sakazuki, and the one against Kaido! Three events that shook the world! Kishishishi!"
"If he acts again, it will be to shake the government to its core," adds Kuma, gazing at the moon. "The elders want his head at any cost."
Intrigued, Moria asks, "Why such an obsession? He's an emperor, but..."
"The difference between Gojo and the other emperors is that no one knows his true goals," explains Kuma. "He's a mystery, and that's what terrifies the government."
Moria laughs even louder. "Kishishishi! The pirates of the infinite are unpredictable!"
An immense shadow, with white hair and piercing blue eyes, seems to loom over them, like an omen. Gojo, with his shamans and curses, is ready to disrupt the world once again.
---
On a peaceful island in Gojo's territory, the Yonko rests in a field of flowers, dressed in a kimono and wearing sunglasses. Lying under a bright sky, he savors cotton candy, a mysterious smile on his lips. The air is calm, but a storm is brewing.
"Will the world and the government withstand what is coming, or will they crumble to the depths of the sacred ground?" he murmurs, laughing with an almost childlike excitement.
Gojo, the man who defied Mariejois for fun, who stood up to an admiral and defeated an emperor, is preparing to strike again. The most hated pirate by the World Government, whose motivations remain unfathomable, is about to unleash chaos that will shake the very foundations of power.
---
On Thriller Bark, the atmosphere grows heavier after Kuma's words. Moria, still shaken by the mention of Gojo, tries to regain his composure. "Kishishishi! No matter this Gojo! My shadows will crush the Straw Hats before he shows up!" he boasts, although his gaze betrays a hint of worry. Kuma, unmoving, simply observes him, his silence more eloquent than any retort.
---
Meanwhile, in the heart of the island, the Straw Hats face off against Moria's zombies. Luffy, as usual, charges ahead, his laughter echoing in the gloomy forest. "We're gonna take down this guy and his giant ship!" he shouts, ignoring Nami's warnings. But a rumor circulates among the shadows: a name whispered with fear, that of Toji. Even Moria's creatures seem hesitant to mention him.
"Gojo again," grumbles Nami, gripping her Clima-Tact staff. "Why do we keep hearing his name everywhere we go?"
"It must be a sign," murmurs Usopp, trembling with fear as he casts nervous glances around. "We definitely shouldn't approach them, those guys are monsters!"
Luffy, carefree, bursts into laughter. "He looks pretty tough! I can't wait to meet him!"
"WHAT?!" Nami and Usopp shout in unison, their voices echoing in the forest.
"No, no, no!" cries Usopp, shaking Luffy by the shoulders. "Didn't you hear what they say about his subordinates? Those curses are no joke!"
Zoro, walking apart, intervenes in a calm yet firm tone. "If we want the One Piece, we'll have to face him, whether we like it or not. No need to panic now."
A heavy silence falls over the group, each digesting Zoro's words. Sanji, lighting a cigarette, breaks the silence by addressing Robin. "Tell me, Robin, who is this Toji everyone is talking about?" he asks, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Robin, ever poised, takes a moment before responding, her piercing gaze fixed on Sanji. "Toji is part of the curses, just like the accursed king, Yuta. His bounty has reached billions." She paused, then continued, "From what is said, there was a time when he was a pirate hunter, like Zoro once was. He's known as the Pirate Slayer."
Chopper, perched on Franky's shoulder, widens his eyes. "A pirate hunter? Do you know him, Zoro?"
"No," Zoro replies curtly, his tone betraying a hint of annoyance. "But I've heard a lot about him. Among bounty hunters, he's a living legend."
Franky, adjusting his sunglasses, lets out a whistle. "A legend, huh? This Toji must be a tough cookie! But why would a guy like him follow Gojo? Couldn't he just go solo?... by the way what are their motivations?"
Robin gives a cryptic smile. "That's the question everyone is asking. Toji is known for his independence, yet he chose to follow him. As for their motivations, they have none..."
Luffy, who has only half-listened, suddenly stops and turns around, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Doesn't matter who they are! If they're strong, they might know where the One Piece is! We find them, we beat them, and we ask them the question!"
Nami hits him on the head. "YOU'RE COMPLETELY CRAZY! You want us to get slaughtered by a Yonko and his pirate slayer?!"
Usopp, on the verge of a nervous breakdown, clings to Sanji. "Sanji, tell him to stop dragging us into suicidal plans! We'll all end up dead!"
Sanji sighs, crushing his cigarette under his heel. "Luffy, you're really impossible... but Zoro is right. If these guys cross our path, we have to be ready. No choice."
Zoro nods, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Let them come, Gojo, Toji, or anyone else. I'll cut them down if they stand in our way."
Chopper, nervous, mutters, "I just hope we don't run into them... I don't want to end up as a snack for curses..."
Suddenly, a guttural roar tears through the air, and a horde of zombies emerges from the mist, their eyes gleaming in the darkness. Luffy, without a hint of hesitation, leaps forward. "We'll deal with Gojo and Toji later! For now, we smash these monsters!"