Chapter Forty-Nine: The Search

A gentle breeze swept across the sea, gradually calming its surface. In the distance, Kaido and Moria, along with their handful of crew members, watched in stunned silence as Camio stood suspended in the void, like a god descending from the heavens. Though they had heard tales of the "Purple Emperor" Camio—how he had utterly defeated the three Admirals, emerged unscathed, and managed to topple the hero Garp before the age of ten—now, seeing this young man who looked no older than twenty, the shock was almost unbearable. The gap between them was simply too vast.

A curling breeze drifted by, snapping everyone out of their stunned state. The two pirate bosses gazed fearfully at Camio nearby, worried that if his mood soured, he might wipe them and their men from existence.

Camio noticed the wary eyes of the pirates and smiled helplessly. Yet those with keen eyes shivered upon seeing his seemingly harmless smile—who could know what it meant? Was it the customary smile before a killing, or something else entirely?

With a light step, Camio transformed into a streak of violet light and vanished from their sight.

Only now did Kaido and Moria feel the weight in their hearts lift. Imagine a peerless master standing before you, uncertain whether he was friend or foe—if he was an enemy, there would be nothing left to say!

"Boss, he's gone," the younger Kaido murmured, wiping his brow as if removing nonexistent cold sweat.

"Yes, let's leave as well. Moria poses no threat to us anymore." With that, Kaido strode to his throne, pondering why the "Purple Emperor" Camio had appeared here. Judging by the earlier spectacle, perhaps there was a formidable enemy beneath the sea? Had a battle underwater ended with him bursting to the surface? Though his guess was off, it wasn’t far from the truth. Camio had indeed had a minor skirmish with some sharks and then emerged from the sea, but there was no real enemy to speak of.

Far off, now that Camio had departed, Moria’s eyes gleamed as he recovered from his terror. If only he could make this man his puppet—what a prize that would be!

If Camio knew Moria’s thoughts, he’d likely do nothing but laugh at his overreaching ambition.

Noticing Kaido, his recent foe, preparing to leave, Moria breathed a sigh of relief. With most of his subordinates dead, he’d have to abandon the New World, retreat to the first half, and prepare to rise again in the future.

Camio, however, paid no mind to their thoughts. High in the sky, he flew hand in hand with Ice Phoenix, savoring the freedom of flight—nothing could be more exhilarating.

"Where are we going?" Ice Phoenix asked softly, glancing at the man beside her. After leaving those two groups behind, Camio had released her, and seeing him unharmed and before her, she boldly gave him a long kiss. Since becoming Camio’s woman, Ice Phoenix had grown increasingly mature, no longer the fiery girl she once was. Now she radiated beauty and gentleness, though if she truly unleashed her power, few in this world could withstand her.

Camio looked at the lovely woman at his side, tightened his grip on her hand, and after some thought, said, "Let’s go see the strongest man in this world."

Ice Phoenix was taken aback—the strongest man? Could there really be someone stronger than her beloved? It seemed impossible.

Camio noticed her confusion and gently pinched her nose. "Heh, if I weren’t here, that man would likely be the strongest in this world." The word "likely" hinted at uncertainty. Camio couldn’t guarantee there weren’t stronger beings out there—after all, the Navy had thrived for years; surely there were some ancient monsters hidden away. And the world’s aristocrats, the Celestial Dragons, had survived for centuries—could it be without powerful guardians? Camio shook his head and dismissed these thoughts. He had no desire to dominate the world, nor had he committed any heinous acts—what was there to fear? If they truly saw him as a threat to the world’s progression, so be it; he would face whatever came, unafraid.

"I don’t care how strong others are; I firmly believe my beloved Camio is the strongest in the world," Ice Phoenix said, leaning on his shoulder with unwavering conviction.

Camio’s pupils contracted slightly. Out of her sight, he sighed softly—strongest? Was he really? The world was vast, and even without gods or demons, there might be beings in this universe stronger than himself. He still had far to go.

He gently wrapped his arm around her waist and gazed into the distance, toward Amazon Lily, where another woman who loved him dearly was surely thinking of him. Once matters here were settled, he must return to her; he couldn’t be too selfish.

Bathed in the sunset’s glow, Camio and Ice Phoenix seemed gilded with gold. He released his spiritual sense across thousands of kilometers, quickly discovering a small island in the distance.

Glancing at the girl nestled in his arms, Camio smiled and vanished from the endless sea, reappearing in the sky above the island. It was small, with only a few coconut trees and tall grasses—not even a hundred meters across.

He landed gently with Ice Phoenix on the sandy beach, kissed her forehead, and said mischievously, "I’m going to catch some fish—make something delicious for my beautiful wife." His playful tone made Ice Phoenix roll her eyes.

"Go on! Be quick, I’ll prepare a place to sleep."

"Mm."

Camio shed his flashy Arrancar coat, tossed it to Ice Phoenix, and, clad only in a tight black suit, leapt into the air and dove into the sea. Ice Phoenix walked toward the coconut trees at the island’s center.

The shore was close, with coral reefs below. Though dusk had begun to fall, Camio’s astonishing vision let him see clearly underwater.

True energy circulated gently around him as Camio swam like a free fish in the sea.

He quickly spotted several edible fish, each about twenty or thirty centimeters long—perfect size for grilling.

Drawing Sky Snow, he moved swiftly; the fish kept swimming, but moments after his blade passed, their bodies shuddered, blood blossomed on their sides, and their organs and gills were already cleaned. This display showed Camio’s superb knife skills.

Ice Phoenix sat beneath a coconut tree, resting her chin on her hands, gazing at the setting sun in a trance, a smile playing on her lips. Thousands of years of loneliness were now gone—she was happy.

Soon, a figure leapt from the sea and landed beneath the coconut tree—it was Camio. Seeing the massive ice house a few meters away, he was speechless. Thankfully, he and Ice Phoenix were immune to the cold, or sleeping inside would surely freeze them.

He summoned Ice Phoenix, took out spices stored in his ring, and grilled the fish on a rack forged from violet light. Enjoying delicious grilled fish, the two passed a blissful night on the boundless sea, full of laughter and conversation.

Early the next morning, bright sunlight streamed through the nearly transparent walls, reflecting beautifully around the room. Camio and Ice Phoenix lay entwined on the enormous bed, identical to the one aboard their ship.

Camio opened his eyes, glanced at Ice Phoenix in his arms. Their wild passion had lasted half the night, but their formidable strength meant they awoke refreshed.

After waking Ice Phoenix, the two continued deeper into the New World. Along the way, they encountered several pirate crews, who, upon recognizing the recently renowned "Purple Emperor" Camio, answered all his questions. He soon learned where Whitebeard’s island was located.

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