Chapter Seventy-Six: Approaching the Final Destination!

Boom!

In the distant sky, thunder rumbled endlessly. Thick clouds shrouded the heavens, blotting out the sun’s radiance. Towering waves rolled ceaselessly across the sea, while fierce gales howled back and forth.

Camille stood suspended in the air, the dense storm clouds overhead. Occasionally, a lightning bolt split the sky, illuminating Camille’s composed face.

Looking back, he could see a vast island looming and vanishing amid the wild wind and waves. That was the place where the legendary "One Piece" was hidden—Raftel.

Camille had already found the "One Piece"—in fact, he’d discovered it ten years ago. Yet he had chosen not to reveal it to the world.

His eyes narrowed slightly. Suddenly, a pirate ship appeared ahead—Shanks and Mihawk had deliberately let it pass.

Exactly ten thousand kilometers before Camille’s position, Shanks and Mihawk stood upon the water, each about ten kilometers apart. This was the only way toward the "One Piece." If any ship entered their sight, the closer of the two would draw his blade and unleash a sword aura, so dense it was nearly tangible, flying dozens of kilometers with undiminished power. Only if the pirate ship could withstand a strike could it proceed forward.

This sea route was perilous in the extreme. On either side of the two men, massive oceanic whirlpools threatened to swallow anything that strayed from the center. But even that was not the end of the danger—at intervals, several colossal rulers of the deep, true kings among the Sea Kings, would thrust their immense heads from the distant waters, attacking any pirate ships that dared pass. Yet their eyes often flickered with fear as they glanced at Shanks and Mihawk. Not long before, three humans had arrived at these sacred waters—the guardians’ domain, the only path to the final secret. They had watched over this place for a thousand years. More than twenty years ago, a pirate ship had forced its way through, shaming them beyond measure. Now, three humans appeared again upon the route—how could they not be enraged?

Their rage cost one of them dearly. The man in purple had, with a single stroke, cleaved a companion—thousands of meters long, shaped like a monstrous shark—clean in two. The force of that blade shook heaven and earth!

That man’s aura utterly cowed the Sea Kings. A single look from him left them frozen, as if their very lives were at his mercy. If he wished, he could end them in an instant. Their eyes, filled with dread, watched him. Then, as a red gleam flashed in his gaze, they understood his will: go forth to the front of those two men and guard the route. If a ship approached, destroy it; if not, let it pass, and the two men would intercept it. Once his orders were conveyed, the man strode slowly toward the ultimate destination, while the Sea Kings and their companions moved toward the entrance of the route. Any ship that dared enter would be destroyed here.

...

“They’re coming, are they? Let me see who dares approach,” Camille murmured softly, eyes narrowed, reaching for his waist.

Clang!

The Spirit Snow Blade appeared in Camille’s right hand.

He raised his arm, extending the blade levelly, eyes burning as he gazed at the snowy-white steel. Suddenly, he lifted it high, staring out over the sea. True energy surged through his body, and blue halos shimmered along the blade’s delicate surface—a breathtaking beauty, but beneath it lurked killing intent.

Buzz!

A massive arc of white sword energy exploded forth as Camille slashed, shooting toward the pirate ship below at an unimaginable speed.

The instant the sword aura appeared, the pirates on the ship below sensed the threat and hastily changed course. Though they dodged the blow, the enormous slash carved a deep trench into the sea, revealing the pitch-black depths. The pirate ship teetered on the edge of the chasm as, before the terrified eyes of those aboard, the gap quickly filled with seawater. The ship vanished into the vast ocean, sucked into the maelstrom as the trench closed, shattered to pieces.

The owners of this ill-fated vessel were a group of Warlords of the Sea.

In the next half month, Camille intercepted dozens of pirate ships. Only three made it through—not by dodging, but by utterly destroying the powerful sword aura. Of course, Camille had not used his full strength; had he done so, not a single ship would have survived—none but ghosts beneath his blade.

Of those three ships, one was Whitebeard’s, carrying him and his captains. Another belonged to the Empress of Amazon Lily, aboard which were Robin, Hancock, Ice Phoenix, and others. The last was none other than Straw Hat Luffy’s pirate ship—yes, Straw Hat Luffy himself had arrived.

Three days had passed. The three ships had not advanced further, but instead anchored a few kilometers behind Camille, lashed together so their crews could mingle freely.

During these three days, Camille stayed aboard Hancock’s ship. Nami had left the Straw Hat crew to join them. When Camille revealed his secret to Nami, she was stunned for a long time before finally throwing herself into his arms, holding him tightly as if afraid he would vanish. After her tears had dried, Nami decided to visit her village once more. Camille agreed, and thanks to her Devil Fruit powers, she traveled quickly—resting only to recover her strength, she reached her village in a day. When Nami told the villagers she would be leaving with the man she loved and might never return, Nojiko was deeply shaken. She had waited for her sister to come home—and now she brought such news. Nojiko could not accept it. Nami had promised to help her grow tangerines together, after all. Yet, despite her sorrow, she wished for Nami’s happiness. In the end, she made her decision.

When Nami returned three days later, to Camille’s astonishment, she brought another girl—Nojiko herself. Her beautiful sea-blue hair and lovely features made her especially striking. She had chosen to leave this world with her mischievous little sister.

When Camille saw Nojiko, he looked to Nami, and finally agreed. But if Nojiko was to follow Camille, there was a condition... (Everyone can imagine for themselves, heh heh!)

A week passed. Shanks and Mihawk had returned—the ship was Shanks’s own vessel. No other ships had arrived. Kaido had been slain by Shanks’s blade, the three Admirals who arrived with the navy sent to the depths by a single slash from Mihawk. The weaker pirates couldn’t even get past the Sea Kings, and the other notable crews still struggled outside, unable to come in.

Now, only four ships had reached this place.

Camille gathered Whitebeard, Luffy, and Shanks aboard his ship for a meeting. After lengthy discussion, they set sail together.

Heh, only four ships. Back in Roger’s day, just one ship reached the One Piece. To have four now is already quite impressive, heh heh!

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