"The guy who led you out of Impel Down is now famous all over the world,"
the Red Earl said lightly, a gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Ah, that's not a simple guy," he added.
"To be praised so much by you, there must be something extraordinary about him," Whitebeard said with growing interest.
However, the Red Earl did not elaborate further. He only said calmly, "He has a courage that even surprises me and a very threatening potential."
After saying that, the Red Earl slowly stood up.
"Are you ready to leave?" Whitebeard asked.
"Ah, it's time to leave. I have some matters to deal with," the Red Earl nodded.
"I'll have someone help you find the Devil Fruit you want," Whitebeard said, not trying to stop him. Although it was rare for an old friend to visit and chat, he knew the Red Earl's character well enough not to insist.
"Thank you," the Red Earl said before leaving.
Although he was aloof and rarely formed alliances, it did not mean he had no friends. It's just that these friends were often both comrades and former enemies.
As the Red Earl departed, Whitebeard lifted his drinking cup again. Thinking about what the Red Earl had said, he couldn't help but laugh.
"It looks like another incredible guy is going to appear."
…
Alabasta.
At this moment.
In the desert.
Mio and his group were following a route based on memory. Upon arriving at a specific desert area, Mio looked around, then turned to Robin and asked,
"Is it here?"
"It should be, if nothing unexpected happened," Robin replied while holding a photo and carefully confirming the surroundings.
Hearing this, Mio turned to Crocodile and said,
"It's just below this area. It's up to you next."
Crocodile nodded without any unnecessary words. He simply raised his right hand and slammed it onto the desert surface, activating his ability. The sky immediately filled with swirling sandstorms. Erica and the others quickly retreated from the area.
Mio stood back at a distance, watching quietly.
As Crocodile continued his actions, a massive deep pit soon appeared, with a flood of sand being swept outward, fully revealing what lay beneath.
At the bottom of the pit.
There, a black stone stood silently — a square Poneglyph with densely carved ancient text.
But more importantly, next to the Poneglyph was an enormous black ship.
When Crocodile caught sight of the ship, he was visibly shocked.
The ship was massive, easily twice the size of the Black Glory, and it was constructed from an unknown black material. Some parts even shimmered with a metallic luster.
At the bow of the ship, a black skull figurehead loomed menacingly. Inside the mouth of the skull, a dark cannon barrel was embedded — obviously a weapon capable of firing devastating blasts.
From its exterior alone, the ship was extraordinary.
The interior was still unclear, as the ship remained partially buried under layers of sand.
"Is this… Pluto?"
Robin exclaimed in awe, her voice filled with wonder.
One of the three legendary ancient weapons was finally before their eyes.
"Robin, go down and record the text on the Poneglyph," Mio ordered. Then he looked at Crocodile.
"Can you clear the sand from the ship?"
"Of course," Crocodile replied.
Activating his ability again, he manipulated the sand to clear the ship's deck and some of the interior.
Mio didn't waste any time. He grabbed Robin and stepped down into the deep pit. While Robin focused on recording the text, Mio headed straight toward the ship's interior.
To be honest, this Pluto was enormous.
And the materials used seemed anything but ordinary; the weight was staggering.
If it was intact, Mio definitely would not hesitate to take it away.
But if it was damaged, Mio knew he would have no choice but to leave it behind.
After all, the ship had been buried for who knows how many centuries, and damage was inevitable. Towing a useless wreck across the sea would just be foolish.
Although Mio wasn't an expert in shipbuilding, even he could tell — some parts of Pluto's internal structure had suffered serious damage after hundreds of years.
The ship's power system was unlike any ordinary vessel's. It was a special structure, mysterious and now heavily rusted. Even if it could still function, it wouldn't last long.
Moreover, only one person in the world might be capable of repairing Pluto: Tom, the legendary shipwright.
But Tom couldn't leave Water Seven, and Mio couldn't risk trying to lure him away.
Otherwise, the World Government would immediately make the connection to Pluto.
"It's a bit troublesome, but still rewarding," Mio muttered under his breath, making up his mind.
Taking out a camera, Mio started taking detailed photos of Pluto's interior.
Then, without hesitation, he began violently dismantling some of Pluto's crucial parts.
Since the ship was too damaged to take as a whole, Mio had another plan:
Imitate Pluto.
Even if he couldn't fully replicate Pluto's power, building warships with just a tenth of its might would be enough to create an unstoppable fleet.
"I'll still have to rely on someone… Vegapunk? No, this is too sensitive. Maybe the North Blue is a better idea," Mio thought, a smirk appearing at the corners of his mouth.
With the heavy parts secured, Mio stepped back and leapt out of the pit.
The components he salvaged were astonishingly heavy — even Mio felt the strain carrying them.
"How is it?"
Crocodile couldn't help but ask, his curiosity piqued. His eyes locked onto the components Mio was carrying.
"It's damaged. This Pluto has been buried for hundreds of years, so it's normal," Mio replied simply. Then he turned to Robin.
"Have you finished recording?"
"Yeah," Robin nodded, looking thoughtfully at her notebook. Some parts of the Poneglyph text clearly puzzled her.
"Alright, let's go," Mio said before glancing at Crocodile again.
"You'd better rebury this place. The ship is no longer useful as it is. Next, I'll start teaching you how to train your Haki."
Although Crocodile was still full of curiosity about Pluto, he knew the location now, so he didn't argue. Activating his Devil Fruit powers again, he quickly controlled the sand, refilling the giant pit and burying everything once more.