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"They claim to be from the Big Mom Pirates and say their crew wants to form an alliance with God…"
A lion-like man, a long-legged man, and an egg-shaped man?
That must be Pekoms and Baron Tamago.
"Interesting. Have the Sixth Division escort them to Sky Island. Report to me once they arrive at the palace."
"Yes!"
Hikaru nodded, then wrapped an arm around Perona and smiled.
"Come, Perona. I'll take you to my Kingdom of God. That will be your new home."
"Hm~" Perona didn't resist, but her expression remained blank, her mind filled with uncertainty about the future.
Parting was always difficult, but she knew this was the only way to save Lord Moria.
She could only hope Hikaru would treat her with some kindness—after all, she was a 23-year-old legal.
With a flash of lightning, Hikaru and Perona soared toward Sky Island.
He had chosen not to seize Moria's Shadow-Shadow Fruit. For one, he didn't think much of its power—it wasn't as versatile as Perona's Hollow-Hollow Fruit.
More importantly, it was for Perona's sake. If he took the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, it would be no different from killing Moria.
She would never accept that. She might even choose to die with Moria rather than submit to him again.
The Shadow-Shadow Fruit granted the ability to control shadows, and a shadow retained the "personality" and "combat abilities" of its owner—though it was always weaker than the original.
However, the fruit had a major flaw: the zombies it created were vulnerable to salt. A strong wave of seawater was enough to wipe them out.
Moreover, zombies required their original bodies to remain intact, making them fundamentally flawed.
By contrast, the Homies created by the Soul-Soul Fruit were far superior. Even if Charlotte Linlin died, her Homies would continue to exist.
If the Shadow-Shadow Fruit had granted the ability to directly create and transform into shadows, its power would have been on an entirely different level—perhaps even enough to tempt Hikaru.
A Shadow Legion, a Shadow Kingdom, a Shadow World… The potential would have been limitless.
Sky Island – Imperial Palace
"What a huge place…"
Perona gasped in awe. From Hikaru's arms, she took in the vast expanse of the Kingdom of God.
Hikaru simply smiled. Once they reached the palace, he instructed the angels to serve Sky Island's finest delicacies.
Perona had been raised by Moria since childhood, and his pirate crew had never had a proper cook. She had never tasted such exquisite food before. Overwhelmed, she ate non-stop, as if trying to vent her emotions through her appetite.
"Mmmph—!"
Suddenly, she let out a muffled whimper, clutching her throat—she had eaten too fast and was choking.
Hikaru burst into laughter at the sight, while an angel hurriedly handed her a glass of water.
"There's no rush. No one's going to steal your food~" he teased, watching her with amusement. Why did it feel like he was taking care of a child?
"…Lord Moria must be struggling right now, while I'm here eating and enjoying all this… Isn't that kind of cruel?"
After calming down, guilt washed over Perona, and she lost her appetite.
"Don't let it stop you from eating," Hikaru said casually. "Moria would want you to live well. If he knew what you were going through, he'd probably reflect on how he raised you."
"Woo~"
Perona hesitated but eventually gave in to temptation, taking another bite.
Once she finished eating, Hikaru led her to one of the palace chambers, where they talked for a long time—about her future, Moria's fate, and what lay ahead.
Exhausted, Perona eventually fell into a deep sleep beside him. She had endured too much mental turmoil that day.
Hikaru's sudden invasion of the Thriller Bark, the life-binding contract that forced her into submission—everything had changed so fast.
Perhaps after a good night's rest, she would finally be able to relax… and accept her new identity as his divine concubine.
Rising quietly, Hikaru left Perona to sleep. The angels assisted him in straightening his robes as he prepared to head to the palace.
Judging by the time, the priests should have already brought Pekoms and Baron Tamago to him.
Imperial Palace Hall
Inside the grand hall of the imperial palace, divine soldiers stood in two rows, their gazes fixed straight ahead, unwavering and disciplined.
The priests, along with Pekoms and Baron Tamago, stood quietly, waiting for Hikaru's arrival.
Baron Tamago maintained a composed posture, leaning elegantly on his cane as he murmured to himself:
"I never expected the Divine Emperor Hikaru to reside on the legendary Sky Island… and to be its god as well. No wonder he dares to call himself a deity."
Pekoms, on the other hand, glanced around curiously. Noticing the solemn expressions on everyone's faces, he scratched his large rear absentmindedly and muttered to himself in surprise:
"This is quite the grand setup~ These soldiers may not be particularly strong, but they've actually mastered Haki while still in Paradise… Hikaru doesn't seem like someone with just a 300 million bounty~ Gah~"
After waiting for a while, Baron Tamago remained calm, showing no signs of impatience. However, Pekoms was growing restless.
"Hey! When is Hikaru coming?"
"We have already informed the Lord God. He oversees everything in the Kingdom of God," a priest responded coldly. "You must not speak carelessly in his presence, or you may die without even knowing how."
Shura, one of Hikaru's warriors, regarded Pekoms with disdain. To him, the lion Mink was nothing more than a crude beast, whereas Baron Tamago carried himself with refinement and class.
"You—!" Pekoms, known for his short temper, clenched his fists in frustration. However, Baron Tamago calmly lifted his cane, signaling him to remain composed.
"Pekoms, we have an important mission."
The moment his words fell, an overwhelming pressure suddenly filled the hall, bearing down on them—but without causing any real harm.
Sparks crackled in the air as Hikaru materialized on the throne above them.
"This Haki… it feels even stronger than Mama's!"
Pekoms broke out in a cold sweat. The sheer intensity of the Conqueror's Haki left him shaken.
"How is someone like this only worth a 300 million bounty? The Marines are fools if they base their bounties solely on recorded battle feats!"
Baron Tamago, though unfazed by the pressure, now understood that bounty amounts didn't always reflect true power. If he continued judging people based solely on their bounty, he would inevitably suffer losses in the future.
"Oh my~ A Mink and a Longleg… truly two striking races."
Hikaru retracted his Haki and smiled down at them.
"I am Hikaru, the ruler of this land. Two honored guests from afar… I hear you come on behalf of the Big Mom Pirates? And that you wish to form an alliance with me?"
Pekoms hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Lord Hikaru… I am Pekoms. Mama saw the bounty on your head and spoke highly of you. She wishes to form an alliance through marriage and bring you under her command."
At first, he had been about to call Hikaru "uncle," but after recalling that terrifying display of Conqueror's Haki, he immediately changed his tone.