The Strongest Lunarian in One Piece

"Clap—"

"What's this?"

"A submerged town?"

Deep within the underground passage, Barry, Jien, Sally, Lillian, and the others stared in stunned silence.

Through an enormous, highly durable glass barrier, they could see an endless expanse of a town submerged beneath the sea. Rows of houses stretched on and on, teeming with countless fish and sea beasts swimming freely.

"Hmm, that's the Wano Country from hundreds of years ago," El remarked nonchalantly. "The current Wano Country is built on a massive island, surrounded by towering cliffs that were artificially constructed as 'high walls.'"

In front of him stood a massive red Poneglyph.

The strange symbols carved into it, once indecipherable, were now perfectly legible to El after he had absorbed Kouzuki Sukiyaki's memories. Though still a bit unfamiliar, he could now accurately interpret their meaning.

"Lillian," El said, pointing toward the submerged Wano Country visible through the glass, "use your Glare-Glare Fruit ability to explore it. Focus on the former Shogun's residence and the daimyo's mansions to see if anything valuable remains. Have Jien and the others bring up anything useful."

"Yes, El-sama!"

Lillian and the other Fish-Men, led by Sea Tiger Jien, nodded and smiled.

The other Fish-Men present were all trusted confidants raised by the Dream House. Though slightly weaker than Sea Tiger Jien, they had recently been promoted to officers of the Fallen Angels Pirate Crew.

Currently, the three kingdoms under Totto Land were preparing to form several underwater combat units. Candidates were being selected from among the freed slaves and residents of Fish-Man Island.

Each officer would command a Fish-Man unit, responsible for both combat and specialized missions—exploring and salvaging ancient ruins, locating Devil Fruits, and recovering treasures from sunken ships.

Next, El planned to cultivate a Giant capable of wielding a powerful Devil Fruit. Combined with the scientific department's efforts to breed and train large sea beasts on a large scale, this new sea beast unit would also fall under their command.

After all, countless "continents" had been submerged seven to eight hundred years ago. Not just ordinary towns and islands—even entire kingdoms had sunk, potentially holding unimaginable treasures.

More importantly, El had assigned Lillian a secret mission known only to Sally and a few other core officers: using the Glare-Glare Fruit to locate and investigate the ancient weapon Pluton, buried beneath Wano Country.

Though El wasn't planning to unveil Pluton immediately, he intended to study the most fearsome warship in history. Scientists like Ryan and others with special Devil Fruit abilities would assist in this research.

Of course, the ordinary officers didn't need to know about Pluton. It wasn't a matter of loyalty—anyone with ill intent would never qualify to join the Fallen Angels Pirate Crew, let alone rise to an officer's position. However, ancient weapons were matters of immense significance, and in a world where some could read memories—El included—secrecy was paramount. Too many people knowing these secrets could lead to unnecessary risks.

"Where is Kouzuki Oden?" El asked, turning to Ruth, who was disguised as Kouzuki Sukiyaki.

"He's only a four-year-old brat, but he's far too troublesome. I had him confined to a temple outside the Flower Capital," Ruth replied helplessly.

"Good. Barry, take Sally to the Kibi Region immediately," El ordered decisively. "Afterward, have the 'Shogun' dispatch Kouzuki Oden as his envoy to various areas. Assign him an escort and have him deliver letters to the daimyo."

He then turned to Sally. "As for you, I trust you know what to do next?"

"Of course," Sally said confidently with a smile.

She would disguise herself as a retainer of a certain daimyo and assassinate Kouzuki Oden. Furthermore, she would frame the Kouzuki family as the masterminds behind the assassination, while "accidentally" leaving evidence implicating the daimyo's retainer.

Since the Flower Capital was closest to Udon, they decided to target the Uzuki family that controlled that region.

"Understood!" Ruth also smiled and nodded.

Once Kouzuki Oden was killed, Ruth—posing as Kouzuki Sukiyaki—would feign grief over the loss of his son. With no heir to the Kouzuki family, he would descend into madness. Ruth would order an all-out manhunt for the "true culprits" and begin enforcing tyrannical policies to consolidate the Shogun's power, alienating the daimyo.

"Oh, and Little Oars, you'll assist Sally in her mission," El added. Considering Wano Country's many formidable samurai, he took precautions against any unexpected interference by assigning Little Oars Jr. as backup.

"No problem, El!" Little Oars grinned, baring his teeth.

"Remember, don't target the Shimotsuki family just yet," El cautioned. "Shimotsuki Taro's health is already failing. Once the daimyo passes away, you can use his failure in disciplining his children as a pretext to strip the Shimotsuki family of their claim to the Ringo region."

"Yes!"

With the plans in motion, El turned to leave. "I'll be heading to Elbaf next. This place is in your hands now."

If they couldn't manage to kill a mere four-year-old Kouzuki Oden, El thought, it would be truly disappointing.

…

"Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—"

Before long, deep within the secret passage leading to the outskirts, a figure shot forward at incredible speed. Wings spread wide, it moved so swiftly that no one could detect its presence. In no time, it left Wano Country and, guided by a Vivre Card, raced toward Elbaf.

…

"What are you doing?"

"Help—save me!"

After an indeterminate amount of time, El's sharp Observation Haki picked up distant cries for help. Raising an eyebrow, he glanced at a nearby island. "How coincidental."

…

On a nameless, deserted island, a group of vicious pirates surrounded a young, green-haired girl in a kimono. Her features were delicate and beautiful, but she looked fragile and tense. Gripping a katana tightly, she stood guard.

"Stay back! I am a samurai!"

"A samurai?" one pirate sneered.

"Keh keh keh, stop resisting!" another laughed. "You can barely hold that sword steady, and you dare call yourself a samurai?"

"Woman, it'd be better for you to cooperate. At least you'd suffer less pain!" another jeered. "Soon enough, we'll let you experience pleasures that will leave you begging for more!"

The pirates sneered cruelly, amused by her apparent lack of strength. Even if she had some skill, it seemed pitifully weak.

"Damned pirates! Don't even think about it! I will never submit!" the girl hissed, her eyes blazing with anger. She tightened her grip on the blade, though her heart sank. Must I leap to the future again?

"Buzz—"

Without warning, an invisible force swept through the area. One by one, the pirates collapsed unconscious, frothing at the mouth.

The girl, who had been preparing to use her ability, froze in shock, eyes wide.

"I almost passed out…" the pirate captain groaned, barely remaining conscious. Staggering backward, he scanned the surroundings in terror. When his gaze landed on a tall figure approaching from the shore, his pupils shrank, and cold sweat drenched his face.

"You—who are you?" he stammered.

With a soft exhale, the towering figure of El descended onto the beach. He glanced at the pirate captain before flicking a finger, sending a razor-sharp blade of air piercing straight through the man's forehead.

"Ah?!" the girl gasped, stunned.

She looked at the mysterious figure—tall and handsome, with wings and blazing flames behind his head, radiating a divine, mysterious aura. She was captivated on the spot.

El paid her only a brief glance before heading toward the pirates' ship. A quick search turned up no Devil Fruits and only meager treasure, not worth his attention.

"Hello, my name is Amatsuki Toki…" the girl said softly, following after him. She bowed deeply. "Thank you so much for saving me. May I know your name?"

"There's no need to thank me. It was trivial," El replied with a smile. "My name is Kukulkan El, and I am of the Lunarian race."

He already knew who she was—Amatsuki Toki, a user of the Paramecia-type Time-Time Fruit from over seven centuries in the past. She was a descendant of the Amatsuki clan, once as renowned as the Shimotsuki, Uzuki, and Fugetsu clans of Wano Country. She had been leaping through time to eventually return to her homeland.

"The Lunarian race?" Toki's eyes widened. "The legendary race said to reside on the Red Line?"

She recalled stories of a race that could manipulate fire, survive in any environment, and were once revered as gods. She never imagined she'd meet one, let alone be saved by one.

"So, you know some old secrets. But that's ancient history," El said, raising an eyebrow. "The Lunarians were nearly driven to extinction by the World Government."

He wasted no time on further explanations. "I'm headed to Elbaf. With your current strength, it's dangerous to travel the seas alone. Do you want to come with me?"

"I…I was planning to go to Wano Country," Toki stammered, then asked hesitantly, "El-sama, could you take me to Wano Country?"

"Perhaps in the future, but not now," El replied flatly.

"What?" Toki looked stunned.

~~~

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