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"The Straw Hat crew?"
In the depths of a dark sea—
On a decayed and barely seaworthy pirate ship—
A tall, young man stood leisurely at the bow, alongside his companion, a giant panda named White Dragon.
He had messy black hair, sunglasses perched on his face, brown trousers, and a blue vest. A gray-white jacket was tied around his waist, revealing a muscular physique with perfect proportions.
Around his neck hung a dazzlingly exquisite peacock necklace, shimmering with metallic hues. The peacock pendant, lifelike in detail, was roughly the size of an average person's fist—just the right size for someone standing three meters tall.
"The 'Demon Child'—Nico Robin..."
Shaka gazed into the mist-covered sea in the distance.
His powerful Observation Haki had already locked onto the newly arrived presences within an instant.
Countless "voices" echoed in his mind, allowing him to immediately determine the identities of those approaching.
"This strange space... The flow of time really is different from the outside world. Has it really been fifty years?"
Deep within the eerie mist—
Shaka sighed with some helplessness, murmuring to himself, "Before I knew it, even that little girl Olvia's daughter has grown up this much..."
No one knew his secret—
He was a traveler from another world.
Not only that, but he was also the former heir to the throne of the Flower Kingdom.
From birth, he possessed an extraordinary Observation Haki, allowing him to hear the thoughts of others.
At five years old, he accidentally acquired the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Great Buddha.
Blessed with an unparalleled talent and astonishing comprehension, he naturally awakened Conqueror's Haki at the age of ten. By fifteen, he had already mastered the martial arts and chi techniques passed down by the Flower Kingdom's navy, including Phantom Fist, Shadowless Kick, and Eight Impact Fist, while also becoming highly proficient in all three types of Haki.
Through relentless training, his Observation Haki evolved to the point where he could directly read people's memories.
Yet, few were aware that, with his photographic memory, wisdom akin to a Buddha, and extraordinary intellect, he had also become a scientist purely out of personal interest.
In secret, he had developed advanced weaponry for the Flower Kingdom, giving his nation a major advantage in its wars against rival nations, earning the deep respect and admiration of its people.
But when the World Nobles, acting as representatives of the World Government, visited the West Blue and its allied nations—
A tragedy unfolded when the cruel and arrogant Celestial Dragons brazenly kidnapped women from the Flower Kingdom.
Enraged, Shaka refused to stand idly by. He was ready to attack the Celestial Dragons himself but was forcefully stopped by Hosan, the 12th pillar of the Erbao Navy, and Chinjao the Drill, the 12th pillar of the Happo Navy.
To avoid angering the World Government, the king of the Flower Kingdom revoked Shaka's status as heir to the throne and ordered him to become a monk.
Of course, his father never truly intended to abandon him. He merely wanted to bide his time and temper his hot-headed, impatient son, in whom he had placed great hopes.
But witnessing his entire nation bowing and trembling before the Celestial Dragons—
Hearing the people blame him for almost bringing destruction upon the Flower Kingdom—
Though he understood their fear, Shaka couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Disheartened—
He abandoned his desire for power.
He devoted himself entirely to self-discipline and training, and in just two years, his strength grew at an astonishing rate.
Eventually, he severed all ties with the royal family and the Flower Kingdom.
Taking on the name Shaka, he left behind his noble identity and set out to sea as a fallen monk, accompanied only by his childhood companion, the giant panda White Dragon.
He traveled across the four seas, the first half of the Grand Line, and even the New World—
His legend spread far and wide.
Both the Navy and pirates feared him alike.
During his journey, he once encountered the then-queen of Amazon Lily, Flame Flower, and stayed on the island for several months.
Later, he received word from Birka, an island in the sky he had previously conquered, that they had discovered the legendary Logia-type Devil Fruit—Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
Before leaving Amazon Lily, he made sure to retrieve the fruit.
But on his return, he passed by Ruluka Island and happened upon the mythical Rainbow Mist.
Intrigued, he planned to collect the vast wealth accumulated within it over the centuries and present it as a wedding gift to Amazon Lily's queen.
He also wanted to search for any Devil Fruits hidden inside.
However, he was unexpectedly pursued by the leader of the Holy Knights and CP0 due to his past actions—having slain a Celestial Dragon.
For three grueling days and nights, he battled fiercely, and despite overwhelming odds, his sheer strength and unbreakable will led him to victory, eliminating his pursuers.
But in the end, he had missed his chance to escape—
And was trapped inside the Rainbow Mist.
Time within this bizarre space flowed at an incredibly slow rate, nearly at a standstill.
Though fifty years had passed in the outside world, for Shaka and White Dragon, only about a year had gone by.
"Woo...?"
Standing at the bow—
White Dragon tilted his head in confusion.
He didn't understand why his master suddenly seemed so melancholic.
"Xiao Bai, have you forgotten? I told you a long time ago..."
Shaka patted his companion and explained helplessly, "This space is different from the outside world. We've only been here for about a year, but outside, fifty years have passed..."
He had mentally prepared himself for this reality long ago.
But now, seeing the Straw Hat crew, he felt a mix of joy, disappointment, and uncertainty.
After all these years, how was Flame Flower?
How was the daughter he had never met?
And what about his other beloved ones?
The only comfort he had was knowing he had once gifted the Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Vampire, to Flame Flower, Amazon Lily's empress.
Even if the fruit didn't truly grant immortality, it should at least allow her to retain her youth.
"Woo..."
White Dragon, mouth full of food, scratched his head, unsure how to console his master.
"Enough of that..."
Taking a deep breath, Shaka pushed aside his heavy emotions and let out a small chuckle.
Patting his goofy but dependable panda companion, he smirked, "We're just killing time anyway. Why not have a little fun with these rookies? What do you think?"
"Squeak squeak..."
White Dragon blinked his round eyes.
He had fought alongside his master countless times and understood him perfectly.
Reluctant to part with his meal, he shoved the last bit of roasted meat into his mouth—
And rolled around in agreement.
"....."