As the last vestiges of the dawn's chill were completely dispelled by the rising sun, the world was finally bathed in warmth.
Gu Yina and Issho returned to the cliff's edge one after another.
As for the other side of the island, it had long since been reduced to ruins. After all, the strength of the two individuals was evident. Whether it was Issho's gravity blade infused with gravity, or Gu Yina's lightning sword fused with lightning, neither were mere trivial sword techniques.
Therefore, although neither of them had used their full power during their spar, it was by no means a simple exchange.
A day and a night of sparring had completely transformed the other side of the island, even altering its very contours.
However, for both of them, it had been a satisfying bout, especially for Gu Yina.
Since her return, her smile had never ceased, a testament to her current joy.
Kouta produced a dry towel from his dimensional bag and gently wiped the fine sweat from Gu Yina's forehead. He then smoothed her hair and chuckled, "Alright, after a day of fighting, let's eat first. Once you're full, you can take a hot bath and rest. We should reach Wano Country by tonight."
"Mhm!" Gu Yina nodded obediently, her face beaming as she followed Kouta towards the center of the grassy area.
There, Ah Hua and the others had already prepared breakfast and were waiting for them.
After a satisfying meal, everyone packed their belongings, descended the cliff, and set sail.
Thanks to Tesoro's treasure, Kouta and his crew encountered no pirates during their subsequent journey, and instead arrived peacefully in the outer waters of Wano Country.
Gazing at the turbulent, abyss-like black sea ahead, the group standing at the bow of the ship showed no fear, but rather an abundance of anticipation.
"Beyond this devilish sea, we will reach the outskirts of Wano Country."
At the bow, Aro looked at the record pointer in his hand and pointed ahead with excitement.
Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Issho, who stood quietly to the side with his cane-sword, and asked, "Right, Uncle Issho, you've traveled the world extensively. I wonder if you've ever been to Wano Country."
"Wano Country?"
Issho's face showed a hint of contemplation. After a moment of recollection, he replied, "I suppose I have been."
"What do you mean 'suppose'?"
Aro asked with a touch of surprise.
"I once passed by the vicinity of Wano Country. Sensing Kaido's presence, I didn't go ashore. I don't know if that counts as having been there or not."
With that, Issho chuckled. He then took an apple from his pocket, wiped it on the outside of his coat, and took a large bite.
"Hmm..." Aro pondered for a moment before saying, "I suppose it counts as... having been there!"
He too seemed hesitant.
"Alright, enough about that. Wano Country is right before us; we'll charge through."
Shaking his head, Aro raised his hand towards the front and shouted excitedly, "Go, Thousand Sunny! Let's charge in!"
Whether it understood Aro's words or not, the Sunny's hull suddenly accelerated, smashing through the oncoming giant waves and plunging headfirst into the vortex-filled devil sea.
Before long, the Sunny's hull, like a fallen leaf in the ocean, gradually disappeared into the expanse.
Outside the sea, the setting sun bathed the entire ocean in an orange-gold hue.
Inside this sea, however, it was shrouded in darkness, as if night had fallen prematurely.
The clouds were extremely low, so much so that it felt as if the entire sky had collapsed, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
And within those intensely oppressive clouds, it seemed to mirror the sea below, swirling and churning. Occasionally, a bolt of white lightning would streak out, momentarily illuminating the dim world.
If one were to speak of danger, this might not be the most perilous sea they had encountered, but it certainly ranked among the top.
Were it not for the obstruction of this sea, Wano Country would not have become a legend.
Given Wano Country's wealth in producing Sea Prism Stone, without this sea, it would likely have long ago become a paradise for countless pirates, or perhaps a backyard for the World Government.
Of course, Wano Country was no pushover. Decades ago, there were the Nine Red Scabbards, Kozuki Oden, and numerous samurai.
Even further back, there was the swordsman Ryuma.
Naturally, without this sea, the likes of the Nine Red Scabbards would have been utterly incapable of deterring greedy pirates.
Unless Wano Country possessed a peak figure capable of suppressing an entire sea, such as a Four Emperor like Kaido.
However, Ryuma was already a legend. In the years that followed, only Kozuki Oden had the potential to reach Ryuma's height, but he died.
Therefore, this sea, rather than preventing the people of Wano Country from venturing out, was in fact protecting Wano Country.
Gazing at the faint dark silhouettes appearing ahead, Kouta sat cross-legged on the swaying bow of the ship, his face calm.
For most people in this world, this sea was a devilish passage where survival was a slim chance. But for them, it was merely ordinary. It paled in comparison to the awe inspired by the Sky Road, the surprise of descending to Fish-Man Island, or the sheer exhilaration of the White Sea tens of thousands of meters high. Thus, in his eyes, it was just that.
Kouta knew that if no unforeseen circumstances arose, the peak of the dark silhouettes appearing ahead would likely be Wano Country.
Regarding Wano Country, to be honest, apart from the relatively prosperous Flower Capital, which he was somewhat looking forward to, he had no interest in any other place. This included the super battleship "Pluton," one of the three ancient weapons buried beneath the high mountains and deep underground.
After all, the Wano Country of the present was rife with tragedy and had lost its former prosperity.
Due to the presence of weapons factories, much of its natural beauty had been destroyed. Consequently, apart from the Flower Capital and some remote areas, it had devolved into shattered ruins.
Therefore, their purpose for this visit, besides seeing the legendary Wano Country, was primarily for exploration and adventure, and to seek out the red poneglyph located there.
Of course, incidentally dealing with the remnants of the Beast Pirates and the Shogun Orochi, a disgrace to Zoan Devil Fruit users, and liberating Wano Country – the homeland of his master and Gu Yina, and potentially the ancestors of Momo and Hua – would be a secondary objective.
The people of Wano Country had no channels to receive external news, but this did not include the Beast Pirates.
"After so much time, I wonder if Queen has fled."
"Hm!" Just then, Kouta suddenly raised his head, looking to the right of the Sunny's path. A playful smirk gradually spread across his lips, and his eyes glinted with amusement. "What a coincidence."
Indeed, it was a coincidence, so profound it felt as if it were predestined.
To the right and ahead of the Sunny, a large sailing ship was rapidly heading in the opposite direction of their own course.