Chapter 4: The Shadow returns.

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A heavy silence followed the man's words. The ring in his hand seemed insignificant, yet the weight of his voice made it feel as if he had just revealed the world's greatest threat.

Luffy, however, just tilted his head. "Huh? It's just a ring. So, what's special about it?"

The man exhaled slowly as if deciding whether to bother explaining. "This ring once belonged to a dark lord named Sauron. With it, he ruled an army of shadows spreading war and destruction across the land."

Sanji raised an eyebrow. "So, what? We beat up the bad guy, right?"

Robin shook her head. "No. Sauron was destroyed thousands of years ago. The ring was thrown into the fires of Mount Doom, where it was meant to be lost forever."

Franky frowned. "Then why is it still here?"

The man's gaze darkened. "Because something… or someone… brought it back."

A cold wind blew through the ruins.

Nami took a cautious step back. "Wait. Are you saying that Sauron—?"

"—is no longer gone," the man finished.

Luffy cracked his knuckles. "Okay! Then we'll just punch him!"

The stranger studied him for a long moment. "You are either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish."

"Both!" Usopp muttered.

The man finally sighed. "I suppose you must have a name if you're this reckless."

Luffy grinned. "I'm Monkey. D. Luffy! I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"

The man's eyes flickered with something like recognition. "D…? Interesting."

Robin narrowed her eyes. "You know something, don't you?"

The man turned, walking deeper into the ruins. "Come. If you wish to survive, you must learn the truth of the Void Century… and how it connects to Middle-earth."

The crew hesitated only for a moment before following.

And as they did, the shadows in the mist stirred once more.

Far away, in a place hidden from sight, a pair of red eyes gleamed in the darkness.

And a voice, deep and filled with malice, whispered:

"The Ring has been found."

If you want to read more up to 3 or even 7 chapters .

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To be continued in Chapter 5: The truth of the Void Century.

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