"Monk's Hunt: Lily's Gate"

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"Aeps Consad, huh? So that's how it is..."

Dr. Kureha suddenly understood.

Being a highly skilled doctor and a health expert, she had lived for over a hundred years and had traveled the seas before. Naturally, she had heard the legend of the Seven-Colored Mist.

That mysterious sea was said to be a graveyard for ships—any vessel that entered never returned. No one had ever made it out.

She never expected it to be such a unique space, where a year inside equaled fifty years outside.

It was truly unbelievable.

"I tried to go back in time, but unfortunately, I failed..."

Shaka shrugged helplessly and smiled at Dr. Kureha. "By the way, I ran into your little reindeer in there and even played a little prank on the Straw Hats who wandered in!"

"Chopper?"

Dr. Kureha smiled but then shot Shaka a sharp look and asked dryly, "You didn't use that giant Buddha form of yours to scare my idiot son, did you?"

She knew all too well how absurdly powerful his abilities were.

The first time she saw them, even with her long life and unshakable mindset, she couldn't help but be stunned.

Used properly, his abilities could scare people to death.

And if he wanted to, Shaka could easily use his Mythical Zoan Buddha form to make his enemies lose their minds, brainwashing them into fanatical believers who would slaughter each other without hesitation.

"Haha, well, he does scare easily. He was crying his eyes out!"

Shaka laughed heartily.

The two of them, along with Chopper, made their way into the castle.

They drank together and reminisced for a while.

Unfortunately, while Dr. Kureha was interested in the world's current state, she hadn't gone out of her way to gather much information. She knew little about what was happening in Amazon Lily or about the previous generations of Kuja Empresses, including Flame Flower.

By noon, Shaka had gotten a Log Pose pointing to Barkelna Town and was ready to leave.

As for Tony Tony Chopper's Rumble Ball formula, Shaka had no intention of asking for it.

He had already developed his own version, called "Sharidan."

Using his special Observation Haki, which let him directly read others' memories, he had acquired extensive knowledge about biology and medicine from the world's top scientists.

His "Sharidan" was even more effective than the Rumble Ball.

This drug, which could directly alter the transformation wavelength of Zoan users, acted as a key to unlocking multiple transformation states.

Originally, Sharidan significantly boosted combat power.

But for his current self, its effects were negligible.

Thanks to his mastery over his body, he could precisely control every inch of his muscles and organs at will.

When using his Buddha form, he no longer transformed into an oversized, bloated figure with an odd, statue-like head. Instead, he retained his own appearance—just larger and golden.

After all, he was a perfectionist. Strength aside, looking good was a lifelong commitment.

His mighty image couldn't be tarnished.

"Running around with so much gold on your back... you're a strange one," Dr. Kureha smirked, watching the giant panda, White Dragon, form a cloud to carry the massive golden sphere. "Why not just give it to me?"

"No way! This is my 'bride price' for Flame Flower."

Shaka leaped onto the now-enormous, cloud-wreathed White Dragon. Looking back at Dr. Kureha, he winked and grinned. "If you were a hundred years younger, I might've considered it!"

"Get lost! Are you calling me old?!"

Dr. Kureha rolled her eyes.

She leaped high and kicked at him. "I'm forever eighteen, you heartless monk! I wouldn't fall for a playboy like you!"

This was the legendary witch of Drum Kingdom, known for charging outrageous fees but possessing unparalleled medical skills. Many cursed her yet still begged for her help.

She moved with agility that was completely at odds with her supposed age of 139.

"Grrr..."

White Dragon let out a playful growl.

Swift as ever, he carried Shaka and the golden sphere, effortlessly dodging her attack.

"Haha! You don't look a day over fifty, Kureha! I wouldn't be surprised if you outlived the giants and made it to three hundred!"

Shaka laughed as he flew off. "See you around!"

"Heh, I'll take that as a blessing."

Dr. Kureha chuckled, taking a swig of vodka as she watched him disappear into the distance.

"The era is about to change... and here comes a wild card, reappearing after decades of silence..."

In the icy castle, she took another sip and sighed. "The seas are about to get lively again."

That Afternoon—Barkelna Town

Following the Log Pose's guidance, Shaka and White Dragon arrived at their destination after leaving Drum Kingdom.

"Stay here and wait for me, White."

Since carrying a giant golden sphere around would draw too much attention, Shaka left White Dragon on a deserted coast and quickly made his way into town.

"Don't let him get away!"

"Hurry! Search over there!"

"We have to find him!"

The town was in chaos.

Due to the Navy's negligence, they hadn't used Sea-Prism Stone cuffs.

As a result, Wapol had bitten through his restraints—and even chewed a hole in his prison wall—to escape.

Now, the Marines were frantically searching for him.

"Hiding under a bridge, huh?"

Shaka watched the commotion unfold.

Using his powerful Observation Haki, he covered the entire island.

The countless "voices" of the people entered his mind.

In no time, he had pinpointed Wapol's location.

"Shff!"

Shaka vanished from the rooftop he was standing on.

Minutes later, on the west side of town, several armed Marines ran across a stone bridge.

They didn't notice Wapol trembling in fear underneath it.

The fallen king of Drum Kingdom had just started to relax when a towering figure appeared before him.

"Who are you?!" Wapol gasped in horror.

"You don't need to know."

Shaka smirked.

With a sharp gaze, he unleashed a surge of Conqueror's Haki.

"Boom!"

Wapol's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.

Soon after, Shaka carried Wapol's body to the coast.

He tossed him to the ground and turned to White Dragon. "White, he's got the Munch-Munch Fruit. Copy his ability."

"Squeak!"

White Dragon, now back in panda form, nudged Wapol with his paw.

Then, glowing with an eerie blue light, he successfully copied the Munch-Munch ability.

"Now, try eating him and see if you can take his power."

Without hesitation, Shaka snapped Wapol's neck and handed White Dragon a bag of fruit he had just bought.

Even though White Dragon was no ordinary panda and had intelligence comparable to humans, he still wasn't capable of complex reasoning like a person.

But Shaka, with his Buddha form's wisdom and his unique Observation Haki, could directly communicate his thoughts to others.

Thanks to this "Master Buff," even a panda like White Dragon could easily grasp high-level martial arts and Devil Fruit techniques.

"Gulp!"

White Dragon opened his enormous mouth and swallowed Wapol and the fruit whole.

"Crunch... crunch..."

Moments later, he spat out Wapol's body and the untouched fruit.

Shaka sighed. The experiment had failed.

"Squeak..." White Dragon wagged his tail apologetically.

"No worries. The important thing is, you successfully copied the Munch-Munch Fruit."

Shaka grinned. "Let's go. It's time for Amazon Lily."

"Grrr..."

"....."