Hot Spring Island

New World, the renowned hot springs island, Saken Island.

Following Rox's orders, Moria arrived with Leon and some pirates on this island. Of course, Rox didn't send him here for a vacation or anything.

"Hehehe, what a prosperous island! Leon, take your men and eliminate all the pirates occupying this island for me!"

"From now on, this island will be the territory of our Rox Pirates!"

"Yes, Master Moria!" Leon took the command and led the pirates directly towards the castle at the island's highest point.

"Hehehe, it's been a while since I enjoyed a hot spring bath. It's great to go for a soak." Moria walked with a brisk pace towards a hot spring resort.

As for whether Leon could take down the pirates occupying the island, Moria remarked that if he couldn't even handle such minor roles, Leon wouldn't have the right to call himself a member of the Rox Pirates.

Moria casually found a hot spring resort, bought a ticket, paid the money, and walked into a vast bathhouse naked.

"Ah, so comfortable!" Moria sat down in the hot spring, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Isn't that right, Richard, the Golden Lion Pirates officer?" Moria grinned and turned to look at the man soaking in the hot spring.

Richard, fully immersed in the water, cast a glance at Moria. "Well, indeed. It's such a wonderful island. I wouldn't want to ruin it completely with a fight against you."

"Richard, an officer of the Rox Pirates, a hero of the West Sea, Moonlight Moria."

"Hehehe, to think someone like you, a great pirate, would remember my name. It's truly an honour."

"But you're right. I like this island. So, can I trouble you to go die on your own?" An invisible, overwhelming aura radiated from Moria and spread toward Richard.

"Ugh! What a hassle. I don't want to fight you with this aura."

"Boom!" Suddenly, the ground beneath the hot spring resort began to shake violently. Under this intense vibration, the entire building started collapsing.

With the vibration growing stronger, before long, a colossal stone giant stood tall on the land. Richard sat atop the stone giant's palm, looking down at Moria below.

"Moonlight Moria, this place belongs to the Golden Lion Pirates, and I happen to be the guardian of this island." Richard leisurely put on a yukata.

"Though building this island wasn't easy, there's no other way. At worst, I'll finish you and rebuild using your head." Looking down with a cold expression, Richard stared at Moria below.

Moria remained in the hot spring pool, though the water had disappeared entirely due to Richard's actions. Sitting with his legs crossed and arms stretched, leaning against the pool wall, Moria's gaze focused on Richard in the palm of the stone giant.

"Hehehe, what a massive stone figure." Moria stood up, looking at the giant stone figure twice his size.

"Hmph! Die now!"

"Iron Fist of Stone!" Richard joined his hands together, and a grey ripple spread. The enormous stone giant's fist swung, directly smashing towards Moria below.

"Hehehehe! Impressive fist!"

"Shadow Magic, Shadow Fist!"

"Buzz!" The massive black shadow on the ground transformed into a vast shadow fist, just as formidable as Richard's stone fist, colliding fiercely.

The collision of the two fists created tremendous energy, demolishing countless buildings. Numerous individuals perished in the sudden outbreak of the battle, crushed beneath debris.

Moria commanded the massive shadow fist with one hand and directed the numerous black shadows on the ground with the other. They merged and formed an equally colossal black shadow giant as the stone giant.

Moria stood on the shadow giant's palm, gazing down at Richard. "Hehehehe, how about that? My abilities are quite impressive, aren't they?"

The jet-black shadow covered Moria's body, transforming into a pitch-black suit that covered his formerly bare form. Moria pulled a massive cleaver from his shadow, resting it on his shoulder.

"Hmph! Don't get too cocky, Moria!"

"Iron Pillar of Stone!" Richard brought his hands together, and dozens of immense stone pillars materialized around Moria. Then, with force, they descended upon Moria.

Moria remained unfazed. He mimicked Richard's gesture, causing the dozens of stone pillars' shadows to turn into shadow pillars. They fiercely collided with the stone pillars, from bottom to top.

"Hehehehe, shadows can transform into myriad things. No matter what move you use, I can respond with the same move!"

"Damn it!" Veins bulged on Richard's forehead. He emitted a low growl, and a grey halo enveloped him entirely. Soon, Richard merged with the stone giant.

"In that case, I'll handle it myself and crush you!" The stone giant's crimson eyes gleamed as he raised his hand and attempted to strike Moria.

Moria quickly stood up and retreated with incredible speed, avoiding the grip of the shadow giant's hand.

"Boom!" With a resounding crash, the shadow giant shattered under the stone giant's assault.

"Useless! No matter where you hide, I can find you!"

"King's Stone Shatter!"

"Rumble!" Countless stone walls materialized from the ground, sealing off Moria completely. A blinding light flashed, and the stone walls erupted in a massive explosion.

Countless stone fragments engulfed Moria in the middle, covering and burying him. "Hmph! With such power, you dare challenge me? You're truly underestimating me!" Richard disdainfully snarled, materializing from the stone giant.

"Hehehehe! Shadow Restraint!" However, as he emerged from the stone giant, many black shadow ropes transformed from the shadows, enveloping Richard tightly.

"What!" Moria's colossal form floated out from Richard's shadow.

"Hehehehe, did you underestimate me? Initially, I created a shadow duplicate in that spot while I entered this guy's shadow. How's that? Do you surrender? I don't want to ruin this island. Book time." Richard stared at the emerging Moria with disbelief and then broke into laughter.

"Heh, hahaha, hahaha, you truly live up to being a member of the Rox Pirates. You're quite devious!" Finishing his sentence, Richard, bound by shadow ropes, vanished before Moria's eyes.

"What?"

"Boom!"

"Ugh!" With a muffled groan, Moria's enormous body was sent flying by a punch from Richard.

"Hmph, what gave you the idea that I became one of the top officers of the Golden Lion Pirates for no reason?"

"A mere fledgling who just set sail, do you think you can defeat me? Stop being so arrogant and full of yourself!"