Chapter 193: Land of The Dead
The colossal Sea King, dwarfed by the monstrous vortex, fought desperately against the tremendous pull. Its immense form strained against the unseen current, but escape proved futile. The ever-growing suction, amplified by the surrounding whirlpools, relentlessly dragged it in. Finally, with a mighty surge, the vortex swallowed the Sea King whole.
The churning waterspout then hoisted the creature skyward. Despite its immense size, the Sea King was tossed around like a mere plaything. The ferocious winds of the tornado tore at its body, mercilessly contorting it in different directions. As if in sadistic harmony, thunderclaps echoed across the sky, bombarding the defenseless beast with raw electrical fury. Under this relentless assault, the Sea King's once-proud form was reduced to mangled flesh and bone. Shredded by the wind and pummeled by lightning, it disintegrated into a grotesque shower of debris that vanished into the churning vortex below.
"Dead... not a trace left!"
The onlookers gaped in stunned silence. While defeating such a colossal Sea King wouldn't be a monumental feat for them, witnessing its complete annihilation was a different story altogether. The sheer brutality of its demise left them speechless.
"There's no way anyone could survive that!"
Nami, usually fearless, choked out the words, her voice trembling. Even her mastery over thunder offered no solace in the face of such raw power. The others shared her horror, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and morbid fascination.
"Indeed, this is a veritable death trap," Luo Ning conceded, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes at their terror. "But fear not, everyone. Brace yourselves, we're entering!"
"""No!"""
With a flourish, he steered the vessel directly into the maelstrom. A collective gasp erupted from the group, a chorus of panicked shouts drowned out as the ship surged forward.
But to their astonishment, no searing lightning struck them down. No monstrous vortex tore them apart. The ship glided effortlessly through the churning chaos, shielded by an unseen barrier. The terrifying spectacle outside seemed muted, a silent display of unimaginable power rendered harmless by Luo Ning's abilities. They were completely cocooned within a safe haven, leaving the apocalyptic scene outside a mere unsettling spectacle.
Before the ship, the monstrous tornado was cleaved in two, its fury extinguished. Thunderbolts struck the vessel's outer barrier, eliciting no reaction – they were harmless sparks against an impenetrable shield.
Relief and a surge of exhilaration washed over the group. Witnessing their secure passage through the tempestuous barrier bolstered their spirits.
"Incredible!" someone exclaimed. "It truly blocked everything!"
The ease with which they traversed the perilous zone sparked a new line of thought. "It's hard to fathom how Roger and his crew navigated this place," another mused. After all, the Pirate King himself had demonstrably passed through this very maelstrom.
"The routes and coordinates – those are the keys!
"They're what allow safe entry to the ruins of the Great Kingdom. Otherwise, wouldn't the final land have been discovered long ago? How can it be that so few have reached it in all these years?"
Luo Ning nodded in agreement. Precisely. The coordinates and waterways fulfill a crucial role. This terrifying expanse effectively conceals the ruins. Without them, even a sizable force wouldn't stand a chance. After all, the world isn't lacking in capable individuals.
The vastness of the sea shouldn't deceive you. Remember, this world teems with powerful figures. Why, then, has the final land remained elusive for so long? The answer lies in the treacherous nature of this sea zone. Without the coordinates and the safe passage they provide, the ruins would have been unearthed long ago.
Their discussion subsided, and the ship continued its swift passage, guided by the unwavering pointer. With Luo Ning at the helm, no obstacle in this world could impede their progress.
The vast expanse of the treacherous sea stretched before them for a good ten minutes before Luo Ning finally declared their arrival. Considering the flight time, the sheer scale of this disaster zone was truly astonishing. Whether a natural phenomenon or a deliberate creation of the Great Kingdom, Luo Ning found it difficult to believe the former.
"What's happening? The weather changed the moment we entered here!"
Upon crossing the threshold, a dramatic shift in the environment startled everyone. Adjacent to their current location lay the menacing expanse of dark clouds and churning storm, a stark contrast to the clear skies and serene atmosphere that now enveloped them. It was as if they had entered a haven.
"It seems the Great Kingdom possessed a remarkable level of technological advancement," Luo Ning mused, surveying the change. This could be the handiwork of a powerful individual or a testament to their exceptional technology. After all, the One Piece world harbored a diverse range of ingenious and unconventional creations – anything was possible.
"The massive city wall ahead must mark the location of the Great Kingdom," he declared, pointing towards a colossal metropolis that sprawled across a landmass resembling an island. Though weathered and timeworn, with sections of the colossal walls crumbling, it stood as a testament to the bygone era, a silent guardian of the Great Kingdom's legacy.
"Let's go and have a look!"
Wasting no time, Luo Ning steered the ship directly towards the towering wall. As they drew closer, a grim discovery awaited them.
"These bones are colossal!" someone exclaimed. "Even larger than the giants!"
Indeed, the skeletons scattered around were far bigger than any giant they had encountered. giants typically reached heights of ten to twenty meters, but these skeletal remains dwarfed them, easily tripling the size of an average giant.
"They resemble demons," Luo Ning observed. "Like Oz from the Whitebeard Pirates. His immense stature was quite remarkable, even amongst giants."
The comparison to Oz resonated with the others. They all recalled the monstrous pirate and his exceptional size.
"Not just humanoids," another pointed out. "There are other skeletons too, even those of regular human size. So many... what transpired here?"
The sheer number of bones intensified as they ventured deeper, each one a silent testament to a life lost.
"These belong to our Mink Tribe!" Carrot and the other Minks recognized the distinct skeletal structure of their ancestors among the scattered remains. The Mink Tribe possessed subtle physical differences that set them apart from humans, and these skeletal remnants bore those unmistakable characteristics.
A grim reminder of their lineage.
"Let's move on," Luo Ning said, his voice resolute. "The answers to what happened here lie deeper within these ruins. Follow me."
With that, he led the group forward, venturing deeper into the heart of the fallen kingdom.