---

Abona's face twisted in anger, veins bulging as he clenched his jaw. Though weakened now, his imposing aura would have been unimaginable to the two of them under normal circumstances.

Seastone handcuffs not only suppress Devil Fruit's powers but are also harder than any material.

"You don't need to call me 'master' anymore. I'm not interested in such titles, nor am I one of those despicable Celestial Dragons. I am the king of the Tru Kingdom in the South Blue. From now on, address me as they do."

Anos said calmly.

"As you command, Your Majesty," Abona replied, bowing respectfully.

"Now, let's discuss your abilities. You managed to monitor us from outside Mariejois and can communicate through directional sound. How is that possible?"

Anos asked, intrigued. He sensed that Abona was not a Devil Fruit user yet displayed powers that mimicked them.

"Your Majesty, my strength is between that of a Vice Admiral and an Admiral. I don't possess a Devil Fruit, but with Haki cultivation at a certain level, such abilities are achievable," Abona replied.

His strength could rival top officers, but despite this, he had been enslaved by the Celestial Dragons.

However, Anos detected some contradictions in his story and asked directly, "If you have such strength and are not a Devil Fruit user, why did you allow yourself to be captured and kept in Mariejois?"

Abona pointed to the collar around his neck. "This is an explosive collar. Even Haki can't neutralize it. If I cross a certain boundary, it detonates. I resisted at first; my scars prove it. But they threatened the lives of my companions. Eventually, I had no choice but to comply, though one by one, I watched those companions disappear."

"Alright. Let's get rid of the Seastone handcuffs on your hands first. As for the rest, I need to rest today. When I return to the Tru Kingdom, I'll deal with my health and prepare for plans. There will be plenty of time for revenge later." At this point, Anos no longer wanted to discuss anything further.

The demon sword Muramasa appeared instantly in his hand, and with a swift motion, he sliced through the Seastone handcuffs on Abona's wrists, which fell to the ground.

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Even after being freed from the handcuffs, Abona remained as focused as ever. The desire for vengeance had entirely consumed his heart.

"Take him to a room to rest. We'll continue our discussion tomorrow," Anos commanded Daiki.

"Understood, Your Majesty!" Daiki responded promptly. Though he remained cautious of Abona, he wouldn't mistreat anyone Anos trusted.

"Let's go. Rest well tonight, and tomorrow we'll celebrate your newfound freedom!" Daiki said to Abona with a smile.

"Thank you for your efforts," Abona replied.

No one else on the ship noticed anything unusual.

Whether they were asleep or on watch, none of them saw anything strange, not even when the Seastone handcuffs fell from Abona's wrists, attracting a momentary glance from those nearby.

They didn't realize there was an additional person on board.

---

The night passed quietly, and the next morning, the first signs of trouble didn't appear on board but in Mariejois.

Following a scream, it was discovered that a Celestial Dragon had died in their chamber.

To keep it quiet, all of the slaves were sacrificed, effectively suppressing the incident.

Meanwhile, no one was aware that the treasure vault of Carlos, the Celestial Dragon, had been emptied.

By morning, Tru Kingdom's ship had already departed from the area.

Abona slept until noon, enjoying his first peaceful rest in years without any disturbances.

He awoke only when Daiki came to invite him to celebrate his new life.

But when Abona joined the others, everyone was surprised. None of them, not even the guards, realized an extra person had joined the ship.

"Daiki, make sure Abona takes a proper bath and changes into fresh clothes. Why does he still look like he did yesterday?"

Upon seeing Abona's unkempt appearance, Anos frowned.

"Apologies, Your Majesty. I'll take care of it right away," Daiki replied hastily. In the rush last night, he hadn't considered Abona's state.

As Daiki led Abona away, the crew members chatted among themselves, speculating on the new guest's sudden arrival.

Onboard, there were several kitchens, essential to feed such a large group. Anos waited patiently at a dining table laden with food and drink, ready for Abona's return.

"My apologies for getting you reprimanded," Abona said to Daiki, feeling guilty.

"It's alright. His Majesty was correct to point it out," Daiki replied with a shrug. "Next time, though, avoid discussing His Majesty's strength with others."

"Understood," Abona responded calmly.

"There's a shower room up ahead. Since you're not a Devil Fruit user, you could always jump in the sea if you need more space," Daiki joked with a hint of envy. "Being a landlubber has its drawbacks. Sometimes I envy you."

"You're a Devil Fruit user too?" Abona asked, genuinely surprised, having sensed nothing unusual from Daiki during their interaction.

"Best not to worry about it. Go take a shower. I'll leave clothes for you outside the door, and once you're ready, head straight to the dining room."

With that, Daiki set off to gather fresh clothes. High-quality attire was plentiful on the ship, suitable for both men and women.

---

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