Four days later...
Thriller Bark stood, towering, at the heart of the Florian Triangle. This floating island, the largest ship in the world, drifted in the eternal mists of the first half of the Grand Line. Its gothic spires pierced the overcast sky, while its walls of dark stone seemed to absorb the faint surrounding light.
In the throne room of the main castle, Gecko Moria sat enthroned, his towering figure casting a monstrous shadow on the walls. His characteristic laughter echoed against the cold stones.
"Kishishishi... The new animal zombies exceed all my expectations!" he exclaimed, gazing at the creatures moving in the shadows.
Absalom, his scarred face betraying his unease, stepped forward. "These beasts belonged to Gojo's crew. Stealing from an Emperor is never without consequence."
"Oh, stop your whining!" Perona intervened. The young woman with pink hair floated in the air, her eyes shining with annoyance. "Moria-sama wanted these specimens, so we took them!"
"Come now, Absalom," Moria intervened, his sharp teeth gleaming in the darkness. "It was just a ship among many. Isn't that right, Hogback?"
The doctor adjusted his glasses, his twisted smile widening. "Phosphosphos... And these medicinal plants are an invaluable bonus. Dear Shoko will be green with envy!"
A fierce rivalry had always opposed these two summits of medicine. But Hogback, with his macabre creations, now considered himself the undisputed master of their art.
"You don't realize," insisted Absalom, his fists clenched. "Gojo's crew is full of monsters. This man earned his Emperor title by standing up to Kaido himself!"
Perona's complexion paled slightly, but Moria cut short the discussion with an imperious gesture.
"Enough!" His shrill voice cracked like a whip. "The Emperors are formidable, yes, but no Shaman was present on that ship. The matter is closed!"
The ten Shamans, pillars of Gojo's empire, wielded power second only to the Curses and the Emperor himself. Each ruled over their own island, managing their territory with great autonomy. The empire had countless ships and trading networks, but only the Shamans and Curses intervened in crucial matters. Their loyalty to Gojo was absolute - at his call, they rushed without delay.
"Phosphosphos... Moria-sama is right!" chimed in Hogback, his insane laughter resonating in the room. "These new recruits were necessary to strengthen our army!"
Moria's fist slammed down on the armrest of his throne. "Kishishishi... Our power grows every day! With 1500 zombies under my command, my dream draws closer!"
"Do you really think you'll become the Pirate King?" Absalom's voice betrayed his skepticism.
"Of course!" Perona exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration. "Moria-sama will be the greatest Pirate King this world has ever known!"
"By the way," continued Absalom, "haven't you already faced Kaido in the past?"
Moria's face hardened, reopening a wound that had never healed. "That brute... He slaughtered my entire crew in Wano. Even back then, before reaching his current power, he was already a monster."
"The Gecko Pirates meant a lot to you, didn't they?" Perona murmured with compassion.
"Yes..." Moria's voice was laden with bitterness. "That's why zombies are ideal soldiers. Their loss is never... final."
This defeat had changed everything for Gecko Moria. Even by appropriating the legendary corpse of Ryuma, the samurai of Wano, he couldn't compete. While Kaido rose to the rank of Emperor, he sank into complacency. The imposing man had become lazy, completely dependent on his subordinates and his shadow power. Faced with today's Kaido, he wouldn't last a second. Among the seven Warlords, Moria had undoubtedly become the weakest, preferring to let his creations fight in his place.
Suddenly, the massive doors burst open with a crash. A zombie collapsed on the marble floor, its emaciated body trembling despite its undead nature. Terror distorted its features.
"M-Moria-sama!" it stammered in a broken voice.
"How dare you burst in like this?!" Perona exclaimed, her ghosts swirling around her with agitation.
"Calm down," Absalom said, inwardly praying that this interruption had nothing to do with his voyeuristic escapade from the night before.
"Speak!" commanded Moria, his impatience vibrating in the air.
"We... we're under attack!" the zombie released in a desperate breath.
"Phosphosphosphos... What fool would dare defy Moria-sama?" Hogback chuckled.
"Kishishishi... It doesn't matter! Their shadows will join my collection!" Moria rejoiced.
"Exactly, Moria-sama..." The zombie swallowed hard. "It's... it's a single person."
"Impossible!" Perona exploded. "No one can reach this place without being overwhelmed by our forces! Who is it?!"
The zombie, prostrate, gathered his courage. "It's not just anyone..."
"Speak, or I'll rip your shadow off on the spot!" Moria roared, his patience wearing thin.
In a barely audible whisper, the zombie uttered a name. The blood of the four Mysteries instantly ran cold. Even Moria's imposing silhouette seemed to shrink on his throne, as his characteristic laughter died in his throat.