Now, aboard the Oro Jackson, only Ritter, Laboon, and Brook remain of Roger's crew.

Ritter turns to Brook and Laboon. "So what will you do now?"

Brook bows deeply to Ritter. "Sir Ritter, may I ask when the companions you mentioned will come to find me?"

Ritter frowns in thought. "Rumored that Luffy only set sail in the sea after 1522 so I think it'll happen soon."

Brook gently nudges Laboon toward Ritter. "Sir, please continue to watch over Laboon. With your strength and character, I know he will grow stronger under your care."

Ritter is surprised he had expected Brook to bring Laboon back to the Triangle. Instead…

"I plan to sail the seas and hone my abilities. You spoke so fondly of companions, and I want to become someone who can protect them. But I can't guarantee Laboon's safety with my limited talent. He deserves a broader stage."

Laboon glances between them, confusion in his small whale eyes.

So, Ritter sends Brook back to the Devil's Triangle Brook says it's better to grow from the beginning. Laboon, teary-eyed, hugs Ritter and waves goodbye to Brook.

Laboon cherishes Ritter as much as the rest of Roger's crew do. If anyone picks favorites, Ritter knows he holds a place.

Ritter, Laboon, and a ragtag crew of deckhands drift toward the Devil's Triangle.

In the night fog, the giant pirate ship Thriller Bark emerges slowly, its deck wrapped in eerie green ghost fire.

Ritter stands at the prow of the Oro Jackson, calm and unflinching. On the bow statue of Thriller Bark, Moria looms, his bat-wing collar fluttering. He grins cruelly.

"Creee... 'Scarlet Mist' Roger's blade even you come to my territory alone?"

Ritter doesn't reply. His crimson eyes glint coldly in the moonlight, and his great sword Black Tide rests on his shoulder.

"Since when did this place become yours?"

Moria's grin fades. "Looks like you came for a fight."

Ritter's voice is low and raspy. "No words. Let's fight."

At this point, Moria is still a young, muscular man not yet his rotund version. He raises a hand his shadow splits, becoming dozens of black bats that screech and attack.

"Shadow Horn Gun!"

Ritter's eyes snap sharply. With a wave of his left hand, blood-mist solidifies into a barrier; the bats dissolve instantly.

"Maha ha! Intriguing!" Moria laughs, vanishing, only for his shadow to reemerge behind Ritter as a massive scissor-armed hand.

"Shadow Warrior Decapitation!"

Ritter merely shifts sideways. His right-hand blade flashes out.

"Mist God Technique: Instant Flash!"

With a single slash, the shadow hand is cut in half but more shadows surge to engulf Ritter.

"Shadow Box!" Moria forms a shadowy cage around Ritter.

"Creee… This is the end!" Moria gloats.

But Ritter's voice suddenly echoes

"Mist God Technique: Death Silence!"

A crimson fog explodes within the box. Ritter surges out like a specter, blade aimed directly at Moria's throat.

Moria's eyes widen he tries to retreat, but Ritter's too fast.

"Mist God Technique: Instant Slash!"

Three streaks of blood-red light flash. Moria's cloak shreds, and three deep cuts appear on his chest.

"Damn… you're scary strong!" Moria roars, slamming the deck.

"Shadow Caster!" His shadow bloats into a massive black giant which punches at Ritter.

But Ritter advances into the blow, blood-mist entwines him. Like a red beam

"Mist God Technique: Silent Obliteration!"

Boom! Fog clashes with shadow. The Thriller Bark trembles violently. Waves surge dozens of meters high.

When the dust settles, Ritter stands, eyes cold on Moria who kneels, chest heaving, his summoned shadow gone.

"Creee… you really are monsters," he gasps with excitement.

Ritter sheathes his blade and approaches the rail. "You lost."

Moria pauses, then laughs. "Yes… I lost. But that battle was exhilarating!"

Ritter turns away. "I won't promise we'll meet again."

Moria smirks, "Care to visit my ship?"

Ritter decides, "Why not?" Laboon jumps aboard beside him.

To Ritter's surprise, Moria's vessel isn't dark and eerie. The deck is stacked with barrels leftover rum from a feast. As their small boat docks, they're greeted by zombie squirrels cheerfully unloading baskets of fresh oranges.

Seems Moria never tires of creating zombies. After losing to Kaido, making undead companions became his main gig where once it was a side hobby.

From the gloom steps Moria: colossal, yet bearing an unexpected calm expression.

"Creee… Ritter of Roger's crew? I heard you disbanded?"

Ritter rolls his eyes. "Don't ask what you shouldn't."

Moria waves dismissively. A zombie butler brings steaming tea.

"Made by Perona… with ghostflower pollen to dampen the mood."

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