Z watched as Armament Haki once again coated his arm.
Like a beast awakened from slumber, he radiated an overwhelming, terrifying presence.
"No need to be so tense," Yuuki said calmly.
"Relax. I won't harm her."
"Let's just consider her… a bridge for communication between us."
"I'm looking forward to the Neo Navy making its entrance onto the stage—rather than quietly sinking into obscurity."
Holding Ain in one hand, Yuuki spoke with a gentle smile.
BOOM!
The instant his words fell—
Z vanished.
His figure appeared before Yuuki in a flash.
His right fist, wrapped in Armament Haki, drove straight toward Yuuki's chest—
while his other hand reached for Ain.
But—
Yuuki was faster.
The moment Z appeared—
silver spatial magic enveloped both him and Ain.
They vanished from the deck.
BANG!
Z's punch struck empty air, releasing a thunderous shockwave that blasted across the deck, sending nearby soldiers flying.
Bodies crashed down one after another.
"YUUKI!!!"
Z roared, fury and shock surging through him.
Then—
he suddenly realized something.
He turned sharply to look around.
The light swords that had been hovering over the soldiers' hearts—
had disappeared along with Yuuki.
Z exhaled slightly.
At least…
his people were safe.
"Commander!"
"Commander!!"
"Vice Admiral Ain has been taken! What do we do?!"
"The Magic Eye Pirates are in the New World!"
"Let's go to the New World and rescue her!"
Anger erupted across the deck.
The soldiers scrambled to their feet, shouting furiously.
Z's expression darkened—but he remained composed.
"All units—continue on the original course."
His voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
Silence fell instantly.
"And take Binz and Shuzo to the infirmary."
"Yes, sir!"
Despite their rage—
discipline prevailed.
Within moments—
order was restored.
Z walked slowly to the bow.
His gaze stretched across the endless sea.
His eyes flickered faintly.
The New World…
New World — Totto Land
Whole Cake Island
An island shaped like a towering layered cake—
a land straight out of a fairy tale.
Yet now—
an eerie silence blanketed it.
The once-clear sky darkened rapidly.
Homies across the island fell silent.
Some even trembled—
hiding themselves away.
At the heart of the island—
inside the grand Cake Chateau—
every member of the Big Mom Pirates had gathered.
Their faces were pale.
Fearful.
The pressure in the hall was suffocating.
Those with weaker wills trembled uncontrollably.
Sweat poured down their faces.
The news had arrived—
Cracker and Snack had been defeated.
Captured.
By the Magic Eye Pirates.
An unthinkable outcome.
But even more terrifying—
was Big Mom's fury.
BOOM!!
A surge of Conqueror's Haki exploded outward—
like a storm tearing through the heavens.
Lightning split the sky.
Thunder roared.
"USELESS!!"
"USELESS!!!"
Big Mom's enraged screams echoed through the hall.
Crash—!
Members of the Charlotte Family dropped to their knees in terror.
Only a few figures remained standing at the front.
"Mother."
"I'll bring them back."
A tall man with short crimson hair—
a white scarf wrapped around his neck—
stepped forward.
Charlotte Katakuri.
His voice was calm.
Firm.
Big Mom's rage gradually stabilized—
though her eyes still burned red.
"Kill them."
"Leave no one alive."
Her voice was low—
but filled with naked killing intent.
Katakuri nodded.
He turned—
and strode out of the hall.
Gran Tesoro
After returning from Z's warship—
Yuuki immediately extracted a large sample of blood from the unconscious Ain.
Only then did he have her taken away to rest.
Her Devil Fruit ability—
was his true objective.
Top Floor — Golden Hotel
Click.
The laboratory doors opened.
Yuuki stepped out.
In the grand hall—
Conrad, Marianne, and the others were already waiting.
"Thanks for holding things down while I was away," Yuuki said warmly.
His gaze shifted to Uta, who was smiling at him.
"Especially you, Uta. Next time, leave dangerous matters like this to them."
Uta puffed her cheeks, glaring at him.
"I'm not some helpless girl who can't do anything."
"And besides—"
"As a singer, protecting my fans is only natural!"
Yuuki gave a helpless shrug.
"Alright. My mistake."
"Captain," Marianne stepped forward,
"We've confirmed the number of attackers."
"Everyone except the targets the vice-captain mentioned has been dealt with."
"Repairs on the damaged areas have already begun. Operations won't be affected."
Though Yuuki already knew everything via Conrad—
the formal report still mattered.
He nodded.
"I understand."
Marianne hesitated.
"The prisoners… what should we do?"
Her voice carried clear concern.
This was no small matter.
Revolutionaries.
CP0.
And even Big Mom's Sweet Commanders.
Any one of them—
could shake the New World.
Handle it poorly—
and the consequences would be severe.
"And… what did Whitebeard want with you?" she added.
Everyone leaned in slightly.
Yuuki waved his hand casually.
"Nothing important."
No one believed that.
But they didn't press further.
"So… the prisoners?" Marianne asked again.
Yuuki chuckled.
"You all seem worried."
He stretched lazily.
"You're underestimating me as your captain."
"And overestimating those so-called Emperors."
His eyes flickered cold.
"They've provoked us again and again."
"I simply didn't have the time before."
"But now…"
"The World Government."
"The Revolutionary Army."
"The Big Mom Pirates."
"It's time we respond."
He smiled.
"Let's treat them as…"
sacrifices for the dawn of a new era.
Silence fell.
No one fully understood.
Yuuki didn't explain.
Instead, he asked:
"How's the Ten Pillars selection going?"
Mochi stepped forward eagerly.
"It's going very well!"
"The tournament has caused a huge sensation in Sabaody."
"The World Economy News is covering it extensively."
"It should be reaching the finals soon."
Recently—
the most talked-about event in the entire world—
was the Ten Pillars Selection Tournament.
A public, entertainment-driven recruitment system—
something only Gran Tesoro's immense wealth could sustain.
And thanks to it—
the attack on Gran Tesoro…
and even Big Mom's losses—
had not spread.
Meanwhile—
the Marines were secretly mobilizing.
The Seven Warlords were being summoned.
And—
Portgas D. Ace had been captured.
All of it—
unfolding quietly beneath the surface.
To Yuuki—
it was obvious.
Sengoku, the "Strategist," was moving.
Balancing the Four Emperors.
Creating conflict.
Buying time.
"The finals, huh…"
Yuuki smiled.
"Then we shouldn't miss it."
"Let's go take a look."
"Who knows? Our new comrades might be there."
Uta's eyes lit up.
"Sabaody?!"
"I've always wanted to go!"
"But…" Marianne interrupted,
"What about Gran Tesoro? We were just attacked."
Uta hesitated.
Yuuki waved it off.
"Dorry and Brogy will remain here."
"And with spatial magic—"
"We can return instantly if needed."
That settled it.
"Of course! That's our captain!" Buggy laughed loudly.
Yuuki glanced at him.
"You performed the worst."
"Next time you get captured—"
"I'll scatter your body parts across the Four Seas."
Buggy froze.
A massive silver portal opened.
Yuuki stepped through.
"WAIT, CAPTAIN—!"
Buggy dashed after him in panic.
"Give me magic too!!"
One by one—
they all followed.
Vanishing into the portal.
(End of Chapter)
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