At daybreak, on the waters around Baterilla Island.
When the Navy Hero Monkey D. Garp arrived at the shore alone after forcing his way through the Calm Belt by swimming, a sharp, pungent smell hit his nose.
As a battle-hardened veteran, Garp recognized it immediately. It was the smell of burnt human flesh. The blackened lumps scattered along the shore only confirmed his guess.
But he had no time to dwell on that.
When he made his way with practiced familiarity to that house and pushed open the door, it was already empty. There was no one left inside.
Only a note stuck to the wall remained, with four words written on it.
All is well.
Garp frowned, not reassured in the slightest.
So he went to the center of town and revealed his identity.
The title of Navy Hero was not something ordinary Marines could compare to. Even in the South Blue, there was no one who had not heard of him.
Before long, Garp learned from the island's residents everything that had happened the previous night.
Although Garp had long been disgusted by some of the World Government's actions, he was still furious when he heard that they had actually intended to burn so many pregnant women alive.
At that moment, Garp had originally intended to continue pursuing the Sky Pirates.
After all, Rouge had very likely been taken away by them. But when he tried to leave, the people of Baterilla Island desperately begged him to stay.
Perhaps they had been frightened by how Laskey had described Yemu the night before. The people of the entire island were terrified that any connection to Yemu would bring disaster down on their heads. And now that Garp, the Navy Hero, had appeared, there was no way they would let him leave so easily.
Garp had not wanted to stay, but in the end, after the people of Baterilla Island fell to their knees and pleaded with him, he gave up chasing the Sky Pirates.
As for why, perhaps it was because of the four words Rouge had left behind.
All is well.
"I just hope everything really is all right."
Two days later, four warships gradually pulled into shore. Standing on one of the decks was Navy Admiral Sengoku.
...
Just as Sengoku led his fleet to Baterilla Island, near the Calm Belt at the edge of the South Blue and the Grand Line, the two warships being towed by the Twin Goddesses slowly came to a stop there as well.
Although Yemu had already said not to expect too many people to come aboard, when everyone saw that the total number on the two warships, including infants, was still under eight thousand, they could not help but find it hard to understand.
Yemu's explanation was simple.
"We're pirates, so resisting the World Government means nothing to us. But they're just ordinary people. Following us means risking their lives. How could they possibly be willing to come with us, let alone give up everything they have..."
Over those two days, Tadas Fes had perfectly demonstrated his abilities.
Standing on the deck of the Twin Goddesses, Fes held a booklet in his hand and said slowly,
"Yemu-sama, the count is complete. Including Aming and me, there are 7,826 people aboard with us in total. That includes 3,806 adult women, 2,922 adult men, and 1,098 infants. Among the women, there are more than 2,500 pregnant women. They chose to leave with us because they were afraid that after we left, they would continue to be purged by the World Government. I have carefully investigated all of their backgrounds, and I can confirm that they are all native residents of Baterilla Island who grew up there from childhood. None of them are spies."
Everyone looked at this new companion in surprise. No one had expected that in just two days, he would not only have counted everyone, but also investigated all of their backgrounds.
"That's impressive."
Yemu praised him openly.
"You've worked hard. Joining our Sky Pirates has been a huge help."
"You flatter me, Captain Yemu. It is our good fortune that you and everyone else were willing to accept Aming and me as companions."
"All right, enough of the pleasantries for now. Let me explain my arrangements. The place I mentioned is in the New World, so crossing the Red Line is something we have to do. But right now, even though both Lillilu and I can make objects fly, lifting two warships like these is still beyond us. So after I get all of you settled here, I'll be leaving for a while to go somewhere else. Don't worry. I'll leave Erik behind to look after you, and I'll also ask someone very powerful to protect you. Flare and Ayala will stay too and help take care of the pregnant women. As for calming everyone on board, I'll leave that to you. There's no need to worry. If all goes well, we should be back in about half a month."
"Understood. No problem. Leave it to me."
"Good."
At that moment, under everyone's gaze, a pirate ship with the words "Kuja" carved on it slowly emerged from the Calm Belt.
...
Out at sea, borne along by two ferocious venomous serpents, was a pirate ship full of Eastern style, with carved rails and ornate decorations.
On the second level of the pavilion on the deck, the long-unseen Galahad Anne still looked as lazy and alluring as ever. Sitting atop a black panther, she swung her long, slender legs lightly, while eleven warriors and Elder Nyon stood behind her.
The warriors of Kuja were no strangers to these waters.
After all, in a sense, the warriors of Kuja were pirates too. Compared to the Grand Line, where powerful figures were everywhere, raiding the South Blue was obviously much easier, so they often came here to wander around.
Because of that, many legends about Amazon Lily had spread throughout the South Blue.
But this voyage was different.
As the staff adviser, Elder Nyon knew the true purpose of this trip.
Deep down, she did not approve of Kuja becoming entangled in the conflict between that man from the Sky Pirates and the World Government. But she also knew there was no way she could stop it.
She turned her head and looked over.
Although Anne, as the Empress, hid it well and still wore that same cold, lofty expression, the joy at the corners of her brows and the impatience she had shown upon hearing the news had already made one thing clear.
The ruler of Kuja had completely fallen for a man.
Just then, a huge figure approached, but none of them reacted with much alarm, because over the past few months, they had all grown used to her presence.
It was a female giant over ten meters tall, with healthy wheat-colored skin, a pretty face, and a cheerful voice.
"Anne-sama, I see it. Captain Yemu's ship..."
Seeing the girl beside her acting with so little decorum, Elder Nyon immediately shouted,
"Lina, don't be so rude in front of Anne-sama!"
At that moment, the burly giantess showed a shyness that completely did not match her enormous frame, and said nervously and apologetically,
"I'm sorry, Elder Nyon!"
Seeing that, Elder Nyon could only sigh and say no more.
Kuja was a nation that worshipped strength.
This female giant named Rebellio Lina had, ever since arriving in Amazon Lily, defeated many powerful warriors with her naturally overwhelming physique. She had become a famous warrior in her own right, and even Anne's personal bodyguard.
And on top of that, she was so polite.
Just then, a figure became visible in the distance, flying toward them...
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