"I'm fine… It's just been so long since I've swum in the sea. I kind of missed it—just soaking around for a bit."
As he spoke, Is slowly spread his arms and began swimming in the ocean. The last time he had done this was before he transmigrated.
After arriving in this world, although he hadn't immediately eaten a Devil Fruit, certain circumstances had kept him from ever swimming in the sea.
So saying he missed it… wasn't a lie.
"..."
Everyone stared at Is, who was leisurely swimming, their faces full of speechless disbelief. They had thought he was injured and unable to move while floating in the sea.
That's why they had hurriedly jumped down, ready to haul him back onto the ship.
And yet… this guy was just talking about how he missed swimming.
The next moment, they all climbed back aboard, leaning over the ship's railing with their chins propped up, watching Is swim in the sea.
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, several days had gone by.
During this time, nothing major had happened. The Five Elders hadn't come looking for Is again.
The daily newspapers mostly reported the Marines capturing various pirates. However, despite pirates being mentioned every day, there was no news at all about either the Rocks Pirates or the Roger Pirates.
The sky over Mary Geoise was clear and bright.
But in the New World, on a certain island, dark clouds gathered. Thunder roared, and heavy rain poured down relentlessly.
Along the island's shore, two pirate ships were anchored.
The first was enormous.
The second, in comparison, seemed much smaller—hardly even comparable, more like an accompanying vessel beside the larger one.
One of them belonged to the infamous Rocks Pirates.
The other, though far less notorious than the Rocks Pirates, still carried significant fame—it was the crew destined in the original story to become the Pirate King's crew: the Roger Pirates.
At this moment, neither side had disembarked. The atmosphere was as grim as the storm itself.
"Rocks… I always knew that one day we'd clash with you, but I never imagined it would be here."
The torrential rain soaked Gol D. Roger completely. Raindrops battered his straw hat as flashes of lightning illuminated his resolute expression.
"Roger, I'll give you one last choice—join my Rocks Pirates, or be buried in this sea."
Rocks D. Xebec spoke coldly.
"I've already said it, Rocks. My answer will never change. If being a pirate isn't about freedom, then what's the point of going through all this to become one?"
He paused, his gaze unwavering.
"If I have to choose from the options you gave…"
"Then I choose to die fighting—and be buried in this sea!"
"In that case, Roger… I'll grant your wish!"
Rocks roared, his expression turning savage.
"Shing!"
He drew the long blade at his waist and shouted:
"Men—let's have ourselves a proper battle!!!"
On Roger's side, everyone was already prepared.
"For freedom—we fight!"
"Shing! Shing! Shing!"
Both sides leapt forward simultaneously. Amid the raging storm, a great battle erupted.
None of this was known to the Marines, the World Government, or even Is and his group.
Mary Geoise.
On a wide road, Dolac rode atop a slave, heading toward Is' castle.
"Have you noticed? There seem to be more small animals around lately. I don't remember seeing this many before."
Because the slave was moving slowly, Dolac's attention drifted to butterflies fluttering through the air and small birds nearby.
"Saint Dolac, if they displease you, I can have these lowly creatures dealt with immediately."
"No need. If they belong to Saint Is, disposing of them might cause trouble."
"That is indeed possible. After all, Saint Is doesn't share the same habits as most Celestial Dragons," the man in the black suit said calmly.
Dolac nodded, then stomped hard on the slave's head.
"Move faster! Faster!"
Moments later, Roz·Minian had already been waiting at the entrance. When Dolac arrived, she stepped forward.
"Saint Dolac, my master has instructed me to inform you that he has no time today, so he won't be going."
"Huh???"
Dolac was momentarily stunned. After all, he hadn't even said anything yet, and Is had already anticipated his purpose and sent someone to deliver the message.
"Well then. When I return, if Saint Is needs slaves, he's welcome to pick a few from my place."
As he spoke, he addressed the slave beneath him again.
"Let's go."
Here, Dolac restrained himself considerably. He knew Is' temperament well—there was no point in making things unpleasant, nor in courting death like that Celestial Dragon last time.
Nearly ten hours had passed since the battle between Roger and Rocks began.
During this time, the Fleet Admiral had personally gone to meet the Five Elders alone.
After more than half an hour, he left in a hurry.
As for what had been discussed during that meeting—only they themselves knew.
Is' castle.
Is and his group were enjoying dinner when a butterfly fluttered inside. The maids were about to drive it away.
"Don't touch it—that's my reconnaissance paper butterfly."
As soon as he spoke, the butterfly's colors began to change. From something lifelike, it transformed into a paper butterfly.
It flew into Is' hand.
The next second, Is' expression suddenly changed. His brows furrowed slightly.
"W-What happened?" Retsu Unohana asked with concern.
"Don't tell me… pirates have attacked Mary Geoise again?" Madara Uchiha added.
"Seriously? If that's the case, we're taking them all down this time!" Acnologia said excitedly.
Is stood up.
"No. It's not pirates attacking Mary Geoise… but this—this is far more exciting than that."
"Ah???"
Everyone looked at him in confusion.
"All hands, prepare to move. Five minutes. Assemble at the front gate."
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