"Sengoku, head to the North Blue."
"I'm worried Garp alone won't be enough to catch Byrnndi World."
Kong ordered.
It wasn't that he underestimated Garp's strength—
Byrnndi World's abilities were simply too troublesome.
Capturing him wouldn't be easy.
"I understand."
Sengoku nodded in agreement.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A sudden series of knocks sounded from outside the office.
"Come in."
Creak—
The door opened.
A tall, powerfully built man in Marine uniform entered.
He wore sunglasses, his expression somewhat serious.
"Zephyr?"
"When did you return?"
Kong looked surprised.
Like Sengoku,
Zephyr had also been promoted to Admiral.
But shouldn't Zephyr currently be in the New World, pursuing the remnants of the Rocks Pirates?
When had he returned to Marine Headquarters?
And without reporting?
"Kong."
"The great pirates of the New World have all flooded into the first half of the Grand Line."
"It seems they've all figured something out."
Zephyr spoke gravely.
His mission wasn't to pursue Byrnndi World.
Instead,
He had been tracking major pirates in the New World.
His first target had been Charlotte Linlin.
Yet according to the intelligence he gathered—
Charlotte Linlin had already returned to the first half of the Grand Line.
And beyond that,
Zephyr discovered something alarming.
The New World barely had any major pirates left.
Almost all of them had returned.
"It seems the temptation of Pluton's blueprint is simply too great."
"A few days ago, Edward and Shiki even fought at Sabaody."
"Looking at things now…"
"All the great pirates have likely gathered in the first half of the Grand Line."
Kong analyzed solemnly.
No one in the world could resist the allure of Pluton.
Fortunately—
Garp had already obtained Byrnndi World's location.
"No matter which pirate obtains Pluton's blueprint…"
"It poses a tremendous threat to Marine Headquarters."
Even if it didn't end up in Byrnndi World's hands,
Pluton remained one of the Three Ancient Weapons.
A legendary weapon said to possess world-destroying power.
"Zephyr."
"You and Sengoku will pursue Byrnndi World together."
"No matter what happens…"
"Even if the blueprint must be destroyed…"
"It cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of any pirate."
Kong instructed heavily.
Every Ancient Weapon had the potential to shift the balance of the world.
Their power was simply too overwhelming.
If obtaining it wasn't possible—
Then destroy it.
After all,
The current balance of power already favored the Marines and World Government.
Without Ancient Weapons,
They could continue steadily suppressing and eliminating the great pirates of the New World.
"I understand."
Zephyr nodded.
Thus,
Admiral Zephyr and Admiral Sengoku departed together for the North Blue—
To hunt Byrnndi World.
…
Meanwhile,
At Mary Geoise.
Madara Uchiha was still fighting against a CP0 elite.
But this wasn't an evenly matched battle.
It was a complete massacre.
Madara utterly overwhelmed the CP0 agent.
Whoosh!
Madara leaped high into the air,
Then swung the massive scythe in his hand downward.
Slash!
The blade struck the CP0 member directly.
A long wound split across his abdomen.
Blood erupted everywhere.
Moments later—
The man lost consciousness and collapsed.
"So…"
"That's all?"
Madara sneered with disdain.
Throughout the fight,
He hadn't even bothered using Armament Haki.
He fought casually.
The CP0 agent before him was simply too weak.
Weak enough that he couldn't even provide entertainment.
So Madara ended the battle in a single strike.
"You can't even defeat one of my bodyguards…"
"And you still want to stay close and protect me?"
Is looked toward the CP0 captain with a mocking smile.
The captain remained expressionless.
"Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is."
"The man who fought just now was the weakest member of our organization."
"Though admittedly…"
"Your bodyguard possesses remarkable ability."
"Then would you like to fight him?"
Is asked calmly.
"I only attack enemies who intend to harm Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is."
"I naturally wouldn't attack your bodyguards."
From beginning to end,
The CP0 captain remained composed.
As one of the World Government's elite agents,
He undoubtedly possessed some real strength.
"The ship's ready, right?"
Too lazy to continue talking,
Is changed the topic.
"The ship has long been prepared, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is."
"Then let's go."
Is turned and nodded toward everyone behind him.
…
The group departed Mary Geoise.
Taking the giant elevator downward,
They arrived at Sabaody Archipelago.
Their appearance immediately attracted countless onlookers.
For many residents,
This was their first time seeing all of the powerful figures surrounding Is.
Every individual radiated an aura warning strangers to stay away.
Behind them—
Numerous CP0 elites acted as escorts.
Is calmly walked at the center.
No one dared block their path.
Everyone instinctively moved aside.
Bang!
Suddenly—
A gunshot rang out.
Turning his head,
Is discovered a CP0 agent had fired.
"You people…"
"You saw Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is…"
"And still dared not kneel?"
The CP0 member spoke coldly.
Hearing those words,
Countless pirates and civilians lining the streets turned pale with fear.
They immediately dropped to their knees.
Is paid no attention.
He continued walking toward the coast.
At the shoreline of Sabaody,
A massive Marine battleship waited.
Several men in black also stood nearby.
"Great Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is…"
"We've awaited your arrival for quite some time."
The men bowed deeply.
As Is arrived,
A boarding ladder descended from the warship.
Everyone climbed aboard.
Then—
The Marine battleship set sail toward the North Blue.
Is had already checked the map.
This time,
Their destination was the Kingdom of Gadobriel in the North Blue.
The World Government had already notified the kingdom's ruler,
Ordering preparations for Is's arrival.
Celestial Dragons were world nobles.
And Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is's status exceeded that of ordinary Celestial Dragons.
After all—
He was the man the world had crowned with the title of God.
Within Mary Geoise,
His standing could be said to rank only below the Five Elders—
And Imu.
News of his arrival filled the king of the Gadobriel Kingdom with excitement.
Though they had no idea why Is was coming,
They understood one thing:
Soon,
They would witness one of the most exalted men in the entire world.
Thus,
The entire kingdom of Gadobriel had already begun preparing a grand ceremony to welcome him.
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