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At the Same Time, in Water 7
Nestled on the Grand Line and separated from Sabaody by the Florian Triangle, Water 7 was the closest island, a bustling hub for pirates.
The Galley-La Company, once led by Iceberg, had fragmented after a past upheaval. Now, several shipyards competed fiercely, their rivalry pushing shipbuilding technology to new heights. It proved the saying true: no one is indispensable.
Life moved on. Water 7 had transformed, teeming with pirates.
"Huh? Haven't we been here before, Robin Chan?"
Sanji, laden with ingredients, halted at a crossroads, a look of horror on his face.
"Could being directionally challenged be contagious?!"
"No, we descended from the third level. This is the second," Robin chuckled, shaking her head. "The buildings may resemble each other, but the shops are different."
"I see! I knew it!"
Sanji sighed in relief. "So, we keep heading down? We need to hurry back – who knows where that idiot might have wandered off to this time!"
Robin accompanied him primarily for archaeological research based on information from the Revolutionary Army, but their main goal was to find the missing Zoro.
Information on the Grand Line traveled slowly. They'd crossed from the First Half to the Second, reaching Water 7, yet still hadn't located him.
Every lead was either false or outdated.
This time, they finally had solid intel. Sanji just wanted to find Zoro, give him a good beating, and then go home for a well-deserved sleep.
With Zoro's track record, the Straw Hats had exchanged Vivre Cards before parting ways – now, only Zoro's was missing.
As they walked, a group of pirates rushed around a corner.
"Hurry! The boss ordered immediate departure!"
"Huff… huff… What's going on, Captain? Why the rush? We haven't fully loaded supplies yet!"
"Starving won't kill you! The Marines withdrew their defenses today – do you know what that means?!"
"What does it mean?!"
The group moved away, and Sanji, hidden behind a wall, couldn't hear the rest.
Robin, however, her childhood steeped in such realities, wore a grim expression. "It means a vast expanse of undefended seas, teeming with innocent civilians, will be ripe for plundering."
"Those Marines – they don't value human lives at all, do they?!"
Sanji gritted his teeth and kicked the wall.
"It's unavoidable, I suppose. Word is that 'that monster' was defeated by Shanks, who took the Pure Gold… To ensure the safety of the Holy Land, withdrawing their lines was their only choice with weakened forces," Robin said calmly, analyzing the situation.
Then, she curled her lips into a faint smile.
"But…"
"Is the world waiting for them really one of feasting and joy?"
"Huh? Do you mean—?!"
Sanji froze, his cigarette dropping.
"Yes, that's exactly what I mean," Robin replied, putting on her sunglasses. "As long as people have desires, they can be controlled. That monster, whom pirates call 'Thunder God,' knows this better than anyone else."
"So…"
"Let's keep going, Sanji-kun."
"Yeah, I know," Sanji nodded solemnly and lit a new cigarette. "I won't let something like that happen again!"
Thump!
Something grabbed his ankle.
Looking down the alley, he saw a cloaked giant, weak and gasping. His face was wrinkled and pitch black, his lips dry, his eyes swollen, like a castaway barely surviving a shipwreck.
"Pl-please… I haven't eaten in ten days," the man gasped. "Give… me… something…"
"…Cola!"
Sanji, holding out a piece of bread, thought, "…Why cola, you idiot?!"
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Meanwhile, at the Marine Command Center in the Sabaody Archipelago…
"Report: Spencer Island has been attacked by pirates!"
"Report: Denba Townling has been attacked by pirates!"
"Report: Maurice Mori Island has been attacked by pirates!"
"Report…"
Reports flooded the Command Center. Each new alert prompted someone to mark the location on a massive map.
Soon, the seemingly unrelated locations formed a chaotic pattern. Rowen connected the dots and declared:
"Not enough!"
"They're testing us – testing whether we've truly abandoned this area! Keep communications open. I need to know how many pirates have entered the trap!"
"Understood!"
The messenger felt a tightening in his chest. With Rowen's word, tens of thousands of lives could fall.
But for the sake of a greater goal, for lasting peace, such sacrifices were deemed necessary.
At that moment, Akainu entered the Command Center.
"What's the situation, Rowen?"
"Progress is steady but requires time."
Rowen, acting as Chief Commander, reported: "More than three-tenths of the pirates have dispersed into the abandoned areas, and two-tenths are surrounded by our forces. If the remaining five-tenths follow this pattern, we'll need at least three more days."
"Then three days it is!"
Akainu made the decision: "Launch a full assault in three days. Any objections?"
"None!"
"Good… Now, come with me. Tsuru, the strategy is yours to command in the meantime. Understood?"
"Understood!"
As Akainu and Rowen exchanged glances and left, a glimmer of sharpness flashed in Tsuru's eyes.
"Those two – what are they hiding from me?"
…
After leaving the base, the two moved swiftly to Area 13 of Sabaody Archipelago, a recently cleared sector.
Upon landing, Akainu crossed his arms.
"Something feels off, Rowen. Have you uncovered anything?"
"Even with Sabaody surrounded by pirates, there's no sign of the Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land. Where have they gone?"
In response, Rowen calmly lit a cigar.
"Fleet Admiral, you already have the answer, don't you?"
Seeing Akainu's darkening expression, Rowen continued flatly: "The position of Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) has always been exclusive to the Celestial Dragons. Only they are eligible – no matter how capable others might be."
"Now that that certain individual has allowed me to share this information, it's likely a precautionary measure…"
Sssss…!!
Akainu took a sharp breath, his expression heavy.
"How much do you know?!"
"I know everything, and I learned it only recently. But I can't disclose it."
Rowen shook his head.
"The only thing I can tell you, Fleet Admiral… is that the situation is extremely dire. If you have any contingency plans, it's time to put them into motion."
Kacha!
The ground cracked beneath Akainu's weight, forming a web-like pit.
"I understand."
"Don't let anyone else know about this. Understood?"
"Understood!"
Rowen nodded solemnly, then suddenly turned and asked casually:
"If… and I emphasize if…"
"When the constraints over us are gone, will you still hold onto your current concept of Justice, Fleet Admiral?"
Hearing this, Akainu's pupils contracted, and a wave of menacing pressure emanated from him.
However, to Rowen's surprise, Akainu didn't lash out. Instead, he fell silent, pulling his cap lower.
"I will!"
"Because in any era, there must be someone willing to stand up for Justice!"
"I see…"
Rowen chuckled faintly, nodded slightly, and vanished from the spot.
Akainu remained standing amidst the echoing sounds of destruction, as the magma consumed the entirety of Area 13.
(End of Chapter)