Chapter 27 - 28
The repaired warship finally sailed out of the Calm Belt.
A gentle breeze swept across the deck, lifting everyone's spirits. The marines, engaged in training, were more enthusiastic than ever.
On this particular day…
"Ooh! Ooh!"
A different kind of seagull soared toward the ship. It wore a white cap and carried a small red pouch around its neck.
News Coo birds never appeared within the Calm Belt. For nearly half a month, they had been cut off from the outside world.
Sakazuki raised a hand, and the bird landed gracefully. Carlo pulled out 100 Berry and handed it over. The bird swiftly accepted the payment, dropped off a newspaper, and took off again.
Sakazuki unfolded the paper and scanned through it. The chaos in the New World raged on. Eighty percent of the headlines were about pirates.
《The Golden Lion Pirates Recruit Three More Officers!》
《Whitebeard Claims the Krini Island!》
《Marine Hero Garp Battles Roger Pirates for Three Days Straight!》
《BIG MOM's 21st Son Born—The Charlotte Family Grows Again!》
《Beasts Pirates Make a Stunning Debut…》
《Blizzard Pirates…》
《Steam Pirates…》
Each headline was followed by brief descriptions of the events. In short, the chaos in the New World was intensifying.
Rustling through the pages, Sakazuki's gaze settled on a massive bounty poster taking up an entire section. A bold red headline caught his eye.
《World Destroyer—Byrnndi World! Bounty: 200,000,000 Berry! Dead or Alive!》
Sakazuki thought for a moment before recalling who this was.
Byrnndi World, a user of the More-More Fruit. He could amplify the speed, strength, size, and weight of anything he touched—up to a hundredfold.
Always carrying a flintlock, he was infamous for enlarging a single bullet to the size of a cannonball, capable of obliterating a warship in one shot.
His immense power had inflated his ego like a rabid beast. Pirates, marines, civilians—it didn't matter. He destroyed them all.
That was how he earned the title "World Destroyer." Later, CP agents embedded within his crew took him down. He was frozen in Impel Down's lowest level for thirty years.
During Blackbeard's infamous prison break, he escaped. His former crew spent those thirty years building a massive ship, one as large as an island. It was armed with colossal cannons. The first time World tested them, he wiped out an entire island.
Sakazuki stared at the bounty poster, deep in thought.
'The World Government… frozen…'
"..."
He handed the newspaper to Carlo. There was nothing useful left to read.
Ahead, the faint outline of an island came into view. More dark specks dotted the sea, all moving toward the landmass.
Carlo carefully folded the newspaper and asked, "Vice Admiral, we're approaching the island. Should we restock supplies?"
Sakazuki gave a slight nod. His voice was cold. "Increase speed."
As the warship accelerated, the island's features became clearer. The surrounding waters grew crowded with ships.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Boom! Boom!
"Hm?"
The distant sound of explosions caught Sakazuki's attention.
He turned toward the source. Two small black dots were approaching rapidly, splashes of water erupting around them.
Extending a hand, Carlo immediately passed him a telescope. Through the lens, he saw a pirate ship and a marine vessel, both charging at each other while exchanging cannon fire.
Lowering the telescope, Sakazuki issued a command. "Turn around. Move in."
Carlo acknowledged and relayed the order. The warship veered sharply, surging toward the battle.
……
In the distance.
As the two ships sped toward one another—
Boom!
They collided head-on. A violent tremor rocked both vessels, but the marine warship, built sturdier, had the advantage. Its reinforced bow smashed through the pirate ship's hull, piercing into its deck.
Gunfire and the clash of blades filled the air.
"Kill them!"
"Charge!"
"Slaughter these marine scum!"
"Wipe them out!"
"For justice!"
"Attack!"
Marines poured onto the pirate ship, battle cries echoing as both sides clashed in a brutal melee.
Leading the charge was a marine officer, his eyes locked onto his target—the pirate captain, "Steel Scythe" Dobin, a man with a bounty of 94 million.
Whoosh!
The officer's figure blurred. In an instant, he appeared behind Dobin, his fingers curled into a claw-like shape, coated in Armament Haki. A pitch-black dragon claw shot toward the pirate's throat.
Dobin spun around, his arms morphing into steel scythes, crossing in front of him to block the attack. A vicious grin spread across his face.
The small mantis-like creature perched on his hat vanished, then reappeared above the officer, its scythe-like forelimbs slashing downward, aiming straight for his skull.
Clang!
The officer's Armament Haki-covered head deflected the attack. Unfazed, he retaliated with a powerful kick, sending Dobin crashing backward.
His figure flickered. The mantis, losing its foothold, was about to plummet when the officer reappeared, his blackened dragon claw reaching to crush the creature.
Buzz!
The mantis's six wings vibrated violently.
Whoosh!
It disappeared in midair. The next instant, it reappeared above Dobin.
Clang!
Haki-coated limbs and scythe-like blades clashed, sparks flying. Fighters on both sides instinctively backed away, unwilling to get caught in the fierce duel.
Dobin's legs morphed into long, curved scythes. With a sweeping motion, he unleashed a crescent-shaped slash.
The officer was about to dodge when his brows furrowed. Both hands, still wrapped in Armament Haki, reached out and caught the slash. The force sent him skidding backward.
Boom!
With a sharp crack, he crushed the attack in his grip.
His expression hardened. This had to end quickly. If he had dodged, that attack would have cut straight through the marine soldiers behind him. And not just them—Dobin's own men stood in the path as well.
Cruel. No regard for anyone. If this dragged on, who knew what else he would do?
Clang!
Sparks flew.
Using the momentum of Soru, the officer grabbed Dobin, dragging him toward the edge of the ship, and slammed him into the railing.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The battle was shifting in the marines' favor. Just then, an eerie sound came from Dobin's mouth. The mantis on his head vibrated its wings.
Buzz!
It darted left. Dobin dashed right. Both aimed for the marine soldiers locked in combat. The officer instinctively rushed toward Dobin, then hesitated for just a split second, torn between the two threats.
Suddenly—
Bang!
The mantis exploded midair, bursting into a mist of blood.
"What...!?"
Dobin's pupils shrank. A massive shadow loomed over him. A blackened hand, large and imposing, reached for his head.
"Urgh!!!"
The pirate captain attempted to dodge, but the massive hand caught him before he could escape.
Crunch. Crack.
Bones snapped, but he couldn't even scream.
Crack!!!
With a final squeeze, his body went limp. The figure casually tossed him aside, then turned toward the officer.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
The officer let out a breath, relieved to see the enemy eliminated. He stepped forward and saluted.
"Mm." Sakazuki gave a curt nod.
He stared at the officer, finding him oddly familiar.
"What's your name?"
Snap!
The officer straightened, raising his hand in a sharp salute. "Captain of Marine Headquarters, Marineford. Monkey D. Dragon. Awaiting orders."
"Monkey D. Dragon, huh..." Sakazuki's voice carried a contemplative tone.
But he quickly dismissed the thought. With a slight nod, he signaled for the young officer to continue dealing with the remaining pirates.
Seeing the man who would one day become a rebel leader stirred nothing in him.
Right now, Dragon was just a talented young man. With Garp as his father, it was only natural that his strength and potential were well above his peers. Other than that, he was simply a capable marine. His background was notable, but nothing else about him stood out.
With Dragon's participation, the battle was swiftly crushed in the marines' favor. He led his men in securing the battlefield and tending to the wounded.
Meanwhile, Sakazuki's warship finally arrived. Without a word, he made his way toward it.
Dragon hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he only watched Sakazuki's retreating figure.
The vice admiral raised a hand in acknowledgment before boarding the warship.
……
Six months later.
In the waters near Jaya Island, a marine warship sailing toward its destination spotted something unusual.
"What's that? A pirate ship?"
"There's a lot of debris."
"It's completely wrecked. Must've been in the water for years."
"Should we haul some up for inspection?"
"There's a small boat over there. Looks like someone's on it."
The marines murmured among themselves as they observed the scattered remains of an old pirate ship. The wreckage was ancient, its wood long worn by the sea.
Carlo walked up to Sakazuki and asked. "Vice Admiral, we've spotted ship debris ahead. Should we retrieve it?"
"Check it out," he ordered.
"Yes, sir."
As the warship drew closer, a small figure lurking beneath the water noticed its massive shadow approaching. Holding his breath, he swam upward and stopped beneath the small boat.
Poking his head out just enough to catch a breath, he peered toward the incoming warship. Seeing the marine insignia, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. Then, he quickly hid behind the boat, waiting for the warship to pass.
But as soon as the boy surfaced, Sakazuki sensed him. He cast a glance in the boy's direction but paid it no further mind.
Meanwhile, the marines on deck went into the water with ropes, securing them to floating debris and crates.
Carlo examined the recovered wreckage, taking note of the markings and symbols. Holding up a tattered flag, he said.
"This ship appears to be from around 170 years ago. This flag belonged to the Derrick Kingdom, which was destroyed 170 years ago. After its fall, the kingdom split into two nations, both preserving much of Derrick's traditions—including their flags, which still resemble the old Derrick Kingdom's.
"They're known as the Kingdom of Malakar and Galzburg. The two have been fighting ever since, completely cut off from the outside world. Because of the constant warfare, few outsiders ever venture there.
"This ship was likely caught in the Knock Up Stream near Jaya Island. It must have drifted in the White Sea for who knows how long before finally falling back down."
Suddenly, a marine burst out from the water, holding up a gleaming object.
"Gold! We found gold!"
Gasps of excitement spread through the crew.
"Whoa!"
"Seriously?!"
"Look at the size of that piece!"
"Get me a rope, quick!"
"Hahaha!"
Behind the small boat, the boy's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the golden artifact. His lips trembled as he muttered, "It can't be wrong…my ancestor didn't lie… It's real!"
He wanted to rush out several times but restrained himself with great effort. His gaze remained fixed on the golden object, filled with unwillingness.
Sakazuki noticed the boy's strange reaction. And the source of it was the golden artifact in the marine's hands.
He turned in that direction and spoke.
"Come out, kid. Stop hiding. There's no one else around. You, behind the small boat."
The boy behind the boat hesitated before cautiously emerging. All eyes on the ship turned toward him, and for a moment, he froze in place.
Sakazuki took the golden object from the marine who found it and held it up.
"You seem to recognize this. Care to tell us about it?"
"I... I do!" The boy suddenly snapped out of his daze, stammering as he spoke.
Sakazuki sighed. 'Am I really that scary?'
With a slight nod, he signaled a marine, who immediately used Geppo to land on the small boat. The soldier grabbed the boy and brought him aboard.
The boy's shoulders tensed, his nerves still on edge.
Sakazuki handed him the golden artifact. As the boy took it into his trembling hands, his panicked breathing gradually steadied. Taking a deep breath, he began explaining its origins.
"I've seen this in my family's records. Based on the carvings and my ancestor's descriptions… This is a ceremonial dish used by the Shandia tribe of Jaya Island—four hundred years ago."
A wave of shock rippled through the marines.
"What?!"
"Four hundred years?!"
"Incredible!"
"Holy...!"
Even Carlo became intrigued.
"Can you tell us your ancestor's name?" he asked.
"My ancestor's name is…Mont Blanc Noland," the boy replied hesitantly.
Some of the North Blue-born marines felt a flicker of recognition but couldn't immediately recall where they'd heard that name before.
"That name sounds familiar..."
"Where have I heard it?"
"I swear I know this!"
"Wait, let me think!"
Just then, Carlo seemed to realize something. "Your ancestor is the legendary 'Liar Noland' from North Blue folklore, isn't he?"
Silence fell over the group before understanding dawned on them.
"Right! Noland!"
"That's why it sounded so familiar!"
"Yeah! I heard his story all the time as a kid!"
"You too? Hahaha!"
As the marines laughed and reminisced, the boy's expression darkened. His furious glare swept over them.
"That's not true!" he shouted.
"My ancestor was not a liar! He never deceived anyone! This gold is proof! My ancestor was wrongly accused!"
His reddened eyes glistened with unshed tears. His flushed face burned with anger.
This artifact was only the beginning. He would prove it—no matter what it took. No matter how long it took. He would prove that his ancestor did not lie.
The marines fell silent, awkward expressions creeping onto their faces. They didn't know what to say. None of them had expected such an outburst.
Then, a large hand landed on the boy's head. He flinched, ready to push it away—until a deep, calm voice echoed.
"I believe you."
The boy froze. His vision blurred as tears welled up uncontrollably.
"Sob…! Hwaaahhh!!!"
*
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