It would have been possible to leave the island long ago and move on to the next destination.
But, to wait for the Knights of God, Luffy had to stay a few more days.
"I'm not sure if it's them. But it's definitely a government ship."
Violet wasn't sure if it was them, so she could only say: "I can transmit the image of what I see to you, Luffy."
While speaking, she took a few steps closer and pressed her forehead against Luffy's.
In the next moment, an image appeared in Luffy's mind.
In the vast ocean, a ship flying the World Government flag approaches arrogantly toward Dressrosa.
On the deck, several men in black suits are chatting among themselves.
Some of them have very distinctive images, and Luffy recognized them immediately.
With a rounded body and head, he looks a bit like Fukurou.
"Are they agents from CP9?" Luffy thought unexpectedly.
It's not the Knights of God who came, but CP9.
What is CP9 doing here?
While pondering this, Luffy spread his Observation Haki and quickly found Chopper and the others at the ship's anchoring point.
He immediately stood up and said:
"Don't worry, Violet, nothing will happen. If you encounter any problems in the future, you can contact me at this number." Luffy handed a note to Violet and left the palace.
He headed to the west coast, where the ship was moored.
Chopper was giving medicines to the children.
"How are they?"
"Luffy! After two days of treatment, the toxins in their bodies have weakened considerably, and withdrawal symptoms aren't as severe, but they still need to continue the treatment for a while," Chopper replied.
Luffy nodded and said: "I'm leaving here. I'll warn everyone to prepare. As for these children, send them home."
"Huh? You're leaving?" Usopp was fiddling with his slingshot. "Aren't you waiting for the Knights of God?"
"They probably won't come," Luffy also found it strange. Two days is more than enough to travel from Mariejois to Dressrosa.
It doesn't even take two days; theoretically, the government's ship should arrive the next morning.
"Who is coming is from CP9. They should arrive in a few minutes."
Hearing this, Usopp immediately activated his Observation Haki.
His range is unusually large, and it didn't take long for him to locate them.
"Found them!"
Usopp put on his glasses, squinted, pulled his slingshot, and smiled: "Luffy, can you attack?"
"Do whatever you think is necessary," Luffy replied.
"Understood! Hi no Tori Bosh!"
Whoosh!
The flaming bomb launched from the slingshot exploded quickly after being fired, transforming into a large fiery bird, almost sticking to the surface of the sea, flying toward the ship, whose shadow was barely visible in the field of view.
Luffy raised his eyebrows in surprise and said with a smile: "Can you hit from so far away?"
"Hey, don't think I'll be left behind, Luffy!" Usopp proudly gave himself a thumbs-up: "Let me introduce you, this is a new type of slingshot developed jointly by me and Franky..."
He kept talking nonstop.
---xXx---
On the other side.
A ship with the government flag, on the deck.
"I think we can slow down a bit. It's better to wait for the Straw Hat crew to leave before heading to investigate the situation on the island." Fukurou opened his mouth zipper and said.
"Exactly! Fukurou, what you said makes a lot of sense!"
Commander Spandam nodded in agreement and, at the same time, slammed his hand on the table in anger: "Why do I have to carry out such a dangerous mission? Is it just because I fed false information earlier? I am also a victim of that cursed woman!"
Because of this incident, his official career was dark.
Although, thanks to his family connections, he was not stripped of his official position for now, but if he doesn't achieve some accomplishments, he will never be promoted in this life!
Kumadori, posing as a theater actor:
"Yoyo~! We've already slowed down to the slowest speed. If we keep delaying, there will be complaints from above."
"We left two days ago. It's reasonable to say we should have arrived yesterday morning. The trip has been delayed by more than a day. There's no more time to delay."
Jabra said irritably: "Why do we need to undertake such a dangerous mission? That's the Straw Hat, one of the Yonkou. What is there to investigate about the coup in Dressrosa? Let the Marines do it!"
They didn't want to go to the island, so they finally raised the sails and stopped at sea.
"Let's wait for the Straw Hats to leave!"
Everyone agreed.
But in the next moment, a fire came from afar.
"What is that?!" Jabra's pupils narrowed.
Everyone immediately stood up from their seats.
In the next moment, the wave of flames hit the ship.
Boom!!
Amid the explosion, the ship caught fire, and Spandam shouted as he was engulfed by the flames.
"Enemy attack!" Fukurou looked toward the direction from where the firebird came and said incredulously: "Impossible...! How did he find us!?"
"This attack came from the island!? It's at least 10 kilometers away!!" Kumadori, not in the mood for jokes, looked at the island with a blank expression.
It was ten kilometers away!
"Let's retreat first!" Jabra was sweating cold. "I don't want to fight that monster like this. Our mission is just to investigate the coup..."
Before he could finish his words, a figure appeared in the sky at the back of his field of vision.
Sanji used Geppo and quickly reached the ship's deck.
With a cigarette in his mouth, he said:
"CP9, huh? Luffy wasn't expecting you, but since you're here, stay!"
Then there was a violent beating, and the agents, who didn't even know Haki, naturally couldn't be his opponents.
---xXx---
On the coast.
Luffy turned to Usopp and others and said: "Take care of things here. I'll go first to the Fishman Island to fulfill the agreement with Shirahoshi, and when I return, I'll be ready to go."
Almost a month had passed since the scheduled date.
I don't know how they are preparing.
Did Neptune convince all the citizens?
Thinking of this, he went to the Sunny's deck, took a photo, and left it at the figurehead.
"Please, Sunny, go to Fishman Island."
---xXx---
10,000 meters deep, Dragon Kingdom.
Neptune crossed his arms and sighed, "Left Minister, have the people's opinions been unified yet?"
"Yes, Your Majesty Neptune. Only about 60% of the people agree to move, and 40% do not want to take the risk."
Great Prince Fukaboshi frowned and said: "The scheduled date is approaching soon. If Luffy returns, what should we do?"
Ryuboshi and Manboshi looked at each other and said in unison:
"Shirahoshi is eager to live on land. Father, we must find a way as soon as possible to make the remaining 40% of citizens accept the relocation."
"You're right... How can we get the rest of the people to agree? Everyone is worried they are in danger. Moving an island into the sea is a very dangerous process."
Just as they were speaking, a mermaid hurriedly entered.
"What's the matter? You look panicked!"
"Your Majesty! The news just arrived that the Straw Hat ship has docked at the Mermaid Cove!"
(End of chapter)