After two days of adjustment, Gaya had successfully stabilized the floating Thriller Bark.
However, achieving full control over its movements would still require time and effort.
Even if Gaya mastered that level of control, it would be impossible for her to operate the Thriller Bark around the clock.
Alternative power sources had to be considered.
For manual labor, the ever-diligent and tireless zombie army was an option.
For technological solutions, acquiring advanced meteorological technology would be ideal.
These ideas would take time to implement.
For now, the Thriller Bark still relied on its original sails for propulsion.
To master this new mode of navigation as quickly as possible, Lafitte had been exhausting himself in training.
Until full adaptation was achieved, the ship's speed remained frustratingly slow.
A journey from the Florian Triangle to the Sabaody Archipelago would typically take a week—but now, that estimate was uncertain.
Maude sat casually on the balcony railing of the castle's top floor, holding a newspaper in one hand while watching Jim and the others struggle with the sails below, a smile playing on his lips.
High in the sky, the wind was fierce.
Given the extraordinary size of the Thriller Bark's masts and sails, precise control was anything but simple.
The most critical issue was the limited manpower available, making it difficult to respond swiftly to Lafitte's navigation commands.
At times, the ship even ended up circling aimlessly within the same patch of sky.
This issue wasn't something that could be solved with skill alone—it required a change in manpower conditions.
At least until Maude collected enough shadows to awaken the frozen zombies, Lafitte would have to endure this challenge.
"Gura Gura no Mi…"
Maude lifted the newspaper slightly, his words carried away by the wind.
Suddenly, he released his grip.
The newspaper, now unrestrained, was instantly swept into the distance by the powerful gusts.
His gaze followed it, staring into the far horizon.
Information from newspapers was always limited.
And the value of the Gura Gura no Mi was beyond question. Even if he paid for underground intelligence or tapped into the Revolutionary Army's networks, the odds of finding it were slim.
After all, everyone wanted the Gura Gura no Mi—especially powerful organizations.
"Well, it'll surface sooner or later. For now… I should focus on eliminating Doflamingo's Donquixote Family."
Maude's thoughts drifted like the wind.
Once they reached Sabaody, they would pick up Perona and the others before heading straight to Dressrosa to wipe out the remnants of the Donquixote Family.
That was Maude's plan.
After that—
As long as he could acquire the Gura Gura no Mi, the era's grand pirate festival would begin!
Maude lowered his head, looking down at the endless expanse of blue below.
For a moment, it felt as though he could encompass the entire sea in his gaze.
The peak was still a few steps away.
But once he reached it—everything would be within his grasp.
Thus, the floating Thriller Bark continued its crooked path toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
One week later.
Sabaody Archipelago—Lawless Zone, Grove 22.
In the open space in front of a restaurant, more than a dozen pirates dressed in white uniforms lay sprawled on the ground, battered and unconscious.
They were members of the Heart Pirates.
Standing in front of them, blood dripping from his wounds, was Bepo.
His white fur and uniform were stained red from the cuts across his body.
"Hey… if you all fall here… there's no escaping…"
Bepo gasped for breath, struggling to maintain a defensive stance.
Surrounding him were Marines, sealing off every possible escape route.
Leading the charge were three Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters—
The Eight-Sword Style user, Onigumo.
The Shark Cutter wielder, Bastille.
And the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Dalmatian user, Dalmatian.
"In a situation like this, you still think you can escape?"
Dalmatian crossed his arms, looking at the exhausted Bepo with a mocking expression. "Should I call you naive or just plain stupid, white bear?"
"Damn Marines… If Captain were here… he'd tear you apart…"
Bepo glared at Dalmatian, his blood-soaked body swaying, barely able to remain standing.
"Idle threats should be kept for bedtime stories."
Onigumo's cold gaze fell on Bepo. "Take him down, but don't kill him."
"Yes, sir!"
The surrounding Marines responded in unison before charging at the faltering Bepo.
Seconds later—
The already-exhausted Bepo was overwhelmed by the Marines, heavily injured, and swiftly knocked unconscious.
The remaining Heart Pirates, unconscious and defeated, were promptly shackled and restrained.
"I really don't understand what Fleet Admiral Sengoku was thinking."
Behind his visor, Bastille frowned. "For a crew this weak, even a single Commodore would have sufficed. Why send three Vice Admirals?"
"Sengoku must have his reasons."
Dalmatian glanced at the captured Heart Pirates, now bound together like a bundle of cargo.
Onigumo spoke calmly, "Still, considering our current shortage of forces due to the Level Six prisoners escaping from Impel Down, this deployment does seem excessive."
Bastille and Dalmatian exchanged glances, nodding slightly.
Given the current strain on Marine forces, the assignment did feel out of place.
"Arara, you guys wrapped this up fast."
A lazy voice suddenly echoed through the area.
Hearing the unexpected voice, Onigumo and the other Marines stiffened in surprise.
"Admiral Aokiji? What are you doing here…?"
Following the sound, the Marines turned to see the unexpected arrival of Admiral Aokiji.
Under the surprised gazes of the Marines, Aokiji scratched his cheek, his eyes drifting toward the captured Heart Pirates.
"Arara, come with me to a certain place. It's a new mission."
"Hm?"
The Marines' expressions changed slightly.
What kind of mission required both an Admiral and three Vice Admirals?
Aokiji didn't explain directly. Instead, he pointed at the unconscious Bepo and his crewmates.
"Before that, send a team to escort them to Impel Down. They're an important bargaining chip—no room for mistakes."
"Yes, sir."
Onigumo, Bastille, and Dalmatian promptly arranged for a team to transport the prisoners to a Marine battleship docked at the shore.
Once that was settled, Aokiji, hands in his pockets, turned toward Grove 13.
"Let's go."
With that, he took the lead toward Grove 13.
Onigumo, Bastille, and Dalmatian exchanged glances, seeing the same confusion in each other's eyes.
Despite their doubts, they followed closely behind Aokiji with their troops in tow.
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