Join my Patreon to read advanced chapters.
Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
Currently at Chapter 239 on Patreon. Read at one go.
patreon.com/FrancisMW
The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days. (Chapter 239-244)
patreon.com/FrancisMW
As soon as Bai Yu agreed to Lie Qing's request, he immediately set sail for the Sabaody Archipelago to acquire the necessary supplies.
During this period, Bai Yu received an urgent notice from Marine Headquarters.
Having decapitated former Warlord of the Sea Donquixote Doflamingo and dismantled Caesar Clown's brutal research base, Bai Yu was officially promoted to Vice Admiral of the Marines.
He was also assigned command over the G-5 branch, a post once held by Smoker.
This promotion placed Bai Yu in the same rank as the legendary Monkey D. Garp.
After Vice Admiral, the next step would be Admiral—a rank that brought Bai Yu even closer to his long-term goal.
Returning to Bai Yu's perspective—
Thanks to his swift navigation, his warship reached the Sabaody Archipelago within half a day.
The difference this time was their docking location: Grove 5.
As noted before, Groves 1 through 29 of the Archipelago were home to slave trade houses, underground auctions, and other illegal exchanges.
Naturally, if one needed to purchase rare and banned materials, this was the most suitable area.
Upon arrival, Bai Yu spread out the procurement list and began searching for the necessary items.
Since the Branch 188 had transferred ample funds in advance, Bai Yu had no concerns about expenses.
By nightfall, he had acquired most of the items on Lie Qing's list.
Based on his calculations, the remaining materials could be bought the next day—after which he could return to G-5.
The night passed without incident.
By the next noon, Bai Yu mobilized Da Siqi and Maya to accelerate the procurement process.
He personally went out to search for raw seastone materials.
While walking through the busy streets, he suddenly saw a wave of panic-stricken civilians running toward him.
> "The pirates have attacked the Celestial Dragons!"
"Someone assaulted a Tenryuubito!"
"Run! A Marine Admiral is going to arrive soon!"
The crowd screamed in terror as they fled the scene.
Bai Yu's expression turned grim.
A scene from memory flashed in his mind.
> "Could it be... the Straw Hat Crew?"
He silently speculated.
In the original events, one of the only pirate crews bold enough to attack a Celestial Dragon was Luffy's Straw Hats.
Bai Yu had long dispatched informants to monitor their movements.
At this point in time, the Straw Hats had already stirred chaos at Enies Lobby, declared war on the World Government, and seen their bounties skyrocket.
It wasn't that Bai Yu hadn't wanted to intervene—but during that arc, he had been pursuing Doflamingo and couldn't break away.
Now, it seemed the Straw Hats had arrived at Sabaody sooner than expected.
> "Wait! Where are the pirates who injured the Celestial Dragon now?"
Bai Yu stopped a fleeing civilian and asked.
> "You're a Marine?"
> "It happened… right up ahead at the auction hall!"
"Listen, officer, I know you mean well—but be careful!"
"The pirates involved are all over 100 million in bounty!"
"Wait for reinforcements if you want to live!"
The man warned him repeatedly.
In the auction earlier, more than one or two notorious pirates had appeared—it was a gathering of Supernovas!
Each one a brutal outlaw with a bounty exceeding 100 million Berries.
> "Don't worry," Bai Yu replied with a calm smile. "I'm not as fragile as you think."
He released the civilian and immediately rushed in the direction the man had pointed.
Brr brr brr brr—
Just then, Bai Yu's special Den Den Mushi rang.
> "Bai Yu, is that you?"
Garp's voice crackled through the line.
> "Yes. It's me."
> "I just got off the line with G-5. They say you're at Sabaody right now?"
"Perfect."
"Take your people immediately to the auction house in Grove 1!"
"Pirates have assaulted a Celestial Dragon. That's a direct offense against the World Government."
> "The Headquarters is dispatching reinforcements as we speak!"
Garp's tone was firm.
> "Even though I despise those spoiled nobles, an order's an order," he added with clear reluctance.
"Protect the Celestial Dragons—for now."
In Garp's eyes, the Tenryuubito were nothing but arrogant trash.
If it weren't a direct command from the World Government, Garp wouldn't lift a finger to save them.
> "Understood. I'm heading there now."
Bai Yu ended the call.
He sighed quietly to himself.
What Garp didn't know yet…
Was that the one who assaulted the Celestial Dragon—
Was none other than his own grandson—Monkey D. Luffy.
Had Garp known, he likely wouldn't have sent Admiral Kizaru.
He would've gone himself.
Still, perhaps it was for the best.
In the original timeline, Kizaru (Borsalino) was criticized for his bizarre, relaxed attitude during the Sabaody conflict—
Even helping Luffy subtly on multiple occasions.
Some fans jokingly referred to him as Luffy's "Uncle Kizaru."
But now, with Bai Yu present, there would be no chance for Kizaru to slack off.
Bai Yu activated his high-speed movement and rushed to the auction house.
However, by the time he arrived—
Luffy and his crew had already vanished.
All that remained were injured Marines from the local garrison.
Without wasting time, Bai Yu questioned the soldiers about the Straw Hats' escape route and accelerated his pursuit.
Finally, on a side street, he saw a group of pirates.
One of them held a female Marine by the neck, laughing maniacally.
Bai Yu's eyes narrowed—
His bloodthirst instantly surged.
That pirate was Eustass "Captain" Kid, the most notorious Supernova.
With a bounty of 315 million Berries, he possessed the Magnet-Magnet Fruit, a powerful Paramecia-type Devil Fruit.
And the person choking in Kid's hand—
Was none other than Da Siqi, the officer Bai Yu had sent out to procure supplies!
Somehow, she'd crossed paths with Kid and ended up in his grasp.
Looking closer, Bai Yu saw Kid grinning wickedly, clearly enjoying her suffocation.
> "Your Marine dogs took one of my crewmates."
"Now it's your turn."
"Didn't you threaten to arrest me earlier? Hah!"
"Beg for your life—I might let you live."
Kid taunted cruelly.
> "You… can dream!"
Even as her face turned red from the pressure on her throat, Da Siqi gritted her teeth and resisted.
Her defiance enraged Kid, and he began squeezing harder.
> "Captain Kid! We need to leave!"
One of his crewmates warned.
"Luffy just hit a Celestial Dragon—there's no way the World Government won't respond!"
"An Admiral could be here any second!"
Everyone knew that the Tenryuubito's authority came from their position as the creators of the World Government.
Attacking them was a guaranteed declaration of war.
A Marine Admiral would definitely be deployed.
And with the Kidd Pirates' current strength, facing an Admiral directly would be suicidal.
Join my Patreon to read advanced chapters.
Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
Currently at Chapter 239 on Patreon. Read at one go.
patreon.com/FrancisMW
The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days. (Chapter 239-244)
patreon.com/FrancisMW