To "welcome" Yoriichi's arrival, the Navy had made extensive preparations in advance.
The citizens of Sabaody Archipelago didn't know what was going on. All they knew was that the Navy had done a lot of "practical work" recently, and the island's security had drastically improved.
Pirates roaming the island were captured in batches. Only a few lucky ones remained hidden among civilians. When Yoriichi's warship approached the island, some of these pirates crept to the harbor to sneak a look.
At the coast, besides the orderly rows of Marines standing at attention, there were also many idle onlookers.
Everyone was curious: just what was behind this grand Navy operation?
When they saw that all of this commotion was simply to welcome a single warship, the crowd was stunned. Many had assumed some major figure had arrived on the island, perhaps one of the so-called "gods among gods," a high-ranking Celestial Dragon. But it turned out, the Navy's elaborate display was merely for a ship.
"What's the story with that ship? Even an admiral wouldn't get this kind of reception."
"Could it be escorting a World Noble?"
As speculation rippled through the crowd, Yoriichi led his Marines down the gangplank. The moment his foot touched the ground of Sabaody Archipelago, the Marines stationed along the coast saluted in unison.
They said nothing, but the sheer pressure was suffocating. Their eyes, filled with solemnity and reverence, were locked on Yoriichi.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
This legendary Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters had seldom shown his face before rank-and-file Marines in recent years. But his presence was something no one could ever ignore.
Countless young Marines had made it their life's goal to follow in his footsteps.
"This kind of reception… really isn't my style."
Yoriichi sighed as he stepped off the ship and looked at the endless ranks of Marines. This time, he had planned to arrive quietly, get the ship coated, and leave for Fish-Man Island without anyone noticing. But the moment Headquarters caught wind of his approach, they rolled out a scene like this.
Never mind whether it disturbed the peace, it risked exposing his true plans far too soon.
For someone hoping to quietly gather strength, this kind of attention was not good.
The grander the show, the faster you die.
"Vice Admiral, what's Headquarters playing at?" Kyros, walking behind Yoriichi, quickened his steps. Seeing the scale of the scene before him, he asked in a low voice, clearly uneasy.
He could tell something wasn't right. This journey was meant to be covert. They'd looped through the New World not just to hunt pirates, but also to obscure the timing of their arrival at Sabaody.
But now it seemed everything they did had been under Headquarters' surveillance.
"Kyros, cheer up."
"Headquarters is just looking out for us. They don't want us seeing things we shouldn't."
"They're just being thoughtful, that's all."
Yoriichi smiled, glancing at the Marine-lined pathway and then toward the city. Instead of taking the main road, he deliberately turned, attempting to bypass the wall of soldiers and head toward the city.
"Vice Admiral Yoriichi!"
At that moment, a young officer in full dress uniform flashed into view, stopping behind them and calling out urgently.
Yoriichi turned his head slowly as the Rear Admiral bowed slightly and awkwardly pleaded, "Vice Admiral, the Fleet Admiral and the Admirals know you've returned. They're waiting for you at Marineford."
"Why not go meet with them first?"
The Rear Admiral's voice was gentle, almost pleading, and even Tiger, standing behind Yoriichi, could hear the deference in his tone. It gave him an entirely new perspective on Yoriichi's authority within the Navy.
Of course, what Tiger didn't know was that this wasn't respect born from prestige.
It was fear, fear that Yoriichi might cause a scene in the heart of power.
"Marineford?"
"I didn't plan to go there. I'm only staying at Sabaody a few days. Once my ship is coated, I'll be leaving."
"The Fleet Admiral and Admirals must be busy. I won't disturb them."
Yoriichi cast a casual glance at the officer and replied with indifference.
The Rear Admiral hesitated, wanting to say, "This is an order from the Fleet Admiral," but under Yoriichi's gaze, the words stuck in his throat. He didn't know why. Yoriichi hadn't exuded any killing intent, yet under that calm look, the young officer simply couldn't bring himself to speak sternly.
Just then, a hearty laugh echoed from down the street.
"Hahahaha!"
"You brat, you're already back at Marineford's doorstep, and you don't even come visit me?"
"Making this old man come pick you up myself. How heartbreaking, Yoriichi."
That deep, charismatic voice drew everyone's attention. A tall Marine with a head of purple hair strolled over with a unit of younger Marines.
"Zéphyr-sensei!"
The Rear Admiral looked as though he'd seen a savior. He let out a breath of relief.
It was none other than the Navy's Chief Instructor, Zéphyr.
At his side, Garp walked with his signature wide stance, munching on a donut and chuckling. "I told you, Sengoku's plan wouldn't work."
"Takes us two old men to do the job!"
"Hahahaha! I called it!"
Zéphyr and Garp's arrival drew even more public attention. For someone to be received personally by these two, they had to be a major figure.
Finally, someone recognized Yoriichi, who had long disappeared from public view.
"That Marine… it's Yoriichi Tsugikuni! The one who captured Pirate King Roger!"
A gasp broke through the crowd, and chatter exploded instantly. Hidden pirates among the onlookers also turned their gazes toward Yoriichi, eager to witness the legend.
"Heh, seems we've stirred up unnecessary attention."
"Yoriichi, let's not disturb the locals. Come back to HQ for now," Zéphyr said with a gentle smile.
"I wonder whose fault that is," Yoriichi sighed. Then he turned to Kyros. "Kyros, find a shipwright to coat the ship. Once it's done, we sail for Fish-Man Island."
"Give the crew some time off. Let them relax. You and Mihawk take Tiger and stroll around the island."
"Don't stir up trouble, but if trouble comes and you're in the right, I'll cover for you."
He looked to Zéphyr and Garp. The two veterans exchanged a glance and said nothing, just smiled knowingly. When Yoriichi finished giving instructions, Zéphyr walked up and patted him on the shoulder, eyes filled with emotion.
"It's been a while. You've grown taller again."
"Your shoulders are broader too, sturdy enough to carry more than this old man ever could."
"But even the strongest need a home to return to. Come on, Yoriichi. You haven't been home in ages. Stay a few days."
He gently slung his arm around Yoriichi's shoulder and led him deeper into the island.
Yoriichi didn't resist. Zéphyr had always treated him well, and there was no need to create friction over something so small.
He had already anticipated this. HQ wouldn't let him roam Sabaody freely. The situation unfolding now was fully within his expectations.
Zéphyr and Garp's ship was docked at the other end of the island.
The three crossed the island, boarded the vessel, and set sail toward Marineford.
Once they departed, the Marines guarding the coast finally dispersed, but they didn't return to HQ. Instead, they began closely monitoring Kyros and the others.
After Yoriichi left, Kyros gave the crew a break and started searching for a ship-coating artisan. The Dawn warship was massive, and the coating process would take at least ten days.
After reporting this to Yoriichi, Kyros and Mihawk took Tiger sightseeing around Sabaody Archipelago.
Sabaody was one of the most bustling cities in the world. After sailing for so long, the crew finally had a chance to relax and unwind.
Tiger seemed a little overwhelmed by the city's vibrance. Even while touring with Kyros and Mihawk, he kept a massive cloak draped over himself, unwilling to reveal his Fish-Man identity.
Kyros and Mihawk both noticed, but said nothing. They simply brought him along to drink and wander. Since joining Dawn Division, Tiger had grown close to both of them.
Mihawk never cared whether his friends were strong, after all, few could surpass him anyway.
Tiger's bold, unrestrained nature made him fiercely loyal to comrades he recognized. Mihawk didn't mind that kind of passion at all.
Marine HQ had made meticulous preparations, thorough, complete.
But an "unexpected" situation, by definition, arrives when least expected.
Just as Yoriichi, Garp, and Zéphyr boarded their ship for HQ, trouble arrived.
While the Navy could clean up most of the island's darkness, pirates, petty nobles, even local scum, there was one thing they couldn't touch.
Celestial Dragons.
On a wide street, Kyros, Mihawk, and Tiger had just picked up some snacks, planning to visit a famous sightseeing spot, when a commotion broke out.
Before they could investigate, the young Rear Admiral who had greeted Yoriichi earlier suddenly appeared before them, blocking their way.
"Hm?"
"It's you?" Kyros recognized the officer and asked, "What's going on?"
The Rear Admiral's expression darkened slightly. "Not here. Come with me."
He led them down a narrow alley beside the street.
Moments later, chaos erupted on the main road. Several CP9 agents in black appeared, clearing the way on both sides.
Soon after, the clink of chains echoed from the far end of the street.
From the alley shadows, Kyros peeked out and saw a man with green hair, wearing a slim white suit and a transparent bubble hood, a Celestial Dragon, entering his field of view.
Beneath the Dragon, a bruised, hulking man was crawling on all fours, carrying him like a beast of burden.
In his hand, the Celestial Dragon held a long whip. At his side, two CP9 agents each gripped an iron chain as thick as a man's wrist. The other ends of the chains were shackled to the crawling slave's neck.
The street commotion had all been caused by the Dragon's procession.
Along the road, ordinary civilians had dropped to their knees, heads pressed deeply into the ground, terrified that even a hint of disrespect might spell their doom. The once-lively street fell utterly silent as the Dragon passed by.
"Celestial Dragon…"
In the dark corner, Kyros whispered coldly, watching the arrogant figure parade down the road. Mihawk leaned silently against the wall, uninterested in what was happening outside.
Tiger, however, upon seeing the Dragon, clenched his fists tight.
Sabaody Archipelago… still had these people.
The first place Tiger visited after leaving Fish-Man Island had been this very place. In that bustling auction house, he had witnessed the depravity of the Celestial Dragons, and of humanity.
He felt no reverence for "gods." Only disgust.
"Yes, a Celestial Dragon."
"You almost ran out to see what was happening. If you'd bumped into him, it would've been a disaster."
The Rear Admiral sighed with relief. "Thank goodness Vice Admiral Yoriichi already left."
"Disgusting," Tiger growled, turning away in disdain. He had no interest in watching further and headed toward the alley's exit.
He hated what the Celestial Dragons stood for, but he wasn't rash enough to attack them outright.
He knew the chaos they represented. He didn't want to drag the Dawn Division into unnecessary trouble. And deep down, he believed Yoriichi wouldn't risk clashing with the so-called gods just for him.
In front of the Celestial Dragons, even Yoriichi might be powerless.
"Disgraceful," Kyros muttered, spitting lightly. Just as he turned to leave, he noticed several CP9 agents in black suddenly glance in their direction.
"Saint Mjosgard, we've detected filthy lowborns spying on you."
The CP9 didn't act rashly. Instead, they walked over to the green-haired Dragon and whispered quietly.
Mjosgard's eyes flared with outrage, as though he had been gravely insulted. He scanned the kneeling crowd, unable to find anyone with their head raised, and frowned in confusion.
"Where are they?"
The CP9 pointed toward the alley where Kyros and the others were hiding.
"We've been spotted."
"Let's go. We need to move now."
Kyros saw the motion and frowned. As soon as he spoke, a loud voice echoed across the street.
"Seize them! They didn't kneel when they saw me, that's a capital offense!"
With that shout, the CP9 agents behind him vanished instantly.
They were all elites.
In the blink of an eye, five CP9 members blocked off Kyros and the others in the alley.
When both sides came face to face, they froze.
"Marines?"
"CP9? That was fast."
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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
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