Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Earth Calamity appeared at Sabaody Archipelago?"
"Yes, but they're not flying the Beasts' flag this time, and their behavior is quite strange."
"Explain clearly!"
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral! The Earth Calamity seems to be purchasing real estate in Sabaody!"
Sengoku was stunned.
At this critical moment, Calamity Gurd suddenly appearing in Sabaody likely meant intervention in the war.
But what's this about buying property?
Though he knew of Earth Calamity's inexplicable obsession with real estate, with neither side having troops to spare right now, was this really the appropriate time?
The officer stood nervously.
"Also, we've spotted an elderly man suspected to be the 'Dark King' Rayleigh! He's currently been sold at a human auction—no, I mean a job placement agency!"
"Dark King!"
Another troublesome and dangerous figure.
"Pfft—HAHAHA!"
Garp burst into laughter while munching rice crackers.
"Troublesome guys keep popping up. Just ignore them, Sengoku. We don't have troops to waste on them now. Hey, pour me some tea."
"Shut up, Garp! I still haven't settled accounts with you about your grandson!"
Sengoku roared at Garp.
At a time like this, he still had the nerve to cause trouble.
"Of all times!"
Sengoku's head throbbed painfully.
While the Marines were gathering forces at headquarters to prepare for war, whether by coincidence or not, troublesome figures kept arriving at Sabaody Archipelago.
A full eleven Supernovas!
Plus Earth Calamity and the Dark King.
With Sabaody currently undermanned, eliminating these threats would cost the Marines countless troops with no guarantee of success.
As Garp said, they needed all their focus on the war—no spare forces could be diverted.
Sabaody Archipelago, Lawless Zone.
"Extra! Extra!"
Newspapers flew everywhere!
"Is this for real?!"
"Captain, this is huge news!"
"Huh?!"
While the Straw Hat crew remained oblivious to sensitive intel, the other Supernovas learned the latest development one after another.
In one week, the Marine Headquarters would publicly execute Whitebeard's Second Division Commander, "Fire Fist" Ace!
This was undeniably war.
With Sabaody Archipelago so close to Marine Headquarters, it would likely be caught in the crossfire—prompting wealthy residents to flee en masse.
Island No. 11.
Real Estate Agency.
"As expected, property prices are crashing!"
"Buy up everything now!"
"I'll build another Fortuna Community on this island too!"
Gurd stared gleefully at the wall covered in property listings. The panic selling by the rich had caused prices to plummet—a perfect opportunity to buy low.
He'd been waiting for this moment.
Sabaody Archipelago was essentially the world's center, with countless tourists—including nobles and merchants—passing through every moment.
Without the war's impact, Sabaody's real estate market would never fluctuate like this, and he wouldn't even have been able to purchase properties regardless of funds.
The World Government would never allow sales to him—only now, with the wealthy fleeing in panic and the government too preoccupied to interfere, could he act.
This chance wouldn't come again.
With days left before the war, focusing on business was paramount. This could become a springboard for expansion to other islands later.
"Lord Gurd."
Hajrudin found Gurd, his eyes filled with fury: "I heard rumors about giants being auctioned by humans. I want to go check it out."
"Go ahead, go ahead!"
Gurd waved him off dismissively, then turned to the rest of his subordinates. "The rest of you can do as you please too. Just don't cause too much trouble."
"Understood!"
The officers looked excited.
Sabaody Archipelago was world-famous as a renowned tourist destination, and they had long wanted to explore it properly.
And then, there were the Supernovas!
Exchanging glances, they all smirked with ill intent.
Bullying rookies was just too much fun.
"Straw Hat Luffy is mine!"
Who's Who grinned.
He had a score to settle with the Straw Hat. But before that, there was another matter—recently, Straw Hat Luffy had defeated the prodigy Rob Lucci.
Back when he was in CP9, Who's Who had also been hailed as a genius. But after Lucci appeared, everyone overlooked him. All his efforts and talent had been overshadowed by Lucci's brilliance.
Damn it!
If he took down Straw Hat, he could prove he was better than Lucci!
"Sasaki, got anyone you want to deal with?"
"Yeah, but he's not here."
Sasaki's gaze darkened as the image of a massive blue-skinned figure surfaced in his mind. As one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, that guy was bound to appear in this war.
The other officers also had their own targets in mind.
Reiju pulled out a bounty poster, studying the hand-drawn portrait with a faint smile.
"Black Leg" Sanji, bounty: 77 million Berries .
"I wonder if I'll get to see him."
As his sister, she had a gift she wanted to give him.
"Page One, come shopping with me!"
"Go by yourself!"
The officers scattered.
On this island teeming with crime, trouble would find you even if you weren't looking for it—especially if you belonged to a rare species.
Aside from pirates, the island was crawling with human traffickers.
Giants, the Mink Tribe, Fish-Men...
And wanted criminals.
They were all prime targets!
"Spotted a Mink!"
Karura and Carrot, traveling together, were quickly marked by slavers. The two, inexperienced in the ways of the world, had no idea of the danger.
Ulti and Page One were also targeted.
Their hefty bounties were temptation enough. As for the title of Four Emperors? On an island so close to Marine HQ, that intimidation meant nothing.
Meanwhile, Sasaki and Who's Who, seasoned veterans, moved through the chaos effortlessly.
Gurd strolled around with a few subordinates.
He'd left property purchases to others. Since he was in Sabaody, he figured he might as well look around—maybe run into some interesting folks.
Islands 1-29 were lawless zones, where pirates mostly gathered. With 11 Supernovas around, as long as luck wasn't too bad, he was bound to bump into a few.
Like the disgraced rear admiral before him.
Gurd smirked.
"Long time no see, Rear Admiral Drake."
"Huh?!"
Drake froze at the sight of Gurd, stunned.
What was he doing here?!
"Captain, this is bad!"
Drake's crewmates behind him nearly collapsed in fear at the sight of Gurd, breaking out in cold sweat, terrified their captain might pick a fight.
"Captain, that guy's an Earth Calamity!"
"We should stay far away from him!"
"If he sets his sights on us, we're dead!"
Drake's eyes were filled with gloom, well aware of how formidable the man before him was—an adversary even the Marine Admirals would struggle to defeat.
Yet, what concerned him more was why Gurd had appeared in Sabaody. Did Marine Headquarters even know about such a grave incident?
"Relax."
Gurd stepped beside Drake, issuing an unyielding command.
"Walk with me."
"..."
Drake's face flickered between pale and ashen as he silently followed Gurd.
This was trouble.
(End of Chapter)