Chapter 94: Setting Sail for Marine Headquarters
After Issho's solemn declaration, the somewhat heavy atmosphere that had been hanging over them instantly lifted.
Everyone's mood relaxed. Though there had been some complications, the outcome was good, and they no longer had to worry about creating any rifts between them.
Nami was the first to liven up the atmosphere, saying with a playful bounce: "So now you can reveal your secret, right? Let me guess what it is! Are you a prince from some kingdom? But your country was destroyed, so you carry a terrible burden of revenge? Or maybe you have a blood feud with the Celestial Dragons, so we'll have to fight the World Government to the bitter end?"
"Hehe, I'm quite curious myself. Could it be that Bane is actually a descendant of the Pirate King Roger?" Issho chuckled teasingly.
Zoro now displayed a sense of superiority, lifting his chin: "Those secrets that sound so impressive pale in comparison to what Bane actually carries. Honestly, I was completely shocked this time. If I hadn't experienced it firsthand, even if he told me directly, I would have thought he was talking nonsense."
"Oh? Now I'm even more curious," Issho said, taking a sip of sake as he looked toward Bane.
Bane decided to put on a show, clearing his throat before speaking: "Ahem, how should I put this... I'm actually from another world. I possess a very unique ability - the power to travel between worlds. Fubuki and Dr. Genus are companions I met during a three-month journey to another world with Zoro. At my sincere invitation, they chose to come here with me. And in the future, if the timing is right, I can take everyone to explore new worlds together."
After Bane finished speaking, Zoro, Fubuki, and Dr. Genus showed no change in expression, while Nami, Wiper, and Issho were completely stunned.
"Huh?" This time Nami was the first to react, asking in disbelief: "Are you serious?"
"I can vouch for him," Zoro said, raising his hand.
After a moment, Wiper burst into hearty laughter: "It seems that pledging my loyalty to you was the most correct decision of my life!"
"When you say 'another world'... do you mean?" Issho asked, pointing upward.
In Enel's temple on Sky Island, he had learned some interesting new facts, such as about the moon people.
He wanted to know if Bane was like those so-called moon people. Was that what he meant by different worlds?
"No, not from above or aliens or anything like that, but truly another world - a completely unrelated separate world," Bane said solemnly.
Then Bane began to explain his story in detail to everyone. Even though they had heard it before, Zoro and the others still found it fascinating.
After covering everything he could share, which didn't actually take much time, and answering some questions, he left them to process the rest on their own.
Before long, the shark-shaped galleon plunged down from the edge of the sea of clouds, and the ship instantly went into freefall.
Issho snapped out of his amazement, immediately activating his powers to stabilize the ship and guide it smoothly down toward the Blue Sea below.
"I thought I could easily handle whatever secret you were carrying, but now I realize I was thinking too simply. A journey to another world? I'm actually starting to look forward to it," Issho said, controlling his ability while sighing.
"Haha! Once we establish ourselves here and build up enough strength, I'll take you all to conquer other worlds!" Bane laughed boldly.
Just as he finished speaking, the chaotic ringing of a Den Den Mushi filled the air.
Hearing the commotion, Nami naturally retrieved Bane's Den Den Mushi from her chest and tossed it to him: "It's Captain Smoker again."
"This guy must be getting anxious," Bane caught the Den Den Mushi and complained, then immediately answered: "Smoker? What's up?"
"You're asking me what's up? Where are you now? There's been no news of you on the seas lately. Our Marine intelligence can't find you - I thought you'd been killed! Speaking of which, we've already reached headquarters. How much longer until you arrive? Fleet Admiral Sengoku wants to meet you, and I've scheduled time with Teacher Zephyr too. Don't stand me up!" Smoker said somewhat frantically.
"How did you get to Marine Headquarters so fast?" Bane asked, somewhat exasperated.
"Vice Admiral Garp and I were worried about running into trouble on the way, so we took the route through the Holy Land from East Blue. Of course it was faster. Didn't I mention this before?" Smoker explained.
Did he? Bane couldn't quite remember, but he didn't dwell on it, quickly responding: "I was on Sky Island before, so of course you couldn't find any intelligence on me. But I've come down now, don't worry. I'm heading straight for headquarters and should arrive soon."
"Good, I'll wait for you at headquarters. Contact me when you're close, and I'll meet you at Sabaody Archipelago," Smoker immediately replied.
To go directly to Marine Headquarters with Bane's group's status, it wouldn't be convenient with several hundred people, so Smoker would personally escort them.
"Understood." Bane agreed, chatted for a few more moments, then hung up the Den Den Mushi.
After handing the Den Den Mushi back to Nami, their navigator and secretary, Bane sighed: "I originally planned to go to Water 7 to get a better ship, but now it seems there's no time. Issho, we need to speed up, or we'll miss the Marines' big show."
Originally, Bane had planned to visit Water 7 to cause some excitement, see if he could monetize Enel's Ark Maxim blueprints, and perhaps bring Franky aboard.
Now it seemed there was no time for that, or even necessity. After all, Dr. Genus was already on board. His research capabilities were top-tier, and once he gained some understanding of this world and integrated the knowledge, with his talent he could completely become a world-class scientist. Even combining technology from the other world with the undeciphered spaceship technology, surpassing Vegapunk wasn't impossible!
As for shipbuilding in Water 7... forget it. In the future, he'd just use Marine warships directly. After transitioning through warships, he'd move straight to spaceships.
Soon, under Issho's control, the ship smoothly merged with the seawater. Then Nami, their navigator, began directing her subordinates to operate the vessel, pulling out the Log Pose for Sabaody Archipelago that she'd prepared long ago. Without any further stops, they headed straight for Sabaody Archipelago!
"Speaking of which, you mentioned before that the Marines were planning something big. I've been curious for a long time, but it wasn't convenient to ask before. Now I can finally inquire without any pressure - what exactly is the Marine planning to do? And what's our purpose in going to Marine Headquarters?" Issho asked, standing with Bane by the ship's mast.
"Ahem," Bane cleared his throat dramatically, then said: "The Marines are going to war with the Whitebeard Pirates. They've prepared a series of tactical strategies, and this war will take place at Marine Headquarters. We... will naturally participate in the battle, or at least observe it without any problems."
"What?" Issho's expression showed surprise: "The Marines have decided to go to war with the Whitebeard Pirates?"
Then he muttered to himself: "No wonder, no wonder Marine forces worldwide have been mobilizing frequently lately. Now it all makes sense."
Thinking about this, Issho felt somewhat excited and thrilled.
"My first battle after joining the Marines will be against the strongest pirate crew? Excellent!" Issho said with both emotion and anticipation.
Bane didn't respond to these comments. Instead, he stood on deck, feeling the slightly salty sea breeze, his mouth gradually curving upward as he whispered: "The sea... I'm back."
Not far away, Dr. Genus was indignantly pulling at Zoro: "This ship's technology is completely outdated - no, not just outdated, it's absolute garbage! Every minute I spend here is torture. Find me a place quickly - I can't wait to modify this ship! No, rebuild it - completely rebuild it!!!"
Meanwhile, Fubuki stood chatting happily with Nami. The two women were getting along wonderfully, with Nami telling Fubuki about interesting stories from this world, while Fubuki shared tales from the other world. Obviously, among Bane's companions, there were few women and many men, so now both had finally found female companionship.
However, just like when Zoro had gone to the other world, they spoke with accents, and when it came to written language, they were completely illiterate!
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