At the stern of the colossal island-ship, Bundy Waldo stood, staring grimly at the Navy fleet chasing them across the Great Sea Route. His expression was as dark as the smoke rising from the ship's scorched deck.
It seemed that this Admiral Akainu truly wouldn't rest until he had captured him.
"C–Captain… the turbine engines are burning through too much fuel. At this rate, we'll run out soon."
The ground beneath Waldo's feet shifted as square-shaped tiles rearranged themselves into steps. A red-nosed old man, with two block-shaped tufts of hair on his head, emerged—Gairam, the ship's chief engineer.
Like the ship's doctor Nashin, Gairam spoke in a cautious, respectful tone toward the captain who felt both familiar and distant after so many years.
To keep this gigantic island-ship's power systems running, they were burning money and fuel at an impossible rate. No amount of coal could keep up.
Hearing Gairam's report, Waldo's irritation deepened.
Akainu's relentless pursuit, Binjack's scolding, Nashin's failed treatment that left his burns still throbbing—and now even this ship was beginning to fail him.
These old, withered officers were nothing but disappointments.
"Useless old fools… you can't even handle one simple task."
He clenched his fists.
"I already know. Go below deck. I've contacted a powerful ally."
Waldo had been irritated at the Aralon Pirates earlier—for their arrogant "request" that he provide his coordinates—but now he realized he might actually need their help. Perhaps he could even use them to turn the tables on Akainu Sakazuki, the maddened hound of the Navy.
"An ally? You mean… the legendary Aralon Pirates?" Gairam's eyes lit up, a hint of hope and excitement flickering within them.
Who hadn't heard of Souta Kiryuu, the "Dragon of the East"? The man who had stormed Impel Down and shattered its impregnable walls, allowing Waldo and countless other pirates to escape their eternal prison.
It was said that Waldo himself had fought alongside Kiryuu's crew in the attack on Mary Geoise, the Holy Land of the Celestial Dragons.
So the rumors were true—Waldo was an ally of the Aralon Pirates.
For Gairam and the others, that alliance could mean salvation.
"Humph! Those bastards are nothing compared to you lot," Waldo spat, his eyes flashing with disdain as he looked at his weary crew. Compared to the Aralon Pirates' elite officers, his own subordinates seemed utterly pathetic.
"I'll go tell Binjack and the others the good news," Gairam said quickly, trying to defuse Waldo's temper. With a motion of his hand, the deck's cubes shifted again, lowering him below.
Gairam's Cube-Cube Fruit ability allowed him to transform any substance into controllable cubic blocks.
The entire Grosserdi Island-Ship had been built and modified through his powers—like stacking blocks in a living, breathing construction set. It was as if he were building in a world made entirely of cubes, shaping and reshaping everything at will.
Even living creatures weren't immune. Once touched by his power, they could be turned into perfect cubes.
Even someone like Buggy the Clown, who possessed the Chop-Chop Fruit, couldn't resist Gairam's transformation—he would still be forcibly cubed.
By compressing air into cube-shaped projectiles, Gairam could fire devastating "Air Cube Cannons." Though not as powerful as Bartholomew Kuma's air pressure attacks, their destructive potential was still formidable—especially in skilled hands.
Like the Paw-Paw Fruit, the Cube-Cube Fruit's potential was bound only by the imagination of its user. For someone with enough creativity and ingenuity, it was a power of limitless possibilities.
After Gairam spread the word, Binjack, Nashin, and Sebastian finally breathed a little easier.
If the Aralon Pirates were truly coming to their aid, perhaps there was still hope. Aligning themselves with such a formidable force could only be a good thing.
Somewhere on the Grand Line…
Aboard the Ark Revelation, the flagship of the Aralon Pirates.
Since Violet had failed to detect any sign of the Five Elders' movements, Souta Kiryuu had shifted his attention toward a more immediate target—Admiral Akainu.
After Lafitte established contact with Waldo, the Aralon fleet set sail at once, charting a course toward the confrontation between Akainu and the remnants of the Waldo Pirates.
"Captain Kiryuu," Nico Robin's smooth, confident voice echoed in his office, "we've stationed divine soldiers across the ruins of Pica Island and along the latter half of the Sky Route. Angel Island's Heavenly Gate has been reinforced as well.
Any suspicious vessels that attempt to pass will be detained and inspected. The World Government won't be able to reach the Sky Islands so easily."
Though the main God's Island had already been relocated, Kiryuu had no intention of abandoning the Sky Islands entirely.
If the Five Elders ever dared set foot on Angel Island, the retaliation against Mary Geoise would be catastrophic.
"I have a feeling the Elders will send someone there," Kiryuu said with a calm smile. "But taking down Akainu first is more practical. His location is confirmed, and his death will make a far louder statement."
There was a hint of cold amusement in his tone.
Had circumstances been different, he might have stayed and ambushed the Elders directly—but if they arrived prepared, bringing the other Elders and Imu himself, the result could be disastrous.
The Aralon Pirates, powerful as they were, still lacked the combined might to face Imu, the Five Elders, and the Marine Admirals all at once.
A premature war could mean the end of everything.
If the Five Elders wanted to scout the Sky Islands, let them. The divine soldiers stationed there were a clear message:
The Aralon Pirates are watching.
"Let the World Government come," Kiryuu murmured. "If they dare harm the Sky Islands… Mary Geoise and Marineford will burn next."
At that, Jewelry Bonney puffed her cheeks angrily, her voice sharp and full of spirit. "Yeah! If they destroy the Sky Islands, they'd better be ready to pay for it!"
Her mind was already whirling with mischievous revenge plots.
"Captain," Lafitte interjected, holding a Den Den Mushi, "aside from Waldo being chased by Akainu, the Red Count is also being hunted—by Aokiji and Garp.
But he just contacted us. He's managed to shake them off and has landed safely in Sleep Ancient Town. He needs Robin's help translating ancient inscriptions—he's close to finding the Devil Fruit he's been searching for."
Kiryuu nodded lightly. "Patch him through."
He had already provided the Red Count with the Vampire Fruit and the information about Sleep Ancient Town. None of this surprised him.
Soon, the Ark's transceiver snail projected a live image.
The Red Count appeared onscreen—ragged, exhausted, but alive. Behind him were ancient murals covered in unreadable text… and a small tanuki wearing a pink kimono wandered into view.
Kiryuu blinked. "Heh. So he met that tanuki—the Mythical Zoan user of the Shape-Shift Fruit. What an unexpected reunion."
"Quickly—translate this for me!" the Red Count's tired voice came through the transmission. "Garp will catch up any minute!"
"As you wish," Kiryuu replied, picking up a smaller Den Den Mushi to establish a direct line. Live snails weren't built for instant, multi-channel communication yet—but they would serve.